New Ready Logistics integration enables dealers to access full-service transportation with just a few clicks.

ATLANTA – December 19, 2019 – Buyers on Manheim Express have something to celebrate early this holiday season: new transportation functionality built right into the app. Dealers who purchase a vehicle on Manheim Express can now order Ready Logistics’ white glove transportation service with just a few clicks. As a bonus gift, dealers will get $100 off their transport fees through the end of the year when they ship their Manheim Express purchases with Ready Logistics.

“One of the great things about digital wholesale is that dealers can reach far beyond their markets to find the exact vehicles they need,” said Derek Hansen, vice president of Offsite Solutions at Manheim. “And now, they can transport them quickly and efficiently with the best white glove transportation service in the industry.”

As a full-service transportation provider, Ready Logistics simplifies automotive logistics for dealers by using innovative technology, enhanced processes and a network of more than 6,500 carriers. All dealers need to do is order the transportation, and the team at Ready Logistics takes care of the rest, quickly and conveniently moving vehicles from anywhere to everywhere.

Joe Kichler, who leads Manheim Logistics, added, “We’re always looking for ways to make it easier for dealers to get their purchases on their lots. Manheim Express is full of fresh inventory that’s priced to move, and this new integration will help get those purchases to their destinations as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Manheim Express has seen substantial growth since launching in July 2018. Nearly 70,000 users across 18,000 dealerships have downloaded the Manheim Express app. With a Guaranteed First Bid, revolutionary 360-degree imaging with moveable images, as well as a seamless connection into the broader Manheim Marketplace, Manheim Express brings dealers significant value when buying and selling digitally.

Dealers can get a Ready Logistics transportation quote and place the order when bidding/buying directly through the Manheim Express app, or they can call 844-948-1249 and use promo code MX19. The $100 discount will be automatically applied at the time of billing. Please see Terms & Conditions for additional eligibility requirements.

About Ready Logistics
Ready Logistics is the national leader in full-service transportation logistics solutions to support planning, execution, and overall improvement in logistics operations from point A to point B for automotive auctions, dealers, commercial, and consumer clients. A 6,500+ fully vetted carrier network utilizes Ready’s leading technology to provide end-to-end services for the vehicle shipping needs of the automotive industry. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, Ready Logistics is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit https://readylogistics.com.

About Manheim
Manheim® is North America's leading provider of end-to-end wholesale solutions that help dealer and commercial clients increase profits in their used vehicle operations. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for inventory management, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. With its omni-channel approach, Manheim Marketplace enables wholesale vehicle clients more efficient ways to connect and transact business how and when they want. Approximately 17,000 team members help Manheim offer 7 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $61 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com

Gift-giving included socks for the homeless, bikes for an after-school program, dinner baskets for a food bank, and supplies for an animal shelter

ATLANTA, Ga. (December 17, 2019) – From Georgia to California and Michigan to Florida, Manheim employees nationwide made the holidays brighter this year for those in their local communities who are in need.

Manheim employees donated bikes to a Boys and Girls Club, provided tents to a local Boy Scout Troop, held sock drives for the homeless (the most requested item by those who live outside during the cold fall and winter months) and collected supplies for an animal shelter. They also hosted Angel Trees to provide gifts for foster children, fellow coworkers and others in need during the holidays; collected canned goods, prepared Christmas dinner baskets and made cash donations to local food banks; and partnered with Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army and Children’s Miracle Network.

Examples of Manheim locations sharing their giving spirit:

- Manheim Detroit adopted all of the families living at the local women’s shelter. “We fulfilled everything on their wish lists and gave each mom a grocery gift card, decorations, wrapping paper and the supplies they needed to make Christmas morning special for their family,” explained General Manager Mandy Savage. “We have done this for years with our employees who raise the money through jean days, bake sales, raffles and our popular yearly garage sale.”

- Manheim Pittsburgh supported the Butler County Children and Youth Agency’s annual Christmas program by sponsoring 20 children in addition to collecting non-perishable items for a local food bank. “Over the course of 19 years, I would estimate we have helped ensure that 450 children have a merry Christmas,” said General Manager Tom McDonald.

- Manheim Riverside in California hosted a holiday party for the local Ronald McDonald House. The family event featured a coloring and craft table for the children to create their own Christmas cards, 100 wooden ornaments for the families to decorate, and paper and envelopes for the children to write letters to Santa that were sent to the North Pole. Food trucks provided dinner, and there was hot cocoa and cookies for all. Words can’t express how proud I am of our team whose warm hearts make giving a top priority during the holidays and throughout the year,” said General Manager Chris Brown.

While December may be the most wonderful time of the year, Manheim’s season of giving lasts year-round as part of parent company Cox Enterprises, Inc.’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility. In addition to partnering with Toys for Tots for more than two decades to collect and distribute holiday toys, Cox makes charitable giving a year-round activity by focusing its corporate philanthropy on three critical areas: empowering communities and individuals, preserving the environment and promoting diversity. 
 
