Cox Automotive

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Bryant Gibby

Driving Sales

Oct 10, 2020

New Dealer.com Advertising Product Reaches Shoppers Via Connected TV and Over-The-Top Video Channels

New Advertising Delivers Hyper-Targeted Video Ads in the Age of “Cord-cutting” and Internet TV
 

Burlington, Vt., October 22, 2020 – Video consumption is at record levels, but reaching the right shopper is no longer as simple as securing a cable TV spot. As consumers tune-out of traditional TV and diversify where they watch, advertisers need the ability to precisely target in-market shoppers wherever they consume digital content. To give clients the access they need, Dealer.com announces Connected Video, a solution that uses advanced targeting and Cox Automotive data to reach in-market shoppers watching connected television or over-the-top content providers across any device or network.  Leveraging these high-impact content providers with first-party audience intelligence only available through Cox Automotive, Dealer.com’s holistic advertising portfolio delivers optimal relevance along with transparent reporting across all devices and platforms.

 

Video is reshaping the car buying journey —13 billion videos are viewed each day on Facebook and YouTube combined[1]. These proven channels only encompass part of video consumption. Dealer.com’s latest capabilities go beyond Facebook and YouTube, allowing dealers to efficiently target consumers consuming content on Connected TVs—those that are connected to the internet via SmartTVs or through devices like Roku or Apple TV—and over-the-top (OTT) content providers.

 

With its unique targeting and reporting advantages, Connected TV access complements current TV budgets, given the migration away from cable by consumers called “cord-cutting.” Seventy-four percent of 18-34-year-olds have never subscribed to cable, already cut the cord or are planning to[2].

 

“It’s not just about being on the right video platform, it’s about targeting the shopper, not the device,” said Wayne Pastore, vice president and general manager of Dealer.com. “Our audience-first approach delivers high-quality scalable video content to an audience that is up to five-times more likely to purchase. This turns views into sales opportunities regardless of where they are browsing—multi-channel capabilities are a significant competitive advantage.”

 

Major benefits of Dealer.com’s holistic advertising portfolio includes:

  • - Smarter investments across every platform. Capture existing demand and drive new interest in inventory and services.
  • - Access to the most relevant shoppers. Campaigns leverage Cox Automotive business intelligence, targeting shoppers who have researched similar vehicles on Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader.
  • - A portfolio that adjusts to your changing needs. Backed by digital marketing expertise and the proprietary Compass Advertising Intelligence engine, build an advertising portfolio that can pivot when necessary and focus on the set strategy.
  • - Fraud protection. Industry-exclusive partnerships with White Ops and the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) monitor and protect digital advertising investment from bots, artificial traffic, and ad fraud. 

 

“We currently have a very successful and highly recognizable traditional video strategy in place across the six states of New England, going on five decades now,” said Guy Mitrano, director, Digital Operations, Subaru of New England. “Via our partnership with Dealer.com, we can now elevate that strategy through their expansive video ecosystem and exclusive data integrations. This allows us to continue to take our consistent marketing messaging to digitally target local New England shoppers we know have a propensity to purchase a new vehicle to be sure it’s a Subaru at one of the sixty-four retailer locations.”

 

To learn more, visit https://www.dealer.com/products/advertising/video/#connectedvideo.

 

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

 

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using 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 annual revenues of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

 

[1] Facebook statistics 2019, YouTube Statistics 2019

[2] The Trade Desk 2020 TV Consumption Survey

Bryant Gibby

Driving Sales

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Bryant Gibby

Driving Sales

Oct 10, 2020

Effects of Resilience Following NADA: A Look at the Past Seven Months and Forward Focus

It could not have been predicted how important the focus of Cox Automotive’s message at NADA last February was. The Power of Knowing unknowingly paved the path for dealerships to follow to implement contactless and digital strategies. In 2020 dealers have done things they never thought they could do, as they accelerated their digital capabilities by ten years in just seven months.

At the beginning of 2020, Cox Automotive’s Retail Brands launched 29 new solutions and invested $500 million in R&D to make sure dealerships around the country were equipped with the tools and data needed for success in 2020. These advancements have allowed dealerships to serve their customers throughout the pandemic in innovative ways, including:

  • - Incorporating home pickup and delivery options, as well as contactless services.
  • - Connducting remote signing ceremonies using Digital Contracting.
  • - Personalizing and synchronizing customer profiles across CRM and Desking functions.
  • - Transforming the service lane through scheduling, check-in, approvals, check-outs, and online payments.
  • - Aligning tasks including payroll and staffing as well as service and parts ordering.

