Introduces More Connected Workflow with Launch of Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI®

Addition to Dealertrack uniFI brings truly paperless process to industry’s most holistic deal workflow solution

NORTH HILLS, N.Y., October 14, 2019 – Dealertrack announced today the launch of Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI®, putting the final piece in place to complete the industry’s first single platform that connects the entire deal workflow process from leads to contracts for the company’s network of approximately 22,000 dealers and more than 1,600 lenders.

“Dealertrack uniFI combines as many as 51 different pieces of paperwork from the car deal process into a single online deal jacket, simplifying the car-buying journey for customers and adding efficiency to submission to lenders,” said Firas Makhlouf, chief information officer of Driver’s Village. “By integrating Digital Contracting into this powerful platform, we can now complete the full end-to-end car-buying process without the need to jump between multiple screens and technologies to get a single deal done.” 

According to recent data from Dealertrack, one out of every four paper deals results in delayed funding due to missing or incorrect information.1 With Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI, dealers can reduce data re-entry and ensure documentation is complete and error-free before it is submitted, helping eliminate re-contracting and speeding up funding from an average five days to as fast as the same day. 1

In the past, many dealers and lenders have wavered from adopting digital contracting due to misconceptions such as heightened costs, workflow disruption and a perceived lack of critical mass utilization by all parties. However, the reality today is that digital contracting is connecting more dealers and lenders than ever before, making contracting easier and more efficient while also saving time and money by cutting out printing and shipping.

“Dealers and lenders alike recognize the exponential benefits of electronically managing contracts in transit to improve dealer-lender communication, increase operational efficiency and create a better consumer car shopping experience,” said Cheryl Miller, senior vice president and general manager of Dealertrack F&I and Titling Solutions. “Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI is challenging the status quo by giving dealers and lenders the ability to reduce handling errors and secure more deals and loan originations while better meeting the needs of today’s consumer.” 

The Digital Contracting functionality on Dealertrack uniFI adds a host of new enhancements to the platform, including:

- One Deal Jacket: An end-to-end workflow from leads to contracts with all funding documents in a single location, including Aftermarket contracts.

- Real Time Error Display: Data entry validation rules run in real-time, showing in-line errors and alerts to the dealer for quick rectification and greater accuracy prior to contract submission.

- Live Funding Checklist: A dynamically growing, digital list of up-to-date lender-required documents as a particular deal is being finalized — and the status of each of those documents.

- Point of Sale Ancillary Documents Capture: Dealers can now snap and upload high quality stips and trailing document images with their tablets any time, up to the point of funding.

- Multiple Device Support: Engage customers on any device, anywhere in the showroom for a paperless digital review of contracts and an easier signing process — no paper required.

- Local Paper Out: If a digital contract ever needs to be converted to paper, it can now be done independently and on-demand by the dealer, with no fees attached.  

“From creating a lead and penciling a deal to submitting for approvals and digital contracting, Dealertrack uniFI provides an all-in-one service designed with the end-user in mind,” said Will Pollard, finance manager of Tim Short Chevrolet in Kentucky. “With Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI, we are now seeing funding within minutes of submission, reducing customer wait times and freeing up cash for us to invest in new stock to drive more sales.”

Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI is available in all 50 states.

For more information about Digital Contracting on Dealertrack uniFI, visit Go.dealertrack.com/goDigital.

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[1] 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 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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New functionality provides values for repairs and makes service appointment scheduling easier

IRVINE, Calif., September 30, 2019 – Kelley Blue Book announces its new Auto Repair Guide experience, addressing both consumer and automotive industry needs for a principal source of trustworthy recommendations related to servicing and maintaining a vehicle. The all-new experience on KBB.com guides consumers through three primary service categories: Recalls, Maintenance and Repairs.  KBB.com is also including the ability to allow consumers to schedule service online through the Featured Auto Repair Center, a pilot with its sister company, Xtime.

To point consumers in the right direction, the Auto Repair Guide on KBB.com helps car owners answer their top service and repair questions: What do I need to get done? When should I get it done? Where should I get it done? How much should it cost? With this new experience, Kelley Blue Book serves as a trusted advisor that connects consumers and service departments.

