CDK Global, in partnership with Zipwhip, a cloud-based texting provider, has created the former’s Text Connect solution, allowing dealer employees to send and receive texts from customers. Employees with the system can text their customers via any Internet-enabled device, using existing landlines and toll-free phone numbers. "Nearly half of consumers say they prefer SMS communication with […] [Read More]

Autotrader will be hosting its final Interactive Dealer Summit of 2015 at the beginning of December in Atlanta – if you cannot make it, a free simulcast will be available. The event will be streaming from Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST. Register here. What can you expect to […] [Read More]

FCA US announced Friday it appointed a new head of vehicle safety and regulatory compliance. Chosen for the position is Michael Dahl. The move is effective Dec. 1, and Dahl will be replacing Scott Kunselman, who previously announced his decision to retire. Prior to his new position, Dahl was the director of gasoline/diesel engine programs […] [Read More]

What are shoppers paying the most attention to when in the market for a new vehicle? Color and brand apparently pale in comparison to the importance new-car shoppers are putting on vehicle technology. That’s according to Autotrader's "2015 In-Vehicle Technology Shopper Influence Study," which provides insight into how vehicle technology impacts consumer vehicle purchase behavior. […] [Read More]

In light of the closing of its acquisition of Dealertrack last month, Cox Automotive announced it is making Dealer.com — which joined the Cox family through the recent purchase — its primary website solution for Cox Automotive customers. The company explained current customers of the VinSolutions website product will migrate over to the Dealer.com website solution […] [Read More]

The week after Thanksgiving, PaymentVision will hold a free webinar on the importance and benefits of tokenization, or when applied to data security, the process of substituting a sensitive data element with a non-sensitive equivalent. The webinar covering the currently very relevant topic is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 2:30 to 3:30 EST. During […] [Read More]

Veros Credit announced it has opened a new Regional Business Center in the Dallas area. The company reported the new center will assist in the company’s growth efforts in Texas. The focus of the new center will be to provide a local presence in the state for customers and build service levels and dealer penetration. […] [Read More]

Reporting strong performance in the “no-score” segment of the credit spectrum, Equifax pointed out in a release this week lender vigilance is helping to drive auto loan market success. According to the latest National Consumer Credit Trends Report from Equifax Inc., the auto finance market is growing at a rapid pace, and balances are reaching […] [Read More]

Cherokee Media Group president Bill Zadeits had a big surprise in store for him during today’s opening remarks at Used Car Week. The industry leader was chosen by the National Auto Auction Association as the 89th Warren Young Sr. Fellow. The lifetime distinction was presented to Zadeits by Mike Browning, the incoming NAAA president. NAAA […] [Read More]

To the delight of many in the automotive industry, the House of Representatives voted on and passed a bill aimed at altering the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s handling of indirect auto financing. With a vote of 332 to 96, the House passed what the American International Automobile Dealers Association labeled a “common sense piece of […] [Read More]