IRVINE, Calif., September 5, 2019 – Whether you’re on the hunt for a bargain on an outgoing model or eagerly anticipating the hottest new car to come, now is an exciting time to be car shopping. Kelley Blue Book recently examined the marketplace and uncovered which 2019 models are heading into retirement, and which all-new and redesigned vehicles are worth the wait and set to make a splash for 2020.

“Now is a great time to score a deal on one of the models calling it quits for 2019,” said Matt DeLorenzo, senior managing editor for Kelley Blue Book. “When a vehicle has reached the end of the line, car manufacturers and dealers are eager to make way for new inventory. While the production runs of these vehicles are coming to an end, all 10 are still available on manufacturers’ websites and many are being offered at closeout deals.”

10 Vehicles Calling it Quits in 2019

Meanwhile, for car shoppers who are more interested in the latest and greatest, there are more than 45 all-new and redesigned SUVs, cars and trucks for the 2020 model year. After driving nearly all of them, the expert editors at Kelley Blue Book recently named their favorites.

“It seems like with each passing model year, there are more great choices in the new-car market than ever before,” said DeLorenzo.  “There are several new cars for 2020 that we think are worth the wait. Each of our new favorites for 2020 stood out among the crop because they offer excellent value and reliability, or because they are breakthrough vehicles within their specific segment.”

Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Favorite New-for-2020 Cars

To see KBB.com’s complete coverage of its 10 Favorite New-for-2020 Cars and the 10 Vehicles Calling it Quits in 2019, including editorial comments about each model, pricing details, and more, visit https://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/our-10-favorite-new-2020-cars/2100007719/ and https://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/last-call-10-vehicles-calling-it-quits-in-2019/2100007742/.

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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MISSION, Kan., Sept. 3, 2019 -- VinSolutions will host its annual VinWorx user summit from Oct. 7 through Oct. 9, where automotive industry insiders will convene and discuss how to discover superpowered success with new CRM skills and industry insights. The complimentary event will take place at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, and event registration is now open.

Attendees are invited to participate in hands-on training while connecting with other dealers and exchanging key best practices at the VinSolutions Connect CRM user summit. Over two days of interactive breakout sessions, VinSolutions Performance Managers and other industry experts will share their expertise on how to unleash the superpowers of Connect CRM and make the most of the tools it offers, from process management and desking to reporting and more. Attendees will also hear from industry-leading keynote speakers on automotive and marketing trends driving dealership success.

"As data becomes an increasingly dominant driver of dealership success, it is important we take the time to connect with our customers and provide the tools and insights they need to succeed in today's evolving market," said Lori Wittman, Senior Vice President of Dealer Software Solutions at Cox Automotive and General Manager at VinSolutions. "It is our goal to create an interactive learning experience that benefits every VinWorx attendee. We want dealers to leave with a refreshed understanding of how to harness the superpowers of Connect CRM and the confidence to take control of their data."

Keynote speakers from Cox Automotive will include Chief Economist, Jonathan Smoke, Chief Product Officer Marianne Johnson, Senior Vice President of Product & Engineering James Maynard and VinSolutions Senior Director of Performance Management Mark Vickery. Tech entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker on a mission to drive creativity, innovation and reinvention, Josh Linkner will also make an address.

"As a regular user of VinSolutions products, I can speak to the many advantages Connect CRM has afforded my team through the sales process," said Rick Clift, General Manager at Serra Honda Grandville. "Attending VinWorx, networking with other dealers and industry experts, and taking part in hands-on training gives my staff and I the leg up we need to maintain our success as the highest volume Honda dealer in Michigan."

For more information and to register for VinWorx, visit the event's website.

About VinSolutions

As the provider of Connect CRM, a leading dealership customer relationship management system, VinSolutions helps more than 5,000 dealers make every connection count. VinSolutions products integrate dealership systems, processes and tools to deliver a single view of the customer across the business – so dealers can focus on building relationships throughout the sales cycle. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Mission, Kansas, VinSolutions fosters dealership success by providing a fully customizable suite of solutions, including equity mining, market pricing and desking tools, combined with the continuous, personal support of a designated Performance Manager. VinSolutions is OEM certified by every major manufacturer and is Autosoft, CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds and Dealertrack DMS certified. VinSolutions is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Learn more at vinsolutions.com.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using cars easier for everyone. The global company's 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion. coxautoinc.com

ATLANTA, Sept. 3, 2019  -- From sleds to horse-drawn carriages and now, with today's modern vehicles, people from all eras have been faced with the challenge of finding the best deal for their mode of transportation. Autotrader is bringing excitement and ease back into the car-buying experience with the launch of its new "Finally, It's Easy" integrated national marketing campaign.