Kelley Blue Book’s all-new Auto Repair Guide includes:

• - Information on recalls, maintenance and repair work

• - A Fair Repair Range estimator—similar to the Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor tool—to guide consumers on service and repair price ranges, based on average dealer service pricing

• - The ability to schedule service appointments with local dealerships directly on KBB.com through the Featured Auto Repair Center

Kelley Blue Book, backed by more than 90 years of experience and the most trusted third-party automotive brand,[1]  enables both consumers and dealers to remain on the same page for pricing and now, in the service lanes with its integration with Xtime, the leading integrated software platform for retail automotive service departments.

“Car shoppers have long trusted Kelley Blue Book to provide them with vehicle values, new-car information and more,” said Jim Roche, vice president at Cox Automotive. “With this new auto repair feature on KBB.com, now they can rely on Kelley Blue Book throughout the ownership experience for guidance on service and repair costs, all while experiencing the same trust and transparency they’ve come to expect from the brand.”

Consumers have negative perceptions about getting their vehicle serviced at dealerships, citing unreasonable total cost, overcharging, and labor or parts charges among top reasons for not using their dealership service department[2].  In reality, common maintenance and services provided by dealerships are on par from a pricing standpoint with independent offerings[3]. Kelley Blue Book’s new Auto Repair Guide also makes service appointment scheduling easier for both consumers and dealers. Car owners can see the Fair Repair Range, select a service provider, and book service without leaving the site. Meanwhile, the Featured Auto Repair Center can connect dealers with engaged car owners, increasing consumer trust and confidence by validating their service pricing within the Kelley Blue Book Fair Repair Range.

“The complexities of how to maintain and repair a vehicle, as well as understanding the associated costs, are a major pain point for most consumers,” said Tully Williams, fixed operations director of The Niello Company in Sacramento, California. “Not only has our dealership increased service cost transparency and communication with our customers, but they also have an increased sense of trust from knowing they are being fairly charged for every service visit.”

To learn more about Kelley Blue Book Auto Repair Guide visit https://www.kbb.com/auto-repair, https://www.kbb.com/car-maintenance-service and https://www.kbb.com/ownership/recalls.

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

Customers Can Leverage Industry-Leading Ownership-Cost Data from KBB.com

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 26, 2019 -- Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own data is now available for syndication via API. Previously only available on KBB.com, now customers can integrate this valuable information within their own website experiences, helping consumers to be more informed about the total ownership cost picture of the new vehicles they are considering for purchase.

Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own data takes into consideration depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees for new vehicles. 

"Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own breaks down typical ownership costs, so consumers can evaluate the out-of-pocket expenses they will incur beyond just the initial purchase price of a new car," said Damon Bennett, senior director of syndication for Kelley Blue Book.  "Given the extensive data insights available across Cox Automotive, we are excited our customers now can leverage another industry-leading product within our syndication portfolio that offers valuable information to help smooth the car-buying process for consumers and dealers alike."

Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own information is developed using Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values to calculate depreciation costs.  Kelley Blue Book calculates total ownership costs for new vehicles by applying a sophisticated valuation methodology along with critical financial data from third-party providers. In addition, each year Kelley Blue Book uses this data to announce its 5-Year Cost to Own Award winners, honoring the new vehicles and brands with the lowest projected ownership costs. 

Available now to OEM, Dealer, Website Publisher and Auto Industry Product Developers, customers interested in syndicating Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own data via API should contact kbb.syndication@coxautoinc.com for more information.

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

- New study from Cox Automotive shows 67% of consumers believe personalization technology will improve the car-buying process. 

- According to 72% of dealers, automation and AI technology will help empower employees and improve consumer satisfaction without reducing staff. 

• - Consumers expect auto dealers to know something about them before they walk onto the showroom floor, according to 76% of consumers. 

