Mobile ad network Mojiva released some info Wednesday that suggests consumers may be looking to their phones when searching for their next vehicle. According to its quarterly Mobile Audience Guide, 50 percent of respondents expressed interest in using their mobile phone to research buying or leasing a vehicle. “The latest version of the guide provides […] [Read More]

Mazda Motor Corp. and Fiat Group Automobile S.p.A. are teaming up to build a new roadster that will be based on Mazda’s MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture, the companies announced Wednesday. The companies signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding, under which they will develop and build the roadsters for the respective Mazda and Alfa Romeo brands. Under […] [Read More]

Get Auto and Marchex Inc. this week announced a service partnership meant to offer dealers comprehensive, measurable reporting for inbound consumer calls. The collaboration will provide GetAuto.com with call tracking and analytics technology that can help ensure the quality of leads provided to dealers and help dealers best channel their advertising dollars, the companies said. […] [Read More]

A single brand won five of 20 categories as Total Car Score announced its first-ever Top Scoring Car Awards on Wednesday. The inaugural Top Scoring Car Awards cover all major vehicle segments for model year 2012, with best car awards based on Total Car Score’s comprehensive ranking formula. Ford was the brand earning the most […] [Read More]

Copart already possesses a salvage auction presence in both the U.S. and the U.K., and now the company can say it strengthened its position in Canada as well. The online wholesale operation announced Tuesday that it acquired Diamond Auto Bids and Disposals, a privately held auction company with locations in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. The […] [Read More]

In an effort to help dealers generate more high quality trade-appraisal leads via mobile technology and social media, Black Book Online revealed Tuesday an upgrade to its Activator platform. The sales-lead generator noted that the new enhancements include “a mobile version of Trade-In Activator, full social media integration,  a new Lead Insight tool to work […] [Read More]

he certified pre-owned programs of two additional brands will now be using Carfax as their exclusive vehicle history provider. It was announced Tuesday that Carfax was chosen by Nissan North America to be the CPO programs of both the Nissan and Infiniti brands. Since May 1, Carfax Vehicle History Reports have been required in the […] [Read More]

High fuel prices are making their mark on consumers, who are driving less and contemplating the move to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, according to recent survey by Consumer Reports. And nearly three-quarters of respondents said they’d consider an alternative fuel vehicle for their next car. The survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, […] [Read More]

Dealers now have yet another way to communicate with shoppers. Customer relationship management company DealerSocket revealed Tuesday the release of SocketTalk — a texting tool that allowing “instant two-way communication between the dealership and a customers’ mobile device,” as well as instant messaging from within the CRM to internal DealerSocket users. [Read More]

With the intention of strengthening its position to deliver the best customer service possible, Dealers Auto Auction of the Rockies recently made several key management promotions and announced a focus on management training designed to provide positive outcomes for its auction customers. Auction owners Brad Sturgeon and Bill Baker announced that Michele Noblitt, long-time general […] [Read More]