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Used luxury vehicles selling quickly

iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer describes the Mercedes-Benz G-Class as “the embodiment of luxury.”

As a used vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class also sells quickly, even with the high average pre-owned price of $140,921.

In fact, the  G-Class was the fastest-selling used vehicle in February, according to a new study from iSeeCars.

Regarding buyers of vehicles such as the G-Class, Brauer said in a news release, “These used car-buyers can easily afford a new vehicle, but are likely drawn to used versions in higher trims, likely with expensive add ons.”

Most of the fastest-selling used cars are luxury cars

iSeeCars analyzed more than 1.2 million new and used cars sold in February (from model years 2016 to 2020) and found that the average used car takes 42 days to sell. That compares to 38.9 days in to January.

“While the high demand for expensive vehicles, namely luxury SUVs, carried over from January to February, the increased days to sell for both new and used cars suggests that there is slowing demand for both new and used cars,” Brauer said.

Brauer also said, “This could be because more 2021-model-year vehicles have entered the market, or because fewer people are buying cars due to winter storms or because they are waiting for their tax returns and stimulus checks.”

iSeeCars also analyzed the top 20 fastest-selling used vehicles. The average used vehicle takes 42 days to sell, and with the top 20 fastest-selling vehicles averaging 31.2 days on dealer lots, that is 25.7% faster than average.

The Hyundai Palisade midsize SUV remains as the second-fastest-selling used vehicle. The similar Kia Telluride ranked ninth, and that is down two positions from its seventh-place January rank.

“These vehicles debuted for the 2020 model year and have sustained their popularity, so there still aren’t many of them in the used-car marketplace,” Brauer said.

The Lexus NX 300, the BMW X6, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar, the Lexus RX 450h, and the Tesla Model X are five additional luxury SUVs joining the top-ranked Mercedes-Benz G-Class on the list.

“Luxury SUVs continue to be a popular vehicle segment in February as consumers who aren’t negatively affected by the pandemic are making big-ticket purchases with the money they’re saving from reduced travel and entertainment,” Brauer said. “The Tesla Model X remains a fast seller, even as used inventory is growing since its 2015 release.”

An additional alternative-fuel vehicle is new to February’s fastest-selling list, the BMW I3.

“The BMW i3’s appearance on the list could be tied to higher gas prices, as well as heightened buzz for electric vehicles as automakers announce their future plans to go all electric,” Brauer said.

Three sporty German cars make the list.

Those include BMW 4 Series at No. 3, the fourth-ranked BMW 5 Series, and the Audi S5 Sportback at No. 8.

“Consumers are opting for these high-performance vehicles as a source of joy during the pandemic, and low interest rates have made luxury car ownership attainable for a wider population of consumers,” Brauer said.

Brauer also said, “Additionally, the average price of a used hybrid version of the 5 Series is $3,000 less than its gasoline counterpart, which helps explain why consumers are opting for the hybrid model.”

Used models that sold more slowly

iSeeCars compared the month-over-month changes in average selling time and identified several used cars that had been the fastest-selling in January but sold more slowly in February.

With a nine-day increase, the Lexus LX 570 saw the greatest change in days on market.

“Although the Lexus LX 570 large off-road SUV saw the greatest increase in days-on-market, it still sells quicker than the average vehicle,” Brauer said. “There is still a demand for this expensive, truck-based hauler, but it hasn’t seen a redesign since 2008 so shoppers may be opting for something more modern.”

Two Jeeps, the Wrangler and the Compass, were among the fastest-sellers in January and fell out of favor in February.

“New-car inventory numbers remained constant for both vehicles, so it appears that demand for used versions has lessened, perhaps due to Jeep’s current cash-back incentives and zero-percent financing on new versions of these vehicles,” Brauer said.

Brauer said car buyers making a new- or used-car purchase might have trouble finding the most in-demand vehicles. They could end up paying a premium for them in the used-car marketplace, he said.

“Many of these fastest-selling vehicles are popular cars that are hard to find due to the effect of the pandemic on supply chains, limited production, or because they are new models that aren’t yet abundant in the used-car marketplace,” Brauer said.