About Manheim
Manheim® is North America's leading provider of end-to-end wholesale solutions that help dealer and commercial clients increase profits in their used vehicle operations. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for inventory management, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. With its omni-channel approach, Manheim Marketplace enables wholesale vehicle clients more efficient ways to connect and transact business how and when they want. Approximately 17,000 team members help Manheim offer 7 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $61 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.

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New data sharing capabilities drive reliability from start to finish for deals worked between Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions and CDK Global Drive DMS

NORTH HILLS, N.Y., Dec. 16, 2019 -- To help increase dealership time savings and improve customer satisfaction, Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions today announced it has become a participant in the CDK Global Partner Program, the largest third-party marketplace of automotive applications and integrations.

This integration will provide dealers with data sharing capabilities between their Dealertrack in-state and out-of-state solutions and the CDK Drive DMS. As a result, dealers can now seamlessly push the deal from the CDK Drive DMS into their Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions and back into the DMS when a deal is complete, helping reduce data discrepancies between dealer systems and improving operational efficiency in the sale and F&I process.

By simplifying the deal finalization process through this improved data workflow, this integration now mitigates the need for double data entry by automatically populating the DMS, addressing informational gaps caused by conflicting data between systems and policy variance by state.

"At Dealertrack, we are continuously seeking innovative solutions that ease the registration and titling process for our dealers," said Kaitlin Gavin, vice president and general manager of Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions. "Joining the CDK Partner Program furthers our commitment to ensuring dealers are equipped with the most accurate information for deal completion, which in turn reduces surprise costs at the end of the deal."

The 2019 Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey Study found less than half of consumers were satisfied with how long the purchase process took at the dealership, noting car buyers spend nearly three hours on average in-store.1 Dealers can now leverage information directly from the DMS during the registration and title stage of the deal process, creating a more efficient workflow and elevating the experience for their customers.

"We're excited to introduce Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions to the CDK Partner Program," said Howard Gardner, vice president, Data Services at CDK. "They are a welcome addition to our vibrant program, which provides dealers with a range of choices and the assurance that their programs will be seamlessly integrated with our applications."

For more information about this integration, visit go.dealertrack.com/rts.

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 the CDK Global Partner Program
The CDK Partner Program now numbers more than 500 partner companies and 840 unique applications auto dealers can use to run their businesses. As part of the CDK ecosystem, the CDK Partner Program provides data and workflow integration to a wide range of third parties, OEMs and dealers. For a full list of partners and applications available through the program, visit cdkglobal.com/us/partners-list.

About CDK Global, Inc.
With $2 billion in revenues, CDK Global (Nasdaq: CDK) is a leading global provider of integrated information technology solutions to the automotive retail and adjacent industries. Focused on enabling end-to-end automotive commerce, CDK Global provides solutions to dealers in more than 100 countries around the world, serving approximately 30,000 retail locations and most automotive manufacturers. CDK solutions automate and integrate all parts of the dealership and buying process, including the acquisition, sale, financing, insuring, parts supply, repair and maintenance of vehicles. Visit cdkglobal.com.

1 Cox Automotive, Car Buyer Journey Study, 2019.

ATLANTA, Dec. 16, 2019  -- With the accelerating pace of automotive technology, new-car shoppers entering the market may be surprised by the innovations that have developed in recent years. To help shoppers navigate all of the features and gadgets available on 2020 model-year vehicles, the experts at Autotrader recently named the Best New Automotive Technology for 2020.

"Technology in cars keeps evolving and becoming more sophisticated with advancements from automakers and tech companies both paving the way to enhance safety, entertainment and convenience features with each new model year," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. "You no longer have to buy a luxury car to experience cutting-edge tech – many features come standard on some of the most affordable new models from mainstream brands. This year we are seeing features like back seat reminders at no additional cost on many new models, and that is just one example of the tech headway that keeps changing on new cars."

Autotrader's Best New Automotive Technology for 2020

Wireless Apple CarPlay
Since its introduction, Apple CarPlay has required phones to be connected to the vehicle via a USB cable, but this is starting to change. Wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay is contingent upon the vehicle offering a wi-fi connection, which is available via subscription in a lot of new vehicles today. Even though only a handful of automakers offer this feature currently, consumers should expect it to be more widely available in the not-so-distant future.

Back Seat Reminders
Many automakers have begun to incorporate back seat reminder systems into new vehicles. These systems work by taking note of whether you opened the vehicle's back door before setting off on your trip and then reminding you of this upon exiting the vehicle once you've arrived at your destination.

iOS 13 Apple CarPlay
The new version of CarPlay addresses concerns of previous versions and improvements to overall usability. It comes with a new dashboard that offers a dual-pane view that can show both maps and music at the same time, which keeps you from having to manually switch back and forth between screens. There also are improvements to Siri, a refresh to Music and Maps apps, a new light mode and calendar integration.

