Automobile Consumer Services (ACS) established truPayments to create a suite of technology products and web API services on the platform to support the 500 dealers using DriveItNow. In 2017, ACS engineers began building a new platform called GRAIL in an effort to replace the 11-year-old DriveItNow web application. Now nearing its completion, Tarry Shebesta, chief […] [Read More]

ActivEngage turned to an honoree among this year’s Emerging 8 to form its latest partnership to help dealerships work with online vehicle shoppers. The provider of managed automotive solutions and communications services has partnered with CreditIQ, a provider of integrated automotive finance and banking technology, to release a comprehensive digital retailing product. The companies highlighted […] [Read More]

Dealer-focused SaaS shared mobility company DriveItAway says that through its new partnership with trade-in lead generation company Accu-Trade, more than 5,000 dealers can list vehicles for sale, rent or rent-to-own to rideshare drivers who download the DriveItAway app. DriveItAway says that through the partnership, DriveItAway gig economy app users now have access to specific vehicle detailed […] [Read More]

Fireside chats, discussions focused on artificial intelligence and analytics and vehicle sales and price predictions were among the focal points that dominated Used Car Week, held Nov. 11-14 in Las Vegas. But amid those compelling conversations and power sessions, time was taken during the conference to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of outstanding women and […] [Read More]

Dean Fisher says that as auto dealerships focus on sales and profitability in what he described as a very competitive new- and used-car market, those dealerships are looking for other dealership services to build their business. Fisher, who is president of collision repair network CARSTAR, said the fixed operations department and collision repair services in particular, […] [Read More]

DealerBuilt ventured into the commercial real estate investment world to find its new chief financial officer. On Tuesday, the dealer management system (DMS) provider announced the appointment of Brian Marshall as CFO. DealerBuilt said Marshall brings more than a decade of experience as a strategic finance leader with a proven track record of successfully leading […] [Read More]

Evidently, dealers are not rushing to the lanes to acquire inventory like consumers are hurrying to retail stores and websites to purchase holiday gifts. Multiple Black Book representatives stationed at sales noticed lighter buying activity even as analysts spotted wholesale prices falling at rapid paces. Black Book executive vice president of operations Anil Goyal elaborated […] [Read More]

Recent Federal Reserve data shows that more than 4 million Americans are more than 90 days late on their car loan payments. There are many reasons someone may default on an auto loan: job loss, health emergency or an expensive car repair. And as the U.S. Financial Diaries project demonstrated, Americans face increasing income and […] [Read More]

One of the primary capital providers for buy-here, pay-here dealers not only in the Lone Star State, but elsewhere nationwide, is merging with another bank in Texas. On Monday, Texas Capital Bancshares, the parent company of Texas Capital Bank, and Independent Bank Group, the holding company for Independent Bank, announced that they have entered into […] [Read More]

Kelly Blankenship and Richard Hudson from Ignite Consulting Partners shared valuable advice designed to help dealerships, finance companies and other service providers within the automotive industry. Blankenship and Hudson discussed ways that can prevent a consumer complaint from swirling into an online firestorm. Nick Zulovich shared the conversation earlier this fall when the National Independent […] [Read More]