This week, RouteOne began to offer dealers a free trial of its FinanceConnect product. Dealers who subscribe now will receive the first 60 days free with no setup fee, which officials said is up to a $700 value. The company recapped that FinanceConnect — first made available to dealers last July — is a new […] [Read More]

Ally Financial recently launched a pilot program to help dealers connect with more prospects and customers through the use of social media. Officials highlighted the program, called "Connect4Content," is geared to remove the most common obstacle for dealers looking to bolster their social media properties — the need for a constant stream of new and […] [Read More]

Although the increases were rather tame, domestic brands were at the top of the heap for used-car consumer activity growth on the Web in December, according to the latest Guidelines report from NADA Used Car Guide. Specifically, the report looks at activity on NADAguides.com and calculates the year-over-year change in unique lookups during December. Topping […] [Read More]

DataScan Field Services announced Monday its purchase of Launch Technologies LLC and Field-Logic LLC. These two firms operate together to provide floor plan auditing technology and audit services to financial institutions. “This acquisition is truly strategic for our company,” said Brent Sergot, president of DataScan Holdings. “Building on our industry experience and history of outstanding […] [Read More]

Autobytel announced Monday afternoon that it has purchased Web-based auto leads and services provider AutoUSA from AutoNation. Autobytel outlined the purchase price as follows:   — $10 million in cash — A $1.0 million, 6-percent convertible note payable in one lump sum in five years and convertible to Autobytel common stock at a conversion price […] [Read More]

Dealers interested in taking part in the 2014 NADA Dealership Workforce Study, offering analysis and data to help them attract and retain quality employees, will have their chance later this month. Participation in the study opens to dealer members of the National Automobile Dealers Association and American Truck Dealers at the NADA Convention & Expo, […] [Read More]

Following enhancements to its product lineup and a branding evolution, auto revenue and retention solutions provider MPi on Monday announced the company’s new name, AutoPoint. The AutoPoint Platform is a suite of integrated applications that allows a dealership to optimize its current and future fixed operations revenue opportunities, the company reported, and offers a 400 […] [Read More]

For the third time, a former racing duo has teamed up to open an auto dealership in Tennessee. Late last week, Hendrick Automotive Group officials announced that the company will manage the new Darrell Waltrip Buick GMC in Franklin, Tenn., the third dealership the duo has opened in this Nashville suburb. Joining Chairman Rick Hendrick […] [Read More]

In its January/February Industry Report, ALG took an in-depth look at three premium sports cars to see how their residual values stack up against fellow models in their respective segments and within their own brands. Starting with the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, its 36-month residual value is at 57 percent. This is 6 percentage points […] [Read More]

A colleague passed along a 2013 year-end report from the United Kingdom-based dealer IT research firm Woods and Seaton. The report details some of the high-profile acquisitions that occurred in the past year as DMS and specialty vendors vie to provide dealers here and abroad with integrated solutions to increase efficiencies and profitability in their […] [Read More]