(ATLANTA) – ELEAD1ONE, the leader in customer contact management, CRM and dealership software for auto retailers today announced it has joined with the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) as a Bronze-level National Corporate Partner.

With over thirty years experience in dealership software and customer retention strategies, ELEAD1ONE serves as a pioneer in the CRM space for automotive retailers.  The award-winning CRM platform scales to any size retail operation to give Independent Dealers a fast, friendly and flexible solution proven to increase conversion and maximize every business opportunity.  With the easy-to-use ELEAD CRM Flex platform, Independent Retailers will have access to:

• Award-winning automotive customer relationship management software
• Smarter lead generation and marketing tools
• ELEAD Mobile App creates a true mobile-powered sales office
• World-class, data-driven reporting metrics
• Continuous training, account management, and support

“As the industry and consumer shopping behaviors continue to evolve, it is more important than ever that Independent Retailers have the right tools needed to capitalize on every opportunity, as well as make quick and better business decisions,” stated Bill Wittenmyer, partner of ELEAD1ONE, a division of Data Software Services, L.L.C.  “ELEAD1ONE is committed to providing these dealers the same quality software, reporting, training and support that franchised dealers have come to rely on and expect. It is an immense honor to partner with a prestigious organization that, for decades, has shown so much dedication to the used motor vehicle industry.”

“We are pleased to have ELEAD1ONE as our newest NIADA National Corporate Partner.  Their industry leadership in the automotive retail CRM, digital and mobile marketing segments provides our independent auto dealer members access to best in class sales/marketing resources to enhance high quality customer traffic, corresponding sales, and profitability, along with long term customer loyalty. Our National Corporate Partner program only recognizes and recommends to our members, leading edge, highest quality, and best in class organizations.  ELEAD1ONE more than meets that criteria” Scott Lilja, SVP Member Services NIADA.

With over 7,000 automotive retail and powersport clients, ELEAD1ONE is the industry leader in CRM technology, providing the most intelligent and intuitive software available in today’s automotive market. To learn more or schedule a demo, visit www.elead-crm.com.

About ELEAD1ONE
 

Six of the top ten dealer groups have chosen to partner with ELEAD1ONE, the most intelligent and intuitive dealership software available in today’s automotive market. ELEAD1ONE helps dealers achieve unmatched results in increased sales and profit, lead generation, customer communication, sales process, retention and complete lifecycle management across all departments. The company’s automotive-only customer contact management center and CRM are the foundations of their unique dealer-focused suite of products and profit-building strategies. No other company in the industry has the resources or ability of ELEAD1ONE to maintain a 100 percent focus on training, teaching, and support after the sale. For more information, visit our Website, like us on Facebook, YouTube or follow us on Twitter.

Contact

Melissa Maxey

melissa.maxey@eleadcrm.com

P: 229.469.9903

About NIADA

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), is among the nation's largest trade associations representing the used motor vehicle industry comprised of more than 38,000 licensed used car dealers. Since 1946, NIADA has represented the voice and interests of used car dealers at the federal level in Washington, D.C.. Coupled with the state association network across the country, our grass-roots framework provides a dual layer of advocacy unmatched in the used motor vehicle industry. 
For 68 years, NIADA has engineered programs and leveraged technology to fulfill its mission to advance, educate and promote the independent, used car dealer. NIADA stands tall for its members who subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics of duty, honor and integrity and who believe in the advancement of small business in support of the free-market system. More information about NIADA programs and educational opportunities is available at www.niada.com, www.niada.tv, and www.autoconsumer.tv.

ALBANY, N.Y. – May 11th, 2015 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems (http://www.automate.com) announced today that Lead Information Services, LLC (LIS) a developer of Internet-based Customer Relations Management (CRM) and Internet Lead Management (ILM) software, has fully and successfully integrated its solutions with Auto/Mate's dealership management system (DMS). Dealers using both systems will benefit from an instant, seamless exchange of information that eliminates redundancies and increases productivity.

