IRVINE, Calif., June 22, 2021 – The estimated average transaction price for a light vehicle in the United States was $41,263 in May 2021, according to the analysts at Kelley Blue Book. New-vehicle prices increased $2,125 (up 5.4%) from May 2020, while increasing $493 (up 1.2%) from April 2021.   

“Last month’s average transaction price performance highlights an all-time high in year-over-year growth for the month of May,” said Kayla Reynolds, industry intelligence analyst at Cox Automotive. “Many manufacturers reported year-over-year gains in average transaction prices. The largest increase came from Mitsubishi, up 12% from this time last year.”

As one of the most affordable manufacturers with the lowest average transaction price in May Mitsubishi reported recovery within the retail space moving into the second quarter of the year. A majority of the models within the Mitsubishi lineup experienced year-over-year average transaction price increases in May 2021. The latest Outlander and Outlander PHEV are Mitsubishi’s highest-priced vehicles, with MSRPs starting at $25,795 for the 2022 Outlander and $36,295 for the 2021 Outlander PHEV. Overall, the Outlander model line saw sales more than double for May 2021 when compared to May 2020. The inclusion of the PHEV trim level within the model lineup aided sales and pricing gains.

Despite the large gap in average transaction prices for luxury and non-luxury segments in May 2021, non-luxury vehicles had a larger year-over-year price increase at 4.9% (up $1,805), while luxury vehicles climbed 2.9%, or $1,597, from this time last year. Standard full-size SUVs and pickup trucks contributed to the growth among non-luxury segments. The third and fourth highest-priced models within the segment include the GMC Yukon XL ($79,695) and Yukon ($77,031), both priced substantially above the industry and segment average.

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/kelley-blue-book/, Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb  and follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kbb_com/ (or @kbb_com).

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry. Each week the company provides market-reflective values on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Kelley Blue Book® Price Advisor tool, which provides a range for what consumers can reasonably expect to pay for a vehicle in their area. Car owners looking to sell immediately can also get a redeemable, transaction-ready offer with Kelley Blue BookSM Instant Cash Offer. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Kelley Blue Book is a Cox Automotive brand.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Dickinson Fleet Services, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

Media Contact:

Brenna Buehler                                                                        

949-473-6595                                              

brenna.buehler@coxautoinc.com

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Editors Recommend Best New, Used Rides for Recent College Graduates

ATLANTA, May 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After getting through another trying school year, many of this year's college graduates are in the market for a new vehicle as they launch into the world to forge their chosen path. Following the commemoration of the hard work they put in during the student years, young adults find themselves in need of their own car as they begin this next phase of life. To help guide the class of 2021 as they consider which vehicle to purchase, the experts at Autotrader recently named 10 Best Cars for Recent College Graduates with a practical focus on value, fuel economy, safety and reliability.

"Whether you're still driving the car you've had since high school or you're ready to purchase your first-ever vehicle, college graduates need affordable, reliable transportation," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. "There are many factors to consider and hundreds of different car models available in the marketplace, so it can feel overwhelming when trying to decide which vehicle to choose. We understand that with a job offer in hand it may be tempting to consider splurging on a dream car, but we advise grads not to overdo it. There are plenty of great new and used cars available for a reasonable price that won't stretch your first real paychecks too far."

All vehicles on this year's 10 Best Cars for Recent College Graduates list – a mix of new and used cars and SUVs – are available for under $25,000 and achieve a combined fuel economy rating of at least 30 mpg. Check out the Great Cars for Grads selections for 2021 (unranked and listed below in alphabetical order):

Autotrader's 10 Best Cars for Recent College Graduates in 2021

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer
The recently re-introduced new Chevrolet Trailblazer, with a starting price of $20,195, is a great choice for young adults looking for something stylish, versatile and affordable. This subcompact crossover is roomier than you may expect and comes with a solid list of standard tech features. 

2018 Ford Focus
Available as a hatchback or sedan and a starting price of around $13,200, the Ford Focus is a great option in affordable used compact cars. The 2018 Focus features a well-designed interior that is aging well so far, and a fun-to-drive character - especially in the high-performance ST model.

2017 – 2018 Honda Civic
The reliable and efficient Honda Civic is a value-conscious choice that becomes an even better value on the used market after a little depreciation. You should be able to find one starting between $15,500-$17,400. Available as a sedan, coupe or hatchback, you can choose the Civic model that best suits your needs and style. 

2018 – 2020 Hyundai Kona          
The Hyundai Kona is a small, stylish, high-tech SUV. While it's likely most practical if you won't have regular backseat passengers or a ton of cargo, it's surely an affordable way to stand out in traffic - especially if you pick one of the more eye-catching paint colors available. A 2018-2020 Kona starts between $17,300-$20,000.

2021 Kia Soul
Some call it a hatchback and some call it an SUV, but either way the Kia Soul consistently is one of our favorite small cars. This quirky yet practical vehicle has a low base price (starting at around $18,765), a great warranty and a roomy interior thanks to its funky boxy shape.