Top 20 Fastest-Selling Used Vehicles in February

SOURCE: iSeeCars.com

These used vehicles are selling … slowly

iSeeCars recently published a list of the fastest-selling used cars in January, and the Hyundai Palisade came out on top at 26.2 average days to sell.

But what are the slowest sellers? On Monday, iSeeCars published a study of the slowest-selling new and used vehicles for January.

According to iSeeCars, the slowest-selling used vehicle for January, with an average 107.1 days to sell, is the Buick Encore GX.

The study also included a list of the average days to sell for America’s most popular used vehicles. On that list, the Toyota 4Runner showed the fewest average days to sell, with an average 28.7 days at an average price of $35,078.

iSeeCars also listed the slowest-selling new vehicles, and the top five were the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Fusion, Honda Fit, Kia Sedona, and Chevrolet Trax.

For the study, iSeeCars.com analyzed more than 1.2 million new and used-car sales from January of the this year, looking at model years 2016 to 2020.

Demand for 2020 model Encore likely fell quicker than production

But on the topic of used vehicles, iSeeCars said the slowest-selling used vehicles remain on lots from 1.3 to 2.75 times longer than the average used vehicle. Eight of the 10 vehicles are SUVs, with six luxury SUVs making the list.

Domestic brands account for seven out of 10 vehicles.

The Buick Encore GX debuted for the 2020 model year. iSeeCars said the Buick Encore GX was one of the brand’s top sellers in 2020. But iSeeCars said toward the end of that vehicle’s first run, demand for the 2020 model likely dropped quicker than production. When new-car incentives are taken into account,  new 2021 versions are comparable in price.

Additional American luxury SUVs making the list including the Cadillac XT6 at No. 2, the sixth-ranked Lincoln Nautilus, and the Buick Envision at No. 7.

“The Cadillac XT6 debuted in 2020, while the Lincoln Nautilus debuted in 2019,” iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer said in a news release. “Both SUVs had typical ‘new model’ excitement when they debuted, yet that demand has waned since their launch as additional competitive models have entered the market.”

Chevrolets come in at Nos. 3, 4, and 5

Regarding the two Chevrolet SUVs making the list — including the third-ranked Blazer midsize SUV and the  Trax subcompact SUV at No. 4 — Brauer said the Blazer tried to use a famous Chevy nameplate, but he said the current vehicle does not live up to the iconic history of the model.

“And the Chevrolet Trax has been upstaged by the newer, more appealing Chevrolet Trailblazer,” Brauer said.

Two luxury subcompact SUVs making the list include the Volvo XC40 at No 8 and the ninth-ranked BMW X2.

Brauer said foreign luxury SUVs are fast-sellers in the new and used market, but he said the study suggests the buyers of today are more interested in larger SUVs.

The Chevrolet Bolt EV came in at No. 5, and Volvo S60 at No. 10. Brauer said that although the Bolt has sold relatively well since its 2017 debut, supply has easily kept up with demand.

That has allowed a percentage of used Bolts to languish on dealer lots, Brauer said.

Although the Volvo S60 is a quality luxury car, cars are generally struggling for demand, Brauer said.

“And on the luxury side, crossovers and SUVs are seeing much higher demand,” Brauer said.

The complete top 10 slowest-selling used vehicles list from iSeeCars can be found below.

SOURCE: Chart via iSeeCars.com

One thing you can still depend on: Your car

In today’s crazy times, consumers can still count on their vehicles.

According to the just-released J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, vehicle dependability is at an all-time high.

The overall level of problems cited by owners has declined 10% from a year ago.

J.D. Power’s 2021 study also highlighted the most dependable model. That honor goes to the Porsche 911, which wins that category for the second time in three years.

Lexus is the highest-ranking brand.

Another top finding of the study is that Korean and Japanese brands perform well.

The study results provide validation for what the industry has known for awhile, said J.D. Power vice president of global automotive Dave Sargent.

“Automakers are making increasingly dependable vehicles — but there are still some problem areas that need to be addressed and some warning signs on the horizon,” Sargent said in a news release.

One of those areas of concern is that trucks and SUVs have room for improvement in the area of dependability.

The study is in its 32nd year, measuring the number of problems per 100 vehicles, or PP100, that original owners of 3-year-old vehicles experienced during the past 12 months. A lower score reflects higher dependability.