“We are proud to add LIS to our Open/Mate partners list so we can better service our dealers and offer them more choices," said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate Dealership Systems. "The Open/Mate program is based on open standards and offers third-party vendors an easy and inexpensive solution to integrate with our DMS."

LIS is the exclusive CRM provider to Subaru of New England and has been certified by Subaru of America. The LIS lead management system offers a cost effective alternative to the big box automotive CRMs, without sacrificing the powerful tools that make their dealer clients more profitable. The system centralizes the immense data and communications activity from external sources of the dealership then delivers intuitive sales, marketing and reporting tools to the management team, empowering them to efficiently control the sales process. The LIS system, developed in collaboration with leading sales management teams, delivers an unmatched suite of functions with a history of industry leading sales results.

“LIS developed its system to ensure a simple yet comprehensive interface, giving dealerships the customer accuracy and insights needed on a daily basis," said Ernie Boch Jr., CEO & President of LIS and Subaru of New England.

With both systems fully integrated, all data entered into the LIS lead management system is instantly and securely updated in Auto/Mate’s DMS, while any changes made in the DMS are immediately updated in the LIS software. Real-time integration ensures dealership employees can access accurate, real-time information in both systems.

Auto/Mate provides dealers with robust, user-friendly software along with the best customer service in the industry. Auto/Mate's DMS is the ideal solution for single and group franchise dealerships. For more information call Auto/Mate at 877-340-2677.

About Lead Information Services (LIS)

Lead Information Services is a Massachusetts based company focused on software development of automotive systems utilized in Sales and Service management of a dealership. Its proprietary computing tools were developed over a ten-year period contributing to zone-leading and nationally recognized sales performance of the three dealerships contributing.

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships, typically saving dealers thousands of dollars per month from their current provider. Our Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 1,100 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate has received the DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Award in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Auto/Mate’s employees have more than 940 years of combined experience working in franchised auto dealerships, the foundation of its “Designed By Car People For Car People^TM” slogan. Auto/Mate is committed to winning its customers’ business each and every month with no long-term contracts and free software upgrades. For more information follow us on Twitter @AutoMateDMS and subscribe to our blog at http://blog.automate

eLEND Solutions™ survey reveals that eight in ten dealers agree that a connected online and in-store experience will help sell more cars faster and lead to greater customer satisfaction

Mission Viejo, CA – May 6, 2015 –Eighty percent of auto dealers expect that CFPB regulations will be implemented in the near future, according to a new survey conducted by eLEND Solutions™.  The survey also revealed that less than half of dealers have plans in place to meet these new regulations, which will replace dealer participation with mark-up thresholds or a flat-fee model.

Dealers also indicate that they are ready to deliver a sales and financing process that begins online - the vast majority (95%) agree that the industry should strive to create one, easy streamlined buying experience by starting both the sales and financing process online. In fact, eight in ten dealers agree that a connected online and in-store experience will help sell more cars faster and lead to greater customer satisfaction -- and nearly 70% of dealerships say this is a goal for their dealership.

“This survey underscores that the time has come for a better sales and financing process, whether or not the CFPB has its way,” said Pete MacInnis, CEO of eLEND Solutions. “The days of the four-hour, very disconnected, sales/financing process is poised to end as dealerships look to move more and more of the sales and financing process online – and connect it end-to-end.”

Establishing a connected buying experience that starts sales and finance together online is an approach that helps dealers modify current negotiation/finance purchase contract processes that are likely to be required as a result of the probable CFPB changes to dealer participation policies.

Survey highlights:

• 80% of dealers think it’s highly (35%) or somewhat (45%) likely that CFPB regulations will be implemented; yet nearly 60% don’t have a plan in place to meet these regulations
• 34% think the impact of CFPB regulations will be positive, while another 31% think impact will be minor or none at all
• 71% strongly agree that “creating one easy, streamlined buying experience – by starting Sales and Finance together online – is a worthwhile goal”
• 76% of dealers stated that “Connecting the online and offline shopping experiences to create one seamless, unified buying process could lead to accelerated sales, faster retail transaction times and greater customer satisfaction.”
• 69% of dealers say that connecting the online and offline shopping experiences is a goal at their dealership
• A full 1/3 of dealers say they are reluctant to put F&I online because traditional dealership processes insist financing be arranged exclusively in store

In a previous eLEND Solutions survey 80% of dealers said that their sales and finance process averaged two hours or more and 40% reported that theirs lasted three hours or more – while a whopping 82% of dealers say the ideal end-to-end process should take two hours or less. Yet, according to a recent Autotrader.com survey, buyer satisfaction starts to decline after 90 minutes at the dealership. The same study showed that 66% of consumers would be much more likely to buy from a dealership that offers their preferred experience.