ATLANTA, Sept. 25, 2019 – Auto dealers and consumers agree that personalization enabled by automation and artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to greatly improve the car-buying process and the overall ownership experience. Artificial intelligence – advanced data techniques that allow computer systems to make predictions, make decisions and work more like the human brain – is currently transforming many industries, including automotive retail. According to a new study by Cox Automotive released today, 67% of car buyers believe personalization technology will improve the car-buying experience. Nearly as many, 63%, believe personalization technology will improve car ownership.  

“Automotive retail is going through a period of transformation right now,” says Marianne Johnson, chief product officer at Cox Automotive. “AI is not just a buzzword. It’s already impacting the way consumers gather information about cars, learn about which car to purchase, and decide when to interact with a dealer. Artificial intelligence is also helping dealers become more efficient and transparent and deliver a better consumer experience.” 

It is well known in the automobile industry that the car-buying process needs to be improved. According to the most recent Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey Study,, 61% of buyers believe the process did not change or became worse since their last purchase. Research also shows that buyers are visiting fewer dealerships, so it is more important than ever for dealers to make every contact count. Insights gathered in the Cox Automotive Technology and Transformation of Retail Study show that one path to improvement is the smart adoption of AI technology.  

Know Thy Customer 

Advanced data techniques enable the harvesting and management of vast amounts of personal data, and some consumers are leery of privacy issues related to personal data. At the same time, 68% of consumers surveyed in the Technology and Transformation of Retail Study indicated that they don’t mind dealers using personalization technology if it improves the overall vehicle-buying experience. In fact, 76% of consumers expect their dealer to know something about them before they walk onto the showroom floor.   

The study indicates that technology used smartly delivers a more personalized, customer-based approach to selling that helps U.S. auto dealers build better, long-term relationships with their customers. Shifting from a seller of products to a trusted advisor is ultimately what most consumers are seeking from the dealership staff.  62% of respondents want a more trusting relationship, where their dealer is more of an advisor, mentor, partner or friend—not just a retailer. Technology adoption can help make that happen. 

The Dealer’s Conundrum 

In the Cox Automotive Technology and Transformation of Retail Study, 63% of dealers agree that adoption of automation and/or AI is necessary to adapt to changing dealership pressures. And while there is widescale awareness of AI and automation, only about half of dealers know “a lot” about these technologies, making adoption more challenging.  

Many obstacles are slowing the adoption of automation and AI technology at U.S. dealerships, the study shows, with “not worth the cost,” “staff resistant to change” and wouldn’t fit in current process” cited as top challenges.   

Importantly, the survey indicates that 72% of dealers see AI technology as a tool to help improve efficiencies and provide time for staff to focus on other areas of the dealership. Conversely, only 28% of dealers believe adoption of AI will lead to staff reductions. Slightly more than half of dealers surveyed indicated that adopting automated processes can help them deliver a better customer experience and improve retention and loyalty.   

As the process of car buying and owning transforms, the biggest priority will be personalization—the ability for dealers to deliver an experience that feels unique for each consumer. Approximately three-out-of-four consumers (74%) feel that a personalized experience at the dealership is important. This is particularly true with younger cohorts, where 87% of people ages 18-24 and 81% of people ages 25-34 say a personalized dealership experience is important.  

Personalization also means understanding that most consumers feel strongly that human interaction is a necessary and irreplaceable part of the vehicle buying and owning experience. For example, 62% of respondents want to review and sign the final documents and contracts in person, with a dealership representative. In other words, a 100% online buying experience is still not the preference of the majority.  

Staying in touch after the purchase is important as well, the new study shows. More than 8 in 10 consumers want to hear from their dealership in some capacity after a vehicle purchase, a process that can be automated with AI technology. A majority of vehicle owners believe automated and/or AI technology should be used to help improve the service process. Nearly 9 in 10 vehicle owners expect a dealer’s service department to know something about them when they reach out for service. Typical new-car owners want to be contacted via email every three to six months with information about special service promotions and advice on the best time to trade in a vehicle. Alerts on open recalls are also welcome.  