J.D. Power’s study covers 177 specific problems grouped into eight major vehicle categories: audio/communication/entertainment/navigation; engine/transmission; exterior; interior; features/controls/displays; driving experience; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and seats.

The 2018 model-year vehicles that J.D. Power measured in this year’s study were first examined in its 2018 U.S. Initial Quality Study. At that time, new-vehicle quality had improved for the fourth consecutive year, reaching its best level ever. Six of the highest-ranking 10 brands in that study also appear among the 10 highest ranked in the 2021 study.

The study, fielded from July through November, is based on responses from 33,251 original owners of 2018 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership.

More detail on some of the top findings: Regarding vehicle dependability improving to its best level ever, the industry average is 121 PP100. That is the lowest in the study’s history. It is a 13 PP100, or 10%, improvement from 134 PP100 in 2020.

That is a much greater rate of improvement than in the past two years, which had improvements of 2 PP100 and 6 PP100, respectively.

Regarding the need room for improvement necessary for trucks and SUVs, cars continue to be the segment with the most dependable vehicles. They average 111 PP100, while trucks average 130 PP100 and SUVs average 122 PP100.

J.D. Power said trucks and SUVs currently account for approximately 80% of retail sales each month. But to achieve a similar level of dependability as for cars, it’s important for automakers to address problem areas in these two segments, J.D. Power said.

In the area of Korean and Japanese brands, owners of Asian brand vehicles experience the fewest problems — 115 PP100 — compared with domestic brands (126 PP100) and European brands (131 PP100).

In part, that is due to Korean brands Kia, Hyundai and Genesis. Those brands, when combined, average just 99 PP100. They represent a 19-point gap vs. the Japanese brands (collectively 118 PP100).

More good news: All problem categories have improved.

All eight categories improve this year. Exterior led the way at 3.7 PP100, followed by driving experience at 2.2 PP100.

ACEN (audio/communication/ entertainment/navigation) improved slightly, but it remains as the category with the most problems reported.

“From early in the ownership experience, many owners complain about these systems being problematic,” Sargent said. “It’s a recurring theme. With smartphone apps increasingly giving owners an alternative, some will give up on the vehicle’s built-in systems that caused that initial frustration. That’s problematic for automakers, as a lot of the vehicle’s value is tied up in these systems and they don’t want to hand this business over to third parties.”

In other news, the study profiled Tesla for the first time. That brand received a score of 176 PP100. But J.D. Power said the automaker is not officially ranked among other brands in the study because it doesn’t meet the ranking criteria. Tesla, unlike other manufacturers, does not grant J.D. Power permission to survey its owners in 15 states where it is required. But J.D. Power calculated Tesla’s score based on a strong sample of surveys from owners in the other 35 states.

Regarding the highest-ranking brands, Lexus ranks highest in overall vehicle dependability among all brands for the ninth time in 10 years. Porsche ranked second, followed by Kia, Toyota, Buick and Cadillac.

Kia showed much improvement, with a reduction of 35 PP100 from 2020. Kia also ranked highest overall among mass market brands for the first time. Cadillac, Acura, Hyundai and Mitsubishi were other brands above industry average showing the greatest improvement in PP100.

Toyota Motor Corp. received five segment awards for the Lexus ES, Lexus GX, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Sienna and Toyota Tundra.

General Motors Co. earned four segment awards for the Buick Envision, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Silverado HD and Chevrolet Tahoe.

Hyundai Motor Group also received four segment awards for the Genesis G80, Kia Optima, Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage.

Chevrolet, Kia and Toyota each received three segment awards.

Tanya Parkes, vice president of the consumer division at J.D. Power, said vehicle dependability insights from the study are valuable to automakers and car shoppers.

“Shoppers who visit JDPower.com can also learn how a vehicle compares to others, which brings more clarity to the shopping experience,” Parkes said. “The J.D. Power 100-Point Scores are based on independent and unbiased insights from consumers who have actually owned these vehicles, and that’s something in which shoppers are keenly interested.” 

Report: Consumers not quite ready to switch from internal combustion

The long-term trend toward electric vehicles continues to solidify. But because of the pandemic, consumer anxiety might be shifting automotive priorities toward familiarity and affordability.

According to a new report from Deloitte, that could be a reason why 74% of U.S. consumers are looking for a traditional internal combustion engine in their next vehicle.