*Survey conducted online among U.S. dealerships in March/April 2015.

About eLEND Solutions:

eLEND Solutions was founded in 2003 as DealerCentric, who pioneered  the auto industry’s leading online interactive credit application product. The company has since expanded its mission by developing a comprehensive, next-generation consumer finance management system that will benefit dealers, lenders and consumers. eLEND Solutions technology platform brings financing to the front of the sales process, and puts the customer in the right vehicle and loan, at the point of sale, reducing the sales and finance process from hours to minutes.

Contact: 
Media Relations 
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, Melanie@mwebbcom.com 
Crystal Hartwell, mWEBB Communications, (714) 987-1016, crystal@mwebbcom.com

Ann Arbor, MI — May 5, 2015 – AutoHook powered by HookLogic, the automotive leader in commerce search advertising and premium provider of lead-generating incentive solutions, today announced that it is experiencing steady and continued growth. And, with a revamped product line released in 2014, growth has accelerated even further in 2015. Results for Q1, 2015 reveal the company is on track to deliver over 700,000 leads, and trending towards 100,000 walk-ins for its auto dealer clients in 2015.

“AutoHook is now one of the fastest growing companies in the auto space,” said David Metter, president of automotive for HookLogic. Web2Show issued almost 20 percent more incentive coupons, and Lead2Show walk-ins are up 7.1%. With that continued growth, we are looking at generating almost 700,000 leads. But more importantly, we are trending to have over 100,000 showroom customers turn up for our auto dealers in 2015, which means they can expect to sell a lot more vehicles.”

The AutoHook Suite of Products by HookLogic provides the ultimate attribution model in auto. It drives more in-market shoppers into a dealership by offering time-sensitive, high-value hooks. The AutoHook Suite of Solutions includes: Web2Show, a tool that converts traffic from the dealer’s website into more showroom visitors. Prospects that visit the dealer’s site are invited to choose a free gift, only redeemable by visiting their showroom. Lead2Show, a tool that maximizes the dealers 3^rd party leads using scoring via data partners, such as Polk and Dataium, to immediately identify the highest intent to buy customers. And Mobile2Show, a best in class mobile targeting and showrooming solution. Mobile2Show targets competitive dealership/brands in the mobile environment, both on the dealer’s site as well as other local and regional sites, and drives prospects away from competitors and into the dealership’s showroom.

AutoHook had some particularly healthy results for Q1, 2015 in the mobile arena:

• Mobile walk-ins are up by 3,700%
• Mobile Walk-in rate is up 33% 

“Clearly the dynamic mobile piece is working well. We are seeing an increase in the actual walk in rate over our normal walk in rate. When you hit a customer with the right engagement, such as a precisely targeted incentive, at exactly the right time, you are going to trigger them to do something more than normal. And the tremendous results we are continuing to see from our dealers proves it out,” said Metter.

Recognizing the explosive growth of mobile use by today’s auto shopper, AutoHook released Mobile2Show in late 2014, and it is a key part of the company’s strong Q1, 2015 results.

AutoHook’user interface has over 19,000 franchised dealerships precisely mapped out, making it an easy process for dealers and OEMs to locate and choose specific competitive dealerships to target with Mobile2Show. When a customer at a targeted competitor searches the dealer’s or OEM’s site, a dynamic offer pushes the customer out of the competitor’s dealership and into the Mobile2Show dealership for a test drive.  Once at that dealership, the customer redeems their offer via a simple 30-second process that precisely attributes the showroom visit and sale back to the mobile offer.  Mobile2Show is the first true automotive showrooming solution tied to AutoHook’s award-winning attribution engine, which can directly attribute sales at the dealership, and in most states, from other dealerships as well. Mobile2Show can also retarget consumers that showed interest in an earlier mobile visit, enabling dealers to reach the right customer at the right time with the right offer.

