DMEautomotive survey reveals that online search is the #1 way first-time consumers select dealership service departments – trumping ‘drive-bys’ and personal recommendations

Under-35 consumers’ service provider selection guided by search, online reviews, store websites, digital ads, email offers, video, mobile mapping and daily deals at remarkably higher rates

• Internet/mobile search is the #1 way a dealership’s first-time customer finds/selects them (29%).
• Dealers are locked in a competitive battle with the aftermarket: 82% of service consumers report they typically use the same service center, but only 37% always visit dealership for service.
• Non-digital sources of service info taking major hits: only 51% now use owner’s manual (down from 61% in 2011), and only 26% consult actual service centers (down from 43%).
• 59% of auto servicers now read emails on their mobile phones – up from 45% a year ago.
• More than 1 in 4 under-35 consumers will ONLY use service centers that offer online appointment scheduling and upfront, online/emailed price quotes.

New Orleans, LA– January 24, 2014 – DMEautomotive, the science-inspired, results-based automotive marketing leader, today announced key findings from a national survey (among roughly 2,000 car owners) that reveals how consumers now learn about - and ultimately select - auto service providers: from which resources had the biggest impact on a dealer's first-time customers, to what most drives customers to return to a store.

Released at the 2014 National Automobile Dealers Association convention, the findings were clear: a proliferation of digital channels (from search to emailed coupons) is powerfully transforming how a dealership or aftermarket service provider is chosen and retains their customer. A key finding: under-35 service consumers research extraordinarily hard and wide: for instance, young, returning servicers report they were impacted by resources like online reviews, store websites, daily deal sites and mobile 'mapping' the closest stores, at rates two to four times higher than those over 35.

"Our new study indicates that, with digital channels multiplying, the way consumers find, select, and choose to return to service businesses, has never been so complex and fragmented. Service providers that want to attract and retain customers - and want to have a prayer with the hard-researching, all-media-hungry next generation - need a digital service marketing attack plan with an unprecedented number of touch-points: whether 'getting found' at Google or 'getting heard' at Yelp," said Doug Van Sach, DMEautomotive's Vice President, Strategy and Analytics. "Service providers, and dealers in particular, are simply not doing enough to meet these new realities."

Key Findings:

Impacting First-Time Customers: For Dealers, Search is #1 - The survey gauged which resources most impacted first-time dealership and aftermarket customers[1] in finding and choosing their current store.[2] For dealers, 'online search' ranked #1 (29%), followed by 'drove/passed by' (28%) and 'family/friends recommendation' (17%) – outpacing all other media. For aftermarket chain stores 'drove by' ranked #1 (37%), trailed by 'online search' (22%) and 'TV commercials' (20%).

New Digital Deal Breaker: No Online Appointments - The survey identified how today's service customer prefers to set appointments:

A preference for online appointments (made via smartphones, tablets and computers) trumps in-person appointment setting. And if, overall, 1 in 5 servicers now prefer online appointments, 1 in 3 under age 35 do. Another eye-opening finding: 16% of all servicers (up from 13% in 2012) – and 26% of those under age 35 – report they will now ONLY visit service centers where online appointments are available, meaning dealerships that don't enable easy, online appointment scheduling across all devices will increasingly lose business.

One striking finding: only 5% of first-time dealership service customers found/selected that dealership because of online reviews, suggesting either a less visible and/or less positive online reputation for the typical dealership service department. Also of note: the under-35 first-time customer reported a significantly higher level of usage/impact for every traditional or digital media than those over 35. For instance, 26% of those under 35 cited online/mobile search as a key store selection tool, vs. 17% of the over-35.

Impacting Returning Customers: The survey also measured the forces that most impact service customers to return to a store (with respondents rating which factors were most or somewhat influential). The top 3: 1) previous service experience (85%), 2) previous parts/accessories purchase (50%), and 3) family/friend recommendations (43%). And drilling down specifically to the media/communications methods most impacting return servicers shines a bright light on how research- and communications-hungry the youngest service consumer is.

While the top two marketing methods impacting returning customers were emailed and mailed offers/coupons, again no single channel dominates. Also note how traditional advertising approaches rank lowest, while the highest-impacting methods are those most realistic for dealerships: email/mail offers, a loyalty program, direct mail, getting 'found' on mobile maps, a website and online reviews.

Physical Sources of Vehicle Service Info (Like Owner's Manuals) Take Major Dive
Further evidence of the digital service shift: the dramatic, rapid decline in car owners turning to physical sources of vehicle maintenance info. Note the precipitous drop especially for the owner's manual (now only used by 51% overall, and 41% of those under 35) and service centers (26%).

Meanwhile, service/maintenance info-seekers are now turning to a wide spread of online resources. And again, the data shows that under-35 servicers are consuming online maintenance info at rates 2-4 times higher than those over 35.

Another Digital Deal Breaker: No Upfront, Online Price Quotes: If consumers have come to expect price transparency on the sales front, that demand is now migrating into service. Seventeen percent overall (up from 14% in 2012) - and a significant 27% of those under 35 – report they would NOT CONSIDER a service center that didn't provide upfront price quotes for parts and labor – either online or by email.

