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Cobalt

Average Rating



80 Reviews

3.4 Stars Average

57% Recommended

Cobalt is North America's leading provider of automotive marketing services and has a 14-year history in increasing retailing effectiveness and profitability for auto dealerships and manufacturers. Cobalt is the only vendor in the automotive space that provides a comprehensive, fully integrated suite of applications that give dealers the means to accelerate at digital marketing - driving better in-market visibility, leads and sales. Cobalt provides consistent, high quality program execution and visibility across thousands of auto dealerships with technology and personalized service expertise that allows each dealer to remain focused on selling cars.
Sponsored by: Cobalt

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Contact Info

Phone 206-992-0997
Website Not supplied yet by vendor

Useful Links:

Cobalt Websites IBDM
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2000 - Present

User Comments:
Very outdated. To much Flash! Limited SEO.

Cobalt Websites Internet Marketing Manager
Recommended: No
User From: 12/2009 - Present

User Comments:
Quick background of my experience - I have been building websites for 14 years and working with car dealers for the past four... so I have an idea of what a website can and should do. That said, COBALT IS GARBAGE! GM MAKES you use them in order to get bonuses, etc. We changed from a Dealerskins site (hated that too) to Cobalt with the SIMPLE direction to keep the naming of our pages the same as not to lose our links we have worked to get over the past few years. We even gave them a list of file names. Not only did they IGNORE the list, they now won't fix it. WE LOST 70% OF OUR TRAFFIC FROM THE CHANGE TO COBALT AND THEY DO NOT CARE!!! I would get fired for this kind of crap service. STAY AWAY!!

Cobalt Owner Marketing IT Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 10/2008 - 1/2009

User Comments:
I have been using OnStation for over 12 months and have been very pleased with the results. Or Avg, has been... ROI to be $23 per $1 spent, with a $2.70 profit per email customer. Any dealership should look into this product for service retention and Sale retention in this market. We have also averaged 9 auto sales per month during this time frame and this additional income is not reflected in the ROI #s listed above. Very easy to use, customer support is outstanding, and very profitable....

Cobalt Owner Marketing BDC Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2009 - Present

User Comments:
The program is as good as your advocate. Joshua Eubanks is the best in the business. Constant communication and his willingness to go the extra mile has improved our results!

Cobalt Websites IT
Recommended: No
User From: 2/2005 - Present

User Comments:
Lack of service

Cobalt Websites New Car Director
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2000 - Present

User Comments:
Our account advocate is very diligent in taking care of our needs. He takes care of any of our requests accurately and timely.

Cobalt Websites Sales Manger
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2007 - Present

User Comments:
very happy

Cobalt Websites BDC Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
Great service, prompt response with assistance is needed.

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Director
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
Great customer service. Above and beyond in the creativity category. Only reason it is not a 5 is it takes about half a day to a day to update specials.

PowerSearch Compliance Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2008 - Present

User Comments:
Good support

Cobalt Owner Marketing Compliance Manager
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2008 - Present

User Comments:
Does not interface completely with the ERA programs.

Cobalt Websites GM
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2003 - Present

User Comments:
not very user friendly...

Cobalt Websites Director of Internet Business Development
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
Very professional, customizable and functional.

Cobalt Websites Director of eCommerce
Recommended: No
User From: 2/2006 - Present

User Comments:
Manufacturers need to stop forcing Cobalt down our throats. There are many better products.

Cobalt Websites Internet Operations Manager
Recommended: No
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
the editing tool is archaic

Cobalt Websites Internet Director
Recommended: Yes
User From: 6/2008 - Present

User Comments:
Great customer support from the Procare Advocates, but as far as GM templates go you are limited with inventory changes.

Cobalt Websites Sales Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
It works for us

Cobalt Owner Marketing Internet Sales Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
Fresh and updated pages throughout the year.

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
Cobalt for us goes through Lexus so we have very little control. Overall, it seems to be effective though. The bulk of our sales are from our own website and they change it on a regualr basis to keep it fresh and updated.

Cobalt Websites Marketing & Development
Recommended: Yes
User From: 12/2009 - Present

User Comments:
Reps and technical support are very accessible and helpful.

PowerSearch ceo
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2007 - Present

User Comments:
Doesn't work. Reporting is erroneous.

Cobalt Owner Marketing Digital Marketing Director
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2007 - 1/2009

User Comments:
Reporting is horrible. According to them, they generated 110% of our service business.

Cobalt Websites e Commerce Director
Recommended: No
User From: 5/2007 - Present

User Comments:
Very "fixed" appearance and formatting. SEO is non-existant unless you pay for it or add it yourself. Low conversion. Would NEVER use them if GM did not dictate it.