2021 Mazda3
The athletic Mazda3 is a great choice for something on the sporty side of practical compact cars. Available as either a sedan or a hatchback and also available with AWD, it's fun to drive at any speed with agile handling, an eager base engine and a more exciting available turbo engine that still keeps the price under $25k (the Mazda3 starts at around $21,645). It also has available AWD, which is rare in this segment.

2021 Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra is an affordable compact sedan with a muscular attitude, drawing inspiration from bigger, more expensive Nissan sedans. With a stylish exterior, an upscale interior and a lot of standard safety features, we like that you can go up to the top SR trim while still staying in the low-$20,000 range—the Sentra starts at around $20,410.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a small crossover that's big on quirks. Starting at around $23,295, there's nothing else quite like it with its unconventional look and impressive off-road chops thanks to tall ground clearance and standard AWD. If you need an efficient, practical car, but also like the idea of occasional off-road adventures, the Crosstrek can do it all without breaking the bank.

2016 – 2018 Toyota Prius
While some may argue that the Toyota Prius won't win any beauty contests, a used Prius is one of the most sensible car-buying decisions a college grad can make. Starting between $15,100-$19,300, the Prius is safe, reliable, affordable, roomy for a compact hatchback, and incredibly fuel-efficient. It achieves over 50 mpg in the city and on the highway.

2016 – 2018 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta boasts a strong engine lineup along with a spacious cabin and trunk for a compact sedan. Starting between $11,700-$14,500, the 2016 model year is a good spot to begin your search because that's when the Jetta got a standard touchscreen infotainment system and USB port plus a new turbocharged base engine.

To learn more about Autotrader's 10 Best Cars for Recent College Graduates in 2021, including photos, detailed vehicle information and available inventory, visit https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/10-best-cars-recent-college-graduates-281474980013135.

For more information and news from Autotrader, visit press.autotrader.com, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Autotrader_com (or @Autotrader_com), Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/autotrader_com/ (or @autotrader_com), like our page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/autotrader/, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/autotrader-com.

About Autotrader
Autotrader is the most recognized third-party car listings brand, with the most engaged audience of in-market car shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered car shopper looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing and retailing solutions allow consumers to build their deal online, and guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience. Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com. 

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Dickinson Fleet Services, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

SOURCE Autotrader

For further information: Nichole Mrasek, 404-568-6352, nichole.mrasek@coxautoinc.com

Volkswagen Strength Driven by Best-Selling Models; Tesla Falls on Price Declines for Its Most Expensive Vehicles

IRVINE, Calif., May 18, 2021 – The estimated average transaction price for a light vehicle in the United States was $40,768 in April 2021, according to the analysts at Kelley Blue Book. New-vehicle prices increased $864 (up 2.2%) from April 2020, while increasing $92 (up 0.23%) from March 2021.   

“Comparing the market to this time last year when COVID-19 brought the industry to a halt, highlights an increase in demand, sales, and vehicle prices all have contributed to continually rising transaction prices,” said Kayla Reynolds, industry intelligence analyst at Cox Automotive. “Many manufacturers reported year-over-year growth in average transaction prices with Volkswagen Group seeing the largest increase year over year (up 9%), while Tesla had the greatest decrease from last year, down 10.3%.”

The strength of the Volkswagen brand, up 6.8%, was driven by its two best-selling models, the Atlas and Tiguan, both increasing approximately $3,000 on average since last year. Audi, up 6.7%, reported a 30% year-over-year increase in the average transaction price of its second-highest-priced model, the A7, which also increased in sales from April 2020.

While Volkswagen’s transaction prices rose last month, the story was different for Tesla. The Model X and Model Y, the brand’s two most expensive vehicles, dropped 9% in average transaction prices from last year. 

At the segment level, luxury full-size SUVs and crossovers had the largest year-over-year growth (up 14.4%). Luxury full-size utility vehicles posted the second-highest average transaction prices at $98,017, just behind high-end luxury cars. All models in the luxury full-size utility segment experienced an increase, including the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX, Land Rover Range Rover and more. More than half of the vehicles in this segment also experienced large gains in sales year over year.

Electric vehicle prices dropped 10.8% year over year, driven mostly by the drop in Tesla transaction prices. The electric vehicle segment average decline, down more than $6,000, was due to the introduction of more reasonably priced electric vehicles recently hitting the market, including the Volkswagen ID.4 and Mustang Mach-E

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/kelley-blue-book/, Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb  and follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kbb_com/ (or @kbb_com).

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry. Each week the company provides market-reflective values on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Kelley Blue Book® Price Advisor tool, which provides a range for what consumers can reasonably expect to pay for a vehicle in their area. Car owners looking to sell immediately can also get a redeemable, transaction-ready offer with Kelley Blue BookSM Instant Cash Offer. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Kelley Blue Book is a Cox Automotive brand.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Dickinson Fleet Services, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

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Media Contact:

Brenna Buehler                                                                               

949-473-6595                                                    

brenna.buehler@coxautoinc.com           

BURLINGTON, March 25, 2021 – As part of an ongoing effort to combat ad fraud, Dealer.com has been honored for the fourth consecutive year with a Certified Against Fraud Seal from the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG), the leading global certification program fighting online ad deception and increasing trust in the digital advertising industry. Dealer.com, the premier auto industry digital marketing solution, is the only automotive advertising company to attain this important certification from TAG.

