AutoMiner and Covideo now are working together, so dealers can leverage the capability of video to boost activities in both sales and service.
Last week, the automotive data mining platform released an integrated video messaging tool using Covideo’s proprietary technology, allowing its users to record, send and track videos through the platform.
The companies indicated that general managers, service managers and sales leaders now can record and send video blasts through AutoMiner’s emailing and texting features, targeting prospects with “hyper-specific messaging that is relevant, engaging, and effective,” according to AutoMiner chief executive officer Aaron Sheeks.
“This new video capability is huge for our dealers as they can now add a personal touch and interact directly with customers based on their already-clean target lists inside the AutoMiner,” Sheeks added in a news release.
AutoMiner’s customer data platform with managed marketing services has been designed exclusively for dealers. The tool can combine data from DMS, CRM, and conquest targets in one dealer-accessible platform, allowing dealers to use the data in their BDCs, sales and service departments, as well as in marketing campaigns.
AutoMiner opted to partner with Covideo, as a “trusted and known market leader in the video space among dealers,” Sheeks said.
Founded in 2004, Covideo is a video messaging platform used by dealerships for internet lead responses, vehicle walkarounds, appointment reminders, service repairs and more.
“We always jump at the chance to work with other innovators and market disruptors,” Covideo founder and CEO Jason Price said. “AutoMiner is certainly both of those, and we’re excited to lend our technology to their platform as a resource for the dealers they serve.”
To learn more about the integration and the AutoMiner platform, dealers can connect on a virtual demo with an AutoMiner representative.
The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) is seeking nominations for one of the highest honors the organization gives.
AIADA asked for nominees to be considered for the David F. Mungenast Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented each year during AIADA’s annual meeting and luncheon to a member of the international nameplate auto retail industry who embodies an “unrivaled commitment” to his/her dealership and employees, community and family.
The association is asking for nominations to be submitted by Oct. 29. Go to this website to obtain the form that can be sent via mail, fax or email.
AIADA recapped that its board of directors created the award to honor the memory of David F. Mungenast Sr., a former AIADA member who also served as chairman of the organization in 1998.
“More importantly, Dave Mungenast was known by family members, employees and those in the industry and community as their founder, mentor, employer and friend. Dave Sr. and his wife, Barbara, were both dedicated to giving back to the communities that helped make them successful,” AIADA said.
The award winner will be announced at AIADA’s 52nd annual meeting and luncheon on March 13 in Las Vegas.
Nabthat announced a development on Monday that’s relevant to Honda dealerships.
The technology company dedicated to building automotive-centric platforms focused on the consumer experience said it has been certified as a Honda Digital Solutions (HDS) website program provider.
With this certification, Nabthat’s website platform is immediately available to Honda’s approximately 1,000 U.S. dealers.
According to a news release, Nabthat’s website platform offers Honda dealers two choice: A Sport Package and a Touring Package.
The company explained that dealers now have the option to upgrade to a “beyond mobile first” platform using technology such as Angular, Google’s framework, used by leading platforms including YouTube, Gmail and Apple, among others.
Nabthat pointed out its solution also uses single page application (SPA) technology employed by Facebook, Airbnb, PayPal and other top companies.
“We are excited to be part of the Honda certified program and want to thank Honda and our dealer partners for the recognition of our platform and support,” Nabthat chief executive officer and co-founder Jason Silberberg said in the news release.
“Our continued out-of-the-box thinking and approach to a ‘beyond mobile first’ consumer experience has proven to be successful for all our dealers. I believe this is one of the reasons our platform was approved,” Silberberg added.
Nabthat highlighted that it studied where the internet experience will be in five to 10 years to create a multi-million-dollar automotive website technology platform. The company noted that websites are focused on customer engagement and journey patterns based on actual user data.
The company also created intuitive consumer experiences that are designed to increase conversion and interaction in the form of leads, phone calls and map directions.
The platform provides SEO, merchandising, finance application, trade-in tool, entrance engager, behavioral marketing, exit interceptor, Nabthat’s Analytics Engine, and more.