For more information or to schedule a demonstration any of the AutoHook Suite of Solutions, visit: www.leadtoshow.com or call, 855-lead-2-show (855-532-3274).

# # # # #

About AutoHook:

AutoHook powered by HookLogic provides the ultimate attribution model for auto dealers. The suite of solutions drives more in-market shoppers to auto dealerships by offering time-sensitive, high-value “hooks” to selected prospects that can only be redeemed in-store. AutoHook’s award-winning attribution engine can directly attribute sales for either the dealership or the manufacturer, and in most states, from other dealerships as well.

AutoHook can be offered via the dealer’s website, email, mobile, direct mail, third-party leads, and print advertising. General Motors, Kia Motors and Chrysler, as well as other OEMS, use AutoHook to increase sales and monetize site traffic. 

Enhanced Video Content, Marketing & Distribution Features Create Calls to Action and Increase Conversion, Show and Sales Rates for Auto Dealers

Urbandale, IA--May 4th, 2015--Flick Fusion Video Marketing (www.flickfusion.com) announced today that it has been selected by Autos On Video® Inc, a pioneer in video walk around technology, to integrate the Autos On Video real video inventory application with Flick Fusion's automated video generation & marketing platform. By hosting videos on the Flick Fusion platform, Autos On Video will have the ability to offer auto dealers additional types of video content, as well as marketing and distribution capabilities, designed to create calls to action for car shoppers and increase conversion, show and sales rates for auto dealers.

"Autos On Video already provides real video and social solutions that make it easy to create and share high-quality, short walk around videos that inspire buyers to take action," said Tom Gallaher, Co-Founder of Autos On Video. "We chose to partner with Flick Fusion because their automated video production capabilities, enhanced features and distribution model are unparalleled in the industry, which will greatly benefit our dealership customers."

“The team at Autos On Video has built a wonderful, intuitive app that allows anyone with a smartphone to quickly record, edit, add a voice over and upload a virtual walk around video”, said Tim James, Vice President of Sales for Flick Fusion. “Partnering with Flick Fusion will allow customers of Autos On Video to easily create additional types of content that greatly enhance a video marketing strategy; including customer testimonials, service department overviews and video emails."

Flick Fusion offers the most comprehensive video marketing platform in the industry, with an automated video production and distribution process proven to increase organic SEO rankings, conversion rates and generate more leads to the dealership. All videos generated with the Flick Fusion video marketing platform are viewable on mobile devices.

For more information, visit www.flickfusion.com

About Autos On Video® (http://www.autosonvideo.com)

Autos On Video’s mobility allows dealerships, and lot management companies the ability to “Shoot and Scoot.” You only need to stage the vehicle once, shoot video, and, or photos without having to do any post editing.  Finished product is uploaded in the field getting new and pre-owned merchandising to market in near real-time. Autos On Video provides dealership’s customers a better more suitable experience with real video along with exceptional quality. Autos On Video’s real video is essential to a new generation of dealership online advertising, and merchandising.

Autos On Video not only simplifies vehicle merchandising, it also provides additional video apps including CMyAuto® lead response and testimonial videos for sales. OKMyRepair® allows the service department to easily video visible repairs increasing line items sold and hours per RO.

For more information, please contact Autos On Video at Sales-at-autosonvideo.com or call (844) 848-4336. Autos On Video has offices in St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL.

About Flick Fusion Video

Located in Urbandale, IA Flick Fusion specializes in creating, managing, and distributing dynamic and cost-effective online and mobile video products. Through its automated video generation and dynamic video marketing platforms, Flick Fusion offers the automotive industry's only “completely integrated” video solution that incorporates real-time rule/behavior based content based upon an automotive dealership’s shopper activity across multiple touch-points and throughout the entire buying cycle. Each video is designed to help dealerships reach and engage with customers, delivering increased sales and ROI. Flick Fusion produces video content for more than 3,000 dealerships and more than a dozen reseller partners. For more information, visit www.flickfusion.com.