 

While technology played a role in making flexible and contactless options available, make no mistake that dealerships are the ones responsible for quickly implementing and adapting to these new technologies. The automotive business has proven to be a resilient industry, and the COVID-19 pandemic is certainly no exception.

Dealerships have put up a strong fight against the challenges presented by 2020, but there is still more work to be done. On October 13-15, Cox Automotive’s Retail Brands will be holding Forward Focus 2020, their inaugural client virtual user conference, to ensure business continues to thrive no matter what unforeseen challenges arise. We all could use a little ‘magic’ these days, and my upcoming Forward Focus conversation with NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson about facing adversity and prevailing through teamwork is one not to be missed. To learn more about Forward Focus 2020, click here.

Mark Vickery is senior director of performance management for VinSolutions.

Bryant Gibby

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Bryant Gibby

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Oct 10, 2020

IAA Loan Payoff™ Enhanced with Dealertrack Payoff Quote™ Feature

New Functionality Accelerates Cycle Time and Supports Digital Claims

WESTCHESTER, IL October 01, 2020 – IAA, Inc. (NYSE: IAA), a leading global digital marketplace connecting vehicle buyers and sellers, announces the enhancement of its Loan Payoff product with Dealertrack Payoff Quote.  The new feature provides immediate payoff amounts from top lenders across the country, which may decrease the total loss claims cycle time by allowing insurance providers faster access to vehicle lien information and securing the titles from lenders.   The IAA Loan Payoff platform also supports the industry’s move to a digital claims model.

IAA estimates more than 5 million vehicles are declared a total loss each year, with up to 70% of those vehicles carrying a loan.¹  Typically, it takes 45 to 90 days to secure a vehicle title for a total loss claim.  The IAA Loan Payoff solution can reduce that cycle time by up to 50%, which also can result in greatly reduced storage costs and vehicle depreciation. 

According to the latest forecasting from Cox Automotive’s Chief Economist, Jonathan Smoke, new car sales volume in September is expected to be near 1.275 million units, nearly equal to year-ago levels.  Additionally, industry data reports collision claim severity and the percentage of vehicles deemed a total loss continues to increase.²  These indicators present opportunities for many players across the total loss space and the wider automotive ecosystem, who depend on the payoff of liens and release of titles to operate their businesses.

"The continued enhancement of IAA Loan Payoff is providing real, measurable benefit to our insurance provider customers as well as lenders,” said Tim O’Day, president of U.S. operations for IAA.  “Payoff Quote is another tool on the digital Loan Payoff platform that further streamlines workflows and speeds up the loan payoff and title release process.  Loan Payoff is not just reducing costs and time associated with total loss claims, it is how IAA is innovating towards a virtual claims process.”

“We have helped our dealer community pay off over 500,000 trade-in vehicles since October 2015³ using Accelerated Title, which reduces title release times by nearly 70%⁴.  This improves sales velocity and the bottom line,” said Kait Gavin, vice president of operations for Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions.  “Expanding our collaboration with IAA allows us to deliver this same great value to insurers by providing access to vehicle lien information and securing titles from lenders more quickly and efficiently than ever.”

Launched in November of 2019, IAA Loan Payoff has thousands of regional to national lenders on the platform today and continues to expand.  For more information on IAA Loan Payoff, visit IAAI.com.

_________________

¹ IAA 2019 Data. 

² https://www.cccis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Trends-Sept-FINAL.pdf

³ Dealertrack data: October 2015 – September MTD 2020.

⁴ Based on average industry timeframe for vehicle title release and vehicle payoff process of 18+ days, as determined by Dealertrack data.

