The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association added two new relationships with service providers aimed at helping operators turn more metal and generate profit.

NIADA announced ddk marketing has joined with the association as its newest National Affinity Partner, offering NIADA members a free 90-day trial of its autogenius app.

Also, Security Key Systems (SKS) now is a National Member Benefit partner, giving association members availability to a key tracking suite with a wide range of configuration options and features to help them avoid losing sales due to being unable to find keys quickly.

NIADA explained ddk autogenius is a Web-based mobile app that is designed to increase a dealer's odds of saying just the right thing to keep each customer engaged throughout the selling process.

Once a simple five-question customer survey is completed, the firm indicated the research intelligence behind autogenius analyzes the answers to identify the customer. For each of the three key customer categories, the app then can direct the salesperson on what to say — and not say — to that particular customer to lead to more closes and happier customers.

“The sales associates don't have the time to learn a lot of new tools or complex procedures,” said Luke Heffron, senior vice president of ddk's Genius Group. "Everything about our autogenius app was designed with that in mind.

“The training is built in and created using the latest research on e-learning facilitation,” Heffron continued. “We’ve threaded a gamification tool throughout the app to keep sales associates engaged, learning and excited about the app.”

Heffron also mentioned autogenius works on all WiFi-enabled devices, including tablets, kiosks and touchscreen monitors. And ddk marketing will provide NIADA members with a free, full-license 90-day trial.

“The ddk autogenius partnership delivers to our membership an easy-to-implement, highly effective, inexpensive sales process enhancement resource that delivers increased closing ratios, corresponding sales and customer satisfaction,” NIADA senior vice president of member services Scott Lilja said.

“Instead of spending thousands of dollars on time-consuming and complex sales training programs, this unique sales tool brings immediate results within a convenient, easy-to-use app,” Lilja went on to say.

For more information, call (312) 638-3478, email findoutmore@ddkautogenius.com or visit www.ddkautogenius.com.

Security Key Systems teams with NIADA

SKS has helped dealerships with key management issues for more than 20 years thanks to founder and chief executive officer Steve Singleton, who has more than 40 years of experience in managing the demands dealerships face.

“We view this as a great opportunity to help dealerships increase their sales and eliminate down time,” SKS chief operating officer Cheryl Ryan said.

“With society's increasing conveniences, customers want to be able to take test drives as soon as they enter a dealership and are not interested in waiting around while an employee tracks down a key to their desired vehicle. Our key management solutions will help dealers offer the increased speed customers are looking for to get in their new car,” Ryan continued.

NIADA highlighted that SKS combines first-class service, strong support and a selection of key systems that do more than just store keys, allowing independent dealers to connect customers with their desired car as quickly as possible to help increase sales.

SKS’ KeyWatcher Touch system uses technology such as touch screen key selection and fingerprint logins to track keys, monitor users and run usage reports to eliminate wasted time locating keys and make sure customers can take the test drives they desire.

“Security Key Systems is a leader in the auto dealership key management/security market,” Lilja said. “With vehicle key technology becoming more complex by the day, it is critical that our member dealers have the appropriate resources available to ensure the security of, ease of location and tracking of those critical customer assets.”

Lilja added SKS is offering NIADA members unique discounts on its services, “which provides substantial value in being an NIADA member.”

For more information or a live demo, contact Ryan at (941) 474-5640 or visit www.securitykeysystems.com.