Ad fraud is an increasing threat to dealership budgets, and with ever-growing consumer digital media consumption, protection against malicious online activity is more important than ever. Dealers continue to shift their advertising dollars away from linear TV into the digital advertising space, and surges in consumer use of connected TV provide even more opportunity for fraudsters who seek to benefit from the higher CPMs of video ads. This growth makes programmatic video a prime target for bots and other forms of fraud.

“At Dealer.com, we have an unwavering commitment to fight against fraudulent advertising activity and to safeguard maximum protection for our dealership partners,” said Heather Ellis, associate vice president Dealer Marketing Operations for Dealer.com. “Dealer.com’s advertising solution has been designed specifically for the automotive industry, and through ongoing efforts to improve our platform we continue to be the leader in taking a hard stance against ad fraud. The proof is in the data. From the moment our customers launch their first display campaigns with us, the fraud rate on their impressions can drop to a very low 1% or less.”

Since 2017, Dealer.com has utilized technology to identify and block fraudulent activity prior to purchasing impressions. To help ease the complexity of ad buying, Dealer.com works closely with dealers providing preventative solutions to monitor and help ensure their ad investments are reaching real consumers. Dealer.com customers are in control with the ability to analyze the full performance of their advertising campaigns and drive maximum demand for their inventory.

TAG launched its Certified Against Fraud Program in 2016 to combat invalid traffic in the digital advertising supply chain. TAG is dedicated to fighting against ad fraud, including ad tech giants like Google, Facebook and others. Companies that are shown to abide by the Certified Against Fraud Guidelines receive the Certified Against Fraud Seal. To learn more about TAG, visit https://www.tagtoday.net/certifications.

About Dealer.com

Dealer.com is the premier digital marketing solution for the automotive industry. Providing an integrated platform of Websites, Advertising, Digital Retailing and Managed Services, Dealer.com allows OEMs, dealer groups, retailers and agencies to leverage advanced digital technology, data and insights to deliver the shortest, fastest and most personalized path to customer engagement. The company practices a deep commitment to its culture of progress, with a focus on community, health, and wellness. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Dealer.com is a Cox Automotive brand. For more information, visit www.dealer.com.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using cars easier for everyone. The global company’s 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

About the Trustworthy Accountability Group

The Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) is the leading global certification program fighting criminal activity and increasing trust in the digital advertising industry. Created by the industry’s top trade organizations, TAG’s mission is to eliminate fraudulent traffic, combat malware, prevent Internet piracy, and promote greater transparency in digital advertising. TAG advances those initiatives by bringing companies across the digital advertising supply chain together to set the highest standards. TAG is the first and only registered Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO) for the digital advertising industry. For more information on TAG, please visit www.tagtoday.net.

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Media Contacts:
Nichole Mrasek                                                                                                                                               
404-568-6352

nichole.mrasek@coxautoinc.com

Xtime NADA 2021 Offerings Create a Superior Service Experience and Expand Revenue Opportunities

MISSION, Kan, February 8, 2021 – The service department has long been a major profit center for dealerships and 2020 was no exception. Throughout the pandemic, Xtime, the only end-to-end solution that delivers the service experience customers demand, found more ways to drive the industry forward. At the virtual NADA 2021 show, Xtime will showcase new features and integrations that now create a more convenient, transparent and digital experience for customers, which can result in higher revenue and profitability for dealers.

“Customers expect value, convenience and trust when having their vehicles serviced and we’ve never been in a better position to deliver the ability to offer a world-class service experience to our clients than we are now,” said Tracy Fred, vice president of operations for Cox Automotive brands VinSolutions, Xtime and Dealertrack DMS. “Our latest solutions were created not only to lift dealerships’ level of service to customers, but also to raise service revenue per customer. These truly win-win upgrades will turn what may have been considered a chore for customers into an interactive experience while putting dealerships at the forefront of fixed ops innovation and profitability.”

The latest additions to Xtime’s end-to-end fixed operations solution include:

• Intelligent Diagnostic Integration with Hunter Equipment: Helps increase transparency for repair orders by automatically displaying tire and alignment diagnostic data to customers during check-in using the Engage tablet, as well as alongside the Multipoint Inspection report from the Inspect. Presenting relevant tire and alignment conditions during the visit experience boosts transparency and understanding among customers to help service staff sell more complete repair orders.
• Service Pickup and Delivery with TSD Appointment Sync Integration: Enables more seamless management of vehicle pickup, delivery and loaner services through Xtime’s software to help maximize safety and convenience while taking advantage of the fact that about 90% of customers who used pick-up and delivery services in 2020 were satisfied with their experience.[1]
• Express Multi-Media Video: Allows service staff to capture and instantly share vehicle inspection videos and photos with customers so they can visualize the details of the service visit and better understand and approve repair order recommendations. This level of increased transparency enhances trust and engagement with the service process to improve the overall experience and drive more revenue.
• Special Order Parts Marketing: Enables automated email and text communications to customers when previously out of stock parts become available, letting them know it is time to come back the dealership and complete their repair. This add-on feature helps boost appointments and reduces the amount of unnecessary special order parts inventory.  
• FlexPay: Expanded flexible service financing now includes Sunbit in addition to DigniFi and drives additional dollars per repair order by presenting flexible payment options to customers to make maintenance and repairs more affordable over time and offsetting upfront costs that often deter customers from authorizing full-service recommendations.

