Darwin Automotive announced Monday that ELEAD1ONE will integrate Darwin's F&I software with both its DealBuilder Showroom and DealBuilder Online solutions. Salespeople can use ELEAD1ONE's DealBuilder Showroom to manage the test drive process and map routes. Along with providing customers with turn-by-turn directions, the solution can also track distances, route information and average speed for dealerships. Meanwhile, the DealBuilder solution is designed to calculate vehicle […] [Read More]

In an effort to help dealers connect with their customers in an automated way, AutoAlert has teamed up with artificial intelligence-powered sales assistant Conversica, the company announced Monday. This new venture has brought together two former VinSolutions executives: Mike Dullea, former VinSolutions chief executive officer and current CEO of AutoAlert; and David Marod, a former sales […] [Read More]

Car Keys Express announced Monday that it has expanded into the reconditioning business with the launch of Car Care Express, a new division that offers mobile vehicle reconditioning services. This follows news from late March that the company has introduced a new affiliate program for consumers and business. Along with paintless dent repair, paint touch […] [Read More]

As the industry counts how many used vehicles were retailed during March, the dealer survey orchestrated by KeyBanc Capital Markets in February gauged how stores continue to have some struggles despite rising turns in their used departments. Survey orchestrators reported that gross-profit trends continued to reflect competitive pressure in new and used segments, which should […] [Read More]

SiriusXM and Enterprise Car Sales announced Monday the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand is the latest to join the SiriusXM Pre-Owned Program made up of nearly 30,000 dealers. Enterprise Car Sales pre-owned customers who purchase vehicles factory-equipped with SiriusXM can now receive three-month subscriptions to the SiriusXM All Access audio package that includes any available SiriusXM Infotainment services. […] [Read More]

According to a news release issued on Monday, Floorplan Xpress, a nationwide auto dealer floorplan company serving 26 states across the country, is now servicing the accounts for Alliance Auto Auction’s Dealers Credit Express, a Texas-based floorplan provider. Officials highlighted this development should greatly enhance the footprint of both companies. Floorplan Xpress has since provided […] [Read More]

Industry associations and private and publicly traded companies aren’t the only entities replying to a request for information issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Last week, the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) filed a comment to the CFPB in response to that agency’s request for information to help it assess the […] [Read More]

Two leading providers of technology to help dealership F&I offices function smoothly — Darwin Automotive and Reynolds and Reynolds — each recently landed significant developments to boost their industry presence. First, Darwin Automotive announced that Darwin Online is now integrated with RouteOne for retail contract validation, submission and approval. Meanwhile, Reynolds and Reynolds and Hendrick […] [Read More]

With so much discussion happening at recent industry conferences about enhancing how customers shop for and finance their vehicles, Santander Consumer USA took action. SCUSA unveiled a new company website with the singular goal of improving the overall customer experience. The new site features what the finance company says is an intuitive and clean design […] [Read More]

Kelley Blue Book recently announced its 2018 Brand Image Award winners, and Honda, Lexus and Ford took the top spots after receiving the highest average scores among 12 brand watch factors. In addition to being named 2018 Best Value Brand and Most Refined Brand, Honda took home the Best Overall Brand title for the first time […] [Read More]