Car and Driver is now giving auto dealers the opportunity to place their inventory listings in front of an estimated 12 million-plus monthly online visitors through its website’s new inventory listings product that matches its online content and vehicle search capabilities with a dealer’s inventory.
“This product marks the beginning of Car and Driver’s evolution from an enthusiast-focused news and reviews website to a complete decision-making resource for in-market auto shoppers,” the automotive content brand’s partner, Jumpstart Automotive Media, said in a news release.
The new listings product not only gives dealers a platform to share listings on Car and Driver’s site that yields more than 12 million unique monthly visitors, but it also allows dealers to own all messaging, ads, and links on their vehicle detail pages.
“In turning ourselves into a true service for car shoppers and enthusiasts, we become a connection point between the consumer’s automotive curiosity/desire and the car itself,” Car and Driver editor-in-chief Eddie Alterman said. “While the function of our site is changing, our mission remains the same: to deliver the most useful, honest, and entertaining information about cars.”
Car and Driver’s new offerings are exclusive to the brand’s website and will be sold through Jumpstart’s dealer sales team, according to the marketing and advertising solutions company.
“Taking a mobile-first approach, we have completely re-architected the website. We’ve also doubled our editorial staff and increased the scope of topics to cover more of today’s trending topics such as technology and environment,” Josh Searcy, Car and Driver chief product officer said.
“Car and Driver’s evolution is in response to the disruption in the online auto marketplace; it’s about accommodating the ways people actually want to shop for cars online. We’re incredibly excited about how far we’ve come and what’s still yet to come in making the auto shopping experience more complete for our audience.”
Additionally, according to Searcy, alongside the suite of auto shopper tools now available — such as pricing and inventory — Car and Driver is currently developing a new buyer’s guide section that provides 9 in-depth categories for each make and model, as well as reviews.
Black Book announced on Tuesday that its vehicle valuation insights are now available to eAutoAppraise dealer partners because the company now serves as the online trade-in solution’s new trade appraisal engine.
“We’re excited to partner with eAutoAppraise, a superior online appraisal engine that offers dealers a chance to close more deals quicker and make strong profit margins,” Black Book senior vice president of sales Jared Kalfus said in a news release. “An accurate valuation on a trade is a key component to the car-shopping experience, and customers that come equipped with a more narrow number in mind have a better experience at the dealership.”
The new partnership is geared to allow eAutoAppraise dealers to provide its customers with customizable value ranges on vehicles, which are based on uniquely tailored questions.
Ranges are produced when a customer answers a series questions aimed at obtaining details of their vehicle trade.
“This part of the vehicle shopping process is a key driver that will lead to more successful sales transactions, especially since customers will experience a less adversarial relationship with their dealer through a more conclusive, transparent valuation of their trade,” Black Book said.
The used-car valuation and residual value forecast solutions provider said that with a more specific valuation, customers can purchase their vehicle in less time.
“Our mission is to provide dealers with the best leads possible for increased sales, and to serve as the catalyst for simple vehicle sales transactions,” said Barry Brodsky, managing partner of eAutoAppraise. “The vehicle trade appraisal component is extremely crucial to any new vehicle transaction, and with Black Book powering our valuation, process we’re confident that we can offer up an experience that will increase customer satisfaction online and at the dealership.”
Along with the offerings of its new partnership, eAutoAppraise also can provide dealers a back office suite with values and direct mapping to for geo-targeting.
The website of the multi-platform brand ran by TIME’s content and creative collective The Foundry — TheDrive.com — has added a new research and shopping page named SHOP, which instantly gives users access to the latest new and used-car data and connects prospective buyers with nearby dealers.
Currently, the new digital innovation integrated across The Drive’s network can offer car buyers data and online pricing for more than 300 makes and models.
“This initiative starts with the user’s needs at the core. With this new car research platform, users can start by reading feature articles about cars and car culture, then go from imagining themselves behind the wheel straight to pricing models and connecting with dealers,” Eric Goeres, general manager of The Drive, said in a news release.
