Subaru Leads Non-Luxury Brand Categories, Tesla Dominates Luxury Brands

IRVINE, Calif., March 30, 2021 - Automotive brands are among the most recognized worldwide, capturing attention as car shoppers consider one of life's biggest purchase decisions. Brands that impress consumers generate greater interest and increased positive perceptions, which ultimately can pave the way for increased sales. Recognizing automakers' outstanding achievements in shaping and maintaining brand attributes that earn the attention and enthusiasm of new-car buyers, Kelley Blue Book today announces the 2021 Brand Image Award winners, based on annual new-car buyer perception data. Award categories are calculated among luxury, non-luxury and truck shoppers.

"Brand perception and purchase consideration are incredibly important factors for automakers to consider as they develop their new products and related marketing communications," said Isabelle Helms, vice president of research and market intelligence for Cox Automotive. "The well-recognized phrase 'perception is reality' frequently rings true in the automotive marketplace. Brands that impress and leave a lasting impression often are the ones to ultimately achieve increased market share. Winners of Kelley Blue Book's Brand Image Awards demonstrate that they are succeeding in capturing the attention of new-car shoppers."

2021 Brand Image Award Winners: Non-Luxury Brands

2021 Brand Image Award Winner: Truck Brand

2021 Brand Image Award Winners:  Luxury Brands

For the second year in a row and the fourth time in the past six years, Subaru wins Best Overall Brand for 2021 among non-luxury automakers. Subaru achieved the highest average score across all ratings of non-luxury models to win the Best Overall Brand. In addition, Subaru takes home specific awards once again this year for Most Trusted Brand and Best Performance Brand. Subaru impressively has captured the minds of car shoppers as the Most Trusted Brand every year since 2015, and this is the second year running that shoppers named Subaru Best Performance Brand. Subaru's wins are based on the automaker's reputation for delivering safe, spacious, capable, and exceptional quality vehicles that satisfy the needs of both everyday consumers as well as those seeking rugged performance at an affordable price point.

After making a notable Brand Image Awards debut last year, Tesla once again dominates among luxury automakers for 2021. Tesla wins Best Overall Luxury Brand for the second year running, achieving the highest average score across all ratings of luxury models to win the award. In addition, Tesla takes home specific awards this year for Best Value Luxury Brand, Most Refined Luxury Brand and Best Performance Luxury Brand. The unique, sleek design of Tesla's all-electric vehicles combined with its innovative technological advancements and alluring interiors contribute to the brand's success in capturing consumer attention, along with its reputation for value in the luxury segment due to the hugely popular Model 3.

Toyota wins Best Overall Truck Brand in 2021 for the third year in a row. Toyota achieved the highest average score across all ratings of truck models and 12 weighted factors of importance. The brand's Tacoma and Tundra trucks were among the Top 10 vehicles overall this year, and their combined average score pushed Toyota to the top over other truck manufacturers. Tacoma has been the best-selling pickup in its segment for the last 16 years and continues to be at the forefront of consideration growth.

Beyond the top overall brands, other automakers gained notable repeat Brand Image Award wins for 2021. Honda wins Best Value Brand among non-luxury automakers for the seventh consecutive year, and Lexus wins Most Trusted Luxury Brand for the sixth consecutive year. Dodge wins Best Car Styling Brand for the third consecutive year, and GMC wins Most Refined Brand for the second consecutive year among non-luxury automakers. In addition, Porsche returns to the Brand Image Awards winner's circle this year for Best Car Styling Luxury Brand, an award it previously won in 2019.

The 2021 Brand Image Awards are based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book's Brand Watch study. Kelley Blue Book's Brand Watch is an online brand and model perception tracking study, which taps into more than 12,000 in-market new-vehicle shoppers annually on KBB.com. The highly comprehensive study offers insights into how shoppers perceive important factors driving their purchase decisions and captures brand/model familiarity and consideration among new-car shoppers. For more information about the 2021 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards, visit https://www.kbb.com/awards/brand-image-awards-best-overall-brand/.

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

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

About Cox Automotive 
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using cars easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

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

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

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

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

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

About Dealer.com

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

About Cox Automotive

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

About the Trustworthy Accountability Group

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

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Media Contacts:
Nichole Mrasek                                                                                                                                               
404-568-6352

nichole.mrasek@coxautoinc.com

Helping car buyers look beyond a car's outward appearance and focus more on the beauty within

ATLANTA, March 11, 2021 – New-car shoppers don’t have to spend top dollar to buy a car with an impressive interior. Today there are vehicles at nearly every price point that stand out among the crowd due to high-quality interior design and technology offerings. To help everyday consumers who emphasize importance of a vehicle’s interior when shopping for a new car, the experts at Autotrader recently named the 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2021.