Redesigned Android Auto
Software always improves over time and this is the case with Android Auto. Google recently rolled out an update for its Android Auto system with a new interface that mimics that of Apple CarPlay. The system starts off in your favorite maps interface, with icons along the bottom that allow you to control music, voice commands, and more, and a new app drawer looks familiar to the homepage on your Android phone.

Electric Performance Cars
When electric vehicles first hit the scene, the last thing on anyone's mind was performance. But a lot has changed over the years, and thanks to the help of automakers like Tesla, electrification is now just as much associated with performance as it is environmental friendliness. The burgeoning performance-luxury electric segment features current and upcoming vehicles from the likes of Porsche, Jaguar, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, and even Ford now has its own Mustang-inspired electric performance car.

Wireless Phone Charging
Ever hop into your car for a long drive, realize you phone is almost out of battery and didn't have access to the proper cable along the way? Just about any new phone offered today comes with wireless charging capability. With this technology now included in the majority of phones today, automakers have begun integrating wireless charging pads into their vehicles, typically locating them somewhere on the center console.

Genesis Intelligent Assistant App
In today's phone-focused world, there is an app for everything. Genesis' app goes above and beyond typical new-car smartphone apps in that it acts as a personal assistant of sorts that can lock and unlock your vehicle from afar, start it remotely, adjust the HVAC system, and even interface with Google and Amazon Alexa, executing commands given through your Google and Amazon devices. This app takes the connected lifestyle and elevates it to the next level, making it easier to interact with our vehicles.  

Nissan's Variable Compression Turbo Engine
Nissan's new 'Variable Compression' turbo engine is unique in that it can change its compression ratio at a whim depending on driver inputs, allowing it to return better fuel economy in relaxed day-to-day driving, but picking up more power when the driver mashes the throttle.

Electric Trucks
Pickup truck startups Bollinger and Rivian are both slated to offer their long-awaited electric pickups for sale by the end of 2020, while Tesla has recently revealed the controversial new Tesla Cybertruck, which the company claims will go on sale by the end of 2021. Additionally, Ford has promised that both hybrid and full-electric F-150s are in development, so expect to learn hear more about that in the coming year as well. And when Ford does something, you can bet that GM and Ram will be soon to follow. Electric trucks are coming, and soon buyers will have a lot of options.

Exit Warning Systems
Functioning similarly to blind spot monitoring, these systems work when the vehicle is stationary in a parallel parking spot and alert you of when a vehicle or bicycle is approaching from the rear. The idea is to keep you from opening your door to potentially disastrous consequences, and from keeping your back seat passengers (i.e. children) from doing the same. Currently, exit warning systems are generally in their infancy and offered only by Hyundai and Audi, but as they evolve we expect them to get more sophisticated and be available on more vehicles.

Hyundai Remote Smart Parking Assist
Hyundai has recently introduced a clever feature it's calling 'Remote Smart Parking Assist'.  The system works like most other automatic parking features, where the vehicle can automatically park itself in either a pull-in or parallel parking spot, but what makes it unique is that it can function without you needing to be behind the wheel.  Features like Remote Smart Parking Assist leverage technology already found in the vehicle (in this case, the radar, remote start, and pedestrian detection systems) in a new and useful way, inching us closer and closer to that autonomous future, however far away it may be.

For more details and information about Autotrader's Best New Automotive Technology for 2020, visit https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/best-new-automotive-technology-2020-281474979972892.

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 add us on Snapchat (@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 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 $20 billion. coxautoinc.com

New HomeNet Automotive meta-analysis suggests consumer insights hold keys to improving digital merchandising

EXTON, Pa., December 12, 2019 – Today, nearly all shopping for a vehicle begins online, equipping consumers with more information and access to inventory than ever before. However, while dealers recognize the need to capitalize on this evolving shopping pattern, a new meta-analysis from HomeNet Automotive reveals they struggle with how to differentiate their dealership and stand out from the competitive clutter online.

According to the meta-analysis, 83% of dealers believe they can increase margins or reduce days to sell by improving digital merchandising – how new and used vehicle inventory is presented to customers online – but just 12% believe they are doing enough to distinguish themselves.1

“As the prevalence of shopping for and purchasing vehicles online continues to rise, how dealers merchandise their inventory and separate themselves from the competition will be vital to profitability long term,” said Russ Daniels, director of product marketing for HomeNet and vAuto. “This new meta-analysis offers a consolidated look at key consumer habits contributing to the growing importance of digital merchandising and provides actionable insights and best practices to help dealers build a strong online presence that will win over shoppers.”

With 41% of car buyers now only visiting one store, and 52% using multiple devices to get to a dealership’s website,2 the margin for error is becoming increasingly small for dealers when it comes to reaching the right customers at the right time with a website that is responsive and widely compatible. In order to implement an effective digital merchandising strategy that meets these emerging trends head on, dealers must embrace technology and align their approach with consumer behavior and preferences.