"Our service customers and technicians value convenience equally and working with Xtime has allowed us to make every service appointment that much smoother for everyone involved," said Tully Williams, fixed ops director at Niello Company. "With the ability to instantly display vehicle diagnostic data while engaging the customer throughout the appointment with multi-media, our service department is better armed to deliver what customers have been craving for a long time--more control of the process--making it easier to boost profits per repair order, too. Plus, the added convenience of service pickup and delivery, flexible payment options and automated special order parts marketing keep customers coming back to us." 

Xtime’s new product integrations and enhancements all work together to create a more modern service experience to meet customer expectations while streamlining operations and creating additional revenue opportunities for staff and the dealership.

NADA 2021 will be held via a virtual experience from February 9-11, 2021. To learn more about these new products and enhancements, visit www.xtime.com.

About Xtime

Xtime is the leading end-to-end software solution that drives customer loyalty and revenue for automotive dealers in each stage of the service process. With easy-to-use technology and industry experts, Xtime helps dealers meet changing customer expectations. As an advanced, connected solution that provides exceptional support, Xtime is committed to helping dealers deliver the ultimate service experience. Through transparency, convenience, and trust, Xtime Spectrum — comprised of Schedule, Engage, Inspect, and Invite — facilitates more than ten million service appointments monthly. Xtime is a Cox Automotive™ brand.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

New deep synergies add value where it counts most in the year ahead  

DRAPER, Utah, Feb. 3, 2021 – Dealertrack DMS, a leading provider of cloud-based technology solutions for car dealerships, announces new integrations geared toward helping dealerships achieve higher efficiency and productivity in today’s digital-first environment at the Cox Automotive Experience and NADA 2021. 2020 proved to be a year of significant change in which dealerships had to pivot to meet evolving expectations of service customers, buyers and team members. This transformation also required retailers to address the operational complexities of the day —approximately 75% of franchise dealerships were switching to digital sales operations according to the Cox Automotive Sentiment Survey— and this doesn’t appear to be slowing down in 2021.  

“In these uncertain times, dealerships are more dependent on digital solutions than ever. The need to optimize their technology integrations to prepare for the future, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure their teams have the support they need is at an all-time high,” said Tracy Fred, vice president of operations for Cox Automotive brands VinSolutions, Xtime and Dealertrack DMS. “Today, the average dealership uses approximately seven software integrations simply to complete a sale. The new Dealertrack DMS integrations bring more processes together, adding ease and efficiency to ensure auto retailers can save time and money which translates to better customer service and happier employees.”  

New Dealertrack DMS integrations and solutions build on its longstanding commitment to put dealers at the center of every business decision and innovation. Dealertrack DMS is focused on deep integrations that continue to add ease and efficiency to operations while boosting satisfaction where it counts most for dealerships in 2021 and adding profitability across critical cash flow areas, including:    

• Digitized AR Statements: Dealertrack DMS provides retailers with a simpler, quicker, and less costly way to notify customers and vendors of outstanding AR balances. By digitizing AR statements, dealerships can more easily share with customers through email and bulk print statements, as well as utilize modern templates with the ability to add a color logo.  
• Modern Warranty Claims: Dealerships can submit, track, and audit all warranty claims in a single screen featuring all the tools needed to help optimize the customer's experience. Through providing a centralized information hub, Dealertack DMS assists dealerships by increasing accuracy and visibility, streamlining user experience and workflow, and working to integrate with additional Cox Automotive solutions.   
• Integrated Payroll and HR Management: Through this solution, dealerships gain complete control of the entire employee lifecycle through easy-to-use tools that leverage exclusive integrations to make Integrated Payroll and HR Management a breeze. By bringing together otherwise disconnected or stand-alone solutions into a single service, dealerships with Dealertrack DMS can help eliminate frustration and inefficiencies within the payroll and HR management processes, thereby improving retention and reducing employee turnover. Learn more by reading A Dealer Principle’s Guide to Hiring and Retaining Talent.  

“As a centralized accounting office for multiple dealerships, we rely on fast, easy information from the outlying departments to produce payroll,” said Neal Jackson, controller at Lawley Automotive Group in Sierra Vista, Arizona. “I’ve been doing this since 1993, so whenever there are new solutions like Integrated Payroll, powered by Netchex, I’m eager to give it a try. Pretty much anything I put into Netchex, data-wise, I can get out through a report. With Netchex, I no longer need to do manual time-consuming tasks. It is a huge time saver for me.”  