"The way consumers select, and ultimately choose to return to, service providers – and the expectations for the whole auto service experience - are undergoing a powerful, relentless digital and mobile shift," concluded Van Sach. "It's never been more complex and competitive for dealers to reach and retain servicers (especially Millennials), but they really must adopt a 'digital-365' plan or they will continue to bleed market share to the aftermarket."

[1] Aftermarket stores studied include the large chains and department stores and wholesale clubs, and excluded smaller independent mechanics and paint and collision shops.

[2] Respondents selected all that applied.

About DMEautomotive

DMEautomotive (DMEa) is the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, and provides turnkey marketing to the largest and most innovative automotive organizations, from automobile dealerships to many of the largest aftermarket companies in the U.S. DMEa's uniquely panoramic view of the complete automotive sales and service market, combined with its cutting-edge, science-based marketing programs, increases customer yield, conversion and retention. 

DMEa does not take marketing performance on faith, and each product and service is measured by a simple, precise scientific approach: Is it true? Prove it. Will it work? Test it. Does it generate results? Show it! Supported by DMEa's proprietary, cloud-based Red Rocket Technology Platform, the DMEa product suite includes science-based, data driven, multi-channel customer acquisition and retention marketing programs; best-in-class campaign reporting; data management and analytics; auto-focused Customer Interaction Center solutions, and complete on-site mail and email fulfillment services. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, DMEa also has major operations in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Contact: 
Media Relations 
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com 

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

Platform Helps Dealers Combine CRM, Digital Marketing Efforts 

VinSolutions, the marketplace leader of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools for the automotive industry and Haystak Digital Marketing, the automotive marketplace leader for digital marketing products and services, announce the full integration of the VinSolutions CRM suite of products and Haystak’s digital marketing solutions in their all-new website platform.

“Since VinSolutions acquired Haystak last year, we’ve been working diligently to combine our expertise and create best-in-class products for dealers,” said Duncan Scarry, Founder and General Manager of Haystak Digital Marketing. “The VinSolutions CRM integration with the all-new website platform, combined with our ever-expanding suite of digital marketing solutions, allows Haystak to help dealers connect with customers, drive more engaged traffic to their showrooms and increase the return from their online marketing investments through better execution and measurement.”

 “The existing integration of VinSolutions’ CRM and website platform is one of the key features that dealers value and utilize to increase consumer engagement and return on investment” said Brian Skutta, Vice President and General Manager of VinSolutions.  “VinSolutions’ dealers who choose to upgrade to the new platform will benefit from Haystak’s digital marketing expertise while maintaining  the same integrated CRM functionality they have today, including our VinLens live website tracking.”

Developed from the ground up with the latest, most innovative technology, the Haystak platform will offer dealers:       

• “Responsive” technology that automatically detects how shoppers access a dealership website — from a phone, tablet or desktop computer: Shoppers will access the dealership’s website in a format specific to their particular device, establishing a more user friendly experience and ease of navigation.  Today, many websites have only a single format that attempts to accommodate all devices.     

• Dynamic website content that is easy to design, edit and update. Dealers can choose website designs from an extensive library of tested templates, or Haystak can create completely custom designs, depending on format regardless of the device being used. A content management center provides dealers with complete control over all aspects of their website.   Design changes can be made quickly, often with the click of a single button; making it easy to create and update new content and web pages, without having to code. 

• Integrated search engine optimization (SEO) and advanced reporting: Enhanced features include dynamic multi-dimensional SEO content creation, and advanced SEO reporting tools that display the dollar value of SEO initiatives and track competitors' performance.  In addition, all Haystak search team members are Google® and Bing® certified and available to consult with customers.       

• Personalization: The new website platform can dynamically change site content based on shopper’s online behavior to offer the most relevant content for the user.  Haystak's new platform also creates and updates dealership contact information and placements on all major online yellow pages to keep local listings current and ahead of competitors.      

• Comprehensive dashboard analytics: Haystak's web analytics packages range from the most basic to the most advanced, depending on the dealership's reporting and data analysis needs.  Easy to read reporting tools seamlessly integrate the performance of all digital marketing initiatives through a dashboard with rankings, geographies, competitors and overall site health.               

“The integration between the VinSolutions’ CRM and Haystak’s all-new website platform allows a dealer’s digital marketing efforts to come full circle, providing a level of insight not found in any other solution. The combination gives dealers the best tools the industry has to offer to acquire new customers and maintain those relationships for years to come,” added Skutta.

VinSolutions and Haystak Digital Marketing will debut the all-new website platform at the upcoming National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) convention in New Orleans, (Haystack’s booth #2538 and VinSolutions booth #2427).   

New eBook illustrates importance of mobile adoption – a channel that has grown at twice the rate of the Internet! – Provides auto dealers a colorful, easy-to-grasp guide to mobile marketing complete with specific step-by-step actions dealers can take today to get more out of mobile

New Orleans, LA –January 23, 2014 – DMEautomotive (DMEa), the leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, today announced the release of The Big Picture Book of Mobile Marketing Strategy, a follow up to their very successful 2013 eBook The Pocket Revolution:  The Complete Guide to a Killer Mobile App.  Available for download today, The Big Picture Book of Mobile Marketing Strategy helps auto dealers easily navigate the fast evolving mobile marketplace.