“A lot of car shoppers may think you can’t expect a remarkable interior unless you’re buying an expensive luxury vehicle, but that isn’t necessarily the case,” said Tara Trompeter, managing editor for Autotrader. “Many automakers have upped their game when it comes to car interiors across their lineups, whether you’re talking about their entry-level model or their flagship vehicle. While people often talk about a vehicle’s exterior design, the truth is that car buyers spend most of their time inside the vehicle and not just admiring it from the outside, so interior design and function is high priority for most car shoppers.”

Autotrader editors capped the base-model price tag at $50,000 when compiling this list, and several of the vehicles featured come in well below that figure. Shoppers who do a little research will discover you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to buy a vehicle with a notable interior.

All vehicles on this year’s 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 list are poised to deliver an enjoyable inside-the-car experience for drivers and passengers alike. Check out the latest selections for 2021 (unranked and listed below in alphabetical order):

Autotrader’s 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2021

2021 Buick Envision

A redesign for 2021 has repositioned the Envision to compete with class leaders while undercutting them on price. Step inside the new Envision and you might think you’ve entered a more expensive European luxury crossover. Just a few interior options include perforated leather seating, a dual-pane sunroof and a color head-up display. 

2021 Genesis G80

Not only does the Genesis G80 have a striking exterior, but its interior is spacious, well-crafted and well-appointed. Everything the driver touches has a premium feel to it, and passengers will be comfortable in the roomy seats. One of the G80’s many strong suits is value; you won’t find another midsize sedan starting under $50k from a competing luxury brand with an interior this nice.

2021 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic quite simply is one of the most well-rounded cars money can buy. On top of that, it has a great interior for its price tag, and the upper trims boast impressive interior features while keeping the price affordable. It has plenty of room for both passengers and cargo, and it uses a thoughtful interior design with good ergonomics and nice material quality. 

2021 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai has been stepping up its game in just about every category including interior quality, with a prime example being the cabin of the Hyundai Elantra compact sedan. The inside of the Elantra is so nice that it puts this Hyundai on more competitive ground. The redesigned 2021 Elantra has more interior space than its predecessor and features an attractive design.

2021 Kia K5

The Kia K5 is an all-new midsize sedan, replacing the outgoing Optima with a price far below $50,000. The inside of the K5 is fantastic, especially in the sporty GT trim. On top of a performance upgrade, the GT model includes unique interior style accents you won’t find in the rest of the lineup like synthetic leather sport seats. The K5 has an interior design that is premium and driver-centric, reminding us of a German sport sedan.

2021 Lincoln Corsair

The interior of the Lincoln Corsair is a quiet, serene sanctuary that is comfortable for everyone inside. It also has sliding and reclining back seats, an uncommon luxury for this segment. This feature not only improves passenger comfort, but it also allows you to customize your interior to optimize passenger space, cargo space or some combination of both.

2021 Mazda3

The Mazda3 impresses in a lot of ways, including its interior. Available as a sedan or a hatchback, the compact Mazda3 has a premium look and feel without a premium price tag. Cabin materials are upscale, especially in the higher trims, and the infotainment system is one of the most intuitive in its class.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class may have lost some of its quirkiness with its 2021 redesign, but the interior got much nicer than its predecessor. The Mercedes-Benz brand has been on a roll with top-notch interior quality in its most recently redesigned models, and we’re happy that streak is continuing with its most affordable crossover.

2021 Nissan Kicks

The smallest SUV in the Nissan lineup got a refresh for the 2021 model year. The Kicks’ new interior is a nice improvement packed with standard features, even on the most affordable base trim, and the cargo space is above average for a subcompact crossover. New standard features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and available tech features include an 8-inch infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, a Wi-Fi hotspot and more. 

2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The Volkswagen ID.4 is an all-new, all-electric compact crossover that we’ve been patiently waiting for, and now that it has finally arrived, we’re impressed with its smooth and peppy electric drivetrain and its high-tech interior. It’s very tech-focused, centered on a responsive infotainment system that is truly smartphone-like. Most of the controls are touch-sensitive in lieu of traditional buttons and knobs, which is risky, but it works well in this Volkswagen. 