Dealertrack DMS will be highlighting how these new integrations provide dealers with the connectivity and efficiency to optimize operations at the upcoming virtual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) 2021 show. For information on all Cox Automotive’s 2021 new offerings, visit www.coxautoinc.com/experience.  

About Dealertrack 
Dealertrack provides industry-leading software solutions that give dealerships, lenders, and partners the confidence to thrive in an ever-changing automotive market. The company’s integrated suite of powerful easy-to-use products and services helps dealerships and their lending partners grow by increasing efficiency and improving decision-making. Dealertrack is part of the Cox Automotive family, a company that is transforming the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars. Dealertrack—along with its unmatched network of dealership and lending partners—is improving the car buying experience by embracing the technologies that will shape the future of automotive retail. For more information about Dealertrack, visit www.dealertrack.com. 

About Cox Automotive 
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com 

Media Contact: 

Lisa Aloisio 

Lisa.Aloisio@coxautoinc.com 

c. 404-725-0651 

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Solutions enable a more efficient deal finalization from trade-in to vehicle sold from front office to back office   

GROTON, Conn., Feb. 4, 2021 – Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions announces new enhancements to help increase dealership time savings, simplify complex transactions with an intuitive interface, enable real-time electronic registration and title processing, and improve customer satisfaction at the Cox Automotive Experience and NADA 2021. With 84% of franchised dealerships expecting customers to complete more of the purchase process online than ever before, according to Cox Automotive 2021 Industry Predictions study, meeting consumers where they are and how they want to shop will be imperative for dealerships’ success in today’s digital-first environment. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic drove many workforces to shift to electronic solutions, unlocking new market opportunities as dealers sought to improve the customer experience and streamline the back office processes for each deal,” said Kaitlin Gavin, vice president of Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions. “State legislators and dealerships alike recognized over the past year that both technology and process support for registration and title functions are essential to keeping the auto industry moving forward. Dealertrack is continuously implementing innovation that eases the registration and titling process with greater efficiency, expediency, and accuracy for all parties.”   

The year ahead will bring an even more permanent shift to digital. According to the Cox Automotive 2021 Industry Predictions, 9 out of 10 dealership staff and consumers believe car purchasers will do more of their shopping online in 2021 compared to in-person shopping. Currently, 35 or two-thirds of the states are either legally enabled to accept or are actively accepting documents with electronic signatures. Considering this ongoing trend, Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions’ new products and enhancements demonstrate its continued commitment to bringing next-level simplicity, reliability, customization and automation to the registration and title environment. 

• Dealertrack Trade-In Titling (Accelerated Title): There are now more than 70 lenders using Dealertrack’s Accelerated Title solution, providing dealers with even more opportunity to streamline their entire payoff and title release workflow. For a more accurate payoff and title release process, it is crucial to streamline the entire workflow. Dealertrack Accelerated Title speeds the process from weeks to days—up to 70% faster1—improving a dealership’s profitability by accelerating the ability to turn inventory faster for vehicles taken on trade. Overall, a faster title release helps dealerships improve efficiencies, promote profitability, and ensure cash flow on trade-in vehicles via retail or wholesale.  
• In-State Reg & Title: Previously, titling services were mostly manual and paper-driven. Now that all components of buying a car are becoming digitized, DMVs are working to adapt to this new normal.  Helping maximize profit opportunity with a user-inspired digital interface,  
  this innovative solution adapts itself based on the customer, vehicle and transaction information entered. Once collected, this information is automatically repopulated throughout the registration and title process, eliminating the need for duplicate data entry, driving accuracy and efficiencies. By reducing both paperwork and processing time, dealerships can more productively and profitably manage transactions. 
• Out-Of-State Reg & Title (RegUSA®): This service provides an efficient, satisfying car-buying experience to every customer in every state. Dealertrack’s enhanced RegUSA solution now has five new and unique functionality enhancements that reimagine the user interface of the system, offer built-in safeguards to help ensure accuracy and efficiency, and replace much of the manual process that can slow down the out-of-state registration and title workflow. 

Dealertrack will be highlighting new product enhancements as well as registration and title solutions at the upcoming virtual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) 2021 show. For information on all Cox Automotive’s 2021 new offerings, visit www.coxautoinc.com/experience.  

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1 Based on average industry timeframe for vehicle title release and vehicle payoff process of 18+ days, as determined by 2020 Dealertrack data. 

About Dealertrack 
Dealertrack provides industry-leading software solutions that give dealerships, lenders, and partners the confidence to thrive in an ever-changing automotive market. The company’s integrated suite of powerful easy-to-use products and services helps dealerships and their lending partners  

grow by increasing efficiency and improving decision-making. Dealertrack is part of the Cox Automotive family, a company that is transforming the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars. Dealertrack—along with its unmatched network of dealership and lending partners—is improving the car buying experience by embracing the technologies that will shape the future of automotive retail. For more information about Dealertrack, visit www.dealertrack.com. 