“The auto industry and, in particular, dealers, are hungry for tested, actionable steps they can take to get more out of their mobile marketing investment.  Thousands of dealers have our original eBook released last year, The Pocket Revolution: The Complete Guide to a Killer Mobile App, and it continues to be downloaded on a daily basis,” said Mike Walther, CEO of DMEautomotive.  “But, despite this enthusiasm, the industry is still far behind other retailers when it comes to a comprehensive mobile marketing strategy, and The Big Picture Book illustrates (literally – we’ve called this a picture book for a good reason) why dealers can’t afford to wait any longer – and it gives them easy-to-implement solutions in one reference book, covering responsive email design to mobile wallets.”

The stats and facts presented prove that ignoring this platform will be at a dealer’s peril – put simply, mobile has grown at twice the rate of the Internet, a channel no dealer competing in today’s marketplace can afford to ignore.  

Consider:

• By 2015, more people will access the Internet from a mobile device than from a desktop computer (IDC 2012)
• More than ½ of the US smartphone population used their phone to perform retail research while inside a store in 2011 (comScore 2012)
• 47% of car shoppers used their mobile device to research a vehicle while on a dealer’s lot[1]
• More than 1 in 3 mobile car shoppers felt the information they received on their device was an essential factor in their vehicle purchase[2]
• And virtually every mobile user (75%) prefers mobile-friendly sites (Google 2012)

But mobile marketing doesn’t stop with vehicle research and purchasing, it continues with car ownership – as DMEautomotive’s own 2013 research shows:

• 53% of consumers are likely to schedule a service appointment using their mobile device
• 33% of consumers want to manage their maintenance schedule and records of their vehicle on a mobile device

“Dealers know they need to start integrating mobile tactics into all their marketing activities, but they simply don’t know where to begin,” continued Walther.  “The Big Picture Book changes all that and uniquely brings mobile marketing to life with interaction via apps and QR Codes.”

The Big Picture Book of Mobile Marketing Strategy covers six primary channels of mobile marketing and offers clear advice on how to implement them:

1.         Responsive Email Design

2.         Mobile Apps

3.         Mobile Wallet

4.         Mobile Web

5.         QR Codes

6.         Text Messaging.

“Dealers can’t afford to ignore any of these channels – a fact we back up with substantial DMEa and third-party research,” concluded Walther.  “And all chapters finish with a check list of five very simple first steps they need to take to move their dealership into each of the primary channels.”

The Big Picture Book of Mobile Marketing Strategy is available for download, free of charge at www.dmeautomotive.com.

About DMEautomotive
DMEautomotive (DMEa) is the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, and provides turnkey marketing to the largest and most innovative automotive organizations, from automobile dealers to many of the largest aftermarket companies in the U.S. DMEa's uniquely panoramic view of the complete automotive sales and service market, combined with its cutting-edge, science-based marketing programs, increases customer yield, conversion and retention.

DMEa does not take marketing performance on faith, and each product and service is measured by a simple, precise scientific approach: Is it true? Prove it. Will it work? Test it. Does it generate results? Show it! Supported by DMEa’s proprietary, cloud-based Red Rocket Technology Platform, the DMEa product suite includes science-based, data-driven, multi-channel customer acquisition and retention marketing programs; best-in-class campaign reporting; data management and analytics; auto-focused Customer Interaction Center solutions, and complete on-site mail and email fulfillment services. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, DMEa also has major operations in Jacksonville, Fla.

Media Inquiries
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, +1-949-307-1723, melanie@mwebbcom.com
 

That and Other Platform Upgrades to Be Introduced at NADA 2014

Redesigned website highlights Fixed-Ops & Retention, Customer Demand, and Loyalty Engagement platform pillars

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – January 22, 2014 – 3 Birds, the automotive industry’s only demand generation and customer retention platform and services provider, announces the launch of their redesigned company website  (http://www.3birdsmarketing.com) built on its own responsive website platform.  The new website combines clean, mobile first design elements with responsive website architecture for device optimized presentation on PCs, tablets and smart phones.

The new website details the three pillars of 3 Birds’ powerful, enterprise-level digital marketing platform for the automotive industry.  3 Birds’ offers three solution stacks each tailored to accomplishing specific objectives of a dealership and producing measurable results, specifically, Fixed-Ops & Retention, Customer Demand, and Loyalty & Engagement. The new website coincides with the release of 3 Birds’ newest offering, the upgraded Fixed Operations Marketing and Customer Retention Suite, at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention & Expo 2014.

The industry’s only demand generation and customer retention platform

3 Birds offers innovative dealership marketing strategies through the industry’s first digital platform designed to generate demand, create conversions, nurture leads and retain existing customers. This is accomplished through solution stacks focused on three core areas of opportunity:

Fixed-Ops & Retention

Dealerships face heavy competition when it comes to attracting long-term service customers. The new Fixed Operations Marketing and Customer Retention Suite focuses on the Service Department as a profit center that is often not fully maximized with an enhanced responsive Service Website experience, automated Lifecycle Lead Nurturing, and Digital MPI technology and a Loyalty Rewards Program for intuitive customer communications and retention.