For the report titled, “2021 Global Automotive Consumer Study,” Deloitte surveyed more than 24,000 consumers from 23 countries, seeking opinions regarding issues impacting the global automotive sector.

Those issues include implications of the pandemic on consumer perceptions, the development of advanced technologies and impact of digital automotive retail platforms.

A major portion of the report covers vehicle electrification and connectivity, but the report also covers vehicle financing trends and future vehicle intentions, noting that in India and the Republic of Korea, about a third of consumers plan to delay the acquisition of their next vehicle. In the United States, 34% of respondents said the pandemic made them either delay or accelerate the acquisition of their next vehicle.

But in the area of electrification, the report notes that before the transportation torch passes from internal combustion to electric powertrains, consumers want more assurance regarding mileage, charging infrastructure rollouts and electric segment affordability.

“While the pandemic continues to play a large role in exacerbating this apprehension, stricter carbon emission regulations on the horizon point to a ‘closing window’ for the traditional ICE segment experience,” the report states.

According to the report, only 26% of U.S. consumers are considering alternative engines for their next vehicle.

That is a 15% decline year-over year.

In the United States and Germany, battery range is the top concern about EVs. In the Republic of Korea, Japan and India, the lack of charging infrastructure is at the top of consumers’ minds.

Most consumers in the United States, Japan, Germany and India expect to charge their vehicles at home.

But in China, 51% of respondents intended to use available charging stations at work or on the street instead.

Perception rises on connectivity

In Asia, consumer perception of connected vehicles appears to be edging up. As many as 83% of Chinese consumers say the technology is beneficial.

But only 44% of U.S. consumers feel that way.

Sixty-four percent of U.S. consumers feel that with increased connectivity, they are most concerned about the possibility of hacking, and approximately the same percentage of consumers in Germany, the Republic of Korea and India feel that way.

Seventy percent of U.S. consumers like advanced vehicle features that promote greater safety capabilities such as blind-spot detection. But 65% of Germany residents say built-in navigation systems are their most important future vehicle option, according to the report.

Cost continues as a factor against advanced vehicle technologies. Seventy-four percent of U.S. consumers are not willing to pay more than $500 for infotainment.

Harald Proff, Deloitte Global automotive leader and partner, Deloitte Germany, said the pandemic has had a major impact on the global automotive industry.

“That said, the momentum toward a more connected vehicle future remains bright and full of promise. Ever stricter vehicle emissions requirements in many markets around the world are also pushing the goal of electric mobility forward. Efforts to realize these technologies will open up a new world of possibility,” Proff said in a news release.

Financial concerns affect future vehicle intentions

Across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic is making consumers in many markets rethink when they will buy their next vehicle and the type of vehicle they will buy.

Many people are deferring vehicle loan/lease payments. Some intend to acquire a less-expensive vehicle than originally planned.

Ten percent of Americans deferred their automotive payment in 2020. But 23% of consumers aged 18-34 did the same.

Eighty-four percent of U.S. consumers plan to purchase a similar vehicle in the future. But in India, the pandemic has made 57% of consumers plan to enter a completely different vehicle segment.

Sixty-six percent of U.S. consumers remain on the same timelines they originally had for purchasing their next vehicle. But 38% of consumers in India and 32% in the Republic of Korea say they might delay their next vehicle purchase.

Another finding of the study is that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more virtual transactions. But because some aspects of the buying process are still difficult to digitize, that reinforces consumers’ desire for an in-person experience.

U.S. consumers remain largely in favor of in-person sales experiences. But consumers in India seem the most open to a virtual automotive transaction. Twenty-seven percent of those consumers prefer a fully virtual buying experience.

Authorized dealers will remain a part of the virtual buying process. Fifty-nine percent of U.S. consumers prefer to interact with a franchised seller.

Karen Bowman, vice chairman of Deloitte and U.S. automotive sector leader, said that unlike many other retail sectors that have seen a shift to online buying, many consumers see purchasing a vehicle as a personal experience.

“However, some people will be looking for a virtual sales experience to maximize convenience, speed and ease of use. This will likely result in a more complicated, and potentially costly, set of consumer expectations for dealers to meet at a time when businesses are looking to recover and thrive in the wake of the pandemic,” Bowman said.  