Albany, N.Y. – May 4th, 2015 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems (http://www.automate.com) announced today that more than seventy of its customers and fifteen sponsorship partners attended the Auto/Mate User Summit that was held in Westborough, Massachusetts on Friday, April 17th. Auto dealership executives and managers attended the one-day event designed to share the latest updates and give in-depth training on Auto/Mate's dealership management system (DMS).

"It's a great educational experience for our customers, giving them the opportunity to network with their peers and get to know our employees," said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate.

More than fifteen Auto/Mate team members hosted the all-day event that included a hosted breakfast, lunch and cocktail hour. Highlights included:

• Presentations on new features including Option/Mate mobile F&I menu, Rev/Mate online scheduling and menu building, Rates, Residuals and Rebates, multi-point inspection for mobile service, payroll and accounting updates, auto dispatch, the latest Open/Mate integrations, data security and more.
• "Rockin' 101 with Ken Rock" featured a high-level overview of every module in Auto/Mate's Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) dealership management system.
• Break out sessions with Auto/Mate's advanced tech support "Go Team"
• "Town Hall" format where questions and ideas were discussed in an open forum

"I suspected that our dealership was under-utilizing Auto/Mate’s capabilities in our daily operations, so I was looking forward to any insights and tips," said Natalie Ripperger, Controller with Jim True Ford in Brookville, IN.  "I was not disappointed! The User Summit provided a wealth of information for both current and future use. Our dealership now has a new vision and path towards more efficient and effective operations. The event far exceeded my expectations!"

 Pre-registered attendees were entered into a drawing for a pair of grandstand tickets to a Red Sox game. Attendee Mike Breen with Anchor Auto Group won the drawing and attended the game Saturday, April 18th.

Fifteen companies helped to sponsor the event, many of them Open/Mate integration partners. Exhibiting sponsors included: DealerSocket, ET File, J.D. Power, Revlink, VinSolutions, RouteOne, Scan123, Great America, 700 Credit and ELEAD1ONE. Other sponsors included: OkiData Americas, AutoAlert, Insight Media Events, Halo Branded Solutions, and Business Partners.

The next Auto/Mate User Summit is tentatively planned for Fall 2015 in the Mid-Western region. For information on attending or sponsoring Auto/Mate's next User Summit, contact Jessica Joralemon, Manager of Events & Marketing Communications, at 518-371–4331 or usersummit@automate.com

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships, typically saving dealers thousands of dollars per month from their current provider. Our Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 1,100 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate has received the DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Award in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Auto/Mate’s employees have more than 940 years of combined experience working in franchised auto dealerships, the foundation of its “Designed By Car People For Car People^TM” slogan. Auto/Mate is committed to winning its customers’ business each and every month with no long-term contracts and free software upgrades. For more information follow us on Twitter @AutoMateDMS and subscribe to our blog at http://blog.automate.com.

CallSource expands its leadership in end-to-end call management, tracking, and training

Westlake Village, CA – April 30, 2015 - CallSource, the leader in call management, tracking, and training, has entered into an agreement with ContactPoint (also known as LogMyCalls) to acquire the company’s phone coaching and training division. Simultaneously, CallSource agreed to sell to ContactPoint the segments of its media division (publishers, ad agencies, internet listing sites, etc.) that are outside CallSource’s core verticals of automotive, healthcare and home services.

“This agreement is another step in our mission to provide a full-scale call management solution – from tracking and monitoring, to analytics, to saving mishandled calls and, critically, to training and coaching personnel,” said Jerry Feldman, CEO of CallSource. CallSource manages over 14 million calls per month for its customers and recently received a patent for its Sales Performance Management (SPM) system, which combines the actionable data of its call analytics, performance analysis, and advisory services, with online training/coaching – all to improve call-to-appointment ratios.