Ultimately, the meta-analysis uncovered the following five opportunities for dealers to create more comprehensive, engaging digital listings that drive greater transparency and visibility amid a competitive market.

1. Introduce dynamic visual content to listings. While the impact of video has reached unprecedented levels of influencing shopper behavior – 90% of consumers in a 2016 survey said a video is helpful in the decision-making process3 – other new forms of elevating a vehicle’s visual appeal, such as 360 displays, are also adding significant value for consumers. Incorporating 360 displays and video content in listings can help dealers optimize digital merchandising efforts, create differentiation and enable more informed purchase decisions. However, while 73% of consumers who browsed and then either bought or leased a vehicle perceived 360 displays as being extremely or very helpful,4 42% of dealers have indicated they never merchandise with these displays.5

2. Exchange stock photos for multiple custom ones. Transparency in conveying a complete and comprehensive visual overview of a listing is key to effectively merchandising a vehicle online. According to the meta-analysis, 64% of car buyers want extensive vehicle data and photos.6 They want to see and fully understand what they are buying. In fact, while a single custom photo earned 166% more vehicle detail page (VDP) views per listing than a single stock photo, multiple custom photos earned 245% more VDPs per listing than multiple stock photos. What’s more, multiple custom photos earned 69% more VDPs per listing than a single custom photo.7 The more custom photos available on a listing, the better the shopping experience and engagement.

3. Leverage backgrounded images that keep the focus on the car. Backgrounded images that are clear and easy to digest receive up to 5% more click conversions from the search results page (SRP) to the VDP and can help boost buyer appeal and perceptions of the corresponding dealership.8 Utilizing photo overlays can also offer an easy way to deliver relevant content to shoppers, with the inclusion of dealership branding particularly effective on third-party websites.

4. Elevate vehicle information and descriptions. With the majority of shopping time spent online,9 it is becoming increasingly important for dealers to equip their digital listings with all the need-to-know information consumers have come to rely on to make faster, more confident decisions. Dealers can also build trust through transparency by giving shoppers access to complete car histories right as they research online.

5. Improve customer engagement and dealership reputation through third-party websites. According to the meta-analysis, 80% of consumers use third-party websites for shopping and research.10 It will therefore be crucial for dealers to develop an integrated marketing strategy to better reach and influence shoppers where they are online. Dealers should ensure they are featuring their listings on third-party websites and leveraging the growing popularity of Facebook Marketplace as a new destination for used car listings.

Download the complete meta-analysis here: https://www.homenetauto.com/learning-center/2019-state-of-automotive-merchandising/

About HomeNet

HomeNet Automotive gets inventory out of your systems and in front of online shoppers. Today’s car shoppers are researching, locating and evaluating cars online before they ever set foot in a physical dealership. Yet, dealers struggle to ensure inventory is consistently updated and distributed to all online destinations with speed, accuracy and quality. At HomeNet, we help dealers and industry partners merchandise and distribute their inventory from one unified platform and seamlessly push this information to their own website and all their third-party advertising sources. Based in Exton, PA, with offices across the U.S., HomeNet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cox Automotive.

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 $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

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1 HomeNet Automotive Brand and Product Study, 2018.

2 Cox Automotive, Car Buyer Journey Study, 2019.

3 https://blog.flickfusion.com/tag/vdp/, September 21, 2016.

4 HomeNet 360 Consumer Study, 2019.

5 HomeNet Automotive Brand and Product Study, 2018.

6 Used Cars, New Platforms: Accelerating Sales in a Digitally Disrupted Market, McKinsey & Company, 2019.

7 Netezza tables, October 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017.

8 Cox Automotive Consumer Community, 2017.

9 Cox Automotive, Car Buyer Journey Study, 2019.

10 Cox Automotive, Car Buyer Journey Study, 2019.

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ATLANTA, GA., November 25, 2019 – With the holidays quickly approaching, shopping is at the top of people’s to-do lists as they consider buying gifts or the latest gadgets during big seasonal sales. The end of the year also is a stellar time to score a deal when buying a car, with automakers offering lucrative holiday incentives, dealers trying to clear out their lots, and model-year changeovers of vehicle inventory. Accordingly, the experts at Autotrader recently rounded up some helpful tips for people hoping to buy or lease a new, used or certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle before the new year. 

“While most people don’t wake up to a brand-new bow-topped car in their driveway, that doesn’t mean a new car can’t be at the top of your wish list before the end of the year -- with a little research and insight, this is one of the best times for car shopping,” said Tara Trompeter, managing editor for Autotrader. “If you’ve been thinking about getting a new ride, now is a great time to buy or lease. Automakers and dealers alike are highly motivated to boost their year-end sales totals and make room for the new model-year vehicles coming to market, which means deals abound for consumers.”