About Cox Automotive 
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com 

Media Contact: 

Lisa Aloisio 

Lisa.Aloisio@coxautoinc.com 

c. 404.725.0651 

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Brand Unveils New Personalized Payment, Shopper Insights, Market Growth Tools at NADA

ATLANTA, February 4, 2021 – As the most recognized third-party listings brand and the authority on automotive consumer insights, Autotrader is unveiling its latest innovations at the 2021 NADA Show to help dealers stay ahead in the new year and beyond. Autotrader’s newest products add to its already comprehensive marketing solutions designed to fuel consumer demands and greater growth for dealers.

Despite obstacles in 2020, Autotrader drove more car sales than its closest competitor[1] and had record engagement and site traffic, proving its value is unparalleled. There are even more opportunities and growth to come in 2021, as dealerships reap the benefits of inserting technology into their operations and transforming the online experience for shoppers, who increasingly want to complete their vehicle-buying experience digitally. In fact, two out of three consumers expressed they are now more likely to buy their next vehicle 100% online[2] whereas in 2019, some steps in the process like signing contracts and price negotiation were preferred to be done in person.[3]  Digital transformation is a critical element for dealership adoption to reach new bounds of profitability and customer acquisition, with Digital Retailing leads delivering 25% higher gross profits.[4]

“Alongside our dealership community, last year we learned invaluable lessons—the most important of which being we must build intuitive, personalized and profitable consumer experiences that allow dealerships to do business from anywhere,” said Jessica Stafford, senior vice president of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book. “We launched Dealer Home Services and helped fast-forward our industry into the future of car buying within a few months. The insights we gleaned from 2020 were front and center as we were rapidly developing new products to help dealers succeed in 2021 and beyond.”

Autotrader innovations for 2021 designed specifically to help dealers increase profits include: 

Help shoppers understand their purchasing power by personalizing their experience:

• My Wallet is a brand-new feature that gives shoppers personalized monthly payments based on their information and helps them to understand their purchasing power. It also allows consumers to integrate their trade-in information from KBB.com, making a seamless shopping journey. When consumers shop online, many base their decisions on price and 67% of shoppers are more likely to use the marketplace if they can shop by payment.[5]  Within My Wallet, ready-to-buy-shoppers can also verify their credit and get pre-qualified or pre-approved with a dealership’s preferred lenders. Personalization of the shopping process drives convenience and closes the gap between shopping and buying.
• Digital Retailing solutions allow dealerships to present consistent pricing and monthly payment options to shoppers right at home. Whether by chat, text, email or click, dealerships can amplify online engagement and build a brand image that helps shoppers reduce time spent in store.

• Increase your sales footprint with expanded inventory reach, exposure and merchandising precision:
•  
  • Market Extension Essential is a new product that extends reach by defining an extended radius around a dealership’s location, allowing dealerships to align their advertising with their operations and delivery capabilities. There are frequently overlooked indicators of supply and how quickly that inventory is selling—these solutions allow dealerships to identify more sales opportunities from virtually anywhere, increasing leads by up to 30%.[6]
  • eLot and Advanced Ads grow reach, target in-market shoppers, and increase dealers’ VDP visits and turn rates. Through tools like Advanced Ads, dealerships can define a desired audience and retarget shoppers with relevant inventory.
  • Relevant Search offers the dynamic, personalized content that helps simplify and accelerate the buying process. A refined, relevant search model serves up compatible inventory to the right shoppers at the right time—faster than ever before.
  • Alpha Elite combines the power of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book® by prominently showcasing relevant inventory to shoppers on the search results pages across the most used third-party sites.[7] The Alpha from Autotrader, and the Elite from KBB.com, have joined forces allowing inventory to be seen by more shoppers searching across both industry-leading sites. With the power of Alpha Elite, connecting shoppers to what they want across sites has never been easier or more seamless.
  • Dealer Rating & Reviews allows shoppers to evaluate, connect and transact with certainty. Give shoppers peace of mind by incorporating dealerships’ star ratings, so they have the confidence needed to move forward. Reviews from customers provide valuable feedback for a dealership, and now dealerships have the opportunity to respond—helping to build customer trust and satisfaction.

• Understand the impact of a data-driven approach to identify opportunities in real time and yield powerful insights:
•  
  • Audience Explorer is a new nVision report that empowers dealers with the ability to identify shoppers that are interested in their inventory based on their online activity. Leveraging advanced consumer insights to identify ready-to-buy shoppers, nVision knows where they are shopping from and personalized purchasing preferences to help dealerships connect their supply of vehicles to the right buyer in real-time. These tools help dealerships maximize their advertising and give the best data to drive their business, inventory and digital investments. The power of Cox Automotive data and connection has become even more essential for dealers to make fact-based and data-driven decisions.

Implementation is important, but adoption is key when it comes to using new technologies, and Autotrader is able to help dealers put it all together for automotive sales success. As the industry leader in quality-lead generation—61% higher than the nearest competitor—and with lead gross profit of 59%,[8] Autotrader is further empowering dealers with enhancements that boost price transparency and personalization for shoppers, while expanding inventory and market reach to drive more profitable sales.