Autotrader teamed with award-winning global creative agency, 72andSunny New York, and Emmy®-nominated director, Derek Waters, to create a hilarious new advertising campaign. Highlighting various moments in the history of transportation, the campaign illustrates how simple the car-shopping process can be, and how second-guessing the deal is now a thing of the past thanks to one of the most recognized automotive marketplaces, Autotrader.

"Finally, It's Easy" entertainingly emulates Autotrader's mission to make finding and purchasing a new vehicle hassle-free, while embedding the brand into unusual points in history. The latest campaign from Autotrader dispels a pain point as old as time — car buying can be downright unpleasant — with Autotrader's modern, stress-free approach. The spot harkens back to the Nordic Bronze Age when sled owners felt the same way many do today about overpaying for their ride. The hero unexpectedly appears and finds the right vehicle at the right price using Autotrader, driving away in the arctic elements in a solid off-road truck.

"Car buying often can feel like a strenuous process, when really it should be an exciting experience," said Greta Crowley, vice president of marketing, Autotrader. "Our new campaign brings the fun and personality back into car shopping. We want the journey of finding the right car for you to be just as enjoyable as your time in it."

Autotrader continues to offer reliable resources to make car buying feel frictionless. From relieving in-dealership stress with Accelerate — where you can start your deal online — to leveraging The Trusted Resource®, Kelley Blue Book, to providing price transparency, Autotrader offers less anxiety and ultimately less time spent looking for your new car. Autotrader is the only third-party site to feature the Kelley Blue Book® Fair Market Range on all eligible vehicle inventory listings, giving car shoppers the confidence to purchase with the most trusted pricing.

Known for his work on Drunk History, Waters makes his first traditional advertising directorial debut in Autotrader's satirical play on the once-treacherous task of car buying, finding a way to make history relevant and enjoyable.

Launching September 3, 2019, the "Finally, It's Easy" campaign will air nationally across cable, network and streaming television platforms, and major programming including MLB Playoffs, NFL Monday Night Football and NBA season kickoff. The campaign takes a digital-first approach through social media, paid search, custom sponsorships and content on Roku and Twitch, among other platforms.

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

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

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling and owning cars easier for everyone. The global company's 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, 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

Powered by Manheim M LOGIC, MMR introduces relevant inventory suggestions that help dealers find the right vehicle at the right price even faster.

ATLANTA – With growing margin compression and uncertainty in the market, dealers increasingly need to leverage smart technology to make the best buying and selling decisions. To help dealers accomplish this, Manheim is introducing personalized vehicle suggestions within its widely used Manheim Market Report (MMR) valuation tool. These suggestions are driven by M LOGICä, a suite of advanced decisioning products from Manheim launched earlier this year that bring the power of Cox Automotive data to the remarketing industry.

The Manheim Market Report is the industry’s most trusted source of wholesale vehicle values and is used by tens of thousands of dealers each year to research which vehicles to buy and how much to pay for them. Including personalized vehicle suggestions on MMR saves dealers time by showing highly relevant and immediately available inventory on a page that they use every day. When seeking MMR valuations for a given vehicle, dealers are presented with up to 12 similar vehicles available for sale, displayed in a carousel-style format. Dealers can click on a specific similar vehicle to access detailed information about the vehicle, or they can choose to view additional similar vehicles for sale within the Manheim Marketplace. These features help dealers quickly find and compare relevant vehicles so they can make more informed buying and selling decisions.

Industry-Leading Valuation Tool Becomes Even Better

“Personalized vehicle inventory is our latest innovation from the M LOGIC suite of decisioning products and is live today for all MMR users,” said Dr. Ben Flusberg, associate vice president of M LOGIC. “Our MMR digital site receives 75 million valuation requests each year, so we know it’s a tool that dealers regularly use to complete their research. At the same time, a common theme we hear from dealers is that it’s hard to find the right inventory, especially within digital channels. By presenting relevant vehicles at the moment dealers are doing their research on MMR, we’re bringing the right inventory to them at the right time. It’s part of Manheim’s commitment to continually help its clients become more efficient and profitable. And based on the strong digital engagement we’ve seen so far, we know this new feature is really helping them.”