Autotrader’s Year-End Car-Shopping Insights

When buying a new car:

- Dealers want to get rid of their 2019 model-year inventory before the new year, so be sure to check out the new outgoing 2019 models still available on dealer lots before 2020 hits. This is where you’re likely to find the best new-car deals, especially if the 2020 model of that vehicle has been redesigned.

- Take advantage of slow foot traffic in dealerships during December. Most people are spending time buying gifts and participating in holiday activities, and it is a notoriously slow time for car dealers who are hungry to make their monthly (and year-end) quotas. 

- Check your local dealers’ ads to see specific deals and incentives being offered, and check out top deals lists curated online by the experts at Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book to help guide your consideration set and how much you should pay.

When buying a used car:

- Since most used-car buyers are shopping for an everyday driver, it’s important to understand what you need and do your research accordingly. Read reviews, look into current average transaction prices, and really think about the function of your next vehicle. At the same time, be flexible and have more than one pick – the deals are out there, and you need to be ready to pounce.

- Be prepared - know your credit worthiness, understand your credit score, how much you can borrow and the interest rate for which you qualify. It is always a good idea to get pre-qualified before entering into negotiations. Line up a mechanic ahead of time to check out any used vehicle you’re seriously considering, and maximize the test drive.

- Don’t forget about certified pre-owned – these low-mileage, factory-certified vehicles provide additional warranties and often other perks, such as special financing.  Buying CPO can offer more peace of mind than buying from a private seller.

When buying a certified pre-owned car:

- Remember that luxury cars depreciate faster than models from volume brands, so that means buying a CPO luxury car is an especially good value over buying new.

- Look for incentives – some automakers offer incentives on their CPO inventory like cash back, special financing deals, and even some lease deals on their used certified models.

- While no CPO cars are actually that old, in general the older the car, the better the deal. Enjoy letting someone else take the majority of the depreciation off your hands by considering an older CPO vehicle for the best prices.

When leasing a car:

- Channel your good scout before going into the dealership. Know which specific model you want, which dealerships have that vehicle in stock, and what your trade-in is worth. And even if you plan to lease through the manufacturer’s financing arm, it’s smart to secure financing ahead of time through a bank or credit union to know where you stand financially.

- Understanding model year versus calendar year is important when leasing. If you have your eye on a 2020 model-year vehicle, leasing at the end of 2019 versus early in 2020 could have an impact on your monthly lease payments. Model year trumps calendar year when it comes to vehicle depreciation. 

- Think used – take advantage of the historic number of vehicles coming off-lease in 2019 by leasing a used/CPO model to reduce your monthly payments even more. You could save hundreds, if not thousands, over the leasing period by leasing used instead of new.

To learn more about bargains for car shoppers including shopping for a used car end-of-year checklist, how to find a CPO deal in December and leasing a car at the end of the year visit: https://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/shopping-used-car-heres-end-year-checklist-281474979970711, https://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/how-find-cpo-deal-december-281474979969211, https://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/leasing-car-end-year-281474979970137.

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 add us on Snapchat (@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 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 $20 billion. coxautoinc.com

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Clients are increasingly turning to digital options to gain efficiencies.

ATLANTA – November 21, 2019 – Manheim’s investment in giving clients more ways to transact anytime, anywhere is driving greater confidence, with clients increasingly turning to the company’s digital platforms for their wholesale needs. Across Manheim, digital wholesale channels have seen exponential growth in 2019—hitting the two million transaction milestone in the first week of November. In addition to providing an efficient auction experience, Manheim’s digital platforms provide a safer way to buy while helping clients more effectively run their businesses.

“At Manheim, we’re enabling clients to transact when, where and how they want to, and more and more clients are realizing the significant benefits of going digital,” said Zach Hallowell, vice president of Manheim Digital. “With the largest audience of buyers and widest selection of vehicles, our digital platforms bring significant value to clients on both sides of the sale.”

In October, 48% of vehicles were sold to a digital buyer. Digital-only transactions—those that take place through Manheim.com, Manheim Express, OVE and Private Stores—are up 22% year over year, and Simulcast transactions are up 9% in that same timeframe. Some sellers in Manheim’s Digital Private Stores have seen as much as 50% growth in their sales.

Kirk Lamont, purchasing coordinator at Robinson Automotive, had this to say about buying in the digital wholesale marketplace: "In this day and age when you have so many devices, why not buy digitally? It’s an easier platform. As long as you do your homework up front, you know what you’re bidding on. One of the main benefits is when I have a client looking for a particular vehicle that I can’t find locally, I have the confidence to go outside my region, look at some cars and know they’re described as they should be. All I have to do is just push a button and buy a car."