Rewards program to benefit United Road’s top carriers

United Road has launched an initiative to recognize and reward high-performing third-party carriers in its network of independent carriers.

It is called the Haully Pro Carrier Rewards Program, and United Road said the program helps support its carriers’ independent businesses, build loyalty and improve quality.

Benefits of Haully Pro include quarterly rebate bonuses, dedicated concierge dispatch support, early access to contractual freight, free same-day payment up to three times per quarter for loads delivered, and a reduced quick pay option.

The Haully Pro Carrier Rewards Program evolved from United Road's Haully. United Road introduced that logistics technology platform for third-party carriers in 2019, and it provides access to vehicle loads including backhauls, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Carriers must meet a minimum quarterly revenue goal from United Road of $30,000 to qualify for consideration of Haully Pro status.

Revenue generation is one qualifier. United Road chief operating officer Jason Walker said quality holds equal importance. Carriers achieving Pro Carrier status rank in the 90th percentile among their peers for performance on three quality criteria:

— Service: On time pick-up and delivery at 90% and above.

— Transparency: Use of V-TAS mobile tracking app to manage loads from pick-up to delivery at 90% compliance.

— Quality: A damage-free delivery rate of 99.7% as measured by E-IPTV (exceptions-incidents per thousand vehicles).

Walker said carrier partners are important to United Road's success.

“As we roll out this program over the first quarter of ’21, we look forward to awarding the Pro designation to additional carriers,” Walker said in a news release. “United Road is here to help its carrier partners be successful, including achieving Pro status.”

United Road introduced the Haully Pro Carrier Rewards program effective Jan. 1. Bonus rebates will begin in the second quarter, based on first-quarter performance. United Road has identified 91 carrier partners in its inaugural class of Haully Pro Carriers.

Future planned enhancements include access to discounts for fuel, insurance and roadside assistance.

Ford, Toyota, Honda stand out for CPO value

Ford’s model-level strength helped it perform well in the eighth annual Vincentric Best Certified Pre-Owned Value in America Awards.

Although Ford won more model-level awards than any other brand with eight, Toyota and Honda also had a strong showing with four model-level awards each.

Vincentric president David Wurster said many people in the United States are looking to save money in the current uncertain economic times by purchasing used vehicles.

“Consumers looking to buy a certified pre-owned vehicle want to know that their choice will give them the value they need for their money,” Wurster said in a news release.

Ford also earned two brand level awards. Helped by what Vincentric said were strong showings from the Ranger and F-350, Ford won the Best CPO Value Truck brand award for the second time.

Vincentric also said Ford vans showed a best-in-class performance that helped it win the Best CPO Value Van brand award.

That was the fifth consecutive win in that category for Ford.

Because of a strong performance from the Civic sedan and hatchback, Honda won the category of Best CPO Value Passenger Car brand. Audi won Best CPO Value Luxury Car, with wins for the TT and S5.

Lincoln won the category of Best CPO Value Luxury SUV & Crossover brand.

Toyota was the final brand winner for Best CPO Value SUV & Crossover brand. It was aided by wins for the C-HR and Highlander Hybrid that led Toyota to its second brand award in this category.

Lexus was another brand with multiple model-level victories with three. Subaru took home two awards. Dodge, GMC, Infiniti, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Volvo Brands were the brands with one model-level winner.

In determining the award winners, Vincentric conducted an analysis to show the vehicles with lower-than-expected ownership costs given their market segment and price. Vincentric used eight cost factors in analyzing more than 15,000 vehicle configurations. Those factors were depreciation, fees and taxes, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost and repairs.

“Our awards can guide consumers and help them make decisions with confidence, especially with so many brands showing strong CPO value by winning Best CPO Value brand awards on a consistent basis,” Wurster said.

The chart below from Vincentric shares a recap of the awards. 

Best CPO value brand in America

Best used cars for 2021 show value retention, high NHTSA rating

Search engine iSeeCars.com says that buyers have much to consider when buying a used car, such as reliability, safety, and value retention.

With those and other factors in mind, buyers looking for a used compact pickup truck should give serious consideration to the Toyota Tacoma, iSeeCars said.

