In an effort to aid dealers’ service departments, Cox Automotive — the parent of Manheim, AutoTrader.com, vAuto and Kelley Blue Book, among others — recently joined other companies in purchasing a minority stake in AutoMD.com, previously a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Auto Parts Network.

Joining Cox Automotive in this development were Federal-Mogul Motorparts, a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp., as well as existing U.S. Auto Parts investors.

AutoMD.com is a free online automotive repair resource designed to empower vehicle owners with the best way to repair their vehicles. AutoMD.com is designed to help to drive growth at participating repair shops by allowing owners to get instant comparative quotes and information on repair jobs from local repair shops through AutoMD Insta-Quotes.

Dale Pollak, founder of vAuto and executive vice president of Cox Automotive, explained why the company made this decision.

"Cox Automotive's investment in AutoMD recognizes the importance of healthy and profitable service operations to the retail automotive community,” Pollak said.

“This is another step toward helping dealers succeed in every area of their businesses,” he continued. “We’re very impressed with the commitment and leadership of AutoMD.”

In addition to AutoMD.com allowing owners to get instant comparative quotes on repair jobs from local repair shops through AutoMD Insta-Quotes, the site also is geared help both owners and do-it-yourselfers with several other inquiries such as:

1. Find the right local auto repair shop at the right price for their issue.

2. Know how much auto repairs should cost.

3. Troubleshoot vehicle problems.

4. Have auto repair questions answered by the AutoMD.com community.

5. Understand the steps needed and the time required for repairs through how-to Auto Repair guides.

AutoMD.com was named Best Automotive Website in the eighth annual American Business Awards, also known as the Stevie Awards.

“AutoMD.com provides transparency for consumers in need of vehicle repair and visibility to the over 1,000 and growing participating repair providers," said Shane Evangelist, chief executive officer of AutoMD majority owner U.S. Auto Parts.

“This investment and the significant industry expertise of Federal-Mogul Motorparts and Cox Automotive will help further establish AutoMD as the preferred source of vehicle repair information for millions of consumers,” Evangelist went on to say.