Customer Demand

Instead of broadcasting generic bulk messaging to a single audience, 3 Birds’ powerful customer demand marketing tools allow for highly-specialized conquest and database marketing across multiple channels. Original digital marketing packages, conquest campaigns, direct mail, and more are featured as part of a wide array of options to convert in-market revenue opportunities.

Loyalty & Engagement

When customers have more choices than ever for car-buying and service, 3 Birds makes it easy for dealers to keep the conversation going with customers throughout the buying process and vehicle lifecycle. Through digital newsletters, reputation management, and social media, individual dealerships can connect with consumers in powerful ways to improve the chances of capturing repeat business.

Explore customer stories and market insights

The redesigned 3 Birds website is an extension of the company’s commitment to engaging, high-quality content. Client case studies and testimonials offer real-world examples of the power of focused digital marketing for dealers. The 3 Birds blog and digital newsletter provide more information about industry trends, best practices, current initiatives, upcoming projects, and enhancing digital strategy.

“Our new website and product line-up reflect 3 Birds’ integrated approach to automotive marketing which combines an awareness of changing consumer behavior, a customer first communication strategy, a deep understanding of dealership process and systems, and the flexibility and configurability of enterprise-level software.  Marketers speak of push versus pull marketing.  In automotive retail, it’s more like attract versus repel.  Done right, dealerships can attract, convert and retain customers for life.  Done wrong, dealerships unwittingly repel the people they are trying to attract, often without even knowing it.,” said Kristen Judd, CEO of 3 Birds. “We are confident that our three–pronged approach to digital marketing for the automotive space will revolutionize the way our industry thinks about marketing to today’s consumer.”

About 3 Birds

3 Birds is the premier customer demand generation and retention marketing platform and solutions provider in the automotive retail space. Through enterprise-level integrated marketing technology, outstanding client services, and extensive marketing and automotive retail experience they help dealerships engage and convert modern digital consumers into loyal customers. 3 Birds was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC. 3 Birds is an actively certified WBE through WBENC and NWBOC. 3 Birds was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 3 Birds is an actively certified WBE through WBENC and NWBOC. Visit www.3birdsmarketing.com to learn more and request a personal demo, or find 3 Birds at NADA 2014 (January 24-27) at Booth 1459.

Dealers using the LotLinx Vehicle Display Network increase Vehicle Detail Page views and reduce Days on Lot: an average of 77% fewer DOL for new vehicles and 47% fewer for used

San Francisco, CA – January 22, 2014 – LotLinx, developers of the auto industry’s first deep-linking technology platform, today confirmed that the LotLinx Vehicle Display Network, a VIN-specific inventory advertising technology that deep links consumers shopping on over 125 automotive search sites directly to dealer Vehicle Detail Pages (VDPs), is significantly reducing Days on Lot (DOL) in comparison to traditional automotive online marketing channels.

“LotLinx is delivering a revolutionary way for dealers to reach low-funnel, ready-to-buy shoppers,” said LotLinx Founder Len Short. “By replacing third-party lead forms with a deep link directly to the vehicle on a dealer’s website, our dealer partners are seeing a drastic reduction in the number of days vehicles spend on their lots. This increase in sales velocity correlates directly to how many buyers are shopping Vehicle Detail Pages (VDPs) on a dealer’s site. More online shoppers equal more buyers.  Simple as that.”

In a study of over 140 dealerships, LotLinx compared the speed with which inventory that received VDP traffic from LotLinx deep-link technology moved, versus inventory receiving all other VDP views.  The result was a dramatic decrease in DOL across all makes and models.  For example, the average new vehicle included in the study averaged 118 DOL prior to sale, while those sold after receiving LotLinx views averaged just 27 DOL.  Similarly, average DOL for all used vehicles sold during the study were 103 days, but just 54 days average for those sold after receiving LotLinx VDP views.  Not only does this represent a dramatic increase in sales velocity and inventory turn, but it has an immediate impact on the bottom line: LotLinx is a proven solution to decrease time on lot and sell more vehicles, faster.

“This new tracking tool confirms what multiple other industry research studies have shown: a direct correlation between VDP views and how fast new or used vehicles move,” said Short.  “There has been a dramatic shift in behavior - today’s buyers are completing more of the shopping process online and deferring engagement until they have identified the inventory that meets their needs.  Once they do, they engage on the lot when they are ready to buy.”

Industry data shows that nearly 70% of all buyers avoid lead channels, making their first contact with the dealer, in person, on the dealer’s lot.  “They’re ‘destination shopping’- essentially following the inventory to the lot,” continued Short.  “Over the past 5 years, the number of lot visits the average automotive buyer makes has dropped dramatically from 4.1 in 2005 to just 1.3.”

Dealers confirm that being part of the LotLinx network delivers significant returns and, importantly, incremental new business:

Said Brent Durham, Internet Marketing Director of Maryland’s Preston Automotive Group: “We never realized how many customers view our inventory on sites that we are not a part of. If you take merchandising your inventory online seriously, LotLinx is a must.”