“Customer interaction must be carefully managed,” cautioned Lori Wittman, senior vice president of Cox Automotive Dealer Software Solutions and general manager of VinSolutions, an industry-leading CRM provider. “This new study clearly underscores what we see with CRM usage every day: New-car owners do not want to be spammed or stalked by their dealership. Having the right data at the right time to be relevant instantly is paramount to successful personalization.”  

Cox Automotive Technology and Transformation of Retail Study 

The Technology and Transformation of Retail Study was undertaken to discover the latest trends in automation and artificial intelligence technology and help guide the industry through the ever-changing dealership landscape. The study was led by Cox Automotive’s VinSolutions team and conducted from April 30 to May 23, 2019. The results were compiled from a survey of 532 franchised dealerships and 2,032 recent automotive consumers.  

Download the entire study for additional study findings or download the white paper. 

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 

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., September 20, 2019 – Xtime clients are invited to attend Xperience, a cutting edge virtual user summit taking place entirely online. Beginning Oct. 23 through Oct. 24, attendees are able to participate in virtual sessions led by industry experts right from the convenience of their own desks. Xperience’s introduction is particularly timely this year as fixed ops continue to be an increasingly important revenue stream to ensure dealership success in a slowing sales cycle. The event demonstrates Xtime’s commitment to clients as a true partner in success and navigation in the shifting auto service industry.

Over two days, interactive training sessions will focus on helping dealer clients discover best practices and master their Xtime technology and processes to grow their service department revenue as well as tackle industry challenges.

Offering a flexible agenda attendees can build a customized itinerary around, the event will highlight:

• - New research coupled with guidance to grow dealerships

• - Opportunities to connect and share with peers across the industry

• - Expert knowledge and pro tips in every session including but not limited to, Win the War for Talent, Schedule 101: Success Starts Here and Inspect: This Way to Profitability

Bringing these insights and information to life will be a robust series of speakers, including executive members of the Xtime and Cox Automotive teams. The summit will kick-off with a welcome from Tracy Noonan Fred vice president and general manager of Xtime, followed by presentations from Darrel Ferguson director of performance management of Xtime, and Isabelle Helms vice president, research and market intelligence of Cox Automotive. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear a panel of dealership veterans discuss their unique perspectives and the successful changes they’ve implemented in their own businesses to adapt to changing consumer behavior. 

“We are extremely excited to introduce this new event to our clients and provide an additional resource for valuable information that they can put into practice at their own dealerships,” said Tracy Noonan Fred, vice president and general manager of Xtime.

“Xperience was created as a virtual summit to further partner with dealerships in their success in the service drive and in the industry.” 

Registration is currently open to all Xtime dealers. For more information and to register for Xperience, visit the event’s website.

About Xtime
Xtime is the leading software solution for automotive dealer service departments, increasing retention and revenue with technology and industry experts that help dealers meet changing customer expectations. As an advanced solution that connects the entire service drive and provides exceptional support, Xtime is committed to helping dealers deliver the ultimate service experience with transparency, convenience, and trust. Xtime 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. www.coxautoinc.com 

Dealers can now manage inventory and reconditioning through one, integrated workflow in vAuto Provision

Oakbrook Terrace, IL. – September 19, 2019 –vAuto announced today a first of its kind integration that brings the used vehicle inventory management process full circle, offering dealers a more holistic approach to getting a car from acquisition through the reconditioning process and front line ready.

Every day a used vehicle sits in service or waits on a vendor for reconditioning, dealers lose out on opportunities to increase turn, while the holding costs weigh heavy on their profits. To complicate matters further, dealers have no easy way to track reconditioning efficiency without adopting additional tools, creating a workflow spanning multiple systems and logins. Without this crucial connection between reconditioning and inventory management, the already razor thin margin for error becomes even more challenging for dealers.

By bringing together iRecon and Provision, dealers will now be able to closely monitor, update and execute the reconditioning process, while leveraging vAuto’s industry-leading data to make more informed decisions on used car inventory. This ultimately creates one connected view of the entire inventory management process, giving dealers a leg up in the increasingly critical used-vehicle market.