In addition to growing its various digital-only platforms, Manheim has also ramped up the number of Digital Blocks across its physical footprint, which now comprise 20% of the company’s physical lanes (up 30% in the last three months). Digital Blocks provide all the things clients enjoy about a physical sale—the excitement, auctioneer and in-lane and online bidders. The only difference is that vehicles are shown on screens rather than being driven through the lanes

Manheim Tucson recently became the first location to go “all digital,” converting all of its lanes to Digital Blocks. Sales rates and vehicle values have continued to show strong results, proving that a digital sale can be just as successful as a physical one for buyers and sellers alike.

Through the end of 2019 and beyond, Manheim will continue investing in its digital platforms, bringing more choice and value to clients who transact in the largest and most trusted wholesale marketplace.

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim® is North America's leading provider of end-to-end wholesale solutions that help dealer and commercial clients increase profits in their used vehicle operations. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for inventory management, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. With its omni-channel approach, Manheim Marketplace enables wholesale vehicle clients more efficient ways to connect and transact business how and when they want. Approximately 17,000 team members help Manheim offer 7 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $61 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.

Clients are increasingly turning to digital options to gain efficiencies.

ATLANTA – November 21, 2019 – Manheim’s investment in giving clients more ways to transact anytime, anywhere is driving greater confidence, with clients increasingly turning to the company’s digital platforms for their wholesale needs. Across Manheim, digital wholesale channels have seen exponential growth in 2019—hitting the two million transaction milestone in the first week of November. In addition to providing an efficient auction experience, Manheim’s digital platforms provide a safer way to buy while helping clients more effectively run their businesses.

“At Manheim, we’re enabling clients to transact when, where and how they want to, and more and more clients are realizing the significant benefits of going digital,” said Zach Hallowell, vice president of Manheim Digital. “With the largest audience of buyers and widest selection of vehicles, our digital platforms bring significant value to clients on both sides of the sale.”

In October, 48% of vehicles were sold to a digital buyer. Digital-only transactions—those that take place through Manheim.com, Manheim Express, OVE and Private Stores—are up 22% year over year, and Simulcast transactions are up 9% in that same timeframe. Some sellers in Manheim’s Digital Private Stores have seen as much as 50% growth in their sales.

Kirk Lamont, purchasing coordinator at Robinson Automotive, had this to say about buying in the digital wholesale marketplace: "In this day and age when you have so many devices, why not buy digitally? It’s an easier platform. As long as you do your homework up front, you know what you’re bidding on. One of the main benefits is when I have a client looking for a particular vehicle that I can’t find locally, I have the confidence to go outside my region, look at some cars and know they’re described as they should be. All I have to do is just push a button and buy a car."

In addition to growing its various digital-only platforms, Manheim has also ramped up the number of Digital Blocks across its physical footprint, which now comprise 20% of the company’s physical lanes (up 30% in the last three months). Digital Blocks provide all the things clients enjoy about a physical sale—the excitement, auctioneer and in-lane and online bidders. The only difference is that vehicles are shown on screens rather than being driven through the lanes

Manheim Tucson recently became the first location to go “all digital,” converting all of its lanes to Digital Blocks. Sales rates and vehicle values have continued to show strong results, proving that a digital sale can be just as successful as a physical one for buyers and sellers alike.

Through the end of 2019 and beyond, Manheim will continue investing in its digital platforms, bringing more choice and value to clients who transact in the largest and most trusted wholesale marketplace.

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim® is North America's leading provider of end-to-end wholesale solutions that help dealer and commercial clients increase profits in their used vehicle operations. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for inventory management, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. With its omni-channel approach, Manheim Marketplace enables wholesale vehicle clients more efficient ways to connect and transact business how and when they want. Approximately 17,000 team members help Manheim offer 7 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $61 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.

Prestigious Annual Awards Name Kia Telluride Best New Model for 2020

IRVINE, Calif., November 20, 2019 – Following head-to-head testing, evaluation and data analysis of 2020 model-year vehicles, the experts at Kelley Blue Book today announce the 2020 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winners. Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Awards honor the top new model-year vehicles available in the U.S. market in 16 major categories, along with Kelley Blue Book’s newest award introduced last year, Best New Model. For 2020, the all-new Kia Telluride takes home top honors as Best New Model for its impressive combination of innovation and value in one of the hottest segments in the marketplace. 

Kelley Blue Book created the Best Buy Awards to help shoppers narrow down their new-car consideration list and purchase their next vehicle with confidence. These awards identify the best of all available 2020 models, with a special emphasis on value-per-dollar in both purchase and ownership experience.

“We understand how overwhelming it can be to shop for a new car, with so many considerations about hundreds of choices and many brand-new nameplates hitting the market every year,” said Karl Brauer, executive publisher for Kelley Blue Book. “For more than 90 years, Kelley Blue Book has helped shoppers find the right vehicle at the right price. The Best Buy Awards were designed to help consumers shop confidently by doing the heavy lifting for them. Our experts provide clear, detailed guidance on which specific car, truck, minivan and SUV models shoppers should prioritize and consider for their next new-car purchase.”