Cobalt Owner Marketing gm
Recommended: No
User From: 8/2006 - Present

User Comments:
too confusing.....

Cobalt Websites Internet / BDC Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
Quality leads.

Cobalt Websites Internet Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 9/2006 - Present

User Comments:
Easy to use and fairly customizable.

Cobalt Websites sales manager/ all
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2007 - Present

User Comments:
THEY HAVE TOO MUCH CONTROL ON WHAT YOU CAN SHOW AND NOT SHOW. THE DEALER SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHANGE THINGS AND PUT ON THE SITE WHAT HE WANTS TO.

Cobalt Websites ISM
Recommended: Yes
User From: 9/2003 - Present

User Comments:
No problems. Provides easy tracking and takes responsability for bad leads

Cobalt Websites BDC Representative
Recommended: No
User From: 1/1995 - 5/2009

User Comments:
there were always problems with them, customer service representatives were non-responsive to knowing how to fix the problems till hours after.

Cobalt Websites Admin Assistant
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2007 - Present

User Comments:
Working with our rep Andrew Duncan has been a pleasure he has been extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Andrew has also been very proficient and making sure everything is done within a timely manner, I've never had to ask twice on something he makes sure that everything gets done when it needs to be done. Couldn’t ask for anyone better to be helping out on our sites.

Cobalt Websites President
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2008 - Present

User Comments:
good support, works well with car division with coop.

Cobalt Websites GSM
Recommended: No
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
NOT ENOUGH FLEXABILITY TO DO ALL THE THINGS YOU WANT. HOWEVER IT IS NOT EXPENSIVE. FREE IN FACT IF YOU STAY WITH THE BASIC SERVICE

PowerSearch VP
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/1995 - Present

User Comments:
It's good

Cobalt Websites VP
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2005 - Present

User Comments:
With the help of our advocate, we have improved the look, functionality, and performance of our website. She has been top notch.

Cobalt Websites Internet manager
Recommended: No
User From: 4/2006 - Present

User Comments:
ALTHOUGH MY PRO-CARE ADVOCATE IS GOOD. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPPORT IS TERRIBLE. YOU HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS TO GET SOMETHING DONE AND NO ONE TAKES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. COBALT'S FIRST RESPONSE IS TO BLAME SOMEBODY ELSE. ie OTHER PROVIDERS FAULT, DIDN'T GET THE FORM THEY NEEDE BACK , THAT WAS NEVER SENT INTHE FIRST PLACE. ECT

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Manager
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2006 - Present

User Comments:
Limited control over website.

Cobalt Websites Internet Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2007 - Present

User Comments:
Customer service has been great!

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Manager
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2009 - Present

User Comments:
This is a tricky one. If my friend never wants to do anything to their website themselves, and instead prefers a dealer concierge to do everything for them, they are great. Their ProCare package (which is a requirement for us through vw) offers great done-for-you web service. Of course, want anything more advanced than that and you'll hit a million roadblocks. It's just not very flexible.

Cobalt Websites President
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2002 - 6/2008

User Comments:
I find that the majority of the customer support that I receive results in the creation of more work. There product is limited and their SEO program is not in depth enough.

Cobalt Websites E-Commerce Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 10/2008 - Present

User Comments:
my Cobalt Account Advocate Catherine Sherwood has been a tremendous asset to Steve Moore Chevrolet. Because of her insight and direction, or E-commerce piece of the dealership has experienced a huge growth in not only sales, but parts and service as well!

Cobalt Websites sales manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2007 - Present

User Comments:
jeff shane does his job great he keeps up on the new products for us

Cobalt Websites Internet Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2009 - Present

User Comments:
The Cobalt support team is very knowledgeable and helpful and the website is very easy to manage. Cobalt allows us to customize our website and tailor it to our specific needs.

PowerSearch Internet Sales Director
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2006 - Present

User Comments:
PowerSearch Complete, a combination of SEO, SEM and individualized support has been an imperative tool in our dealership. ProCare, which is the individualized support arm of PowerSearch is like enlisting a personal account advocate right in the dealership. I would not be able to function in a proactive manner in my role if it were not for my ProCare Advocate or keep my sanity with all the details needed to run a multi-store Internet franchise. Thank You to Cobalt. I will never switch.

Cobalt Mobile Websites Internet Sales
Recommended: Yes
User From: 10/2009 - Present

User Comments:
Ric Gollhoffer and Jeff Myracle talked to us about this product for a long time and finally after we signed up for the new Marketing Campaign that just started, this was included. It's been a wonderful tool to use on the lot and by our customers who are on the go. I've had many people tell me that they were suprised that we were ahead of the curve when it came to the technology we provide our customer with in order to visit us easily. I enjoy having Ric on our side when it comes to a Cobalt Advocate. I think if it wasn't for him and his constant efforts to be involved with our dealership and getting things done quickly and effectively (as much as he can control) we probably wouldn't still be using Cobalt as our number one website.

