Dealertrack Technologies Showcases New Innovations at 2013 NADA Convention

Launches New Digital Retailing, Interactive and Inventory Suites, and Introduces New Mobile iPad Menu Selling and DMS Mobile Reporting Solutions

Lake Success, N.Y., February 1, 2013 – Driving innovation and progress across the automotive retail industry, Dealertrack Technologies (Nasdaq: TRAK) will be launching several expanded technology suites and previewing new mobile innovations and other solutions for automotive dealers at the upcoming National Automotive Dealers Association Convention and Expo 2013 (NADA 2013), February 8^th through 11^th, in Orlando, Florida (Booth #2415).

From its all new and state-of-the-art exhibit, Dealertrack will unveil an “Interactive Zone” at the center of the booth where dealers can see and touch some of the company’s latest mobile innovations, and sign up for free trials and special offers. Dealertrack will also showcase its full portfolio of integrated technologies designed to drive efficiency and accelerate workflow for automotive dealers, including several new launches:

• Digital Retailing Suite – Only Dealertrack provides dealers with the power to fundamentally transform automotive retailing by enabling their online shoppers to complete more of the vehicle buying process online. Shoppers can search inventory, receive a first pencil offer, apply and pre-qualify for financing, plus value their trade using dealer controlled smart tools.
• Interactive Suite – With the acquisition of ClickMotive, Dealertrack has dramatically elevated its capabilities in the digital marketing arena, including a top performing line-up of dealer and group websites, mobile websites, search, social, managed chat tools, and integrations with Dealertrack’s Digital Retailing Suite.
• Inventory Suite – With solutions for pricing, appraising, merchandising, sourcing, stocking, trading, mobile and vehicle transportation, Dealertrack’s solution set is the most powerful and comprehensive in the industry. For transporting vehicles, Dealertrack now operates North America’s largest web-based shipping network, facilitating the moving of more than 2.5 million vehicles per year.
• New Mobile Solutions for DMS and eMenu – Building on the success of its mobile sales and F&I, and TrueTarget apps, Dealertrack continues to expand its line-up of mobile offerings. At NADA, Dealertrack will be previewing new mobile tools for dealers that deliver customized business-critical analytics for DMS on mobile devices, as well as a new customer-friendly menu to present and sell aftermarket F&I options from an iPad.

“The dealer is always at the center of our thinking when we design new solutions to advance workflows and drive efficiencies,” said Raj Sundaram, executive vice president, Dealer Solutions, Sales and Marketing, Dealertrack. “At this year’s NADA show, we will kickoff what is shaping up to be a multi-year product onslaught with the launch of new integrated solution sets and mobile technologies that will drive unprecedented efficiency and performance for dealers.”

NADA 2013 Show Demonstrations and Promotions

 At the show, Dealertrack will be giving away $100 gift cards for completing pre-scheduled product demonstrations at the show. The company will also give away new iPad Minis for qualifying purchases at the show or by later completing a follow up DMS full departmental demo at a dealership. Quantities are limited. Product demonstrations can be scheduled and promotional terms and conditions are available at www.dealertrack.com/nada or at the Dealertrack booth (#2415).

About Dealertrack Technologies (www.dealertrack.com)

Dealertrack Technologies’ intuitive and high-value web-based software solutions and services enhance efficiency and profitability for all major segments of the automotive retail industry, including dealers, lenders, OEMs, third-party retailers, agents and aftermarket providers. In addition to the industry’s largest online credit application network, connecting more than 19,000 dealers with more than 1,200 lenders, Dealertrack Technologies delivers the industry’s most comprehensive solution set for automotive retailers, including Dealer Management System (DMS), Inventory, Sales and F&I, Interactive and Registration and Titling  solutions. For more information visit  www.dealertrack.com.

ALBANY, N.Y. – January 30, 2013 – BOOTH #330, NADA - Auto/Mate Dealership Systems (http://www.automate.com) announced today that its AMPS Dealership Management System (DMS) is fully integrated with 700Credit, the automotive industry’s leading provider of consumer credit reporting and compliance products. Auto dealerships using AMPS now have complete, seamless access to 700Credit’s web-based credit reporting system and its numerous compliance and consumer information products.

“Having a fully integrated solution enables dealerships to instantly send and receive credit data, saving time and allowing them to service their customers more efficiently,” said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate. “Additionally, access to 700Credit’s compliance solutions helps dealers to stay compliant with the growing number of regulations, and to avoid costly mistakes.”