“It’s car enthusiast catnip — doubly so for those in-market.”
On SHOP, not only can users find detailed information regarding vehicles’ make, model and trim, they can also both browse inventories and manage any of pricing and quote requests, according to TIME.
The newly integrated platform was built in collaboration with automotive digital media company Detroit Trading.
“We worked closely with management and brand leadership from Time Inc. and The Drive to develop an industry-leading automotive portal for its audience,” said Pete Bonner, co-Founder and executive vice president of Detroit Trading.
“We feel this new online resource, combined with real-time phone support from our Detroit-based segment specialists, will make the process of shopping for a new vehicle responsive, informative and, most importantly, fun! We work on a lot of cutting-edge projects at Detroit Trading, but we’re especially thrilled to be part of the exciting things happening at TIME and The Drive.”
TIME said The Drive users have access to an average of 4.5 million units of used vehicle inventory and one-click connections to an online dealer network spanning all 50 U.S. states.
“The deal comes at a time when the American auto industry just posted a record year in sales and is increasingly technology driven, with consumers doing more research online than ever,” TIME said. “The Drive pursues a younger, more mobile, more affluent audience with its broad scope of “new enthusiast” editorial coverage—an expansion of traditional horsepower, reviews and wrenching automotive journalism that includes future tech, policy, aviation, infrastructure, design, gear, military and entertainment and celebrity coverage.”
The Foundry launched The Drive in 2015, it publishes a wide range of editorial content to a mobile audience of young, tech-forward auto buffs, according to TIME.
The Drive YouTube channel has almost 2 million subscribers and its videos average 5 million views each month.
Across North America, BMW Group now delivers weather data provided by The Weather Company within its vehicles fitted with ConnectedDrive systems, the automaker announced on Wednesday.
This partnership provides BMW owners with increased insight regarding weather conditions to help them make informed decisions on traveling safely and efficiently.
"Weather is one of the biggest influences on our daily lives, and certainly informs our decisions and experiences while driving," The Weather Company general manager Cameron Clayton said in a news release.
"Leveraging the power of the Internet of Things and working with BMW North America allows us to further our mission to help keep people safe and informed by providing millions of drivers with convenient access to the most accurate, precise, real-time weather information possible. Within its ConnectedDrive system, BMW provides engaging and connected experiences for drivers and we're incredibly honored to be part of that experience."
Since October, most BMW vehicles in North America that are navigation-equipped include weather information provided by The Weather Company's consumer brand, The Weather Channel.
The weather information provides drivers with current conditions, daily weather overviews and five-day forecast report.
A widget also displays forecasted high and low temperatures for three days.
Every 15 minutes, the Weather Company generates hyperlocal forecasts for 2.2 billion locations using its IoT platform, in addition to weather data from national meteorological agencies and more than 800 other data sources.
The weather enterprise possesses one of the largest IoT networks in the world, according to the weather data provider.
“With this agreement, The Weather Channel brings to BMW North America its rich history of forecast accuracy, precision and superior weather information, to help millions of drivers travel confidently and safely,” said The Weather Company.
In related news, a report recently released by The Weather Company showed that cooler temperatures and inclement weather more likely drive consumers to choose to stay home and want to do research online via their mobile devices or home computers instead of making that trip out to a showroom floor to scout potential purchases. Auto Remarketing's coverage of that story can be found here.
As the online vehicle retailer erects more car vending machines and enters into new markets, Carvana is also broadening its partnership to help potential buyers obtain financing, with the latest move coming Wednesday with Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU), the second-largest credit union in Texas with more than $7.5 billion in assets.
Executives highlighted the partnership will offer RBFCU's nearly 700,000 members access to Carvana’s expansive inventory of high-quality, pre-owned vehicles, combined with the credit union's low-rate financing. Members can now easily apply their RBFCU approvals to Carvana vehicles and enjoy the benefits of a completely seamless online buying process that allows members to have their cars delivered as soon as the next day.