“Toyota has a reputation for building indestructible trucks, which is proven by the performance of the Tacoma,” the company said in a news release.

Toyota was one of the standouts as iSeeCars recently released an analysis on the best used cars across all vehicle types.

iSeeCars said that it conducted the research to help people navigate the used car buying process, performing the legwork for prospective vehicle buyers, analyzing more than 20 million cars.

The company said the winning vehicles have demonstrated long-term reliability, hold their value the best, and have the highest National Highway Transit Safety Administration average safety ratings.

Starting with SUVs, iSeeCars notes the continuing rise in popularity of SUVs and crossovers. The number of SUV models hitting the marketplace grows each year, iSeeCars added.

The company named the Honda CR-V as the best used compact SUV, saying that its demonstrated longevity, efficiency, and above-average passenger and cargo room for its class place it among the best-selling vehicles in the country.

“It also boasts excellent safety scores and below-average ownership costs,” iSeeCars said.

iSeeCars named the Subaru Outback as the best used compact SUV runner-up, saying that although its official designation is as a crossover wagon, the Outback is often compared to compact SUVs.

“The Subaru Outback earns a mention for being a long-lasting and safe vehicle with high value retention and is praised for its car-like driving dynamics, standard all-wheel drive, and class-leading cargo space,” iSeeCars said.

For best used midsize SUV, iSeeCars names the Toyota Highlander as the winner, with the Toyota 4Runner coming in as runner up. The company describes the Highlander as a long-lasting and safe SUV with high value retention.

“A popular family hauler, it’s roomy and has an accessible third row of seating and ample cargo room,’ iSeeCars writes. “It also offers a suite of safety features to add to its solid reputation for reliability.” The Toyota 4Runner came in as runner up in the best used midsize SUV category.

According to the iSeeCars study, the Chevrolet Tahoe is the best used full-size SUV, with the Ford Expedition coming in as runner-up. The Tahoe, according to iSeeCars, is a long-lasting and safe SUV. It also boasts high value retention, according to the company.

“It’s one of the more affordable vehicles in the full-size SUV class, making it a practical family hauler for those who require a great deal of cargo and passenger space,” iSeeCars writes.

On the overall list of winners in 23 categories, Toyota placed eight vehicles, Honda placed four, Acura placed three, and Lexus, two.

Some of the runners-up included the Ford Expedition in the best used full-size SUV category, the Honda Pilot in the best three-row SUV category, and the Chevrolet Impala in the best used large sedan category. iSeeCars describes the Impala as one of the longest-lasting sedans on the road.

“It rides comfortably and has plenty of cargo and passenger space,” iSeeCars writes.

For its study, iSeeCars.com analyzed more than 24 million cars from its 2020 studies on Longest-Lasting Cars and Cars that Hold their Value, and it combined the results with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash test ratings from 2011 to 2020. Only vehicles that were included in both studies and showed at least one overall crash test rating from NHTSA between 2011 and 2020 were eligible to be included in the study.

iSeeCars said that buyers in the market for a used car should consider a vehicle from this best used vehicle list.

The company writes, “These cars are proven to be reliable and safe while maintaining their value for their owners.”

Below is a chart from iSeeCars that recaps the winners.

iSeeCars best used cars

Super Dispatch now supports shippers

Auto transport software company Super Dispatch is expanding into the shipper segment, stating that through a single, unified platform, the company now serves the entire auto transport industry by supporting shippers and carriers.

The platform’s Shipper Transportation Management System connects to Super Dispatch’s Loadboard. That creates what the company describes as an advanced marketplace that helps the carrier book and track loads, manage drivers, gain access to custom reporting, receive instant billing and negotiate with shippers.

That results in better business outcomes, Super Dispatch said.

The platform’s free carrier app is equipped with advanced time-stamped inspections, electronic proof of delivery, electronic bill of lading and access to loads and load offers from a mobile phone.

Super Dispatch’s founder and chief executive officer Bek Abdullayev said the platform solves the challenges of paperwork-intensive and multi-platform systems by providing a fully integrated digital workflow for ​carriers​ and ​shippers.

“Super Dispatch is transforming the auto transport industry through smart, seamless, frictionless software, making moving cars smarter, faster, easier and more secure than ever,” Abdullayev said in a news release.