Widely regarded as the industry-leading wholesale vehicle valuations tool, MMR uses millions of vehicle transactions, along with vehicle data, to value vehicles given their specific mileage, condition, exterior color and region. In addition to displaying the base MMR and adjusted MMR values, the digital site also includes AutoCheck and CarFax quick links, putting key decision-making information at clients’ fingertips across both mobile and desktop channels. Adding M LOGIC suggested inventory to MMR raises the bar in wholesale valuation tools and gives Manheim’s clients one more edge in driving success into their businesses.

Dealers will experience this new functionality when they log into Manheim Market Report using their Manheim credentials. To learn more about Manheim Decisioning, including M LOGIC and MMR, visit https://www.mymanheim.com/decisioning/.

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

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An industry icon recognized for his bold vision, technological innovation and dynamic leadership

ATLANTA, Aug 29, 2019 – Manheim today announced that Nick Peluso, president of Manheim Digital, will retire from the company on December 31. It marks the close of a remarkable career in the automotive industry that has spanned three decades, including strategic leadership positions in sales, marketing, vehicle portfolio management, and most recently, at Manheim Digital.

“Nick has been a true visionary who used his wisdom and experience to move Manheim and the industry forward over the past 30 years,” said Grace Huang, president of Manheim. “Throughout his career, he was not only instrumental in creating impactful brands such as RMS Automotive and Manheim Express, he also helped to mentor and develop the next generation of bold leaders – this will be his lasting legacy.”

Peluso began his automotive career in 1988 as a western regional sales rep and was later promoted to vice president of sales and marketing at ADT Automotive. Manheim acquired the company in 2000 and named Peluso president of Remarketing Solutions. He was later appointed senior vice president, customer management responsible for overseeing the company’s sales, marketing and pricing functions. In 2014, set apart by his strong marketing and relationship-building skills, Manheim named Peluso president of RMS Automotive, one of the first global remarketing companies to offer clients greater visibility into their vehicle portfolio lifecycle through intelligent remarketing and advanced data, helping them make faster and smarter decisions.

As president of Manheim Digital since 2017, Peluso led the creation and deployment of the first omni-channel experience for Manheim, bringing together key digital channels such as Manheim.com, Simulcast and Online Vehicle Exchange (OVE) into one integrated destination for buyers and sellers. Through his highly collaborative approach with clients and employees, he was instrumental in developing Manheim Express, a mobile app for dealers that allows them to list and sell inventory 24/7 right from their lots. In just one year, Manheim Express has been downloaded by nearly 60,000 dealers, and more than 370,000 vehicles have been scanned through the app.

“While Nick has been a mainstay of the traditional auction industry for decades, his ability to visualize the future while navigating through unchartered waters is something that will inspire us for years to come,” said Cox Automotive President Sandy Schwartz. “Cox Automotive has been so very fortunate to have Nick as a member of our family, and I look forward to following him as he transitions to his next chapter.”  

Throughout his inspiring career, Peluso served the remarketing industry by participating in and speaking at key events such as the Conference of Automotive Remarketing, the National Automotive Dealer Association convention, the National Remarketing Conference, as well as IARA and NAAA. In 2019, Peluso received the Bobit Industry Icon Award from the National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) and the International Automotive Remarketers Association (IARA) in recognition of his bold vision, technological innovation and dynamic leadership. 

“I’ve been so incredibly fortunate to work with such terrific people throughout my career – they’ve truly made my journey inspiring and memorable,” said Peluso. “And, while I’m retiring from Cox Automotive, I’m not thinking of this as the end of my career, but rather the beginning of my next journey.”

Peluso’s expertise and passion for the industry will continue to influence the industry for years to come. 

In the meantime, Peluso plans to spend more time golfing, traveling and enjoying being a grandparent alongside his wife Jessie.