About IAA
IAA, Inc. (NYSE: IAA) is a leading global digital marketplace connecting vehicle buyers and sellers. Leveraging leading-edge technology and focusing on innovation, IAA’s unique platform facilitates the marketing and sale of total-loss, damaged and low-value vehicles.  Headquartered near Chicago in Westchester, Illinois, IAA has nearly 4,000 talented employees and more than 200 facilities throughout the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.  IAA serves a rapidly growing global buyer base – located throughout over 135 countries – and a full spectrum of sellers, including insurers, dealerships, fleet lease and rental car companies, and charitable organizations. Buyers have access to multiple digital bidding and buying channels, innovative vehicle merchandising, and efficient evaluation services, enhancing the overall purchasing experience. IAA offers sellers a comprehensive suite of services aimed at maximizing vehicle value, reducing administrative costs, shortening selling cycle time and delivering the highest economic returns.   For more information visit IAAI.com, and follow IAA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

Uncertainties Affecting Forward-Looking Statements
 Certain statements contained in this release include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements made that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements and can be identified by words such as “should,” “may,” “will,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions. In this release, such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the expected timing and associated benefits of the IAA Loan Payoff or the Dealertrack Payoff Quote feature to our customers and company generally. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainties regarding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to reduce its spread; the loss of one or more significant vehicle seller customers or a reduction in significant volume from such sellers; our ability to meet or exceed customers’ demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in our industry; the risk that our facilities lack the capacity to accept additional vehicles and our ability to obtain land or renew/enter into new leases at commercially reasonable rates; our ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with applicable privacy and data security requirements; our ability to successfully implement our business strategies or realize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements, including from our margin expansion program; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; our expansion into markets outside the U.S. and the operational, competitive and regulatory risks facing our non-U.S. based operations; our reliance on subhaulers and trucking fleet operations; changes in used-vehicle prices and the volume of damaged and total loss vehicles we purchase; economic conditions, including fuel prices, commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and interest rate fluctuations; trends in new- and used-vehicle sales and incentives; and other risks and uncertainties identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including under Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2019 filed with the SEC on March 18, 2020, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 4, 2020, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC, including subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Many of these risk factors are outside of our control, and as such, they involve risks which are not currently known that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied herein. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties will also be contained in subsequent annual and quarterly reports we file with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events, except as required by law.

Bryant Gibby

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Bryant Gibby

Driving Sales

Sep 9, 2020

Kelley Blue Book Supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Third Annual Campaign

IRVINE, Calif., September 22, 2020 – For car owners with a vehicle past its prime and an interest in contributing to a charitable cause, Kelley Blue Book is expanding on its commitment to help owners gift their vehicle for a good cause with Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS), a full-service non-profit organization.

On KBB.com, consumers can choose to donate almost any vehicle to a nonprofit, and through September 30, Kelley Blue Book will donate an incremental $100 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for every car donated, up to 250 vehicles, to raise an additional $25,000 to support lifesaving research and treatments.

This third annual fundraising campaign runs through the rest of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September and honors those with pediatric cancer.

“Owners may choose to donate their vehicle for a variety of reasons,” said Michael Wulf, vice president of product for Kelley Blue Book. “If there isn’t value left in an old vehicle, and the owner doesn’t want to go through the hassle of trying to sell it for little return, donating the vehicle to a charity offers tax benefits while supporting a good cause. It’s a win-win to get your used car off your driveway and an opportunity to positively impact your community.”

Since partnering with CARS in 2017, Kelley Blue Book visitors have helped raised $2.5 million for 945 different non-profits, including St. Jude who has to date received nearly $1 million in total revenue through KBB.com.1

To learn more, visit https://www.kbb.com/donate-your-car/. To make a monetary donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, visit https://www.StJude.org/donatecox.

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). 

1 Charitable Adult Rides & Services data from April 2017 to August 2020

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 of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com 

About CARS

CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) is a 501(c)(3) social enterprise nonprofit based in San Diego, California. CARS manages thousands of vehicle donation programs for some of the nation’s most respected nonprofits and public media stations throughout North America and Canada. Through its car donation program, CARS supports JFS’s On the Go, a local program providing affordable transportation solutions to San Diego seniors. Since 2003, CARS has returned more than $300+ million to its nonprofit partners and reinvests in communities through meals and transportation solutions each year. www.careasy.org

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.

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Bryant Gibby

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Sep 9, 2020

Kelley Blue Book Names Discontinued 2020 Models and 12 Best Cars Worth Waiting For in 2021

IRVINE, Calif., September 15, 2020 – The fall season brings new beginnings and opportunities, even for car shoppers. Now is a great time for potential buyers to decide if they want to jump on a 2020 vehicle purchase that they have had their eye on for a while or wait for a highly anticipated brand-new model. To help shoppers make that decision, Kelley Blue Book studied the marketplace and unearthed which 2020 models will be heading into retirement, and which all-new vehicles are worth waiting for in 2021.