“Decreasing profitability is drastically affecting how dealers remain successful in a tightening automotive market, meaning every sale counts more than ever,” said Randy Kobat, senior vice president of vAuto, HomeNet, Rates & Incentives and Dealertrack DMS. “With consumers dictating the retail price and how much it costs to acquire a car determined by the competition in the wholesale market, dealers can only truly control profits internally. By streamlining the reconditioning process, dealers have an unprecedented opportunity to reduce the holding costs and time it takes to move a vehicle from just arrived to front line ready.”

“Dealers can no longer afford to think about reconditioning and inventory management in separate siloes. The time it takes to switch from platform to platform is eating into efficiency and hindering a full view of operations,” said Mike Boyd, senior director of business enablement and founder of iRecon. “This new integration from iRecon and Provision gives dealers the accessibility and information they need to more effectively navigate the entire used car operation, helping get more vehicles on the market faster.”

With this integration, dealers using vAuto’s Provision can create and monitor their reconditioning plan, gain insight into the current status of any vehicle going through the reconditioning process, directly link into iRecon and review needs attention call outs. iRecon and Provision tested this concept with dealer clients, and they are finding early success leveraging the integration. 

“By integrating iRecon into our Provision platform, our team can now more effectively track every vehicle from one central location, no matter the step in the reconditioning and inventory management process,” said Dan Garwatoski, used car manager, Nissan North in Columbus, Ohio. “This offers a better estimate of when each vehicle will be ready for our lot, helping to easily manage inventory turn rates and allowing our dealership to account for holding costs properly.”

iRecon will now be available to dealers as both a standalone product as well as part of vAuto Provision. For more information on the integration, visit https://www.vauto.com/franchise/used/products/irecon/.

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. The same year, the company expanded its integrations with Cox Automotive’s HomeNet unit and acquired iRecon, an online reconditioning workflow platform. The moves extend vAuto’s efficiency-focused used vehicle management solutions into vehicle merchandising and reconditioning.

Headquartered near Chicago, Illinois, vAuto 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. www.coxautoinc.com

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Grant Will Help Renovate Spectrum's Community Center

Spectrum Youth & Family Services was awarded a $50,000 grant award by the James M. Cox Foundation of Cox Enterprises to renovate a space in its Pearl Street building that will result in two-stories and 1,500 square feet of space for youth services. Reconstructing the space known as "the Vault" is a critical endeavor for Spectrum. Currently a storage unit, the renovated Vault will be used for counseling, case management, tutoring and employment support. Additionally, Spectrum will renovate its Drop-In Center to create a more youth-friendly, trauma-informed space for its clients.

Dealer.com, a Cox Automotive company, has a long history of partnership with Spectrum Youth & Family Services and recommended the organization for the James M. Cox Foundation grant. The Foundation focuses its charitable efforts on conservation and environment, early childhood education, and empowering families and individuals for success and health.

"Dealer.com is a proud supporter of Spectrum Youth & Family Services," said Wayne Pastore, general manager at Dealer.com. "This grant will provide them with the resources needed to finish their new community space."

For nearly a decade, Dealer.com employees have participated in Spectrum's annual fundraiser – Sleep Out – where volunteers sleep out in the cold, a show of solidarity for the youth Spectrum serves. Their efforts have raised more than $170,000 for Spectrum over eight years.

"Dealer.com has been a valued partner for many years in our work to improve the Burlington community," said Mark Redmond, executive director, Spectrum. "We're ecstatic to receive a James M. Cox Foundation grant award. We can't wait to get started on redesigning the Vault and our Drop-In Center."

Founded in 1970 as a community shelter, Spectrum has been recognized in the Burlington area and on a national level for its work supporting the city's runaway youth by offering housing, employment, education, mental health and substance abuse counseling and life skills coaching.

"Spectrum's work is extremely valuable to the Burlington community," said Pastore. "Dealer.com and Cox Enterprises believe all young adults and youth deserve the shelter, care and guidance that are at the core of Spectrum's mission."