Super Dispatch’s vehicle shipping platform is a software as a service-enabled marketplace that the company says brings greater efficiency to users.

BacklotCars and Jack Cooper Transport are among Super Dispatch clients. More than 3 million cars have been moved on the Super Dispatch platform this year.  

Digital Air Strike to help manage reputation for military vehicle buying program

Military AutoSource, a vehicle buying program exclusively for the U.S. military community serving overseas, has chosen Digital Air Strike as the official Google My Business and reputation management partner for Military AutoSource’s 77 locations in 22 countries.

Digital Air Strike said it was selected because of its expertise in monitoring, improving and managing businesses’ online reputations.

Digital Air Strike will handle Military AutoSource’s enterprise-level reputation management, review generation and monitoring for its locations in Japan, Korea, Kuwait and throughout Europe. The company will provide reputation management and monitoring services to Military AutoSource and will also ensure optimization of each of Military AutoSource’s 77 Google My Business profiles.  

Military AutoSource will also use Digital Air Strike’s Review Surge technology to survey its customers and get feedback about their experience. With the technology, customers who respond positively can post their feedback on top consumer review sites. Military AutoSource’s team will be able to monitor and respond to all customer reviews from a centralized dashboard showing their reputation and star ratings across multiple sites and all locations.

“We are honored and excited Military AutoSource selected Digital Air Strike for this important international partnership,” Digital Air Strike chief revenue officer Dave Venneri said in a news release.

Venneri continued, “As a company that has many former members of the U.S. military on our team, we are proud to serve an organization that works exclusively with the military. We look forward to helping MAS with its goal of having better insight into what customers are saying about their experience around the world while driving positive reviews through our Review Surge technology.”

“I am very impressed with Digital Air Strike’s willingness to work within our needs,” said David Goldring, chairman and chief executive officer of Overseas Military Sales Corp. (dba Military AutoSource).

Goldring continued, “Our only customer is the service members in the United States and overseas, so everything we do is with their unique circumstances and needs in mind to ensure we deliver the experience they deserve. Digital Air Strike’s survey and review generation technology will give us an even better understanding of our customers’ experience with us.”

For almost 60 years, Military AutoSource has helped hundreds of thousands of U.S. military stationed and deployed overseas purchase a U.S. specification vehicle for delivery to select overseas duty stations, or stateside in coordination with their rotation back to the United States.

Partnering with The Exchange and NEXCOM, Military AutoSource operates facilities on military bases around the world, considering the unique demands and realities of military life.

Autotrader, KBB share their top car deals for the month

Under the category of Best Used Car Deals, Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book say the Acura MDX is “a practical choice in three-row, midsize luxury SUVs.”

“It’s comfortable, spacious, and legitimately luxurious,” the companies said.

That is just one portion of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book’s latest effort to bring consumers “the most recent information on the best car deals monthly.” Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book are releasing several new lists, bringing together standouts to help make car shopping easier.

The companies describe purchasing a car as sometimes being a stressful process, and they say they are “looking to alleviate any consumer uncertainty.”

With a new batch of new- and used-vehicle deals for the month coming with the changing of the seasons, staying informed when making large purchases — such as a vehicle — is essential. The latest lists from Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book feature new types of deals to meet consumers’ specific needs and interests. The companies will also update the resources monthly with up-to-date information.

The expanded coverage of top new and used car deals includes:

— Best SUV lease deals under $300

— Best truck lease deals

— Best used SUV deals

— Best used car deals

— Best luxury car and SUV deals

The Chevrolet Equinox is another example of the list of Best Used Car Deals, and Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book say the Equinox is “stylish and nicely equipped.” The two-row, five-passenger Equinox is a “comfortable, agreeable compact SUV,” they write.

Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book editorial director Jason Allan said many good cars are currently available, and people can start car shopping “by first seeking out the most enticing incentives.”

“The automakers typically update their deals near the beginning of every month, and staying on top of these offers is an important part of the shopping process for buyers looking to get the most car for the money,” Allan said in a news release

To view this month’s Autotrader lists, visit https://www.autotrader.com/car-deals. To view the most recent Kelley Blue Book lists, visit www.kbb.com/awards/awards-best-cars-and-top-10-lists for new car deals and www.kbb.com/awards/best-used-cars for used car deals.