“As we expand in new and existing geographies, Carvana looks to partner with organizations like RBFCU that have deep roots in the communities we serve and share our commitment to outstanding customer experience,” Carvana founder and chief executive officer Ernie Garcia said.
“We are proud to strengthen our presence in the Austin and San Antonio markets with this partnership and look forward to bringing our unique online car shopping solution to RBFCU members,” Garcia continued.
In connection with the launch of their partnership, Carvana and RBFCU are donating a 2015 Nissan Frontier from Carvana’s inventory to local Texas philanthropic organization Mobile Loaves & Fishes.
Mobile Loaves & Fishes will use the truck in fulfilling its daily mission of delivering meals to the homeless and working poor in Austin and San Antonio. Teams from RBFCU and Carvana joined Mobile Loaves & Fishes at Carvana’s recently launched Austin vending machine on Wednesday to celebrate and finalize the donation.
“Both RBFCU and Carvana are dedicated to supporting the communities we serve, and we couldn't be prouder to offer this joint donation to Mobile Loaves & Fishes to assist with their mission of delivering hope and sustenance to local people in need,” said Sonya McDonald, chief lending officer at RBFCU.
“At RBFCU, members and community come first, and our partnership with Carvana is just another example of our daily commitment to giving members the best products and services to meet their needs,” McDonald continued. “We are very impressed with the value, convenience and transparency Carvana offers, and we can't wait to help our members take advantage of it.”
The retailer reiterated all Carvana vehicles have no reported accidents, have completed a 150-point inspection and have met Carvana Certified standards. RBFCU members also have access to Carvana’s 100-day/4,189-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, as well as its seven-day money back guarantee, which enables customers to return their vehicle for any reason and receive a full refund.
For more information on purchasing a vehicle through Carvana, RBFCU members can visit www.Carvana.com/RBFCU.
Podium, a platform that provides tools for businesses to build and manage their online reputation, revealed a new partnership with CDK on Friday.
The collaboration with Podium will automate CDK's customer reviews process in more than 27,000 retail locations.
“We’re excited to become a member of CDK’s Third Party Partner Program, and provide dealers with value-added services through data integration,” Podium chief executive officer and co-founder Eric Rea said in a news release.
“By automatically sending out a review invitation immediately following a car purchase, CDK’s customers will now be able to capitalize on customer insights to make faster, better-informed decisions while also building an online reputation to drive purchase decisions for the dealership.”
Podium’s technology is designed to help dealerships boost local search ranking as well as increase trust and loyalty with consumers.
CDK’s customers can now automatically send out a review invitation right after a car purchase.
The direct engagement allows dealers to capitalize on consumer insights to make better-informed decisions, Podium said.
"Podium and CDK's technology will help us increase visibility and reach to prospective customers across our 27 dealerships in the Chicago and Indiana area,” said Ryan Rohrman, director of operations at Bob Rohrman Auto Group. “This integration will help us more efficiently grow our online presence on the sites that matter most to our prospective customers.”
Increasing the amount of reviews for dealers can also impact local SEO, which expands visibility and reach to prospective customers, according to Podium.
Last week, CDK Global announced the appointment Ron Frey as chief strategy officer and that CarStory, the automotive brand of big data company Vast, has been selected to join its partner program.
CarStory Market Reports, which offer consumers real-time data directly on the vehicle details page (VDP), are now available to all CDK customers through the program.
CDK’s Partner Program was created to connect industry-leading digital vendors with dealers. CarStory joins 25 other partners who have come aboard.
“We’re very pleased to be included in the CDK Partner Program and to enable integration of our Market Reports into CDK dealers’ VDPs,” Chad Bockius, chief marketing officer of CarStory said. “Time spent on VDPs is one of the key predictors of sales: the more car shoppers engage with a dealer’s VDP, the faster a vehicle will sell, and our Market Reports should help amplify that engagement for CDK customers.”
CarStory delivers more than 15 million of its Market Reports to consumers throughout the country each month.