“Nabthat doesn’t constrain functionality with a WordPress platform, we utilize state-of-the-art technology that provides our team, and our dealer partners the ability to build any experience. It gives our dealers the elasticity they need in an everchanging automotive environment,” Silberberg said.
Being the music aficionado he is, perhaps Cox Automotive chief economist Jonathan Smoke might recommend the 1980s hit song by Matthew Wilder titled “Break My Stride” to summarize the most recent Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI).
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More evidence arrived on Tuesday reinforcing why franchised dealerships are integral cogs in their community economic engines.
According to the annual economic impact report compiled by Autos Drive America and the American International Automobile Dealers Association, the 9,400 international nameplate automobile dealer franchises across the country utilize 542,000 direct employees.
Furthermore, the report also highlighted that 552,000 indirect jobs were created by international nameplate dealerships in 2020.
The top 10 states where these direct and indirect jobs are in place include:
— California
— Texas
— Florida
— North Carolina
— Virginia
— Illinois
— Ohio
— Pennsylvania
— New York
— New Jersey
Other key findings from the report included:
• International automakers, dealers and suppliers supported nearly 2.1 million American jobs
• International automakers manufactured 46% of all cars and light trucks made in America
• International nameplate dealers were responsible for 55% of new-vehicle registrations in the U.S. and created more than half of all franchised dealership jobs in America
• International automakers accounted for 62% U.S. market share of green vehicle sales
“For over 60 years, international automakers have invested $98 billion into their U.S. operations and today are completely woven into the fabric of American communities,” Autos Drive America president and chief executive officer Jennifer Safavian said in a news release.
“What this economic impact report illustrates is their dedication to creating American jobs, supporting their local communities, and empowering their U.S. workforce during good and challenging economic times,” Safavian continued.
Autos Drive America and AIADA reiterated that the economic impact report educates policymakers and the public on today’s modern U.S. auto industry consisting of a global array of companies. Both associations said they are committed to promoting policies that enable the continued growth and success of the U.S. automotive industry and the millions of American jobs it creates.
“This report breaks down, line by line, precisely how America’s international nameplate dealers and their brands function as powerful economic engines for our country,” AIADA president and CEO Cody Lusk said in the news release. “AIADA’s dealer members and their 542,000 employees are proud of their contributions to our economy and our communities."
OEMS participating in the 2020 Autos Drive America and AIADA Economic Impact Survey included:
— BMW Group
— Honda
— Hyundai
— Kia
— Mazda
— Mercedes-Benz
— Mitsubishi Motors
— Nissan
— Subaru
— Toyota
— Volkswagen Group
— Volvo Cars
Sales data represents new-vehicle registrations in the United States in 2020 for:
— Acura
— Alfa Romeo
— Aston Martin
— Audi
— Bentley
— BMW
— Bugatti
— Ferrari
— Fiat
— Honda
— Hyundai
— Genesis
— Infiniti
— Jaguar
— Kia
— Karma
— Lamborghini
— Land Rover
— Lexus
— Lotus
— Maserati
— Mazda
— McLaren
— Mercedes-Benz
— MINI
— Mitsubishi Motors
— Nissan
— Porsche
— Rolls-Royce
— Scion
— smart
— Subaru
— Toyota
— Volkswagen
— Volvo Cars
To download the entire report, go to this website.
Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG) recently wrapped up a philanthropy project, while Zeigler Auto Group is working to organize an upcoming charity event.
Beginning with DGDG, one of the Bay Area’s largest family owned automotive groups partnered with the Subaru Share the Love Event to raise $53,336 for Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, a non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of children between the ages of 2 and 18 battling life-threatening medical conditions.
Held each year, Subaru donates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to a host of charitable partners, per the selection of each customer. This year’s four national charities included the ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels America and National Park Foundation.
In addition, DGDG’s Capitol Subaru participated in the hometown charity matching donation program to support Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area.