700Credit offers a variety of credit reporting services including credit reports and FICO scores; compliance solutions including Adverse Action, OFAC terrorist screening, Score Disclosure, Fraud Detection and “RedFlag” identity theft program requirements.

“The integration with Auto/Mate’s DMS gives more than 900 dealerships complete, instant access to our credit reporting and compliance solutions,” said Ken Hill, Managing Director with 700Credit. “In today’s market the ability to save time and not have to worry about the legal ramifications of various regulations brings dealers’ peace of mind while increasing profitability.”

About 700Credit

700Credit is the automotive industry's leading solution for credit reporting and compliance products and services. Products and services offered include credit reports, OFAC compliance, adverse action, fraud detection, score disclosure, online credit applications and more. 700Credit exists to provide its clients with the highest quality data in the most time efficient manner possible. For more information, visit: www.700credit.com.

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 dealership management software in use by more than 900 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate offers the best customer service in the industry; the company received top satisfaction rankings in NADA’s most recent DMS provider survey.

Auto/Mate’s employees have more than 300 years of combined experience working in auto dealerships – the foundation of its “designed by car people, for car people” slogan. For more information, visit www.automate.com, follow us on Twitter @AutoMateDMS and subscribe to our blog at http://blog.automate.com

Free DealerOn Weekly Webinar Series
"Keys to Maximing 2nd & 3rd Party Leads"
Marc McGurren, PCG Consulting, Inc

Thursday, January 31, 2013
12 PM EST/9 AM PST

For those dealerships currently advertising vehicles on Cars.com, Autotrader.com, or any other 2nd party source and/or buying 3rd party leads from your OEM or another provider – we have one question for you…

Are you satisfied with your ROI and closing ratio from those 2nd & 3rd party leads?

If the answer is no, then this webinar is for you!

Marc McGurren, Partner at PCG Consulting, will take a deep dive into unlocking the potential of these lead sources and give you proven tactics and strategies on how to maximize your ROI and sell more cars to those leads. You will walk away with word tracks, template examples and sample workflows on what is working for dealers all across the country.

If you want to learn the keys to sell more cars to 2nd and 3rd party leads, then this is a webinar you can’t afford to miss!

PRESENTER: Marc McGurren joined PCG Consulting Inc. as a partner in January 2012. Formerly as the Internet Director for the Jerry Durant Auto Group located in Weatherford, TX, Marc had more than 8 years of automotive experience he has held positions that range from salesperson, sales manager, finance manager, general manager, assistant service and parts director, as well has last position as Internet director. His passion and desire to execute digital marketing strategies is contagious and his track record of “you can’t fix what you don’t know” helped the Jerry Durant Auto Group have the best year in 42 years and sell over 10,800 cars in 2011. Most recently, Marc was featured on the cover WardsAuto Dealer Business Magazine for his strategies on being one of the top GM Internet dealerships in the country. He is a regular contributor and former community editor for Drivingsales.com, speaker at multiple automotive conferences including the Digital Warrior Academy, Digital Marketing Strategies Conference, CADA Innovative Summit, Digital Dealer Workshops & Driving Sales Executive Summit. Marc is an avid traveler and writer and can be reached at marc@pcgmailer.com.

‘5 Ways to Engage the Next Generation of Owners’ helps dealerships understand the threats to their service bays, and includes a step-by-step guide to increase loyalty and capture the next generation of customers

Daytona Beach, FL –January 28, 2013 – DMEautomotive (DMEa), the leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, today announced that “5 Ways to Engage the Next Generation of Owners” has been selected by the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) for a workshop at their annual Convention and Expo in February in Orlando, Florida.

Presented by Steve Dozier, National Training Director for DMEautomotive, the presentation leverages DMEa’s cutting edge research on the service customer to help dealerships understand how to maintain what is becoming an increasingly disloyal service customer base, as well as how to engage the critical next (and increasingly ‘now’) generation of service customers.

“Our research shows that without serious change dealerships, whose loyal customers tend to be between 55 and 75 years old, are at risk of becoming ‘senior centers,’” said Dr. Mary Sheridan, research director at DMEautomotive. “We surveyed thousands of consumers about their service behavior, and what we found has shaped our understanding of the next generation. In this seminar we’ll share 5 ways to engage the next generation of vehicle owners, including practical advice to help dealerships implement the programs necessary to keep those customers coming back to their showrooms and service bays.”