All businesses are impacted by the revenue leakage caused by mishandled phone calls. For example, the average auto dealership mishandles a full 40% of their incoming sales leads and converts, on average, just 7% of incoming calls into showroom appointments. This calculates into a loss of up to 20 sales every month for the average-size dealership – or up to $44,000^[1] per month in revenue.

A critical component of effective call management is understanding how to handle the calls in the first place, something many businesses overlook to their detriment. However, as phone lead volume increases due to the proliferation of smartphones, business owners are taking a more critical look at their call-to-lead conversions: SPM is specifically designed to provide a call conversion solution relevant to this challenge. Not only is SPM dramatically minimizing the number of mishandled calls for businesses, but it also gives them the tools they need to monetize every phone lead.

CallSource’s extensive learnings as the leading call management expert, in conjunction with the power of its existing training program, now combined with ContactPoint’s proven phone coaching, makes the company’s training for call handlers one of the best and most comprehensive available.

“Acquiring ContactPoint’s proven coaching system, along with key personnel, enables us to take a big leap forward in our end-to-end call management, tracking and training,” said Feldman. “Training is obviously key to the learning process but we want to provide our clients with behavioral and cultural changes that have long-lasting results and our studies show that continual performance monitoring combined with personalized coaching is the best way to permanently change habits and improve phone skills.”

CallSource invented call tracking and has tracked more than one billion calls since 1991. Today, with state-of-the-art call management innovations, the company qualifies incoming leads for clients, works to improve call handers’ phone skills and, crucially, helps them recover and reduce missed phone sales opportunities. CallSource provides automotive, healthcare and home services businesses with the tools they need to capture or recapture and retain customers.

About CallSource

For over 25 years, CallSource’s award-winning solutions have helped businesses track, analyze and improve incoming call performance. In addition to tracking over one billion calls since inception, CallSource delivers marketing insight, including cost-per-lead analysis and sales conversion percentages, training and coaching solutions to improve phone skills, and tools that enable businesses to recapture mishandled calls. Based in Westlake Village, Calif., CallSource recently received a patent for its Sales Performance Management (SPM) system, which combines the actionable data of its call analytics, performance analysis, advisory services, and online and phone training/coaching from seasoned sales professionals. CallSource serves multiple industries including automotive, home services and healthcare, as well as numerous franchise businesses. Visit callsource.com.

About ContactPoint

ContactPoint launched its premier service, LogMyCalls, in 2012. ContactPoint combines traditional call tracking and call recording with Conversation Analytics—the powerful analysis of phone calls. It evaluates the content of calls by analyzing the words and phrases that are actually spoken on the call. Contact Point uses speech recognition technology and sophisticated algorithms to gauge lead quality, measure conversions, analyze phone performance, and take action with marketing automation. Contact Point helps advertisers and agencies make better marketing decisions, improve close rates on the phone, and generate more revenue. LogMyCalls is a service of ContactPoint. Visit LogMyCalls.com.

Media Relations: 

Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (949) 307-1723, melanie@mwebbcom.com 

Cassandra Cavanah, mWEBB Communications, (818) 397-4630, cassandra@mwebbcom.com

Featuring independent, third-party data for consumers higher in the shopping funnel promises to accelerate purchasing decisions

Austin, Texas – April 29, 2015 – CarStory, the industry’s largest provider of crowdsourced data and analytics on used vehicles, today announced the integration of its award-winning CarStory Market Reports into the Autoblog marketplace, an AOL automotive channel.

CarStory Market Reports help consumers make more informed buying decisions by providing comprehensive vehicle data, including the features most valued by other consumers, pricing validation, and more. Currently available to consumers on over 3,000 dealer websites, the Autoblog integration marks the first time the CarStory Market Reports are available to consumers directly on an online marketplace, giving consumers the benefits of this unique crowdsourced vehicle preference data as they begin their vehicle shopping process.