“When the pandemic hit, some of the upgrades across Autotrader, such as the new VDP integration, allowed us to virtually connect with consumers right when we needed it most,” said Jim Wilkinson, sales director at Fred Haas Toyota in Spring, Texas. “We didn’t have to scramble to recreate a process, but instead we decided to maximize utilization of the Autotrader platform, looking for additional ways to connect with consumers. The ability for us to easily connect with shoppers virtually across Autotrader gave our customers a security they didn’t know they might want or need. The industry has talked about going deeper digitally/virtually for years, and 2020 definitely sped up that process faster than any training ever could.”

The 2021 NADA Show will be held via a virtual experience February 9-11, 2021. To learn more about these new products and enhancements, visit Autotrader at https://www.coxautoinc.com/experience/autotrader.

For more information and news from Autotrader, visit press.autotrader.com, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Autotrader_com (or @Autotrader_com), Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/autotrader_com/ (or @autotrader_com), like our page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/autotrader/, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/autotrader-com.

About Autotrader
Autotrader is the most recognized third-party car listings brand, with the most engaged audience of in-market car shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered car shopper looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing and retailing solutions allow consumers to build their deal online, and guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience. Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

Elevates Offerings From Next Generation Web Experiences and Beyond   

Burlington, VT, Feb. 2, 2021 – Dealer.com unveils new innovations at the 2021 virtual NADA show to help dealerships inspire more successful conversations in more places with its end-to-end digital marketing solution backed by extraordinary knowledge of the consumer. From Connected Video advertising and holistic reputation management to digital storefront experiences and digital retailing, Dealer.com leads with superior technology, thoughtful customer experiences, and a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that helps drive sales.

Current market conditions demand an agile approach, and strategies misaligned with consumer expectations can lead to inefficient marketing spends and insufficient results. By bringing the best of the dealership to wherever consumers browse, shop, or buy online, dealerships can engage with shoppers on their terms, resulting in confidence and transparency during the process. With more customized, coordinated outreach across all digital touchpoints, dealerships can influence how quickly shoppers find the right vehicle, and that connection leads to higher conversion. Dealer.com turns data into digital marketing that works and powers personalized consumer experiences from anywhere.

“Consumers have extremely high expectations when it comes to their shopping experience, and we’ve heard from many of our dealer groups that they want to offer a differentiated experience and start having more meaningful conversations with their customers,” said Bob George, associate vice president of products for Dealer.com. “We’re able to provide solutions to problems dealers don’t even know they have by giving them the tools to create more of a dialogue with a continuous customer experience that starts with strong targeting and ends with a tailored, one-on-one experience.”

Dealer.com’s latest innovations include:

• Connected Video advertising to reach in-market shoppers wherever they consume media: Dealer.com gives dealerships the power to deliver hyper-targeted video ads to consumers watching connected TV and over-the-top media. In the age of “cord-cutting” and internet TV, dealerships can target consumers on streaming platforms and devices with as much precision as their other digital channels—with verifiable ROI that challenges traditional TV spend.
• Redefining Digital Retailing functionality that meets dealer and user demands: Pave the path to purchase and help streamline customer interactions by eliminating back-and-forth both in-person and online. Dealer.com’s next generation digital retailing experience provides a more seamless workflow for shoppers and dealerships that reduces time spent in-store. Through guided navigation, the tool simplifies the sales process and fosters consumer confidence, trust, and transparency.
• Reputation management tools to attract more customers and increase leads: Dealers should be taking full advantage of customer reviews to reinforce their dealership reputation and appeal to new shoppers. Review Generation uses a high-converting SMS-based review request system to engage customers while the transaction is still top-of-mind to create a constant stream of reputation-based reviews that can improve sales and customer retention. Reviews are an increasingly influential factor among car buyers, and dealerships need an efficient, easy way to solicit and manage these natural endorsements.
• Gain visibility and interact more with shoppers through a more immersive digital storefront experience: The foundational redesign of the Dealer.com website platform over the past 24 months features a complete code rebuild and secure cloud-based hosting, along with data and shopper-guided site redesigns—all to inspire confidence and drive leads. New innovations like free-text search with auto suggestions through the new SRP Experience get in-market shoppers to the content they are looking for as quickly as possible, driving up the quality of conversion. Dealerships can upgrade online “curb appeal” and engage shoppers at critical decision-making moments with new home and interior page designs while putting important offerings like Home Services front and center on the VDP to attract more shoppers interested in remote sales and service areas.

"The Dealer.com platform enables me to visualize the general goal of helping customers find what they need, where they need it, as quickly and hassle-free as possible," said Scott Shepherd, internet manager, eCommerce and marketing director for Classic Cadillac of Atlanta and Cadillac of Birmingham. “I always feel like progress is being made on my websites—whether changes we’ve set into motion or new components, tools, and formats that are being done by DDC, there’s always forward-thinking, positive change."