Cobalt Websites BDC MANAGER
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2007 - Present

User Comments:
THE PROCARE ADVOCATE PROGRAM HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS SUCESS AT OUR DEALERSHIP. OUR ADVOCATE MARIE SAMSON HAS ADDED THE PROFESSIONAL TOUCH TO THE QUALITY OF OUR WEBSITE THAT HAS INCREASED OUR CONVERSION AND CLOSING PERCENTAGES. WORKING WITH MARIE IS LIKE WORKING WITH SOMONE WITHIN THE DEALERSHIP. HER ONLY CONCERNS ARE YOUR SUCESS. MARIE'S EFFORTS GIVE US MORE TIME TO FOCUS ON CLOSING MORE LEADS AND MARKETING OUR DEALERSHIP. I SENCERELY RECOMMEND THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT CONSIDERED THE PORCARE ADVOCATE PROGRAM PLEASE DO YOU WILL BE VERY SATISFIED.

Cobalt Owner Marketing Director of e-commerce
Recommended: Yes
User From: 3/2009 - 1/2009

User Comments:
Cobalt's owner marketing program is bringing customers back to us that have not been in our dealership in over 2 years.

Cobalt Websites GM
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2007 - Present

User Comments:
I beleive the first advantage is I have David Van Fleet as our advocate. Cobalt is keeping up well with technology. We would love to see more and more developed faster than the competition but they do a great job. I am always looking for more and thats what they give their customer.

Cobalt Websites General Sales Manager
Recommended: No
User From: 1/2006 - 1/2009

User Comments:
Only use Cobalt because you cannot link from Chevy.com to own wesbite. Have seen some improvements over last 6 months for inventory display and lead generation. Less that 2% of our online traffic sees this site, and that makes me feel better.

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Manager
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
I sincerely want to let you know how impressed I am with the professional, considerate attention Jeff Shane routinely provides us at Cobalt. As an Internet Sales Manager, I am always in a fast-paced, goal-oriented work environment. I need immediate solutions to to any issue that arises, and I demand that those solutions be far more than "just adequate". Also, I need insight, thoughtful advice, and dependable answers to a limitless variety of questions. Jeff is the man I turn to. Jeff is The Man!! Thank you Jeff, and Cobalt, for outstanding service!

Cobalt Websites eCommerce Director
Recommended: Yes
User From: 3/2004 - Present

User Comments:
We have used the full suite of Cobalt tools for over 10 years. They have been instrumental in our online success because of their forward thinking, tools and above all their pro-active advocates. Most dealers & managers have no clue when it come to their online presence but just ask them and they will share their "expert opinion". Those in the trenches with successful online marketing that work with the vendors tools daily understand and appreciate the professionals at the Cobalt Group.

Cobalt Websites President
Recommended: Yes
User From: 1/2008 - Present

User Comments:
Our Website Advocate Joshua Eubanks. He takes every bit as much ownership of our website as we do and in constantly striving to bring innovative ideas to us to improve our metrics and sales.

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Manager
Recommended: Yes
User From: 8/2008 - 8/2009

User Comments:
This company gives the best customer support that I have ever seen. My pro care advocate, Joshua Eubanks, and I have formed a team that is unstoppable in achieving our goals. The other members of the Cobalt support team also have provided the top notch attention my owner expects. I would absolutely utilize there services.

Cobalt Websites Internet Business Development
Recommended: No

User Comments:
Are you kidding me? Thank goodness many manufacturers are moving away from the cobalt/oem websites! It's about time they realize what a joke Cobalt is. Let's see... Overpriced nickels and dimes you to death for every basic thing you want to do (add $50/mo add $100/mo)... CHECK! Poor support with unknowledgeable staff... CHECK! Extremeley limited cookie cutter sites... CHECK! Who in their right mind would ever purposely use cobalt to build their websites??? Do yourself a favor and take a few hours out to do the research before considering this company. It will add years to your life! I am a current user of this product only for the fact that VW still requires we use Cobalt. We used to use Cobalt until mid 2005 for all of our websites. Since then we've been on board with MJMI and couldn't be happier! Complete flexibility, low price, great support!