Workshop attendees will walk away with five specific strategies – as well as an understanding of the best tools to use to implement those strategies.  The curriculum includes:

• Complete understanding of automotive customer loyalty segments (Loyalist, Swing Loyalist, and Disloyalist)
• Complete understanding of the current aftermarket threat to dealerships
• Insight into the next generation consumer purchase behavior (specific to service)
• How to engage the next generation of vehicle owners
• The best tools to use to implement those 5 strategies

A dynamic speaker, Dozier has 15 years of experience in the automotive industry and is responsible for developing and growing DMEa University, DMEa’s in-house dealer training organization.  

The 75-minute workshop titled ‘5 Ways to Engage the Next Generation of Owner’ will be presented at the 2013 NADA convention, which takes place at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. The workshop will be presented on the following dates and times:

Friday, February 8, 2013 – 12:15pm – 1:30pm ET in room W 308AB

Friday, February 8, 2013 – 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm ET in room W 307CD

Monday, February 11, 2013 – 10:30 am – 11:45 am ET in room W 307AB

Sponsored by NADA University, the workshop is part of the Service and Body Shop education track and is available to NADA attendees in the Dealer, Manager or Allied w/Workshop registration categories. The workshop will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is no additional registration and no sign-up for the workshops. To learn more about this workshop, and to register for NADA 2013, please visit www.nadaconventionandexpo.org/nada2013.

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, +1-424-603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com
Angela Jacobson, mWEBB Communications, +1-714-454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com

Patent filings include advanced technology that enables Driver Connect to communicate with mobile devices at key, relevant moments in the vehicle ownership lifecycle and to facilitate communication between a service center and the mobile app user

Daytona Beach, FL – January 22, 2013 – DMEautomotive (DMEa), the leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, today announced that it has filed two patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a new, breakthrough technology for its dealer-branded mobile app, Driver Connect.

The first patent application pertains to advanced technology that enables Driver Connect to communicate with consumers at key, relevant moments in the lifecycle of their vehicle purchasing and ownership journey. A second patent application addresses methods to facilitate event communications between service centers and mobile app users; for instance, notifying mobile app users that service on their car has been completed.

Launched in February 2012, Driver Connect has been generating significant results for its dealership users: thousands of consumers have downloaded the dealer-branded apps in just the last six months, and consumer engagement is soaring, with average app visits lasting over twenty minutes.

“DMEautomotive has always put science and innovation first and we’re proud that Driver Connect’s patent-pending technology is helping dealers adapt to the mobile app revolution,” said Mike Walther, president and CEO of DMEautomotive. “Its user-friendly technology is driving truly eye-opening customer engagement and is significantly boosting service and sales retention for its growing base of dealer users.”

Driver Connect enables dealers to market directly to a customer’s smartphone or tablet, and combines a suite of cool, useful and personalized automotive tools for consumers with features that keep that customer engaged and spending at that dealership. Users are able to browse new and used car inventory, easily schedule service appointments, manage their vehicles’ service histories, and receive targeted dealership alerts and offers on demand - or as part of the integrated sales and service communications that are the centerpiece of DMEautomotive’s Customer Journey marketing and retention program.

Walther noted that Driver Connect launched just as the mobile app “wave” began to hit its tipping point. Smartphone adoption is now happening ten times faster than the 80s PC revolution – two times faster than the 90s Internet boom – and three times faster than social media adoption.[1] And no media platform (digital or otherwise) is growing faster than mobile apps, with U.S. app users roughly doubling in the last year (to 102 million) – time spent with apps skyrocketing 120% - and people now spending significantly more time with mobile apps than the mobile Web.[2]

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, +1-424-603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com
Angela Jacobson, mWEBB Communications, +1-714-454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com

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Naked Lime Adds a Number of Fresh and Bold Themes for Dealership Websites

Dealers Can View Updated Designs in the Naked Lime Website Themes Gallery and at the 2013 NADA Convention, Booth #1074

KETTERING, Ohio – Jan. 16, 2013 – Naked Lime Marketing, a full-service marketing, advertising, and web agency for automotive retailers, has developed nearly 20 new website themes designed to enhance the appearance and usability of dealership websites from Naked Lime.

“As the saying goes, ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression,’ and for many consumers, their first impression of a dealership is the dealer’s website,” said Trey Hiers, who oversees marketing at Naked Lime. “Our new themes offer a sleek, modern look-and-feel that is meant to help dealers get noticed on the web and consistently make a positive impression with consumers.”

In addition to providing an updated look for the dealer’s website, the new themes from Naked Lime also are designed to make it easy for consumers to find vehicle and dealer information, which in turn, can help increase the time consumers spend on the dealer’s site and increase the number of pages viewed. The new themes also support better on-site SEO.