“The Market Reports’ comprehensive information keeps consumers focused on dealership websites, eliminating the need to click off to other websites for additional research,” CDK said in a news release. “CarStory Market Reports’ patented technology automatically determines which aspects of a used vehicle are most significant to consumers and then identifies the top three or four features that are the unique price drivers for that vehicle.”
CarStory Market Reports has been adopted by over 6,500 dealerships nationwide, including 50 percent of the top dealer groups, according to CDK.
Information provided in the reports are generated from a combination of real-time used vehicle listings and data from eight million plus used car searches each week.
Meanwhile, Frey replaces Malcom Thorne, who is retiring after more than 15 years at CDK.
In April, Frey will join CDK. In his new role, he will be responsible for strategy and business development as well as product management.
"Ron Frey has been a respected strategist and operating executive within the automotive industry for many years, and we are pleased to have him join the CDK Global executive leadership team.” CDK president and chief executive officer, Brian MacDonald said in a news release.
“Ron will oversee corporate strategy, business development, and product management as we continue our focus on delivering the kinds of innovative products and services that dealers need to grow and manage their businesses. Also, I want to thank Malcolm Thorne for his many contributions to CDK's success and wish him well."
Most recently, Frey has been delivering consulting services to the automotive industry through his company, RL Frey.
In 2007, Frey became president of AutoNation Direct. He worked on generating and testing new initiatives in transactional sales outside the traditional store environment and was later promoted to chief strategy officer of AutoNation.
Edmunds announced on Wednesday that it is teaming up with State Farm to provide the insurance provider’s customers access to its suite of online tools, such as its vast dealer network, expert car reviews, live shopper advice and pricing guarantees.
State Farm is Edmunds inaugural partner for its new affinity program. The affinity program was established to set up strategic partnerships that will allow Edmunds to connect more consumers to its suite of tools, the company said.
“Edmunds and State Farm have a common goal to be trusted partners for consumers’ automotive needs, so combining our strengths online is a win-win for car shoppers,” Edmunds chief revenue officer George Kang said in a news release. “As we look to build an affinity program that offers additional value to consumers, State Farm’s industry-leading brand is the obvious choice for our first program.”
State Farm will update its vehicle ownership tools offerings through a vehicle shopping experience powered by Edmunds, according to the car information and shopping platform.
The partnership creates a comprehensive online experience for customers that makes car research and shopping feasible from a single location.
"When it comes to car shoppers, State Farm and Edmunds often have shared customers, and we see value in bringing our two brands together to provide resources for those shoppers,” Pat Culligan, assistant vice president of Marketing at State Farm, said in a news release.
“We work to exceed customer expectations by providing more than insurance; we want to help life go right. We hope through this alliance with Edmunds more drivers will have an opportunity to experience a seamless and hassle-free approach to shopping for a car.”
Additionally, State Farm customers will receive direct access to Edmunds’ full suite of car buying tools, such as Edmunds’ dealer network and millions of vehicle listings.
“Edmunds’ top priority is to simplify the car buying process for consumers, and affinity relationships that provide tangible, add-on benefits are an excellent way to meet that goal,” Kang said.
“We look forward to working with State Farm to provide real value to consumers and hope this paves the way for more affinity deals in the future.”
For more information about the partnership and the program’s details, visit https://statefarm.edmunds.com.
Infiniti dealerships throughout the country will now be able to work with automotiveMastermind to implement its predictive analytics technology, which provides dealer sales teams key insights and valuable consumer information unique to car shoppers, the company announced on Monday.
Since the year began, Infiniti is the second OEM to partner with the predictive analytics and marketing automation technology provider, and the 10th brand overall.
“As Infiniti is seeking to drive business in the highly competitive luxury market, this is the perfect opportunity for us to help them improve sales and customer retention,” Marco Schnabl, automotiveMastermind chief executive officer and co-founder, said in a news release. “The recent introduction of the QX50 concept demonstrates that Infiniti is looking to gain traction in the booming crossover market segment.
