Ford and Toyota revealed Monday the two companies will be collaborating on a new rear-wheel drive hybrid system that will offer more fuel-efficient options for  consumers in the market for a light truck or SUV. The two automakers also noted they will be working together to develop "next-generation standards for in-car telematics and Internet-based services." […] [Read More]

NADA Used Car Guide recently added a VIN barcode scanning app for mobile devices to help vehicle appraisers make fast and accurate decisions. The new VIN scanner app, which is available for the iPhone, iPad2 and Android, is free to download for subscribers of NADA Online and NADA AppraisalPRO. “The VIN barcode scanner simplifies the vehicle […] [Read More]

MPi — a provider of vehicle inspection tools, processes, and consulting for dealer service departments —established Regional Dealer Advisory and Fixed Operations Advisory councils on Monday. These groups are aimed at helping dealerships achieve better performance and increased revenue from their fixed operations.   The company explained the councils will be divided by regions — Eastern, Midwest […] [Read More]

Carfax is hosting the next installment of its PowerUp Webinar series on Friday, offering dealers a presentation that can help gauge the effectiveness of online vehicle listings. This free Webinar features Glenn Garvin of Dealer Specialties and Carfax’s Chad Goodson, who will delve into best practices for online marketing. The roughly 45-minute Webinar is scheduled […] [Read More]

Internet marketing solutions company Dealer.com announced Tuesday it has added two new members to the company’s board of directors, both of which come from Apax Partners, an investment company that recently acquired an approximately 30 percent stake in Dealer.com from Yellow Media Inc. As Yellow Media’s Marc Tellier, Doug Clarke and Normand Theberge leave the […] [Read More]

Since launching its mobile platform last February, Manheim has enjoyed more than 2 million customer visits to its mobile site. In the first six months of this year, Manheim calculated that it reached 1 million mobile visits — a feat that company officials say took nearly all of 2010 to accomplish. In fact, Manheim highlighted […] [Read More]

Marketing technology company MediaTrac revealed this week its new BeBack Program, a tool which aims to help dealers target potential customers who may not have made a purchase on their last visit to the store. Participating dealerships are asked to choose an incentive value that is then issued in the form of time-restricted, redeemable card […] [Read More]

AutoAlert, a data analytic and lead generation tool provider, announced this week it has received notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office about methods and processes integrated into its software systems. Company officials said patent No. 8,005,752 becomes effective next Tuesday. Last November, AutoAlert received patent No. 7,827,099 for a similar solution and expects […] [Read More]

The Texas Automobile Dealers Association revealed late last week that it has strengthened its partnership with NADA University to create a program designed to prepare the next generation of dealers for success, as well as make educational material more accessible. The program — Texas Dealer Academy — utilizes the online resources provided by NADA University to […] [Read More]

When it comes to social media, Seattle-area General Motors dealer Brad Brotherton doesn’t just use it to learn more about his own customer reaction to his store’s products and respond to their comments. The owner and president of Brotherton Cadillac Buick GMC also employs social media to connect with owners of vehicles from competing brands. [Read More]