The auto Internet landscape and consumer behavior have changed significantly over the past decade and inventory search is now the #1 online shopping activity.[1] It’s the key step buyers take before choosing a dealer to purchase from, and those shopping searches are primarily happening on 3^rd-party, dedicated automotive search sites that function much like Travelocity or Kayak do in the travel space: attracting the vast majority of consumers when they’re down-funnel and actively hunting real, specific inventory to purchase.  LotLinx enables direct linking from these sites to the VDPs on a dealership’s site.

“The LotLinx traffic I get is the most efficient means of driving VDP traffic,” said Andy Wile, Director of Marketing at Walter’s Automotive Group in Riverside, CA. “LotLinx sends in-market shoppers right to my site’s VDPs and I pay less than half per click than I do via paid search - and paid search doesn’t send them to a VDP!”

In this same study, dealers reported that the LotLinx Vehicle Display Network delivers nearly twice as many true shoppers (those actively searching inventory) than Search Engine Marketing, at up to 20X less per shopper cost – and these are more likely to be customers the dealerships would otherwise not see. As a result, dealers in the LotLinx network are seeing that inventory exposure across the universe of car ‘shopping search’ sites and directly linking these shoppers to VDPs on their website, is paying significant and diverse dividends.  

“With 85% of all inventory searches happening at the sites in the LotLinx network, dealers have a huge opportunity to capture and influence shoppers as they reach the moment of purchase.  These are the ready-to-buy consumers who will be directly linked to the dealer website VDP pages by the LotLinx Vehicle Display Network. This is the bottom-of-the-funnel audience, delivered exclusively to the dealer with a ‘VIN-specific” click.  It’s the ultimate moment of opportunity for the dealer,” concluded Short.

About LotLinx

LotLinx is the auto industry's first direct-linking technology platform and connects over 6.5 million consumers searching vehicle inventory online every month directly to the dealership websites where that inventory resides. Founded by a team of veteran automotive and digital innovators, the company's mission is to tear down the third-party wall between dealers and their customers, and provide a more positive and efficient experience for dealerships and consumers alike. LotLinx's patent-pending technology replaces lead forms on third-party sites with direct links that transport consumers searching for inventory directly to the dealer's Vehicle Detail Page (VDP), all at a higher conversion rate and fraction of the cost of other online options. LotLinx is based in San Francisco, CA.

Media Contacts
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, 949-307-1723 / melanie@mwebbcom.com
Crystal Hartwell, mWEBB Communications, 714-987-1016 / crystal@mwebbcom.com

DMEa Mobile Rewards offers ready-made program designed to drive showroom and service traffic; includes geo-fencing to reach consumers with relevant offers and coupons at a place and time where they can take action

Daytona Beach, FL – January 21, 2014 – DMEautomotive (DMEa), the science-inspired, results-based automotive marketing leader, today launched DMEautomotive Mobile Rewards, a mobile marketing platform which allows dealerships to drive traffic to showrooms and service drives alike by leveraging the exploding power of smartphone mobile wallets.  The program enables dealer customers to receive special coupons and offers 24/7, all organized into their smartphone mobile wallet for quick and easy access.  And, because the program includes geo-fencing software, dealers can reach consumers with coupons or offers at a place and time when/where they can take action right away, whether near the dealership, at a marketing event like a tent sale, or even at a competitor’s location.

Mobile Rewards is the first of its kind product for the automotive industry and works in tandem with Driver Connect 2.5, DMEa’s industry leading dealer-branded, consumer-facing mobile app, or as a stand-alone mobile marketing platform.

“DMEa Mobile Rewards delivers a solution that consumers want and understand.  With the use of smartphones soaring and the global mobile wallet market set to reach $5.2 trillion in 2020[1], the automotive industry needs to sit up and take notice that their customers are rapidly evolving into ‘mobile everywhere’ consumers,” said Mike Walther, president and CEO of DMEautomotive. “DMEa Mobile Rewards gives dealerships the ability to jump directly into mobile wallet marketing with minimal time, money or infrastructure investment.”

DMEa Mobile Rewards drives traffic directly into the showroom or service area by delivering digital coupons and rewards directly to an Apple or Android smartphone user.  Unlike more traditional processes, such as mailing “punch cards” and printed coupons, Mobile Rewards lets dealers and service marketers deliver everything directly to the consumer’s smartphone mobile wallet – encouraging them to visit the showroom or service department in real time.  In addition, dealers are able to comprehensively track and run reports on results in real time, giving them immediate access to data that tells which offers work best and how different segments are reacting to their marketing strategies.

One of the most compelling aspects of the app is its introduction of ‘geo-fencing’ mobile guerilla marketing tactics to the dealer showroom and service department.  DMEa Mobile Rewards can be set to fire off alerts and reminders when a customer enters a certain geographical area – whether that’s within their own dealership or, perhaps more interestingly, when a customer enters a competitor’s location.