“For car buyers looking for a bargain, shopping for vehicles that will no longer be available after this year is the way to go,” said Matt DeLorenzo, senior managing editor for Kelley Blue Book. “The list runs the gamut from an efficient hatchback in the Honda Fit up through a luxury sedan like the Lexus GS. You can also end up owning a piece of automotive history in the last of the Chevrolet Impalas or Dodge Grand Caravans. ”

Last Call: 12 Discontinued Cars in 2020

Rank

Year

Make

Model

1

2020

Dodge

Grand Caravan

2

2020

Honda

Fit

3

2020

Chevrolet

Impala

4

2020

Chevrolet

Sonic

5

2020

Mercedes-Benz

SLC

6

2020

Cadillac

CT6

7

2020

Buick

Regal TourX

8

2020

BMW

i8

9

2020

Dodge

Journey

10

2020

Lincoln

MKZ

11

2020

Lexus

GS

12

2020

Acura

RLX

On the contrary, if you are someone who loves to have the latest shiny new toy, there are plenty of new and redesigned models going on sale in the 2021 model year.

“This has been an interesting and innovative year for the market overall. The vehicles on this list were showcased completely virtually rather than at shows, which is new for the industry,” said Allyson Harwood, associate editor for Kelley Blue Book. “Our experts at Kelley Blue Book picked out a few favorite models for 2021, based on their value, capability, and innovation.”

12 Best Cars Worth Waiting For

Rank

Year

Make

Model

1

2021

Ford

Bronco

2

2021

Cadillac

Escalade

3

2022

Jeep

Grand Wagoneer

4

2021

Ford

F-150

5

2021

Toyota

Sienna

6

2021

Ford

Bronco Sport

7

2021

Nissan

Rogue

8

2021

Ford

Mustang Mach-E

9

2021

Hyundai

Elantra

10

2021

Ram

1500 TRX

11

2021

Genesis

GV80

12

2021

Acura

TLX

To see KBB.com's complete coverage, including photos and editorial commentary, of the Last Call: 12 Discontinued Cars in 2020, or for the 12 Best Cars Worth Waiting For. Visit our site today for a Kelley Blue Book® Value on your current vehicle, or Instant Cash Offer.

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 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 of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com 

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Bryant Gibby

Driving Sales

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Bryant Gibby

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Sep 9, 2020

Strong Showing from Cox Automotive Retail Solutions Brands at 2020 Dealers’ Choice Awards

Cox Automotive Thanks Clients For Successful Effort To Adapt During Tumultuous Year

 

Atlanta, Georgia, September 8, 2020 – This year, the auto retail industry faced unprecedented challenges that upended long-established business practices. However, shutting doors didn’t mean shutting down for many dealerships, who embraced digital adoption and successfully transformed a century-old industry in just a matter of months. That’s why the recognition of Cox Automotive Retail Solutions brands at the 2020 Dealer’s Choice Awards is especially poignant this summer.

 

“We extend our gratitude to the dealerships who chose us,” said Keith Jezek, president, Cox Automotive Retail Solutions. “We also want to congratulate those same dealerships for turning challenges into opportunities and the essential role they played in making our industry more modern and resilient than ever before.”

 

For 16 years, the Dealers' Choice Award program has recognized the industry’s best vendors, suppliers, and finance partners by asking dealer principals, general managers, and dealership personnel to complete a 35-category online survey. Readers of Auto Dealer Today, F&I and Showroom and Agent Entrepreneur were asked to manually enter their provider’s company name in at least five categories, then score that provider on quality, value, customer service, and whether they would recommend them to another dealership.

 

The top three companies that exceeded each category’s average score were awarded first-place Diamond, second-place Platinum, and third-place Gold honors. Cox Automotive Retail Solutions brands received the following recognitions at the 2020 Dealers’ Choice Awards:

 

  • - Dealer.com:
         - New Vehicle Leads (Diamond)
         - Digital Marketing (Diamond)
         - Website (Diamond)   
         - Mobile Media (Diamond)
    - Autotrader:
         - Used Vehicle Leads (Diamond)
         - New Vehicle Leads (Gold)
    - Dealertrack:
         - Dealer Management System/DMS (Diamond)
         - F&I Desking Software (Diamond)
    - vAuto:
         - Inventory Management (Diamond)

 

“At Cox Automotive Retail Solutions, we only win when our clients win and to earn such positive recognition from our dealership partners through the 2020 Dealers’ Choice Awards is an indicator that our clients’ impressive flexibility and quick adoption to digital is paying off despite these tough times,” added Jezek. “We will continue to evolve our solutions sets and align them more closely with the specific workflows of dealership staff and optimal customer experience. We look forward to sharing a whole range of product enhancements and new, more advanced capabilities later this year and at NADA 2021 in January.” 