“Everyone at DGDG is very proud to continue our partnership with Make-A-Wish,” DGDG president Jeremy Beaver said in a news release. “Being able to make a difference with amazing organizations like Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area right here in our community is what we strive for at the Del Grande Dealer Group.”
Participating in the Subaru Share the Love Event to support Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area is just one of the many ways the DGDG family of employees support community causes with their time, resources and money through DGDG Does Good — Del Grande Does Good — the charitable arm of the DGDG dealership group.
DGDG also had the opportunity to assist Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area’s wish granters with fulfilling the dream of 18-year-old Bryce, whose wish was to have a car makeover.
DGDG said it helped to facilitate the vehicle updates and presented the vehicle “to a very happy and grateful Bryce before his first day of school.”
Zeigler supporting Drive for Life Foundation Charity Gala
Meanwhile in the Midwest, Zeigler Auto Group is providing support for the Drive for Life Foundation Charity Gala to benefit the American Cancer Society and other charities near Kalamazoo, Mich.
The event, which also is presented by Greenleaf Trust, Brown & Brown Dealer Services and Huntington Bank, will feature former professional basketball player and entrepreneur Ben Wallace. It’s scheduled for Sept. 13 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo.
As a five-time All-NBA selection, four-time defensive player of the year, and member of the 2004 Pistons championship team, Wallace is regarded by many to be the greatest undrafted player in NBA history. Now a class of 2021 honoree for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, he continues to build his legacy through his work as minority owner and president of basketball operations of the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League.
Wallace will be joining the Drive for Life Foundation for the annual gala as a special guest speaker just two days after his induction into the Hall of Fame.
“I think it’s important for me to use my platform to bring awareness and to let people know that it’s time to go to war, and go to battle, against this disease because it has affected every last one of us. We all know somebody, we are all close to somebody, that has been affected by cancer, and it’s time to fight this disease,” Wallace said in a news release from Zeigler Auto Group.
After its cancellation last year due to COVID-19, Zeigler highlighted 2021 will mark the 39th installment of the event, raising more than $3 million since its debut under Harold Zeigler in 1982. All proceeds from the Drive for Life Foundation Charity Gala will go directly to its beneficiaries, with Zeigler Auto Group covering all costs associated with the event.
“For me, and I know for the rest of the Zeigler family, it’s truly an honor to be able to give back, not just to the charities themselves but to the people behind the scenes who tirelessly run these organizations for the good of the community. We will forever be grateful for all of their hard work and all the good that they do in the area,” Zeigler Auto Group president Aaron Zeigler said in a news release.
This year’s recipients include:
— American Cancer Society
— Make-a-Wish Foundation
— Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan
— MRC Industries of Kalamazoo
— Gull Lake Community Schools
— Family Camps
— American Heart Association
— Sherman Lake YMCA
— K C Ready 4S
— Southwest Michigan Miracle League
— Wings of Mercy
— Chef Therapeutic Riding Center
— Walk Tall Foundation for Kids
— Family & Children Services
“We have been lucky enough to be a beneficiary of the Drive For Life Foundation for many years, and having their support has been instrumental in keeping our mission of freeing the world of cancer alive. The donations we receive from this event helps us offer support year-round for those in our community who need it most,” said Cindy Kovacik, senior development manager of the American Cancer Society of Kalamazoo.
The event will include a social cocktail hour, a silent auction, a live auction and a chance to win a new Honda Accord or $30,000 cash. Each $250 ticket will admit two guests and is redeemable for one entry into the new car or cash prize drawing.
To purchase a ticket or for additional information, call Beth Kalleward at (269) 488-2203 or email bk@zeigler.com.
Haig Partners highlighted how lucrative it has been to be a franchised dealer, especially since the midpoint of 2019.
According to Q2 2021 Haig Report, the firm discovered through its project that tracks trends in auto retail and how they impact dealership values that for the 12-month period that ended June, average adjusted dealership profits reached $3.1 million, a record high and more than double average profits in 2019, the last year before the pandemic hit.