Cobalt Websites Internet/Operations Manager
Recommended: No

User Comments:
: We Initially used Cobalt because GM pushes it on you. Cobalt did nothing but absorb money like it was going out of style and offered very little in return. Did not see much traffic on our website and very hard to get through to support or to make changes. We switched to dealerskins and not only does it do EVERYTHING that cobalt does, but at a fraction of the expense.

Cobalt Owner Marketing ISM
Recommended: No

User Comments:
We didn't have success with Onstation at all. I don't remember how long we used them but not long because nothing went right.

Cobalt Websites ISM
Recommended: No

User Comments:
I was very glad when Subaru switched to a different company.

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Manager
Recommended: No

User Comments:
Cobalt has greatly improved its inventory display and somewhat improved its flexibility in the past year but is still not flexible enough. It is hard to like any cookie cutter product with so many self-imposed limitations after having built sites myself with wysiwyg software. The main thing that Cobalt could do to improve its service is to actually look at the finished product after "fixing" problems. They also need to ensure that all problems get addressed promptly.

Cobalt Websites Office Manager
Recommended: No

User Comments:
Designs are cookie-cutter and not easy to customize, though it is possible and I am now pleased with our site. (www.EckertHyundai.com) Customer support is hit-or-miss and they often want to charge me for any changes, which is upsetting considering the monthly fee we pay. I wish our rep was more hands-on and offered advice on how to improve our website with new products or by better use of services we already subscribe to.

Cobalt Websites IT Director
Recommended: No

User Comments:
We use them for our Mini Website. Website itself looks good, but backend is very very dated and limiting. Support has been good for the most part.

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Director
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
I use Cobalt for our Lexus website. Their support is great and I can customize better than most sites.

Cobalt Owner Marketing service director
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
onstation is great! been using for 4 years and my traffic and gross profit has increased. customers love the ease of setting appointments and really look forward to our email marketing campaigns. highly recommend onstation!

Cobalt Websites President
Recommended: No

User Comments:
Inability to override GM Supplier pricing data that GM controls.

Cobalt Websites General Manager
Recommended: No

User Comments:
Cookie Cutter websites that are old and worn out. Everyone shares the same websites, no speciality at all. Slow customer support. Big on selling, little on delivery.

Cobalt Websites owner
Recommended: No

User Comments:
very out dated. support is below average. price vs return poor. only use because of manufacter.

Cobalt Websites Internet Director
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
The high rating is more for my ProCare advocate- I have an extremley awesome ProCare Advocate Ben Conlon. Because of him my experience with Cobalt has been wonderful. There are some things that bother me with the designs of the sites being very bland and very cookie cutter, however the price is right for what we get for all four websites, so I make do converting what I do get.

Cobalt Websites Truck Center Internet
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
I have an extremley reliable ProCare Specialist Peter Lavitt. Because of him my experiece with Cobalt has been good. There are some things that bother me but, the price through GM is right so I can't complain too much.

Cobalt Websites Internet Director
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
Very cookie cutter like website. It seems a little old fashioned and will not work on all computers. The best thing that they have is the customer support. They need to really ramp up to be with the times.

Cobalt Websites Director of Marketing
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
Good flexibility, reporting

Cobalt Websites Internet Director
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
They websites definitly need updating! Too plain for other sites. Can't compete!

Cobalt Websites Finance Manager
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
Cobalt now ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales & Marketing Man
Recommended: No

User Comments:
Has great customer service but lackluster cookie-cutter websites. Good hand-holding advisors for less knowledgeable ISMs but system & technology can be frustrated by those who understand web design and marketing.

Cobalt Websites General Manager
Recommended: No

User Comments:
cumbersome to use. Bad support. Hard to manage. Have to use because my manufacturers basically require it.

Cobalt Websites Internet Manager
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
It took almost 6 months, and several "advocates" to get our site up and running. Not impressed so far.

Cobalt Websites VP
Recommended: No

User Comments:
Slow to update. Little or no SEO support. Websites are dated.

Cobalt Websites G.M.
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
none

Cobalt Websites GSM
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
Cobalt is a very good company. Their VP of sales, Mike Ragsdale is definitely top-notch.

Cobalt Websites Business Development Manager
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
Cobalt is improving the ease of operating their website. They still have room to grow in specials templates though. Some templates look like an old version of photoshop. The good news is in some cases they can mock up a specials page specially for you. The place where you make changes has a lot of moving parts and you can get lost trying to find the spot to make changes.

Cobalt Websites Inventory Manager
Recommended: Yes

User Comments:
So far, we are having a good experience with Cobalt.

Cobalt Websites Internet Sales Manager
Recommended: No

User Comments:
If you have a problem with content, nine times out of ten when you call they will have to talk to their tech support then call you back. You are not allowed to bypass the middle man. Make for a long day.