 

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 annual revenues of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

 

Media Contact:
Lisa Aloisio
lisa.aloisio@coxautoinc.com
404.725.0651 m.

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Sep 9, 2020

Autotrader & Kelley Blue Book Launch “Drive the Vote” Campaign to Encourage Voter Registration

ATLANTA, September 2, 2020 – We live in a country built on diversity of thought and culture – one that derives its success from inclusion. Cox Automotive, Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book’s parent company, believes a thriving democracy should reflect the mosaic of its people, which is why the company is taking action to Drive the Vote this year.

Starting September 2, visitors to the Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book websites, which reach 6-in-10 new car shoppers[1], will be greeted with resources for registering to vote and information on how to get out to the polls in November. With only two months remaining until the November 3 election, Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book are committed to educating consumers on how they can cast their vote and make sure their voice is heard in this crucial time. Through the Drive the Vote campaign, Cox Automotive hopes to help create a more inclusive, reflective country.

To coincide with this initiative, Cox Automotive will also give its employees flexibility on Election Day, November 3, encouraging them to take paid time off to vote. “2020 has been an incredible year full of changes — in how we work, live and relate to one another,” said Jessica Stafford, senior vice president of consumer solutions for Cox Automotive. “We recognize that it is now more important than ever to support our employees. The best way to move the needle on creating a more diverse, more accepting community is to improve inclusive voting.”

To learn more about Cox Automotive’s Drive the Vote campaign, visit Autotrader.com/drive/the-vote and Kbb.com/drive/the-vote.


[1] Source: 2020 Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey  

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Aug 8, 2020

Dealer.com Launches New SRP Experience To Boost Inventory Search Efficiency

Upgraded Search Capabilities Put Customers On A Faster Path To The Right Vehicle

Burlington, Vt., August 31, 2020 – The increase in online car shopping activity demands an upgraded user experience. That’s why Dealer.com is introducing an all-new search results page experience with strategic new upgrades that improve inventory search, browsing and digital tool usage for Dealer.com clients and their customers. Dealer.com’s new search results page (SRP) enhancements help different types of shoppers find the right vehicle faster by guiding them to the critical inventory information they need, and ultimately making it easier for consumers to reach their destination—the vehicle deal page (VDP)—from any device, anywhere.

“Today, nearly every shopper spends time researching cars online with hopes of landing on the perfect VDP, but every customer’s journey is different—from their approach to what device they are using,” said Katie Wilkins, senior director Product Management at Dealer.com. “With this in mind, we built the new SRP experience to drive a faster more convenient path to the right vehicle across all device and shopper experiences.”

Now, shoppers can make more vehicle comparisons and informed selections sooner in the shopping process—no matter the device they are using. The majority of shoppers—82%—engage with search results on a dealership’s website.[1] The features of the new SRP experience benefit customers and dealers alike:

  • - A free-form inventory search bar provides multiple ways for consumers to shop and select their vehicle of choice.

- Auto-complete suggestions within the search bar guide shoppers to the right vehicles and attributes.

- Mobile-friendly faceted search means fewer clicks for consumers to reach the vehicle information they want.

- Larger inventory photos and a convenient photo carousel allow shoppers to view multiple photos before visiting the VDP, eliminating back and forth and helping them more quickly identify their vehicle preferences.

- Tabbed Content areas, including standard vehicle specifications, OEM and dealership incentives, and stacked pricing make key inventory details organized and accessible.

- Responsive, redesigned listings deliver a more intuitive user experience. ​

- Flexible list view or grid view design allows consumers to customize their experience.