Says Walther: “This opens up a completely new marketing opportunity by giving dealers a tool to reach out to customers while they are literally in the process of shopping for or servicing their vehicle.”

Mobile Rewards offers mobile wallet support for both Apple iOS and Google Android smartphones, and can be used along with the more comprehensive Driver Connect 2.5 which features additional dealer-specific tools, including live chat, ‘Vehicle in Service/Vehicle Ready’ alerts, and convenient new ways for customers to view, manage and engage with their pre-paid maintenance, and loyalty plans.

“Consumer research[2] shows that people are now spending twice as much time with smartphone apps as they are with mobile websites.  As the usage of apps for everything from managing your finances to booking airline reservations continues to soar, smartphone users have new expectations in customer service, and apps like DMEa Mobile Rewards and Driver Connect are being embraced,” concludes Walther.  “Dealers who recognize and act upon this new marketing channel are the ones that will capture the app-savvy consumer.”

Since 2012, Driver Connect has been helping dealerships keep pace with the new, “mobile-first” consumer realities, by offering the first dealer-branded app that marries cool, truly useful and personalized automotive tools for customers, with keep-them-spending features for dealers – like “one tap” service appointment scheduling, robust new and used inventory search, and super-targeted offers tied to specific vehicles. DMEa’s app has been adopted by some of the largest dealer groups across the nation, and this year won the prestigious American Business Award and the 2013 BizTech Innovation Award®.

About DMEautomotive

DMEautomotive (DMEa) is the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, and provides turnkey marketing to the largest and most innovative automotive organizations, from automobile dealerships to many of the largest aftermarket companies in the U.S. DMEa's uniquely panoramic view of the complete automotive sales and service market, combined with its cutting-edge, science-based marketing programs, increases customer yield, conversion and retention. 

DMEa does not take marketing performance on faith, and each product and service is measured by a simple, precise scientific approach: Is it true? Prove it. Will it work? Test it. Does it generate results? Show it! Supported by DMEa’s proprietary, cloud-based Red Rocket Technology Platform, the DMEa product suite includes science-based, data driven, multi-channel customer acquisition and retention marketing programs; best-in-class campaign reporting; data management and analytics; auto-focused Customer Interaction Center solutions, and complete on-site mail and email fulfillment services. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, DMEa also has major operations in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Contact: 
Media Relations 
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com 
Elizabeth Johnson, mWEBB Communications, (213) 713-4865, elizabeth@mwebbcom.com 

ALBANY, N.Y. – January 20th, 2014 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems (http://www.automate.com) today introduced a multi-point inspection feature for its mobile service solution, tailored to work on windows-based tablets. With multi-point inspection, service advisors can use tablets to greet the customer, conduct a vehicle inspection, identify potential maintenance items and complete the service write-up process all 'on the go.' Auto dealer fixed ops departments using Auto/Mate's dealership management system (DMS) can now transition to a completely 'paperless' environment, streamlining processes and improving productivity.

"The addition of the multi-point inspection process to our mobile solution rounds out our service merchandising offering into a full-featured system that rivals any other DMS or third-party vendor out there," said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate Dealership Systems.

As more service departments incorporate mobile technology solutions into their processes, a key to achieving maximum efficiency is having tablets with complete access to the dealership's DMS, enabling instant bi-directional updates. With an Auto/Mate DMS-enabled tablet and multi-point inspection, the service department can do the following:

• Greet the customer in the service lane and retrieve or create an appointment using the customer's name, phone number or other criteria
• View entire vehicle history, warranty and/or factory recall information
• Convert appointment information into a electronic Repair Order (RO) with one click of a button
• Bring up a multi-point inspection form with a checklist and identify potential maintenance items, selecting "red" for needs fixing, "yellow" for needs checking and "green" for good
• Call up an archived multi-point inspection form from customer's last visit
• Send multi-point inspection form attached to an electronic RO to technician, who can call it up on the electronic workbench to instantly follow up on items
• Present findings to the customer on the tablet for customer approval, or e-mail the form to the customer for sign-off
• All data entered into the tablet are automatically updated in Auto/Mate’s DMS in real time, and any updates in the DMS also appear instantly on the tablet

Benefits of a Paperless Fixed Ops Department

The ability to conduct multi-point inspections on a mobile device is a critical part of the transition to a paperless environment in auto dealer service departments. More time and interaction with customers builds customer trust and loyalty, while streamlined processes greatly increase the productivity of service advisors and technicians.

Additionally, paperless inspection and write-up processes eliminate time wasted entering information into the DMS and reduce inaccuracies. Service departments may also benefit from photo documentation of the vehicle at the time of appointment, protecting against customer claims of dealership damage.

Auto/Mate's Service Merchandising Module

The addition of multi-point inspection to its DMS-enabled mobile service solution rounds out Auto/Mate's service merchandising module. Auto/Mate's DMS is a full-featured solution with the following features to help further streamline processes:

• One-screen access allows all service merchandising functions to be accessed within one screen via user-friendly pull-down menus and buttons
• Automated dispatch and electronic RO capabilities enable hands-free, customized and flexible dispatching
• Graphics-rich calendar allows service managers to view "at-a-glance" color-coded appointments on a daily, weekly or monthly basis
• Unique to Auto/Mate’s DMS is an instant merge feature that merges duplicate customer information with a single click of a button
• Manufacturers’ online information can be accessed from within Auto/Mate's DMS at any time by simply clicking on the “OEM Button.”