“CarStory Market Reports’ insight into the whole ‘story’ of a vehicle in one easy-to-view report offers a unique tool to consumers as they shop, eliminating the need for cross-comparisons on multiple websites, accelerating the purchase decision and, importantly, keeping them engaged on the marketplace,” said Chad Bockius, CMO of CarStory. “Our reports should result in more qualified leads coming through the Autoblog marketplace. According to a recent J.D. Power and Associates study^[1], used-vehicle shoppers who are satisfied with their online research experience on a third-party automotive website are 10 times more likely to request information about a vehicle from a dealer than shoppers who have a poor experience.”

Today’s used car shoppers spend a huge amount of time on research, often accessing over 24 research touch points before making a decision. CarStory Market Reports aim to streamline this process by giving consumers the information they need all in one place.

In a recent survey, CarStory discovered that 67% of consumers want to understand a vehicle’s pricing relative to similar models in their area and 73% of consumers want to better understand the value of the vehicle they are considering. CarStory Market Reports fill this information gap, offering local, real-time insights on every vehicle, including detailed market comparisons, mileage assessments relative to similar vehicles on the market, as well as the vehicle features valued most by other consumers. Furthermore, the reports analyze the vehicles consumers are comparing online and intelligently recommend alternatives that are most likely to convert that shopper – an industry first.

“It’s clear that used car shoppers require better research tools and reliable, third-party data to make their shopping experience less arduous,” said Chris Eschenburg, Vice President and GM of Autoblog. “We’re pleased to be the first used car marketplace to integrate CarStory Market Reports into our vehicle listings and feel confident they will help spur a revolution in how consumers shop online for used cars.”

CarStory Market Reports’ insights are generated from a combination of more than four million real-time used vehicle listings and crowdsourced data from over eight million searches a week that help move consumers from online shoppers to on-the-lot buyers. The reports educate car buyers on the features most valued by other consumers and validates pricing with real-time market data.

About CarStory

CarStory is the industry’s largest provider of crowdsourced data and analytics on used vehicle pricing and preferences. CarStory Market Reports synthesize over four million real-time used vehicle listings with crowdsourced data from over eight million searches a week to produce unique insights that help move consumers from online shoppers to on-the-lot buyers. By uncovering facts, features and competitive differentiators that make each vehicle unique in any given market, CarStory offers dealers and consumers the confidence they need to condense the sales process and walk away happy. A merchandising tool and lead source for websites, CarStory Market Reports are free to auto dealers. Learn more at CarStory.com

About Vast

Vast is the premier provider of big data solutions for life’s biggest purchases. Vast’s industry-leading big data platform and applications are currently in use at many of the largest automotive, real estate and travel businesses in the world. Vast serves Global 1,000 companies, including AOL and Southwest Airlines. Learn more at Vast.com.

Media Relations: 

Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (949) 307-1723, melanie@mwebbcom.com 

Cassandra Cavanah, mWEBB Communications, (818) 397-4630, cassandra@mwebbcom.com

Albany, N.Y. – April 27th, 2015 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems announced today that it ranked number one on the Top Workplaces 2015 report compiled by the Times-Union. This is the fourth consecutive year that Auto/Mate has received a Top Workplace award, and the first year that Auto/Mate has achieved the highest ranking in the mid-size business category in New York's greater capital region. In addition, Auto/Mate's President and CEO Mike Esposito received a special leadership award in the mid-size business category. Only one award is given to a leader in each category, a recognition that's decided based on feedback from thousands of employee surveys sent out by Workplace Dynamics, LLC.

"I'm thrilled we made it to the top of the list and truly honored by the leadership award. I don't take it for granted and will work hard to make sure Auto/Mate remains a Top Workplace," said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate. "The employee feedback from the survey gives us great insight as to what we need to focus on to keep both our employees and customers happy."

Auto/Mate finished first among 20 companies with 125-499 employees. A total of fifty companies made the Top Workplaces list this year. The list is compiled annually by the Times-Union and by WorkplaceDynamics, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. Auto/Mate's top ranking was based on criteria combining employee feedback, benefits packages and corporate culture.