"What really stood out to us about the new SRPs is that they were created with a mobile first design. They perfectly capture the details the customer is looking for in a clean layout," said Jeffrey Ramsey, eCommerce Director at Jones Junction. "Being able to easily scroll through the images from the SRP has created a more valuable VDP visit. This has led to more leads and a higher percentage of our traffic converting. After spending the time and money it takes to get a customer to our site, you don’t want to lose them when they’re looking for a vehicle. With the easy to use sort and filter functionality, it allows shoppers to navigate our inventory seamlessly. Overall, the new SRPs have improved our customers shopping experience and helped create more sales opportunities for the Jones Junction organization.”

The launch of the new SRP experience will begin in September and is a no-cost upgrade to all Dealer.com customers. For more information on the all-new SRP experience, visit Dealer.com/SRP.

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

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using 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 annual revenues of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com


[1] Google Analytics, analysis of Dealer.com website platform traffic, percentage of visitors that visit a VLP/SRP during their website session, 2019

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Driving Sales

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Bryant Gibby

Driving Sales

Aug 8, 2020

Kelley Blue Book Names 10 Most Awarded Cars & Most Awarded Brands of 2020

IRVINE, Calif., August 27, 2020 – In this age of uncertainty, car buyers are looking for vehicles and brands they can trust to take on the road ahead. With an overwhelming amount of choices on the market, consumers are looking for a simple way to identify their best options. For shoppers wanting to search for a new vehicle with ease and confidence, the editors at Kelley Blue Book have named the 10 Most Awarded Cars of 2020 and the 10 Most Awarded Brands of 2020.

To compile this list, Kelley Blue Book's experts sorted through the winners from all of the company's 2020 awards programs, tallying the cars and brands that were awarded most often. Kelley Blue Book's major annual awards programs include the Best Buy Awards, Best Auto Tech Awards, Best Resale Value Awards, 5-Year Cost to Own Awards and Brand Image Awards. Also factored into the final count are the various car accolade lists created by Kelley Blue Book's editorial staff this year – such as the 12 Best Family Cars, 10 Best Family Cars Under $25,000, 10 Best All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Under $30,000, and many more.

“Our expert editorial team has a deep knowledge of every new car that comes out in a single year. Add in the tremendous amounts of vehicle and market data from Kelley Blue Book, and we are able to evaluate an extensive list of factors before finalizing the top picks,” said Matt DeLorenzo, senior managing editor for Kelley Blue Book. “For 2020, the Kia Telluride landed among all cars as the Most Awarded with its impressive combination of value, elegance and capability, while Toyota lead the Most Awarded Brands for 2020.”

10 Most Awarded Cars of 2020

Rank

Year

Make

Model

Sample Editorial Comments

1

2020

Kia

Telluride

The top vehicle on this list is the 2020 Kia Telluride, an SUV that wowed us with its combination of value, elegance, and capability.

2

2020

Jeep

Wrangler

The current generation of the Wrangler is more capable, more refined, and more fuel-efficient than its predecessors yet didn’t lose any aspect of what makes this vehicle an icon.

3

2020

Honda

Odyssey

Honda’s minivan has a smartly designed interior with clever, thoughtful features for the family. It continues to be the best vehicle in the segment.

4

2020

Hyundai

Santa Fe

Hyundai totally redefined its Santa Fe just last year, upsizing it to make it more spacious and more family-friendly than ever before. It offers a lot of value, which is one of the reasons why it was named one of our 12 Best Family Cars of 2020.

5

2020

Toyota

Tacoma

With a long history of accolades that reflect its legendary reliability, the Toyota Tacoma continues to be a truck that you can depend on in the long run.

6

2020

Subaru

Forester

The recently redesigned Subaru Forester is an easy-to-recommend SUV, thanks to its well-designed interior, its complement of standard advanced safety features, and its value.

7

2020

Chevrolet

Corvette

When it was unveiled, the all-new mid-engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette nearly broke the internet. Its supercar styling and power numbers were impressive, but its incredible resale value data and bargain starting price make the Corvette far more than just an excellent sports car.

8

2020

Toyota

Highlander

The all-new 2020 Toyota Highlander is more spacious, more fuel-efficient, and comes with more standard safety features. That’s why we named it one of our 12 Best Family Cars.

9

2020

Subaru

Crosstrek

It’s an SUV for all seasons, with terrific ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. Its subcompact footprint makes it easy to maneuver around town.

10

2020

Subaru

Outback

The new-for-2020 Subaru Outback is an excellent example of the direction in which Subaru is going, with an upscale interior, wide range of standard safety features, and terrific resale value.