These fresh, bold website templates have been added to Naked Lime’s website themes gallery. Naked Lime web customers can select the customizable layout and color scheme that best reflects their dealership and brand.

Hiers added that existing Naked Lime web customers may upgrade their dealership website to one of these new themes at no additional cost. Dealers should contact Naked Lime at 855.NKD.LIME or email info@nakedlime.com.

Dealership websites from Naked Lime come standard with flexible template designs, easy-to-use dealer tools, live chat, a dealer-managed blog – all built on an award-winning SEO platform. Options are available to add parts and accessory sales and online service department tools. Naked Lime also offers a service to manage online specials pages for dealers to help ensure consumers are viewing current and relevant offers.

NADA 2013

Naked Lime Marketing invites dealers to visit booth #1074 at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention to learn more about Naked Lime’s full-service marketing, advertising, and web solutions. The NADA Convention will be held Feb. 8-11, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. For more information, go to http://nakedlime.com/nada.

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. Connect with Naked Lime Marketing on the Web: http://nakedlime.com, Facebook: http://facebook.com/nkdlime, or Twitter: http://twitter.com/nkdlime.

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“Accessories Success Gameplan” presented by auto industry veteran and expert Sidney Haider provides dealers with an easy process to generate an additional $500 per copy

San Francisco, CA -- January 15, 2013 -- izmocars (http://www.izmocars.com) today announced that Sidney Haider, president of the Company’s AddOnAuto (AOA) division, has been selected by the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) to present a workshop on in-dealership auto accessories sales success at their annual Convention and Expo in February in Orlando, Florida. Haider’s presentation utilizes the success data and best practices of hundreds of dealerships across the country to provide an easy process for successful accessories sales. Dealers using this accessories sales gameplan generate, on average, an additional $500 per copy.

In addition to providing proven strategies for generating additional accessories revenue, the workshop curriculum includes how to’s on: streamlining the accessory sales/order handling process; enhancing the customer purchase experience; creating engaging e-mail campaigns; enhancing website functionality/engaging more visitors, and more. Haider’s workshop will also cover 7 P’s for successful accessories sales: Process, People, Product, Pricing, Profit, Presentation, and Pay Plans.

“Accessories sales represent an important area for dealerships seeking to diversify revenue and increase profit and, with the right practices in place, dealerships can easily have much more than their current 6% of the $30 billion accessories market. We know this is true because there are dealerships across the country who have put the right processes in place and are doing it already!” said Haider. “This presentation will share the secrets of these dealerships’ success and ensure that every workshop attendee will be armed to increase revenue in his/her dealership by an average of $500 a copy.”

Haider has over 22 years of broad-based experience in retail automotive Internet sales, dealership management, marketing, and business development. He is renowned for his revolutionary processes and practices for increasing accessories sales in dealerships, and has traveled the country helping hundreds of dealerships diversify revenues and increase profits with his streamlined approach to accessories sales that improves, integrates and streamlines the entire process across dealership departments and sales teams. For many dealerships that have used these best practices, accessories sales at least doubled, tripled, and even grew thirteen-fold.

The 75-minute workshop titled “Accessories Success Gameplan,” will be presented at the 2013 NADA convention, which takes place at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. The workshop will be presented on the following dates and times in room W306:

Friday, February 8, 2013 – 12:15 pm – 1:30 pm ET
Saturday, February 9, 2013 – 10:30 am – 11:45 am ET
Monday, February 11, 2013 – 8:30 am – 9:45 am ET

Sponsored by NADA University, the workshop is part of the Parts and Accessories education track and is available to NADA attendees in the Dealer, Manager or Allied w/Workshop registration categories. The workshop will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is no additional registration and no sign-up for the workshops. To learn more about this workshop, and to register for NADA 2013, please visit http://www.nadaconventionandexpo.org/nada2013.

About izmocars
izmocars is a leading provider of Automotive Business Solutions including: Website and Online Marketing Solutions, Enterprise-level Automotive CRM, iConsult - Sales Performance Coaching and AddOnAuto - an In-Store Accessories Sales Solution.

izmocars is also the world's leader in Interactive Media Content for the automotive industry. Founded in 2002, izmocars services some of the most successful eDealers in the country.

izmocars is based in San Francisco, with offices in Long Beach, CA and Brussels in Europe.