Starting with the more than 300 new models available for 2020, Kelley Blue Book’s annual Best Buy Awards are based on a year-long regimen of expert evaluation and testing of nearly every new vehicle available in America, with a specific focus on the best combination of quality, safety, comfort, driving dynamics, dependability, low ownership costs and affordability. As part of their decision-making process, Kelley Blue Book’s experts also analyze a wide array of vehicle-related data, including vehicle pricing, 5-Year Cost to Own data (which includes depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, fuel, fees and taxes for new cars), consumer reviews and ratings, and vehicle sales information. To be considered for Kelley Blue Book’s Best New Model award, the vehicle must be an all-new or significantly redesigned model offering a strong value proposition to consumers based on pricing, innovation and available standard technology and safety features.

2020 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winners

Best New Model: 2020 Kia Telluride

Simply put, the all-new Kia Telluride wowed us, boasting sophistication, practicality, comfort, and a host of standard safety features and technology, all in one of the leading segments on the market. Pair that with its substantial size, standout style, enjoyable driving experience and attractive starting price of just $31,690, and the Telluride’s impressive value story won our hearts as the Best New Model for 2020. 

Compact Car: 2020 Honda Civic

As the perfect combination of sporty yet practical, the fun-to-drive Honda Civic continues to be the benchmark for the compact car segment. The Civic’s variety of choices in body styles, trims and engines, along with its top-notch interior and plentiful standard equipment, offers unrivaled value in its class.

Midsize Car: 2020 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord offers handsome styling inside and out, a comfortable ride and capable performance, making it the quintessential family car. Despite being three years out from its last major redesign, the Accord continues to deliver on high expectations and remains on top with its enjoyable driving dynamics, value proposition and timeless design.

Subcompact SUV: 2020 Hyundai Kona

With loads of style packed in its youthful appearance, impressive safety systems, and choice of gasoline or all-electric powertrains, the Hyundai Kona returns this year as the Best Buy in its category.  The fuel-efficient Kona offers a terrific warranty, a long list of standard features and a variety of available upgrades to match your budget.

Compact SUV: 2020 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V has a slightly revamped look for 2020 and continues to be a standout in its class with clean styling, a comfortable, roomy interior, and easy-to-drive demeanor. With a long list of features and a highly anticipated new Hybrid model coming soon, the CR-V epitomizes utility and dependability.

Midsize SUV – 2-Row: 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The smartly designed, roomy Hyundai Santa Fe is a well-appointed 2-row midsize SUV offering excellent value with a wide array of standard safety features and driver assist technology. With a spacious interior that pays attention to materials and build quality, the Santa Fe also has a top-notch warranty and impressive 5-Year Cost to Own and resale value numbers.

Midsize SUV – 3-Row: 2020 Kia Telluride

Not only is the all-new Telluride Kia’s largest, most sophisticated and most beautiful SUV to date, it’s the best among all players in its segment. The handsome and roomy Telluride includes a host of active safety features and amenities, along with a value proposition and warranty that propel it past the competition to the head of the pack.

Full-Size SUV: 2020 Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is king of the full-size SUVs, a refined workhorse that artfully blends the ability to carry people in comfort with an appetite for true truck-like capability. With its rugged, chiseled looks and roomy, well-appointed interior, the Expedition also boasts a superb powertrain with notable fuel economy and tow ratings that exceed the competition.  

Minivan: 2020 Honda Odyssey

The value-packed Honda Odyssey remains the best family hauler, comfortably seating up to eight passengers with terrific quality and utility, refined driving manners and impressive safety features. The Odyssey shines in all areas, excelling in comfort, convenience and connectivity, along with class-leading low ownership costs. 

Pickup Truck – Midsize: 2020 Chevrolet Colorado

The Chevrolet Colorado features best-in-class towing and impressive payload capacity at a price that is easy on the wallet. With its highly customizable cabin/box configurations and a comfortable interior with several convenient amenities, the Colorado also offers three different engines and solid resale values in its class.

Pickup Truck – Full-Size: 2020 Ford F-150

The best-selling vehicle in America remains the best bet among full-size pickups, and the Ford F-150 continues to impress. Filled to the brim with tech, convenience and safety features, the F-150 also offers six different engine choices, best-in-class payload capacity and impressive towing stats, all while being comfortable and roomy enough for families.

Electric Car: 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Hyundai Kona Electric is the car that will make you believe in alternatives. With 258 miles of range (or more) on a full charge, several notable features, an impressive warranty and refreshing driving dynamics, the Kona Electric is an affordable everyman’s vehicle that is both easy to drive and easy to own. Bonus: Kona Electric still qualifies for a full $7,500 federal tax credit, along with any state and local incentives and rebates.