“Our behavior prediction technology helps dealerships tap into that growing market by showing them who they should be contacting and marketing to in order to generate the fastest and most efficient growth of sales.”
The automotiveMastermind technology encompasses a proprietary algorithm that crunches thousands of data points to calculate how likely a consumer is to purchase a new vehicle.
Dealer management system information is combined with big data — which includes social media, financial, product and customer lifecycle information to produce an automotiveMastermind Behavior Prediction Score — one simple number which is a ranking from 0 to100.
Scores closest to 100 illustrates that a consumer is more likely to buy.
Additionally, the technology can feed talking points and customized micro-targeted predictive marketing campaigns directly to sales teams’ desktops and mobile devices.
The talking points can then be complemented with customized customer-specific and micro-targeted predictive marketing campaigns.
“Dealers cannot rely on pricing or new design elements alone to increase sales – with Mastermind they are able to use sophisticated technology to let them know exactly who is ready to buy,” automotiveMastermind sales and marketing vice president Andrew Gillman said. “Our success lies in determining the motivating factors for each individual person. As soon as a dealer partner on-boards our technology they see immediate gains in retention and sales.”
The other OEMs automotiveMastermind currently works with are Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, MINI and Toyota.
On Tuesday, Black Book announced an agreement to power vehicle trade appraisal for AutoGravity, a mobile auto financing tool that recently surpassed 200,000 downloads of its native iOS and Android smartphone apps.
The Internet is increasing in prominence for every part of the vehicle-buying process. A recent survey from eBay Motors found that 87 percent of vehicle shoppers used the Internet in some way in the past six months when buying a vehicle. AutoGravity caters to these shoppers by offering a one-stop-shop where customers can find their desired vehicle and dealer, value their trade and secure their financing — all on their smartphone.
The AutoGravity platform allows shoppers in 46 states to obtain up to four finance offers on any make, model and trim of new or used vehicle by following four steps. The app can return personalized retail installment contract and lease offers within minutes.
Black Book asserted that many dealers feel the trade appraisal portion of that process is responsible for sealing the deal in most sales opportunities. Customers now can obtain some of the most transparent and accurate trade appraisals with up-to-date vehicle valuation data powered by Black Book.
With more than 300 years of combined experience, as well as an editorial and analytics team monitoring daily auctions throughout the country, Black Book is offering AutoGravity and its customers access to timely and accurate valuation data.
“We’re pleased to bring AutoGravity our legacy of vehicle valuation data, combined with an analytics approach that enables the most accurate trade appraisals possible,” Black Book senior vice president of sales Jared Kalfus said in a news release.
“Online car financing and shopping will only grow more significant in the future, and a platform such as AutoGravity caters to the way consumers want to shop for cars and trucks.”
AutoGravity launched its app in California last year. Since that point, the company highlighted it has developed relationships with finance companies up and down the credit spectrum so it can cater to all consumers.
“AutoGravity serves a growing generation of digitally savvy car shoppers that seek convenience and control through their smartphones,” said Andy Hinrichs, founder and chief executive officer of AutoGravity.
“The ability to offer our customers the most accurate and transparent trade appraisals from Black Book is a critical part of our turnkey approach to the mobile car shopping and financing experience,” Hinrichs added in the news release.
AutoGravity is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. AutoGravity is also available as a mobile-responsive web platform at www.autogravity.com. The app guides shoppers through an intuitive four step process:
1. Select any make, model and trim of new or used vehicle available in the United States.
2. Select any dealership from AutoGravity's proprietary national database; the platform automatically pinpoints your location and shows you the closest dealers selling the vehicle.
3. Search for financing for your selected vehicle, right on your smartphone. You can value your trade, scan your driver's license and connect to social media to quickly pre-fill your finance application.
4. Receive up to four finance offers within minutes. Simply select the loan or lease offer that’s right for you and head to the dealership to complete your purchase with peace of mind.