• - Automatic inspections help ensure the vehicles dealers purchase in the wholesale vehicle marketplace don’t have unexpected issues, saving businesses from unnecessary repair costs

• - Predictable pricing helps dealers take advantage of post-sale inspections whether buying in-lane, at a physical sale or through digital channels

ATLANTA – To increase dealer confidence in purchasing decisions within the wholesale used vehicle marketplace, Manheim is introducing flat-rate pricing for automatic post-sale inspections, providing dealers a hassle-free way to reduce their risks and help ensure vehicles bought at auction are in the expected condition.

The new program enables dealers to automatically receive inspections for all wholesale vehicle acquisitions at a predictable, consistent rate. The inspections, conducted by Manheim experts at the location, provide dealers protections against unexpected repair costs, which can cut into profits and cause delays in turning inventory. And, these inspections can be applied to both in-lane and digital purchases, adding trust and transparency to the process regardless of which channel a dealer decides to use.

“Manheim is constantly looking for ways to instill greater confidence and efficiencies for both buyers and sellers in the wholesale used vehicle marketplace,” said Brett Woods, vice president of Assurance at Cox Automotive. 

“With our automatic flat-rate pricing on inspections, dealers can spend more time focusing on acquiring the right vehicles and less time worrying about paying for unforeseen repairs.”

Through the new program, dealers can now automatically apply a flat rate to either of Manheim’s two existing types of inspections: Limited Powertrain Inspection (LPI) and Post-Sale Inspection (PSI). Auto LPI is designed for older, high-mileage vehicles and focuses on structural, transmission, engine, drivetrain and hybrid/electric battery damage. The more comprehensive Auto PSI is intended for low-mileage vehicles and covers a range of items, including odometer verification, transmission engagement and function, engine function and operation, ABS and brake function, electrical accessory function and emission control equipment.

The inspections guarantee vehicle components for a specified period of time. If a car item passes during the inspection, but then fails during the guarantee period and costs $500 or more to repair or replace, the defect is eligible for claim resolution with Manheim. For more information about inspection guarantees, check out the Sale Policies section of Manheim’s Marketplace Policies.

These flat-rate inspection offerings are another Manheim initiative designed to free dealers up to make quick, informed and confident decisions through whichever channel work best for them – whether that’s at a physical sale or using one of Manheim’s leading digital platforms.

For more information on Manheim’s PSI and LPI offerings, visit www.mymanheim.com/psi/ or www.mymanheim.com/lpi/.

ATLANTA, Aug. 22, 2019 — Autotrader recognizes that most things in life are not one size fits all – including searching for the ideal vehicle or finding the newest four-legged furry addition to your family. For the sixth year in a row, Autotrader celebrates National Dog Day, on August 26, by revealing their list of Best Cars for Dog Lovers as well as the creation of limited-edition goggles for dogs, to keep dogs safe and stylish while traveling in the car with the windows down.

Through Autotrader’s special-edition website Dogtrader.com, dog parents can enter for a chance to win this limited-edition accessory from August 22 through September 121. As part of the program, Autotrader will donate funds to Adopt-a-Pet.com to help get homeless dogs out of shelters and into loving homes. Autotrader is committed to shining a light on dog adoption, which is why, on Dogtrader.com, dog lovers can search for local pups in their area and help get homeless dogs out of shelters and into loving homes, which is the real mission of National Dog Day.

Dogs are considered members of the family and with this in mind, the editors at Autotrader curated a list of the best rides for fur parents to help shoppers find the perfect new car for traveling with their four-legged friends. This list includes vehicles that are both safe and comfortable for pets and their owners.

“At Autotrader, our goal is to help people navigate the car buying process through our extensive lists of vehicles that suit consumers’ various needs,” says Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. “With this in mind, we came up with a list of cars that offer both comfort and convenience features pet owners should consider if they’re buying a car.”

Vehicles on Autotrader’s list of 10 Best Cars for Dog Lovers of 2019* include:

2019 BMW X2

2019 Buick Regal TourX

2019 Chrysler Pacifica

2019 Honda Fit

2019 Jeep Wrangler

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

2019 Subaru Crosstrek

2019 Tesla Model 3

2019 Toyota RAV4

2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country

*Models are unranked, listed in alphabetical order

While comfort is an important factor when choosing your car, truck or SUV, safety is of the upmost importance. The cars on this list have extensive features geared at keeping both human and canine passengers safe – including a level cargo floor, rear air vents and more.