In addition to providing a resource for shoppers to help narrow down their search for the perfect vehicle, the trust and speed of Autotrader’s digital shopping experience makes the process a breeze. Buying a car is now easier and safer than ever with the addition of Autotrader’s Dealer Home Services, which helps shoppers buy and service a car without ever leaving the safety and comfort of their homes.  

To learn more about the 2021 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 list from Autotrader, including photos, detailed vehicle information and available inventory, visit https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/best-interiors-under-50000.

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

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

About Cox Automotive

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

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Media Contact:
Nichole Mrasek               
404-568-6352    

nichole.mrasek@coxautoinc.com

An average 2021 model-year vehicle will only retain about 40% of its original value after a five-year ownership period

IRVINE, Calif., March 2, 2021 – Most new-vehicle shoppers have probably heard the phrase, “a car loses value the moment you drive it off the dealership lot.” Yet the everyday car buyer may not be aware to what extent and how much this amount can vary from model to model. Understanding a car’s resale value - what a vehicle will be worth down the line when going to sell or trade it in - can make the difference of hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the long run. To help new-car buyers shop smart, Kelley Blue Book today announces the 2021 model-year brand, category and top 10 winners of the annual Best Resale Value Awards, recognizing vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period.

“Shoppers who choose to buy a 2021 model from one of our Best Resale Value Brand winners can be very confident that their vehicle will retain its value well over time,” said Eric Ibara, director of residual values for Kelley Blue Book. “For 2021, Toyota and Porsche, respectively, are the best vehicle brand and luxury brand in terms of the highest average projected resale value across their full lineups. Continuing a longstanding trend among the top 10 vehicles, trucks and SUVs dominate once again amidst high demand and relatively low gas prices. And interestingly, with the unprecedented events of the last year, we are seeing a slight increase in the overall average residual value for new vehicles, explained by the significantly reduced car supply as well as the market continuing to shift to SUVs, which tend to have higher resale values.”

This year marks the fifth Best Resale Value: Brand win for Toyota, which previously won the same honors in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019. For 2021, Porsche celebrates its fifth consecutive win as Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand.

(Residual values used for award calculations are based on the 2021 model-year vehicles that appear in the January-February 2021 Publication of the Kelley Blue Bookâ Residual Value Guide. Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order.)

Many new-car buyers do not realize that depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of vehicle ownership. An average 2021 model-year vehicle will only retain about 40% of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning that a $35,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $14,000 after five years. In comparison, all vehicles in Kelley Blue Book’s Top 10 for Best Resale Value are projected to retain around 50% or more of their MSRP. This year’s top model, the 2021 Toyota Tundra, is expected to be worth 59% of its MSRP after five years.

Resale value for new vehicles can vary greatly. Vehicles end up with average or below-average resale values because they were produced in greater volumes than the marketplace could support. Vehicles that are projected to retain their value best hold that position because they've managed to generate consumer demand that, for a variety of reasons, is greater than the volume that was produced. A sure sign that a vehicle will likely have strong residual values is that they are typically discounted the least when new and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest. 

Now in its 19th year, Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book® Official Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values are established by experienced automotive analysts that review the output from statistical models built upon millions of transactions. Vehicles that earn the highest five-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are selected for these prestigious awards. Low-volume vehicles are excluded from award consideration, except in the electric, luxury and sports car categories.

Residual values reflect projected future auction values for vehicles in average condition with 75,000 miles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period. Kelley Blue Book’s residual values are used by manufacturers, banks, financial institutions and the automotive leasing industry. For more information about Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards, visit https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/best-resale-value-cars-trucks-suvs/.

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

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

About Cox Automotive 
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using cars easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

An average 2021 model-year vehicle will only retain about 40% of its original value after a five-year ownership period

IRVINE, Calif., March 2, 2021 – Most new-vehicle shoppers have probably heard the phrase, “a car loses value the moment you drive it off the dealership lot.” Yet the everyday car buyer may not be aware to what extent and how much this amount can vary from model to model. Understanding a car’s resale value - what a vehicle will be worth down the line when going to sell or trade it in - can make the difference of hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the long run. To help new-car buyers shop smart, Kelley Blue Book today announces the 2021 model-year brand, category and top 10 winners of the annual Best Resale Value Awards, recognizing vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period.