Plug-in Hybrid Car: 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid

Launched new for the 2018 model-year and winning a Best Buy Award three years in a row now, the Honda Clarity is offered in three very distinct variants: pure-electric, fuel cell, and PHEV. Boasting solid driving dynamics and a roomy passenger cabin, the Clarity’s plug-in powertrain features impressive range and fuel economy for the segment coupled with Honda’s notable safety, reliability and resale values.

Subcompact Luxury SUV: 2020 Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 is a true luxury SUV with subcompact dimensions, featuring upscale design and notable standard equipment. With fun driving dynamics and a value-laden collection of luxury, safety, performance, and technology smarts even in the base models, the Q3 is the new recommendable king of extra-small luxury SUVs.

Compact Luxury SUV: 2020 Audi Q5

With its sporty chassis and luxurious, tech-filled cabin, the Audi Q5 is a back-to-back Best Buy winner in its class, even among stiffer competition this year. Audi’s best-selling model continues to impress with its proven powertrain, superb interior and abundant technology.

Midsize Luxury SUV: 2020 BMW X5

The BMW X5 is one of the pioneers among luxury SUVs, and its most recent redesign has considerably upped its game. The latest X5 builds on its legacy with powerful, refined powertrains, class-leading ride and handling, and dynamic capabilities, standing out from the highly competitive class to capture its first Best Buy Award.

Luxury Car: 2020 Lexus ES

Offered with two powertrains (gasoline-only and gasoline-electric hybrid) to satisfy all, the seventh-generation Lexus ES swept us off our feet for the second year in a row and is more luxurious than ever. The ES effortlessly features superb comfort for all passengers, along with innovative technology at an alluring value.

For full coverage of the 2020 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, including full editorial comments about each model, pricing details, videos and more, visit www.kbb.com/bestbuyawards.

To discuss this topic, or any other automotive-related information, with a Kelley Blue Book analyst on-camera via the company’s on-site studio, please contact a member of the Public Relations team to schedule an interview.

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on 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 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 $20 billion. coxautoinc.com

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Dealers on CDK Global DMS can now import both retail and lease deals into Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI® platform; Lenders gain greater ability to contract

NORTH HILLS, N.Y., November 18, 2019 – Dealertrack F&I announced today an expanded integration with CDK Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDK) that brings together CDK Drive DMS and Dealertrack uniFI platform to enable faster funding for more dealers. Through the integration, dealers leveraging both systems can now seamlessly import their lease deals right from CDK Drive into Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI platform, helping reduce manual data entry, contract errors and the frustrations of re-contracting. Lenders can gain the advantage of faster funding to the extensive CDK customer base.

The integration will assist dealers and lenders in addressing a pain point in the car buying process – filling out paperwork and contracts. According to the 2019 Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey Study, less than half of consumers (42 percent) were satisfied with how long the process took at the dealership. Additionally, 47 percent of that time is spent negotiating and filling out paperwork.[1]

“Every extra step a dealer must take in the contracting process, from switching between systems to re-entering data, can cut into efficiency and detract from the car buying experience,” said Cheryl Miller, senior vice president and general manager of Dealertrack F&I and Titling Solutions. “Through the integration with CDK, we’re able to better connect data between systems to ensure dealers can drive the more accurate, streamlined workflow that today’s customer expects.”

Until now, most dealers have only been able to import retail deals from CDK Drive into Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI platform. However, as leasing continues to hover at near-record levels, making up more than 32 percent of retail sales in 2019 according to Kelley Blue Book2 the need to offer the same import capabilities for lease deals has become a priority.

With the lease integration between Dealertrack and CDK, more dealers can now simplify the process of sending contracts electronically because customer information and all necessary deal data will automatically populate from the dealer’s DMS into Dealertrack uniFI platform – no matter the type of deal. Enabling this greater connectivity and paperless contracting workflow, dealers leveraging Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI platform can deliver a superior customer experience with the ability to speed up funding from an average five days to as fast as same day.3

“Implementing this integration underscores our commitment and focus on providing an open environment through our secure, industry leading DMS platform that fosters continued innovation and delivers value-added experiences for our customers and the industry,” commented Bob Marvin, senior vice president, business leader, Core DMS at CDK.

For more information about this integration, visit go.dealertrack.com/LeaseContracts.

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1 Cox Automotive, Car Buyer Journey Study, 2019.

2 Kelley Blue Book, Monthly Best Info Report, September 2019.

3 Dealertrack User Data, August 2018 – August 2019.

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 CDK Global, Inc.

With $2 billion in revenues, CDK Global (Nasdaq: CDK) is a leading global provider of integrated information technology solutions to the automotive retail and adjacent industries. Focused on enabling end-to-end automotive commerce, CDK Global provides solutions to dealers in more than 100 countries around the world, serving approximately 30,000 retail locations and most automotive manufacturers. CDK solutions automate and integrate all parts of the dealership and buying process, including the acquisition, sale, financing, insuring, parts supply, repair and maintenance of vehicles. Visit cdkglobal.com.

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