To learn more about Spectrum Youth & Family Services, please visit http://www.spectrumvt.org/. Additional details on the James M. Cox Foundation, and how to apply for a James M. Cox Foundation grant, can be found at www.coxenterprises.com/corporate-responsibility/james-m-cox-foundation.

About The James M. Cox Foundation

The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises' founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where the company operates. James M. Cox was Ohio's first three-term governor and the 1920 Democratic nominee for president of the United States. The Foundation concentrates its community support in several areas including: conservation and environment; early childhood education; empowering families and individuals for success; and health.  

About Dealer.com

Dealer.com provides an integrated platform of advertising, website and managed services products which allow OEMs, dealer groups, retailers and agencies to leverage advanced digital technology and data to better engage and connect with their customers. The company practices a deep commitment to its culture of innovation, with a focus on health and wellness, making it one of the most desirable places to work, and a valuable partner for automotive retailers. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Dealer.com is a Cox Automotive brand. For more information, visit www.dealer.com.

Improved Consumer Experience Increases Transparency, Efficiency

IRVINE, Calif., September 18, 2019 – Kelley Blue Book is making the trade-in and car-buying process more transparent and efficient for both consumers and dealers with the launch of its newly redesigned Instant Cash Offer consumer experience and updated Instant Cash Offer Dealer Admin Tool. Both enhancements provide a modernized look and feel to create a more seamless and enjoyable online-to-in-store car-shopping experience for both sides of the transaction.

The all-new Instant Cash Offer consumer experience further strengthens the already popular tool, which boasted a 41 percent year-over-year increase in the number of offers generated in 2018. Using Kelley Blue Book’s industry-leading valuation data, the tool enables car owners to receive a valid cash or trade-in offer from a dealer on their current vehicle by entering details online, as well as locate and identify the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for their desired replacement vehicle.

Updates to the Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer consumer experience include:

• - A modern, user-friendly vehicle condition assessment, eliminating consumer confusion by using clear visual examples and removing complicated automotive jargon to keep users engaged throughout the process. As a result, the tool provides a more accurate assessment and eliminates on-the-lot friction, resulting in a better customer experience.

• - A new Instant Cash Offer Certificate that highlights easy-to-follow next steps, ultimately driving more consumers to dealer lots to redeem their offer and replace their old vehicles.

• - The new Instant Cash Offer consumer experience is intuitive and mobile-friendly, attracting the next generation of car shoppers with the online shopping experience they demand.

The newly enhanced Instant Cash Offer Dealer Admin Tool allows dealers to better manage offers, strategically organize multiple vehicle searches through a more efficient layout, easily track offer status and next steps, and most importantly, provide a new side-by-side offer assessment page, enabling dealers to show customers any updates made to their original offer after their on-site interactive walk-around.

In today’s technology-enhanced market, consumers want a fast and easy path to get the information they need to make confident decisions. The new Instant Cash Offer consumer experience enhancements improve consumer experience and allow dealers to create, structure, and negotiate more transparent, efficient deals for all parties involved.

“When it comes to selling or trading in a vehicle, dealers and consumers ultimately want a fast, hassle-free process to reach terms where everyone receives a quality deal,” said Colin MacGillivray, vice president and general manager of Kelley Blue Book Dealer Solutions. “The modernized Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer consumer experience and Dealer Admin Tool create a more transparent, streamlined and accessible experience during the complex car-buying process.”

To learn more about Kelley Blue Book’s Instant Cash Offer, or receive an Instant Cash Offer demonstration, visit www.b2b.kbb.com.

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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Redwood City, CA, September 16, 2019 — In a world where email is just one of many channels consumers use to communicate, dealers who neglect one or more channels risk losing potential business that can further accelerate dealership profitability. To reclaim these missed opportunities, Xtime is launching Text Marketing, an add-on available to clients using Xtime Invite.  Xtime’s Text Marketing feature can help dealers diversify their outreach strategy and cut through the marketing noise to better engage with customers through their often preferred mode of communication.  