10 Most Awarded Brands of 2020

Rank

Year

Make

1

2020

Toyota

2

2020

Subaru

3

2020

Honda

4

2020

Hyundai

5

2020

Chevrolet

6

2020

Ford

7

2020

Lexus

8

2020

Kia

9

2020

Jeep

10

2020

Porsche

To see KBB.com's complete coverage of the 10 Most Awarded Cars of 2020, visit https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/most-awarded-cars-2020/. For full coverage of the 10 Most Awards Brands of 2020, visit https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/most-awarded-brands-2020/.  

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 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 of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com 

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Bryant Gibby

Driving Sales

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Bryant Gibby

Driving Sales

Aug 8, 2020

Unveil of Dealertrack Ready Sign Allows Signing of Any Deal Document Digitally from ANY Location

Dealertrack uniFI now also integrates with Dealertrack DMS Laser Forms for a better streamlined signing ceremony

NORTH HILLS, N.Y., August 20, 2020 – Dealertrack today announces the launch of Dealertrack Ready Sign, giving Dealertrack uniFI® platform users the flexibility to remotely sign and submit any deal document digitally as permitted by their state. Adding to this enhanced functionality, Dealertrack DMS Laser Forms will now also seamlessly integrate into Dealertrack uniFI to provide dealer staff with one continuous digital workflow. Combined, these enhancements streamline F&I and DMS forms into a single signing ceremony for consumers either in-store or remotely, enabling the enhanced and touchless customer experience critical to keeping deals on track regardless of the current environment.

Dealertrack also now offers the ability to create and save signature templates for frequently uploaded documents, which saves more time and steps from the deal workflow.

Over the past few months, digital solutions have quickly shifted from “nice to have” to “essential” for dealerships. In fact, according to Dealertrack sales and transaction data, between mid-April and mid-July 2020, interest in eContracting grew 94% while the number of contracts signed remotely rose by 97%. 

“The Dealertrack Ready Sign functionality and Dealertrack DMS Laser Forms integration are the next steps in our ongoing effort to help dealerships adapt to an ever-accelerating shift online,” said Cheryl Miller, vice president of operations for Dealertrack F&I Solutions. “With the ability to more securely upload, sign and submit all deal documents digitally from a single location, delivering an adaptable and paperless customer experience has never been simpler.”

Using Dealertrack Digital Contracting with the new Ready Sign functionality, sales staff can add a signature block, date and initials to any deal document uploaded to Dealertrack uniFI. This enhancement significantly expands dealerships’ eSigning capabilities beyond the traditional funding and compliance forms. Dealertrack users can now eSign – from anywhere – any dealership, state or other document that is eligible to be electronically signed by state law, including:

- Compliance – Credit application, credit bureau authorization and privacy notice

- Aftermarket contracts and final menu documents

- State-specific forms such as odometer statement and buyer’s guide (in states where digital signing is allowed)

- Dealership specific forms such as we owe, buyer’s order and GPS disclosure

"Dealertrack Ready Sign allows us to be a more versatile and accessible retailer. It has removed obstacles and turned them into opportunities so our sales staff can sell more cars,” said David Barash, finance director for Glassman Automotive Group in Michigan. “With Dealertrack Ready Sign, we can offer a simple, seamless, single signing experience for our customers and business managers either remotely or in-store. Enhancing the delivery experience puts the final touch on our version of digital retailing so our tech-savvy clientele can, if they choose, buy a vehicle in their pajamas from home!"

Streamlining the workflow further, Dealertrack DMS Laser Forms that previously needed to be signed in a separate session within the DMS can now be imported and signed in Dealertrack uniFI. As a result, what has historically been a frustrating process of printing and signing documents across multiple platforms is now possible virtually in a single signing session.

“I have been in the car business for 10 years and never thought I would have a single digital signing session,” said Christopher Klein, finance manager for Bridgewater Chevrolet in Bridgewater, New Jersey. “With the Dealertrack DMS Laser Forms integration and Dealertrack Ready Sign technology, I can now truly give our customers what they have been asking for – less time at the dealership doing paperwork. Getting them in and out – whether virtually or in-person – in no time with a simple, easy, streamlined experience is giving our customers that ‘wow factor,’ which to me is priceless.”

For more information on Dealertrack Digital Contracting and these new enhancements, visit go.dealertrack.com/godigital.

About Dealertrack

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

About Cox Automotive

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

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