TRADER Corp., which is based out of Canada, and vAuto revealed a partnership this week that basically will allow Canadian dealers use of vAuto’s Live Market View used-vehicle management tool. Under the partnership, TRADER Corp. has rolled out TOptimizer, which is modeled after Live Market View. Its features include stocking, appraisal and pricing modules. Canadian […] [Read More]

Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. announced Thursday that they have forged a strategic partnership and plan to build a global platform for TMC’s next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure platform.   Telematics is the fusing of telecommunications and information technologies in vehicles; it can encompass GPS systems, energy management and other multimedia technologies, […] [Read More]

DealerTrack revealed earlier this week that two of its leaders will be among the presenters at the 10th Digital Dealer Conference later this month. Speaking at the event — which is scheduled for April 19 through April 21 in Orlando, Fla. — will be Ronda Lewis, DealerTrack’s used-vehicle industry specialist, and Robin Goodyer, director of […] [Read More]

Contact At Once, a leading provider of dealer chat, announced the newest version of its mobile chat app this week, which now covers the iPhone and iPod Touch, in addition to the iPad2.   The latest release of the ContactAtOnce! Mobile Chat App offers dealership salespeople the freedom to move about the dealership, while continuing […] [Read More]

On Tuesday, PSCars.com announced that it is debuting a new online vehicle shopping portal at the Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition. The new platform is designed to give dealers a new way to showcase their stores and inventories online and sell more effectively. “Our goal is to transform the online vehicle buying and shopping process […] [Read More]

Copart announced a new online sweepstakes this week hosted on Facebook that is designed to speak to all drag racing fans. Between March 31 and Nov. 14, 2011, fans who "like" the Copart Racing Facebook page can enter to win the "Copart Racing Ultimate VIP Experience." This grand prize sweepstakes offers an all expenses paid […] [Read More]

Dealerships that utilize Joe Verde sales and management training products now can access tools through mobile phones. The company highlighted last week that Verde’s text message alerts will focus on “The New Basics” of selling to today’s customer with practical, how-to steps to closing the deal and selling a vehicle now. “My texts are for […] [Read More]

NADA University unveiled the launch schedule for online social networking communities for Next Generation ATD (American Truck Dealers), NADA-ATD Academy and NADA-ATD 20 Group. The first of the three comes on board in April with the remaining two going up in May and June. Officials gave more details about each of the three NADA University […] [Read More]

izmocars recently announced that Saab Cars North America has tapped the company for re-certification as a Certified Lead Management Provider.   The Saab certification is designed to ensure that dealers using izmocars iCRM and iLM systems will adhere to Saab’s inbound lead response times for receiving and responding to Internet leads.   [Read More]

Since technology advances at such a rapid pace nowadays, Edmunds.com wanted to know has Ford Sync lost its edge? Site analysts didn’t hesitate to point out that four years ago the Ford Sync infotainment system was the innovative technology that drove the automaker’s recovery. However, they believe competitors are beginning to catch up to — […] [Read More]