Today, customer engagement preferences have become more complex with the rise of multiple communication channels. Text communication is on the rise and marketers can no longer rely on email alone to connect with consumers outside of the dealership.  According to Gartner, texting response rates have soared to 45 percent. The 2019 Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey study shows that texting is gaining traction amongst all age groups, making it an even more important marketing tool for dealers. 

Noting the shift towards text, some dealers have turned to impromptu methods of communication, such as personal cell phone use or other texting solutions, which miss the opportunity to be fully integrated with service scheduling systems or CRMs. This in turn compromises dealership business processes and customer experience. Additionally, ad hoc texting solutions may not adhere to the strict rules and regulations outlined by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and other federal and state laws, exposing dealers to risk of steep penalties for non-compliance. 

“Dealers have a hard time getting vehicle owners to respond to marketing communication, even when it includes convenient links and advantageous offers,” said Tracy Noonan Fred, vice president and general manager of Xtime. “Research shows 89 percent of consumers prefer to communicate with organizations via text, so being able to text straight from the SMS platform is an optimal way for dealers to capture a consumer’s attention and begin a conversation that leads to new business.” [1]

Xtime Text Marketing offers a new channel to increase customer engagement and conversion through an Xtime Spectrum integrated and TCPA compliant solution. Its benefits include: 

• - In-Message Scheduling: Ability to send targeted texts that link to Xtime Schedule and pass through relevant data 

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• - Targeted Marketing:  Flexibility to create and execute a variety of  marketing programs

• - Regulatory Compliance: Assistance with adhering to strict text marketing rules and regulations with an engaging opt-in auditable process for communicating with customers via text

• - Audience Builder:  Acquire, retain, and build a text marketing audience with multiple customer touchpoints that encourage customer opt-in throughout Xtime Spectrum  

“The results we’ve seen from Xtime Text Marketing have been very exciting and impactful on our business,” said Luke Ammann, Service & Parts Director, Kastner Honda. “Since launching, it’s clear that everyone involved prefers to communicate via text and the response has been positive to the point that we’re currently working on opting in even more customers.”

Text Marketing is the first of several new add-ons and enhancements that are part of Xtime’s larger mission to help foster customer retention, loyalty, profitability and growth for dealerships -- even during times when sales volume is down. The feature is available immediately to all U.S. franchise dealers as an add-on to the Xtime Invite product.

[1] Taft, R. (2018, September 5). OnSpot Social. Retrieved from http://onspotsocial.com

About Xtime
Xtime is the leading software solution for automotive dealer service departments, increasing retention and revenue with technology and industry experts that help dealers meet changing customer expectations. As an advanced solution that connects the entire service drive and provides exceptional support, Xtime is committed to helping dealers deliver the ultimate service experience with transparency, convenience, and trust. Xtime 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. www.coxautoinc.com 

Burlington, Vt., Sep. 13, 2019 – Dealer.com, a Cox Automotive brand, announced today its selection as a website and digital advertising provider for General Motors. Through the Website Choice program, General Motors dealers can leverage Dealer.com’s premier digital marketing solutions, including the latest innovations that are dedicated to forging the shortest and most personalized path to customer engagement and dealership growth.

“Dealer.com is thrilled to offer General Motors an industry leading end-to-end digital marketing solution built on our 21-years of technology investment and unmatched insights into automotive shopper behavior,” said Wayne Pastore, general manager, Dealer.com. “We are proud to be selected as a GM vendor partner and look forward to providing its dealers with data-driven technology and expertise that meaningfully connect dealers with today’s digital consumers.”

Dealer.com’s digital storefront offers dealers participating in the Website Choice program superior content, tools and professional services to address the challenges facing dealers and their customers.  The website platform delivers personalized experiences that attract, engage, and help convert online shoppers at every stage of their journey.  The unique combination of people, expertise, data, innovation, and partnerships with both OEMs and Internet properties give Dealer.com clients a strategic advantage in the execution of content, digital creative, SEO, advertising, and social strategies. The partnership with General Motors will help bring unsurpassed business intelligence, insights, and expertise to digital dealerships.

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 $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com