CONTACT: mWEBB Communications for izmocars, Melanie Webber, +1-424-603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com, or Angela Jacobson, +1-714-454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com

Integration Between the Reynolds Used Vehicle Management Tool and ADESA Auction Run List Helps Dealers Determine “What, When, and Where to Buy” Optimal Used Vehicles to Sell

DAYTON, Ohio – Jan. 15, 2013 – The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today announced integration between the Reynolds Used Vehicle Management application and the ADESA Auction Run List, which enables dealers to more quickly and efficiently source used vehicles available at ADESA auction sites. The integration between Used Vehicle Management and the ADESA Auction Run List is a new, complimentary feature for Reynolds’ Used Vehicle Management customers.

“Used vehicle managers are facing increased pressure to recommend which vehicles the dealership should acquire and when to acquire them,” said Jon Strawsburg, vice president of Product Planning for Reynolds. “Our Used Vehicle Management tool is designed to help managers answer the questions of ‘what to buy’ and ‘when to buy’ and identify vehicles that will sell quickly with higher margins.”

Strawsburg noted that once managers know the optimal vehicles to acquire, the challenge then becomes where to buy them. The integration between Used Vehicle Management and the ADESA Auction Run List helps answer the “where to buy” question by allowing used vehicle managers to identify in real time the ADESA auction site where they can purchase the vehicles they seek.

Reynolds’ Used Vehicle Management tool for the ERA^® and POWER dealership management systems is an inventory management solution that can be tailored to each dealership to help dealers quickly and accurately evaluate used vehicles. Used Vehicle Management analyzes critical information from the dealership and from various third-party data sources, including sales history, inventory turn rates, and auction and appraisal data, to compile optimal inventory and pricing recommendations. These recommendations help dealers take the guesswork out of vehicle acquisitions and deliver results for their business.

About ADESA

ADESA offers a full range of auction, reconditioning, logistical and other vehicle-related services to meet the remarketing needs of both its institutional and dealer customers. With 68 auction locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, strategically located near metropolitan areas with a large concentration of used vehicle dealers, the company is well positioned to host physical and Internet auctions. ADESA LiveBlock simulcasts vehicles worldwide. ADESA DealerBlock offers two ways to buy: bid-now sales events or buy-now pricing 24/7. Through its related subsidiaries of AutoVIN® and PAR North America, it is also able to provide additional services including inspections, inventory audits and remarketing outsourcing solutions including a network of repossession agents, titling and auction sale representation. Visit ADESA.com for details.

About Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds is the automotive industry’s leading provider of automobile dealership software, services, and forms to help dealerships improve business results. The company is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, with major operations in Houston and College Station, Texas, and Celina, Ohio.  (www.reyrey.com)

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DealerRater Announces the 2013 Dealer of the Year Award Program to Recognize North America’s Top Car Dealers for Outstanding Customer Service

WALTHAM, Mass.  – January 9, 2013 - DealerRater, the world’s premier car dealer review web site, today announced the launch of the 2013 Dealer of the Year Award Program. This highly anticipated annual award program recognizes a select group of car dealerships in the United States and Canada for outstanding customer satisfaction as expressed through consumer reviews posted on DealerRater’s web site during the 2012 calendar year.

DealerRater’s popular and competitive Dealer of the Year awards are presented each February to car dealerships that demonstrate the highest PowerScore™ in their brand category. Each dealership’s PowerScore is determined using a Bayesian algorithm that considers the dealership’s average DealerRater rating and the total number of reviews written about the dealership during the previous calendar year. The dealership must also have a minimum of twenty-five (25) new reviews written on DealerRater’s web site during the previous calendar year and an average rating greater than 4.0, with 5.0 as the highest possible score.  

Dealer of the Year recognition will be awarded to dealerships on a national brand and state brand level.  In addition, one dealership will be chosen as the overall Dealer of the Year for 2013. This dealership will be recognized for having a PowerScore that outranks all other brand-specific Dealer of the Year winners.

“The Dealer of the Year Award Program has grown increasingly competitive each year as dealerships have accepted the vital role that consumer reviews and online star ratings play in strengthening their brand and driving business growth,” said Chip Grueter, president of DealerRater.  “Now in its third year, the Award Program promises to be an exciting contest among many stellar dealerships committed to outstanding customer service throughout North America.”

The 2013 Dealer of the Year award winners will be announced at the upcoming NADA General Conference & Exposition in Orlando, Florida on February 8-11, 2013. DealerRater will be exhibiting at the conference with Booth # 3353.