Auto/Mate's DMS is scalable to suit any size dealership or dealer group.

For more information call Auto/Mate at 877-340-2677 or schedule an appointment to see a demo at Booth # 3253 at NADA: http://www.automate.com/NADA.php

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships. Its Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 1,000 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate received the 2012 “Highest Rated” DMS award in the fourth annual Driving Sales Dealer Satisfaction Awards.

Auto/Mate’s employees have more than 850 years of combined experience working in auto dealerships – the foundation of its “Designed By Car People For Car People^TM” slogan. For more information visit our website, follow us on Twitter @AutoMateDMS and subscribe to our blog at http://blog.automate.com

Complete Marketing, Ad & Web Services | Free Market Analysis

KETTERING, Ohio – Jan. 16, 2014 – At a time when it’s essential for dealers to attract new customers to the dealership while also protecting their customer base, Naked Lime’s full-service, data-driven marketing, advertising, and web services are helping automobile retailers stand out in a crowded marketplace and outshine their competition.

Dealers are invited to stop by booth #3444 at the 2014 NADA Convention in New Orleans, Jan. 25-27, to learn more about how Naked Lime’s data-driven approach can help dealers see things differently and improve their results. Dealers who visit the booth can receive a free market analysis. For more information, visit http://nakedlime.com/nada.

“What we hear from our customers is that they value that Naked Lime’s true consultative services are backed by real people using real data to deliver real results,” said Jim Wright, vice president and general manager of Naked Lime. “Instead of being just another marketing tool handed to the dealer, our specialists partner with each dealership to help dealers make better marketing decisions and take better marketing actions – actions that attract new faces to the dealership and keep current customers coming back.”

Wright noted that Naked Lime offers dealers a one-stop shop of marketing, ad, and web services, including traditional and digital advertising, digital reputation management, SEO and social, email and direct mail marketing, e-newsletters, and web and mobile marketing.

Naked Lime also is a Google Partner and an approved marketing and advertising services partner for a number of automakers.

About Naked Lime Marketing

Naked Lime’s Naked Truth: Deliver fresh and innovative full-service marketing, advertising, and web solutions and services that help automotive dealers turn the heads of consumers and inspire consumer loyalty at every point in the retail process. Visit Naked Lime Marketing on the web at nakedlime.com, like Naked Lime on Facebook at facebook.com/nkdlime, or follow @NkdLime on Twitter.

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DEALERSLINK® TO LAUNCH ITS MARKETPLACE 4.0 AT THE 2014 NADA CONVENTION 

THE MOST ROBUST DEALER DIRECT SOURCING NETWORK IN THE INDUSTRY 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(January 15, 2014) - Broomfield, CO. DealersLink®, the nation’s premier dealer-to-dealer marketplace and inventory management solutions company, plans to unveil a radical new enhancement of its cloud-based platform at the NADA Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana January 25^th – 27th.

“We’re showcasing the most powerful tools to date to help dealers access quality inventory, and get it online faster and easier. We’re excited to launch the new DealersLink® 4.0 release at the NADA Expo, where our clients and colleagues look for the latest in automotive developments,” said the DealersLink® VP of Sales Travis Wise.

DealersLink® invests heavily in product R&D and touts extensive dealer involvement in product development.

“Most of our best products have been developed based on dealer feedback. With thousands of dealerships using our tools everyday, we have a strong field testing program and are constantly making updates accordingly,” said the DealersLink® VP of Development, Mike Goicoechea.

DealersLink® 4.0 improvements include: 

• New user interface: (benefits – faster, more intuitive, easier, more effective, etc.);
• CloudCam™ HD: Mobile Vehicle Stocking app that quickly scans VINs, runs book values, takes photos, adds options, can stock vehicles from your smartphone or the new CloudCam™ HD device;
• Mobile Trading Desk: A new mobile app that has all the functionality of the wholesale trading desk but runs on your smartphone so now dealers can quickly respond to requests, submit and receive buy bids, manage their requests, and complete deals. A dealer member no longer has to go to their computer to buy and sell vehicles with other DealersLink® members;
• No transaction fees ever;
• On-demand access to front-line inventory with wholesale pricing; 
• Over $1 Billion in quality inventory available in the marketplace 24/7;
• Includes intelligent booking automation, vehicle history reports, velocity reports, competition view, and eBay and Facebook exports.

Demonstrations of DealersLink® 4.0 - The Game Changer – will be available at booth #5252 during the NADA Expo right next to Chrysler Motors.  All dealers registering for a demonstration at the show will be able to spin a wheel for the chance to win cash and prizes.

DealersLink’s® mission is to operate the most efficient dealer direct marketplace in the nation, and partner with companies like CARFAX, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, ADP, Dealertrack, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Metrogistics, AIM, NADA, Black Book, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, Cars.com, AutoTrader.com, and Autocheck.