“Shoppers who choose to buy a 2021 model from one of our Best Resale Value Brand winners can be very confident that their vehicle will retain its value well over time,” said Eric Ibara, director of residual values for Kelley Blue Book. “For 2021, Toyota and Porsche, respectively, are the best vehicle brand and luxury brand in terms of the highest average projected resale value across their full lineups. Continuing a longstanding trend among the top 10 vehicles, trucks and SUVs dominate once again amidst high demand and relatively low gas prices. And interestingly, with the unprecedented events of the last year, we are seeing a slight increase in the overall average residual value for new vehicles, explained by the significantly reduced car supply as well as the market continuing to shift to SUVs, which tend to have higher resale values.”

This year marks the fifth Best Resale Value: Brand win for Toyota, which previously won the same honors in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019. For 2021, Porsche celebrates its fifth consecutive win as Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand.

(Residual values used for award calculations are based on the 2021 model-year vehicles that appear in the January-February 2021 Publication of the Kelley Blue Bookâ Residual Value Guide. Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order.)

Many new-car buyers do not realize that depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of vehicle ownership. An average 2021 model-year vehicle will only retain about 40% of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning that a $35,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $14,000 after five years. In comparison, all vehicles in Kelley Blue Book’s Top 10 for Best Resale Value are projected to retain around 50% or more of their MSRP. This year’s top model, the 2021 Toyota Tundra, is expected to be worth 59% of its MSRP after five years.

Resale value for new vehicles can vary greatly. Vehicles end up with average or below-average resale values because they were produced in greater volumes than the marketplace could support. Vehicles that are projected to retain their value best hold that position because they've managed to generate consumer demand that, for a variety of reasons, is greater than the volume that was produced. A sure sign that a vehicle will likely have strong residual values is that they are typically discounted the least when new and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest. 

Now in its 19th year, Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book® Official Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values are established by experienced automotive analysts that review the output from statistical models built upon millions of transactions. Vehicles that earn the highest five-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are selected for these prestigious awards. Low-volume vehicles are excluded from award consideration, except in the electric, luxury and sports car categories.

Residual values reflect projected future auction values for vehicles in average condition with 75,000 miles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period. Kelley Blue Book’s residual values are used by manufacturers, banks, financial institutions and the automotive leasing industry. For more information about Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards, visit https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/best-resale-value-cars-trucks-suvs/.

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

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

About Cox Automotive 
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using cars easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

ATLANTA, February 10, 2021 – The search to find your perfect match, whether looking for a love interest or a new vehicle, can be a daunting and time-consuming task. While Autotrader may not be able to help your love life, it understands the importance of finding ‘the one’ vehicle that fits your lifestyle and checks a list of ideal qualities. With that in mind, the experts at Autotrader have taken the stress out of car shopping by looking at more than 300 models available, narrowing them down to a list of 12 new vehicles that are a cut above the rest to determine the Best New Cars for 2021.

“Whether you are a first-time car buyer or a seasoned pro, there are hundreds of different models currently on the market and that can make it overwhelming to find a car that fits your specific needs,” said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. “If you want to get busy and start doing some home test drives, our Best New Cars for 2021 is a great place to start. This list of the 12 best new vehicles will make finding your next car easy and fun, covering a variety of different lifestyles – the road trippers, the off-roaders, those with luxurious taste, and even those who want to help make the environment a little greener.”

The Best New Cars for 2021 is comprised of 12 vehicles selected by a team of experts at Autotrader, who collectively tested and scored new models using a range of criteria. Each chosen vehicle has unique features specific to anyone’s lifestyle needs, including interior comfort, build quality, tech features, driving experience and more. Vehicles had to be of the current or next model-year and score a 4.0 or higher on a 5-point scale. Editors also considered the types of vehicles consumers are shopping for most and capped the base price for consideration at $75,000, ensuring they offer a strong value for the cost. 

Autotrader Best New Cars for 2021*

2021 Acura TLX

Acura has returned to its luxury/performance roots with the fully redesigned TLX -- this time, with a greater emphasis on performance and technology. It’s an excellent sport sedan that has nimble handling, a smooth ride and a pleasing engine note. If you’re in the market for a midsize sport sedan, but you don’t like the price or ownership costs of the German allstars, then the TLX is an excellent alternative with little compromise.