Lead generating digital campaigns, combined with first-class customer service and digital marketing expertise, directly impact a dealer’s bottom line. To learn more about Dealer.com customized solutions The 2021 NADA Show will be held via a virtual experience February 9-11, 2021. To learn more about these new products and enhancements, visit Dealer.com at https://www.coxautoinc.com/experience/ddc.

About Dealer.com

Backed by unmatched expertise and unrivaled consumer behavior data, Dealer.com is the premier digital marketing solution for the automotive industry. Providing an integrated platform of Websites, Advertising, Digital Retailing and Managed Services, Dealer.com allows OEMs, dealer groups, retailers and agencies to leverage advanced digital technology, data and insights to deliver the shortest, fastest and most personalized path to customer engagement, delivering over 43M unique visitors monthly across 15,000 plus Dealer.com websites. The company practices a deep commitment to its culture of progress, with a focus on community, health, and wellness. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Dealer.com is a Cox Automotive brand. For more information, visit www.dealer.com.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com
 

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Connects advanced merchandising functionality with inventory intelligence to help increase the likelihood to sell new and used vehicles.   

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., Feb. 1, 2021 – vAuto with Intelligent Promotion will launch at the Cox Automotive Experience and NADA 2021, expanding upon vAuto’s legendary inventory management capabilities with all new functionalities. Intelligent Promotion integrates within vAuto Conquest and Provision to help automate the merchandising of the most marketable attributes of each and every vehicle.  Using vAuto live market insights and the Intelligent Promotion tools allows dealerships to create merchandising campaigns for specific groups of vehicles and automatically apply the content as vehicles arrive in their inventory, creating more consumer engagement where the shopping experience begins – online.    

vAuto with Intelligent Promotion upends the long-held assumption that due to their uniformity new cars would not equally benefit from the robust and descriptive merchandising that belays used cars’ pricing stability. Recent market dynamics and changes in consumer shopping behaviors, have driven dealerships to rethink traditional approaches to running their business, and to marketing new cars.  Historically, dealerships have applied consistent inventory management practices across their entire portfolio of inventory. This includes vehicle merchandising where dealers often emphasize a process that creates a standardized digital presence, missing the opportunity to highlight compelling information, such as lease specials or dealer services, that can help them capture market share. 

Industry-forerunner vAuto now provides the insights and tools to more efficiently identify local trends and develop enhanced merchandising that tailors the content to the market trends.  Armed with a better understanding of the local market, vAuto with Intelligent Promotion enables dealers to formulate a data-driven pricing and merchandising strategy, that improves the appeal of new and used inventory and boosts overall sales performance.   

“For years trends showed that merchandising was a ‘check the box’ requirement. Successful dealerships are adjusting their marketing and merchandising strategy to focus on quality, not just quantity of work done,” said Randy Kobat, vice president, Inventory Management Solutions for Cox Automotive. “By combining vAuto’s industry-leading market data to power Intelligent Promotion, while also integrating SnapLot 360’s stunning visualizations, vAuto clients can easily and effectively create compelling inventory listings and engage a wider audience with transparency and confidence.”  

vAuto with Intelligent Promotion provides dealerships with the insights and tools to create differentiated merchandising and automatically apply it to the right inventory.   

• Bulk campaigns make it easy to apply content to multiple vehicles.  Inventory filters create rules, so campaigns are applied to the right inventory and Smart Fields automatically insert VIN specific information without editing each listing.  
• Modern creative tools provide the flexibility to augment VDP image carousels with more information using virtual billboards and image overlays.  

• Engage shoppers with interactive visuals using 360 media spins. SnapLot 360 is now integrated with vAuto Conquest and Provision and provides a new way to merchandise inventory without the need for an additional inventory management platform.    

For more information on vAuto with Intelligent Promotion, visit www.vauto.com/products/conquest/. For information on SnapLot 360, visit  www.vauto.com/snaplot360.  For information on all of Cox Automotive’s 2021 new offerings, visit www.coxautoinc.com/experience.  

About vAuto   
vAuto® provides innovative technology, tools and business intelligence to thousands of dealerships across the United States and Canada, helping them compete more effectively and increase new/used vehicle sales volumes and profits. Founded in 2005, vAuto revolutionized dealers’ used vehicle operations with the groundbreaking Provision® suite of tools. Leveraging The Velocity Method of Management®, pioneered by vAuto founder, Dale Pollak, Provision helped dealers adopt a more transparent- and turn-focused approach to used vehicle acquisition, appraising, pricing and merchandising based on real-time, local market supply-and-demand data. vAuto’s solutions also include Conquest, a new vehicle inventory management and pricing system, and Stockwave, which enables dealers to efficiently find and purchase vehicles from leading wholesale sources via a single platform. In 2018, vAuto released the Provision ProfitTime metric and methodology to help dealers maximize inventory turn and gross profit based on the investment value or profit potential of each vehicle. In 2020, the company debuted an all new iRecon solution, integrated with Provision, to help dealers recondition vehicles and get them retail ready faster.   

Headquartered near Chicago, Illinois, vAuto is a Cox Automotive™ brand.  

About Cox Automotive  
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion.  www.coxautoinc.com  

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