About DealersLink®

DealersLink® has been eliminating wholesale transaction fees for 8 years with $1 billion of used inventory available 24/7. Members use the marketplace daily to stock their lots with clean, reconditioned units; locate hard-to-find vehicles for their customers; sell inventory without incurring wholesale losses; arrange book-for-book trades; and manage their inventory with industry-leading analytic tools.

About NADA

The NADA Convention & Expo is the automotive industry event of the year and the world's largest international gathering place for franchised new-vehicle dealers. The convention offers dealers a rare chance to meet face-to-face with executives of major auto manufacturers and features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest equipment, services and technologies and dozens of workshops with the industry's best trainers.

For more information regarding the 2014 NADA Convention and Expo, please visit: http://www.nadaconvention.org.

To learn more about DealersLink®, please visit: www.dealerslink.com. 

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CONTACT: Travis Wise at 877-859-7080 x302 or travis.wise@dealerslink.com

Leading web-based dealership training platform is now available to NCDA members at special rate

Salt Lake City, UT and Richmond, BC –January 13, 2014- DrivingSales University (DSU), the industry leader in online training and performance coaching, today announced that it has furthered its expansion into the Canadian market with a new alliance with the The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA).  The agreement makes DSU’s web-based dealership training program available at an exclusive discounted rate to NCDA’s over 350 member dealerships, and includes over 300 training sessions that cover all aspects of automotive digital marketing from marketing to process to structure.

Already adopted by hundreds of dealers in the US and Canada – and the official online platform for the National Automobile Dealers Association - DSU is the only fully interactive online university of its kind in the automotive industry and is dedicated to providing up-to-the minute profit-building Internet sales and marketing strategies to dealerships. DSU gives dealership professionals 24/7 access to training and includes individual on-demand courses and personalized one-on-one performance coaching taught by leading dealership and industry experts. The program also includes comprehensive reporting so training progress is easily tracked.

“Our member dealers are critically important to our economy, generating $10 billion in economic activity annually, and we want to ensure that they have the tools, training and personal performance coaching to keep apace with the rapidly evolving digital, mobile and social media revolution,” said Blair Qualer, President & CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. “DSU’s terrific training program offers exactly that and is reaping terrific results for dealerships in the US and Canada, which is why we are so pleased to offer it at a special rate to our members.”

The DSU-NCDA alliance offers members a discount on all DSU training sessions for the first month, as well as a recurring monthly discount on new DSU subscription plans.

"We are very excited to continue our expansion into Canada through this important alliance. The New Car Dealers Association of BC is dedicated to furthering the education of its member dealers, improving their skills and, importantly, increasing profitability, and we are pleased to join them in that mission,” said Jared Hamilton, DrivingSales CEO and founder. “We have found that not only are auto dealers in Canada hungry for digital marketing training and strategies, but when presented with the right digital performance improvement solutions, they soar ahead of the market.”

For more information check out today’s blog on DrivingSales at: http://www.drivingsales.com/blogs/DrivingSales/2014/01/12/drivingsales-university-partners-new-car-dealers-association-bc

To sign up for the DrivingSales University/MDA program contact Ron Henson, Director of Dealer Services, at Ron.Henson@drivingsales.com

About DrivingSales University

DrivingSales University is a leading on-demand, web-based training platform focused on teaching the latest web strategies from a variety of top e-commerce experts.  A property of DrivingSales, one of the auto industry’s fastest growing media companies, DSU offers hundreds of classes for all dealership personnel with curriculum that pivots around the three key operational pillars of a dealership: 1. Process – how to handle and close that traffic; 2. Structure – how to structure the dealership to scale, including hiring, testing, compensation, job responsibilities, and more; and, 3. Marketing – how to increase walk in, phone and web traffic. DSU is the only fully interactive online university of its kind in the automotive industry and is a partner of NADA.

About The New Car Dealers Association of BC

The New Car Dealers Association of BC represents more than 350 New Car Dealers throughout the province, who generate $10 Billion in economic activity, pump $1.8 Billion net GDP directly into BC’s economy, and employ directly and indirectly more than 34,000 high paying full-time positions in over 50 communities they serve.

The Association speaks on behalf of British Columbia's new car industry to the public, media, and government, and deals with the legal, environmental, and consumer issues relating primarily to new vehicle sales in British Columbia.

The New Car Dealers Association of BC provides services, products, consultants and benefit partnerships to its dealer members.  

About DrivingSales

DrivingSales is a professional network serving the auto industry with dealer-driven news and information, online training, and performance data, all to enable dealers to make critical business decisions at their dealerships.  DrivingSales’ mission is to connect progressive dealership professionals to the people and information they need to maximize their success.  Founded by a third-generation car dealer, and opened up to the industry in 2008, today DrivingSales has registered users in over 50% of new car dealerships in the US and is active in several other countries around the globe.  To learn more about the DrivingSales community, training or performance analytics visit DrivingSales.com, DrivingSalesUniversity.com and DrivingSalesData.com

DrivingSales Media Relations:
Elizabeth Johnson (Elizabeth@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 213.713.4865

Melanie Webber (melanie@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 424.603.4340