For more information about Autotrader’s must-have accessories for your dog, pet safety tips when driving or to find your new dog, visit Dogtrader.com. To learn more about the 10 Best Cars for Dog Lovers of 2019 go to https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/10-best-cars-dog-lovers-2019-edition-281474979945540.

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

About Autotrader

Autotrader is the most visited third-party car shopping site, with the most engaged audience of in-market 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 consumer 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 solutions 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 and owning cars easier for everyone. The global company’s 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, 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

About Adopt-a-Pet.com

Adopt-a-Pet.com is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, helping over 18,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their purebred and mixed breed pets for free to millions of adopters each month. Sponsored by Purina, the Petco Foundation and Bayer Animal Health LLC, Adopt-a-Pet.com helps homeless dogs, cats, and even rabbits and other animals go from alone to adopted.

F&I Express to Power Dynamic F&I Experience Within DealerSocket’s Digital Retail Offering

DALLAS-- At their User Summit this week, DealerSocket Inc., a leading software provider to the automotive industry, is launching a new integration between the company’s Precise Price digital retailing solution and F&I Express’ network of approximately 160 F&I product providers. This new impactful combination will enable an even more accurate and intuitive digital retailing process for dealers and customers alike.

Precise Price, initially developed to address the strong interest among consumers to transact online from any mobile device, marked DealerSocket’s entrance into the burgeoning digital retail category. It was the first digital retailing platform to come equipped with integrated desking software, allowing for the delivery of dynamic price quotes with rebates, incentives, and all applicable taxes and fees factored into deal calculations.

“DealerSocket’s Precise Price integration with F&I Express’ Digital Media solution helps dealers and their customers have a better experience during the digital retail process,” said Brad Perry, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of DealerSocket. “Utilizing the integration within Precise Price leads to happy customers that convert and buy more backend protection packages. Our initial pilot found that dealers who used the integration saw a nearly 20% increase in backend gross.”

Now, through Precise Price’s integration with F&I Express’ Digital Media solution, the platform is able to display VIN-specific, state-specific, and dealer-specific F&I product rates and dynamic content. This powerful connection also allows digital retailers, dealer websites, menu systems and other platforms to dynamically access F&I product ratings and content.

“Trends reveal that car buyers are becoming more partial to an online retail experience. In fact, research shows 71 percent of consumers prefer to get online information about their entire deal, including aftermarket add-ons,” said Gary Peek, Vice President and General Manager, F&I Express. “By giving customers more transparency and authority over the course of their deal, Express Digital Media can help dealerships reach consumers earlier in their car buying journey. This can improve customer satisfaction and for revenue through more F&I sales.”

About DealerSocket

DealerSocket is a leading provider of software for the automotive industry, offering a suite of seamlessly integrated products to help dealers sell and service vehicles more profitably, while improving their customers’ experience. DealerSocket’s suite of products offers dealers of all sizes advanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM), innovative Digital Retail, Marketing and Websites, robust Vehicle Inventory Management, insightful Analytics Reporting, and solutions to streamline dealer operations such as Desking, Credit Reporting, Compliance, and an independent-geared Dealer Management System (DMS). DealerSocket’s software has helped its customers sell more than 100 million vehicles throughout its 18-year history. For more information, visit DealerSocket.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About F&I Express

F&I Express is dedicated to leading the aftermarket industry into the digital age with innovative technology solutions. With solutions that cut costs, educate consumers, improve compliance and increase efficiency for dealers, agents, providers, lenders, digital retailers and menus, F&I Express offers various technology solutions based on the needs of the customers in accessing F&I providers. Express Recoveries is an optimized eCancellation solution connecting lenders, providers and dealerships to streamline the cancellation and recoveries process in an efficient and compliant manner. Express Digital Media gives digital retailers the power to educate car shoppers online with accurate and dynamic aftermarket rates and content. For more information about our innovative solutions, please visit fandiexpress.com or follow us on Twitter @fandiexpress.

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

Growth Fuels More Than 1.3 Million Vehicles Sold to Digital Buyers Through July

ATLANTA – When Manheim’s Simulcast technology was introduced to the remarketing industry in 2002, dealers were skeptical about this newfangled way of buying and selling cars. Now, 17 years later, dealers are believers. Some 1.3 million vehicles were sold to Manheim digital buyers through July of this year and more than 60 percent of Manheim’s live sale attendance occurred via Simulcast.