The indicated the blue-sky value for a typical privately-owned dealership has increased 52% since 2019 to reach $10.3 million, according to Haig Partners’ estimate, also at a record high level.
As a result, Haig Partners said buy-sell activity has also exploded with an estimated 422 dealerships sold during the 12-month stretch through the end of June. That’s 41% more than in 2019 before the pandemic.
Haig Partners went on to note that there have been more dealership sales during the last 12 months than in any other period since 2015 when Berkshire Hathaway acquired the Van Tuyl Group.
“It’s an odd time when an empty lot means an overstuffed wallet. Consumers have cash to spend but automakers are not able to produce enough units to meet demand due to a lack of microchips. Dealers are enjoying these unprecedented conditions of high margins and low expenses which are leading to record high profits and record high dealership values,” Haig Partners president Alan Haig said in a news release.
“Buy-sell activity is surging as buyers are eager to acquire more stores. Prior to the Pandemic we were tracking 75-90 dealerships sold per quarter and in Q2 2021 alone we saw 120 dealerships change hands,” Haig continued
“And since the lack of inventory is projected to last through the end of the year and beyond, we are expecting to see elevated profits and blue-sky values for some time,” he added.
The report showed public company spending on acquisitions has significantly increased.
In just the first six months of 2021, Haig tabulated that publicly traded groups spent almost $2.0 billion on acquiring dealerships, 756% more than they did in the first six months of 2020. The firm explained this massive increase is attributable primarily to Lithia, which alone spent $1.4 billion acquiring dealerships during the second quarter.
Haig went on to mention that equity valuations for the publics are 109% higher than they were before the pandemic.
“We expect Lithia to continue its aggressive pace and while they have been the most active buyer, the other public traded companies have also increased their rate of acquisitions,” the firm said.
“Group 1 acquired two Toyota dealerships that Haig Partners represented in Q1. In Q2, Penske and Sonic closed on acquisitions and AutoNation announced a sizeable deal,” the firm continued. “In addition to acquiring new car franchises some of the public buyers are also investing in used-car dealerships.”
For more information or to obtain the entire report, visit www.haigpartners.com.
With the pandemic intensifying again, prompting businesses to modify policies and strategies, 360Converge is looking to help the automotive industry.
On Tuesday, the provider of workflow automation through text and email announced it is offering its platform for dealership staff and partners free of charge. Officials from 360Converge said the complimentary service is meant as a stop gap for managers who are facing a critical need for employee communication as the pandemic continues to impact businesses and households.
Through the complimentary service, clients, prospects and industry friends will be able to upload their staff and vendor lists to the 360Converge platform free of charge and immediately begin texting these groups as needed with the dealership’s latest procedures and policies.
In addition, 360Converge said that lists for onsite vendors and partners also can be created and uploaded to efficiently let the visiting vendors know the COVID policies implemented in the store before they enter to create a safer work environment.
If the dealership is unable to log into the platform from their store, 360Converge can help to create a message and send it from a manager’s phone or computer on the go. The client can send an email or text to a specific address, and the platform will automatically send out the message, while not disclosing the phone number, and store any responses in the 360Converge inbox.
Through a news release distributed by 360Converge, Sun Chevrolet general manager Robert Curcio said, “360Converge is a partner in the truest sense of the word, so I was not surprised when they offered this texting service as a way to help ease the burden of communicating our COVID policies and practices.
“With the situation changing almost daily, I’m relieved we have a way to immediately reach out to our staff, partners, and vendors to keep them informed of our latest policies,” Curcio continued.
Automotive companies interested in taking advantage of the free texting service can upload their lists at https://360converge.com/covid and begin texting their teams immediately.
“Text is the best way to connect with a large group of team members and ensure everyone within the organization receives the same message in a timely manner, from your wash bays to your boardrooms,” 360Converge chief executive officer Todd Smith said.
“We wanted to help our clients and others in the industry get policy changes, alerts, and news out quickly during this second wave of the pandemic. It’s our way of giving back to stop the spread,” Smith went on to say.
For more information on 360Converge, visit www.360converge.com.
