CARLSBAD, Calif. — Bender Enterprises, makers of the handheld barcode VIN scanner, VINtrack-Live, touted its effectiveness while recently working with Mexican authorities. The device was recently used by law enforcement at a checkpoint along the California-Mexico border resulted in the recovery of a vehicle stolen almost a year ago. Three suspects were arrested while driving a […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif., and LANHAM, Md. — Autobytel and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers reached an exclusive, wide-ranging marketing alliance this week, one that officials stress is meant to help member dealers sell more vehicles. Autobytel and NAMAD explained the flagship program of the alliance is a customized consumer purchase request program. The program is […] [Read More]

INDIANAPOLIS — Autobase, a division of Dominion Dealer Solutions that provides customer relationship management services for dealers, said that product installations during the second quarter reached an all-time high of 261 deployments. June was particularly strong, as the company said it brought in a new dealership during each business day of the month. "This just proves […] [Read More]

CENTREVILLE, Va. — Carfax's vehicle history database reached a new threshold this week. Thanks to more than 34,000 sources, such as state DMVs, service and repair facilities and police departments, the vehicle history information that's housed in the Carfax database now exceeds 8 billion records. The Carfax database is located in Columbia, Mo., where the company was […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Chevrolet has rolled out a shopping app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad that lets consumers research any model within the brand's lineup, choose which interior and exterior colors they want and then find that vehicle at a dealership in their area. The Chevrolet Showroom app can be downloaded for free at the […] [Read More]

ROSELAND, N.J. — Automatic Data Processing's chief executive officer announced Friday that his company has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Cobalt for about $400 million in cash. The deal, which is subject to normal regulatory review, is expected to close within four to six weeks. "I am pleased to announce this transaction. Acquisitions that […] [Read More]

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — When it comes to plug-in electric vehicles, the majority of fleet managers don't believe they have all the information they need to make educated choices, according to the findings of a recent Donlen survey. With that in mind, the company has rolled out an Electric Vehicle Cost Calculator that is designed to help […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — In today's auto market, consumers are leaning on social media in their vehicle-research and shopping processes, and in light of this phenomenon, EasyCare has employed social-media tools of its own to educate these savvy shoppers about vehicle service contracts and attract them into EasyCare dealerships. EasyCare discussed how it has utilized some of these […] [Read More]

SAN DIEGO — A former executive with AutoCheck, Experian Automotive's vehicle history reporting service, recently has taken on a role with MobileTrac, the provider of instaVIN. Now serving as the director of data development with MobileTrac is Edie Hirtenstein. MobileTrac's instaVIN is newcomer to the vehicle history provider segment, having gone through an initial launch earlier […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — Cars.com is hosting a free online seminar Friday that is designed to show dealers how they can best use video in selling vehicles via the Web. The workshop — which starts at noon (EST) — will include a panel of experts who will delve into their tips for helping dealers succeed in this arena. Serving as […] [Read More]