Auto/Mate’s exceptional benefits include:

• Company events and outings
• Involvement in and sponsorship of community events
• Company sponsored wellness program with hosted speakers
• Casual dress every day
• Body/Shop employee gym
• Employee discounts
• Paid volunteer day
• Company-wide contests and challenges (i.e. best-decorated cubicle award during the holidays)
• Food trucks and hosted breakfasts and lunches on special occasions

Mike Esposito's special leadership award was based on employee responses to the Top Workplaces survey statement: “I have confidence in the leader of this company.” Employees were also asked "What does the leader of this company do well?" Anonymous comments received include “He is easy to talk to and shows appreciation for everyone’s hard work … which makes you feel important," and “He understands what it takes to get the company moving in a positive direction.”

Auto/Mate has also been named a Best Places to Work in New York’s Capital Region by the Albany Business Review journal for five years running; and has been honored as the "Highest Rated" DMS vendor and a "Top Rated" DMS vendor in the DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Awards.

Auto dealers interested in learning how to turn their dealership into a Top Workplace can send a request to have Esposito speak at their local ADA chapter or 20 Group by emailing media@automate.com. Esposito's presentation "How to Create Loyal Customers Without A Customer Loyalty Program" is a tutorial on how dealers can increase customer loyalty, revenue and attract top talent by creating a great work environment.

Job seekers interested in being part of the Top Workplace in the capital region can check out Auto/Mate's open positions at Auto/Mate.com/careers. Auto/Mate is currently accepting applications for software engineers and individuals with dealership experience to join its training and support teams.

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships, typically saving dealers thousands of dollars per month from their current provider. Our Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 1,100 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate has received the DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Award in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Auto/Mate’s employees have more than 940 years of combined experience working in franchised auto dealerships, the foundation of its “Designed By Car People For Car People^TM” slogan. Auto/Mate is committed to winning its customers’ business each and every month with no long-term contracts and free software upgrades. For more information follow us on Twitter @AutoMateDMS

eLEND Solutions named highest rated in Auto Finance category

Mission Viejo, CA – April 20, 2015 – eLEND Solutions™, the leader in next-generation consumer finance for the auto industry, today announced that it is the winner of Dealer Marketing Magazine’s 2015 Technology Leadership Awards in the Auto Finance category.

“This award is really special to us because our dealer customers nominated us and the review panel that made the final decision is made up of a group of people who truly understand automotive retailing,” said Pete MacInnis, CEO of eLEND Solutions. “I hope that this recognition introduces our connected car buying experience platform to more dealers who are looking to improve the finance process for today’s online consumer - financing no longer needs to be arranged exclusively as an in-store activity.”

eLEND Solutions is behind the charge to reduce the lengthy car-selling process from hours to minutes. The company’s legacy interactive online credit application (Get Pre-Approved in Seconds) generates, according to Dealer.com, a 2000% uplift in submitted credit applications over traditional, static long-form credit apps. CreditPlus, the company’s recently launched next generation online credit and finance solution  is powered by a patented rules-based loan decision engine that provides car shoppers with upfront access to dealership financing sources and real, exact near-final terms of approval from multiple lenders – all controlled by the dealer.  

An eleven member DealerKnows’ Vendor Review Dealer Panel, including moderators Joe Webb and Bill Playford, selected a total of nine award recipients across various categories.

Dealer Marketing Magazine’s Technology Leadership Awards’ selection process is designed to ensure objectivity. Nominations are open to all vendors that have developed the most innovative products, tools, or services that benefit auto dealers across the country. A full list of award results is available online at dealermarketing.com.

About eLEND Solutions:

eLEND Solutions was founded in 2003 as DealerCentric, who pioneered  the auto industry’s leading online interactive credit application product. The company has since expanded its mission by developing a comprehensive, next-generation consumer finance management system that will benefit dealers, lenders and consumers. eLEND Solutions technology platform brings financing to the front of the sales process, and puts the customer in the right vehicle and loan, at the point of sale, reducing the sales and finance  process from hours to minutes.

Contact: 
Media Relations 
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com 
Crystal Hartwell, mWEBB Communications, (714) 987-1016, crystal@mwebbcom.com