Imagine that you have a potential buyer in your showroom quite eager to test drive a vehicle that’s been sitting in your inventory for too long.
But then you can’t find the keys.
KEYper Systems and TrueSpot now are working together to prevent that hypothetical scenario from happening.
KEYper Systems, a leading provider of electronic and mechanical key management systems for the automotive industry, and TrueSpot, a leader in tracking and mapping for dealer systems, announced the availability of an integration between the two companies to extend geo-intelligence to key management platforms, adding even more trackability for automotive dealers to locate, assign, and manage their assets.
According to a news release distributed on Monday, the collaboration between KEYper Systems’ patented MX Electronic Key Management platform and TrueSpot’s patented Geo-Intelligence tracking technology can allow users to significantly reduce overhead costs by locating lost or misplaced keys and assets while increasing productivity.
Additionally, the integration can provide reporting functions through biometric and PIN control access options that track an asset’s removal/return from the system, date/time stamps the occurrence, capture an image of the user at the time of transaction and improve critical operations such as reconditioning, lot management and sales engagement.
With almost industry-wide integrations into Dealer Management System (DMS) and inventory partners, TrueSpot is looking to empower the next generation of operations for dealerships across North America.
Together with KEYper, the partnership can also be networked to other dealerships, a benefit for those with multiple locations.
“It is my pleasure to announce that KEYper Systems’ MX solutions can now be used with TrueSpot’s Geo-Intelligence tagging. TrueSpot is known for their Real-Time Location Services and our partnership offers next-level support and benefits to our customers,” KEYper Systems president Steve Baucom said in the news release.
TrueSpot chief executive officer Mike Hanna added, “TrueSpot’s strategic relationship with KEYper Systems furthers our collective leadership in geo-location solutions for auto dealers.
“TrueSpot’s Real-Time Location Services can reduce key loss costs by 95% or more, and when integrated with the KEYper solution, we will combine the best of both worlds for dealers everywhere,” Hanna went on to say.
When Urban Science released statistics and insights from its 2021 Mid-Year Automotive Franchise Activity Report (FAR), analysts said “an interesting observation is that California has returned to the list of most active states adding the dealerships.”
The report indicated a small uptick in dealership rooftops nationwide and an increase in sales throughput. But it’s the rise of 24 dealerships arriving on the scene in the Golden State that triggered the reaction from Urban Science on Wednesday.
As of July 1, Urban Science said there are 46 more dealerships (rooftops) in the United States, taking the Jan. 1 count of 18,157 up slightly to 18,203. This 0.3% increase is small and indicates continued stability overall, according to the report.
This movement is in contrast to the slight decline Urban Science saw for dealerships in 2020 and is back to the same level of 2019.
Analysts added in a news release that the number of franchises, or brands a dealership sells, also experienced a period of stability, slightly decreasing from 31,959 to 31,932
“Sales throughput for dealers is defined as the number of sales divided by the dealer count,” said Mitch Phillips, Urban Science’s global director of data. “With the current range of 2021 sales forecasts being slightly more than 2020 and a stable dealer count, throughput is forecasted to increase around 103 units to 910 units. This is about the level we saw in 2013.”
A recent Urban Science online study supports this forecast, finding that, despite the rise in COVID-19 cases across the U.S., consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable with visiting a dealership in-person, with 64% reporting they believe it is “completely safe to go to a dealership today” and 42% are “comfortable visiting a dealership within the next month or sooner.”
When looking at the demographics, Urban Science indicated that four in 10 adults living in urban areas report they’ll buy within the next year — twice as many as those in suburban and rural areas.
“Since 2010, the dealership network has set a new normal pattern of stability,” said Phillips, who added that the data shows 98% of local markets had virtually no net change.
The report went on to note that the most significant (net) dealership changes occurred in the following states:
California: +24 dealerships
Texas: +8 dealerships
New York: +5 dealerships
Illinois: -2 dealerships
Kansas: -2 dealerships
Tennessee: -4 dealerships