As use of this digital auction platform continues to grow, Manheim is boosting its investment and improving its dealer experience by adding new features. They include: 

• - One platform that makes it easier for dealers to view the bidding/buying experience

• Odometers and auction lights, indicating any special conditions of the sale, that are now visible for vehicles on the run list

• - Photo tabs that provide more visuals, larger images and multiple views, allowing dealers to see the vehicles from different angles without being onsite

•  
• - A responsive bid window that dealers can enlarge or compress based on their monitor size to make it easier to see all relevant information

• - The ability to scroll forward or backward through the run list to preview vehicles before they’re on the auction block and follow the vehicle status after it leaves the block to potentially submit a bid on any unsold vehicles

• - Visible proxy bid amounts to remind dealers that they have already placed a bid

Clients will begin to experience the new Manheim Simulcast features later this year and into early 2020.

“The new Simulcast updates further evolve a technology that has transformed the remarketing industry by bringing the auction to the dealer,” said Grace Huang, president, Manheim. “These new features give dealers real-time access to even more vehicle details and images, so they can make faster, smarter bidding decisions. They’re also part of a bigger commitment by Manheim to invest in ways to improve the auction experience for dealers, creating a safer way to buy while helping them more effectively run their businesses.”

Simulcast revolutionized the remarketing industry in 2002 with a first-of-its-kind experience that allowed dealers to participate in an auction whether remotely from their dealership or in-person at the auction. Since then, dealers continue to embrace Simulcast in ever greater numbers with approximately 14.5 million bids placed last year through the technology. And, year-to-date through July 2019, 35 percent of vehicles that ran down Manheim’s auction lanes were sold via Simulcast. Currently, the company is in the midst of a two-year, $100 million investment in its digital marketplace, including Simulcast, to continue its mission to deliver the industry’s top destination for wholesale vehicle buyers and sellers.

Manheim also continues to upgrade the Simulcast technology for the benefit of buyers, including the ability to simultaneously watch and bid on vehicles in up to 40 different lanes, giving them unmatched access to a wide range of inventory without ever leaving their dealership.

The upgraded Simulcast technology is part of a revamped Manheim.com that seeks to deliver a more personalized experience for dealers, helping them find the inventory most relevant to their needs. It’s also part of Cox Automotive’s continued investment in digital solutions to create a more efficient wholesale used vehicle marketplace. Nearly half of all vehicles sold by Manheim in 2018 were through digital channels, a trend that is expected to increase to more than 50 percent by the end of the year.

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)

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

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Burlington, VT, August 13, 2019 – Dealer.com was honored to host Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger at a barbecue lunch at the company’s headquarters on Monday, August 12, 2019. In a gesture of appreciation for employee contributions to the Burlington community, the state of Vermont and Dealer.com company executives were joined by the governor and mayor engaging in a celebratory afternoon of entertainment and conversation.

Since its founding, Dealer.com has committed to be a good corporate citizen in Vermont. In the past six years, Dealer.com has volunteered more than 33,500 hours and raised more than $1.2 million through donations for the Burlington community. To further its culture of innovation, Dealer.compartners with local changemaking organizations through grantmaking, event sponsorships and employee volunteer programs. Other initiatives include hosting fundraisers, participating in panels and tours for student groups, donating vehicles to nonprofit organizations and collecting 550 pounds of food for local food banks.

“Our commitment to the local Burlington community is an integral part of the culture at Dealer.com,” said Wayne Pastore, general manager of Dealer.com. “Hosting the governor and mayor at our headquarters is an exciting opportunity to thank all employees for how they regularly take part in our various volunteer initiatives. We are looking forward to continuing our work in Burlington and the surrounding communities.”

Dealer.com has been recognized as a top ten largest employer in Vermont, Best Places to Work in Vermont, Excellence in Worksite Wellness and Top 10 Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America. In addition to being grateful for these recognitions and our employees’ efforts in the community, Dealer.com is proud of its GOLD LEED-certification Burlington headquarters, green purchasing, on-site recycling and composting programs, fitness and mindfulness training, CCTA Mass Transit Bus Pass benefit, solar panel rooftop and café that sources food from over 35 local farms.