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

This redesigned Chevy Tahoe has four-wheel independent suspension, which provides a more comfortable ride both onand off-road, and offers more interior space for both passengers and cargo. It comes in an appealing range of engines, including diesel. The new Tahoe is an evolution of a winning formula. 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Ford fantastically executed the bold undertaking of bringing the personality of the new Bronco into a smaller crossover that’s not afraid of a little adventure. The Ford Bronco Sport is a road-friendly crossover that has off-road capabilities. Ford also did an excellent job of making the Bronco Sport a totally new and unique crossover, while still embracing the spirit of the larger Bronco.

2021 Ford F-150

Ford knows a thing or two about what people want in a full-size pickup truck, and the 14th-generation F-Series simply gives us more of everything. This new Ford F-150 gives drivers more choices, more flexibility and more details that make using a truck easier, including a ruler built into the inside of the tailgate, power outlets and upscale interior options.

2021 Genesis GV80

The new Genesis GV80 is a midsize premium SUV with available three-row seating that starts under $50,000, squarely competing with much more expensive European rivals. This imposing, slick, refined, and comfortable SUV may be completely new, but it’s already at the top of its class.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai’s update of the two-row Santa Fe makes it feel like a larger vehicle with a lot more variety under the hood. There’s a powerful turbo option, a hybrid (standard AWD), and a plug-in hybrid model. Hyundai is rather good at SUVs and at hybrids, and it was about time the two came together. The interior is notable, too. Hyundai vehicles are quietly becoming more and more premium with each update.

2021 Kia K5

Replacing the Kia Optima, the new Kia K5 is a midsize sedan with a head-turning exterior and a roomy, high-tech interior. Cool-looking high-end options, sharp handling, and a fresh new look are all reasons to test drive the new K5. It’s an eyecatching sedan that’s good enough to make BMW 3-Series shoppers seriously reconsider their options—especially in GT trim.

2021 Kia Sorento

The new Kia Sorento goes from budget-friendly SUV to near-luxury SUV just by adding a few options. With the Sorento, Kia has captured the spirit of the wildly popular Telluride in a smaller package. The interior and engine choices are impressive and it’s fun to drive. The new, rugged-looking X-Line version is especially noteworthy.

2021 Lexus IS

This newly updated sedan is beautifully balanced, precise and crisp, and a pleasure to drive. The update comes with long-term reliability and an affordable ownership experience, something you don’t always get in a driver-focused car. This latest version of the IS shows that Lexus is serious about delivering both luxury and sporting performance.

2021 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks is the most affordable car on the list with a sub-$20k starting price, and it has tons of personality and customizability that a wide range of drivers can afford. It’s a great first car because of its price, value, tech and personalization options. This Nissan crossover is proof that an affordable new SUV doesn’t have to be just basic transportation.

2021 Toyota Venza

The Toyota Venza is back, this time as a hybrid-only midsize two-row crossover. This vehicle debunks the myth that hybrids are a compromise on performance for better fuel economy. A totally new and modern crossover SUV—if you are considering a hybrid luxury SUV, make sure to test drive the Venza.

2021 Volvo XC40

The Volvo XC40 is an excellent small SUV. The Recharge version is especially compelling because it’s a fully electric vehicle with stand-out styling, 402 horsepower and 208 miles of range. It has impressive acceleration and decent range, plus Volvo’s well-earned reputation for safety. It’s an all-electric subcompact luxury crossover that does just about everything well.

In addition to providing a resource for shoppers to help narrow down their search for the perfect vehicle, the trust and speed of Autotrader’s digital shopping experience makes the process a breeze. Buying a car is now easier and safer than ever with the addition of Autotrader’s Dealer Home Services, which helps shoppers buy and service a car without ever leaving the safety and comfort of their homes.

To learn more about the Best New Cars for 2021 from Autotrader, including photos, detailed vehicle information and available inventory, visit www.Autotrader.com/BestNewCars. For more information and news from Autotrader, visit press.autotrader.com, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Autotrader_com (or @Autotrader_com), Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/autotrader_com/ (or @autotrader_com), like our page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/autotrader/, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/autotrader-com.

About Autotrader

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

About Cox Automotive

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

*Vehicles listed in alphabetical order

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Xtime

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

About Cox Automotive

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Media Contact: 

Lisa Aloisio 

Lisa.Aloisio@coxautoinc.com 

c. 404-725-0651 

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

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

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

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

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

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

________________ 

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

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

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

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

Media Contact: 

Lisa Aloisio 

Lisa.Aloisio@coxautoinc.com 

c. 404.725.0651 

### 

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

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

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

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

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

Help shoppers understand their purchasing power by personalizing their experience:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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