About DealerRater:

DealerRater was founded in 2002 as the first car dealer review website worldwide.  DealerRater is the world’s #1 online resource for anyone seeking trusted third-party information on automobile dealerships.   DealerRater features nearly 40,000 U.S. and Canadian car dealers, more than 900,000 consumer reviews and over 1 million cars for sale.  DealerRater attracts more than 9.5 million consumers every year who visit the site to search for car dealerships, read reviews, write their own descriptive reviews, and find car deals – all for free. 

In addition, DealerRater offers qualified car dealers a Certified Dealer Program as a reputation management tool to help them grow their online presence and achieve higher SEO rankings across the Web.  Today, more than 4,600 dealers are members of the DealerRater® Certified Dealer Program.  DealerRater is proud to have been awarded the #137 position on the 2012 Inc. 500 list, an exclusive ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.  For more information, visit www.DealerRater.com or call 800-266-9455.  

Upgrades to award-winning site include industry-first dScore to measure relevant user activity

Salt Lake City, UT – December 20, 2012 – DrivingSales today announced the launch of its redesigned website DrivingSales.com, the world’s largest automotive social network. The new DrivingSales.com includes a strong new social design that encourages even more meaningful professional connections through the community, access to the latest and most relevant information, and improved data collection on community activity to improve targeting for DrivingSales partners. The company also announced the launch of dScore, a new way for those involved in the dealership world to engage with one another, generate activity, demonstrate experience, and stay plugged in to the most relevant content.

“Improving the quality and flow of profit-building, performance-improving information to dealers is our mission at DrivingSales. So, over the last year, we solicited feedback from the community on how we can do better, and the result is a new, improved and even more engaging and interactive DrivingSales.com,” said DrivingSales CEO and founder Jared Hamilton. “Not only have we enhanced the platform for community interaction, but community members can now ask/select which information arrives in their news feed – plus the new dScore provides a compelling measure of activity for the community and user, further connecting members with the information they want. With this launch, we believe that there is no better, more user-friendly place for dealers to make the connections they need and to find the peer-tested information to help build their business than DrivingSales.com.”

Features and benefits of the redesigned DrivingSales.com website and platform include:  

• Improved navigation to the content sections most important to dealers and vendors.
• Enhanced website efficiencies, including quick access to trending content, most popular and recent activity, plus better site speed and performance.
• Revamped profile pages and improved content selection – via profile department and interest selection – to deliver more relevant content choices to the user's stream.
• Measurement, through the new dScore, of a user’s activity within his/her area of expertise; includes achievement badges.
• Better content targeting for advertising partners, including increased exposure opportunities through vendor-ratings and reviews widgets.

Earlier this year, DrivingSales received a Stevie® Award in the ‘Most Innovative Company of the Year’ category in the 10^th Annual American Business Awards, as well as a 2012 “Top 25 Under Five” award from the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF) – for the second year in a row – which spotlights outstanding entrepreneurs and start-up companies in Utah. In addition to this year’s awards, DrivingSales was also named a 2011 Fast 50 “Emerging Eight” company by Utah Business magazine, and received an Interactive Media Award (IMA) for Outstanding Achievement in the ‘Automobile’ website category. Additionally, DrivingSales was named one of ten social media gambits for 2009 by Automotive News and one of the Top 10 Companies to Watch in 2010 by Auto Success Magazine.

About DrivingSales

Founded in 2008 and dedicated to the dealer community, DrivingSales is a business intelligence and performance improvement company that delivers unbiased*, profit-building information to make automobile dealers more successful through three distinct channels: DrivingSales Data, DrivingSales University and DrivingSales Media. DrivingSales Data houses the largest database of cross-vendor, dealership performance data in the North American auto industry and provides dealerships with the most statistically accurate performance benchmarks and metrics for their marketing and technology investments. DrivingSales University is a fully interactive online university that offers advanced profit-building strategies to automotive professionals through hundreds of classes taught by world-leading experts. DrivingSales Media connects dealers to peers and information through its global media assets, including DrivingSales.com, the world’s largest automotive social network; The Dealership Innovation Guide, an industry leading quarterly publication; DrivingSales Executive Summit, the top automotive conference for progressive dealers, and DrivingSalesTV, Web TV covering everything car-dealer related. Approximately one in every three dealerships in the United States has a registered member in the DrivingSales community.

*Vendor Neutral Policy: Dedicated solely to making dealerships more profitable, while also providing benefit to automakers and the industry as a whole, DrivingSales adheres to a strict vendor neutral policy through each of its channels. This means the company only provides unbiased information, not ‘pay-to-play’ follow up services -- and never accepts payment in exchange for media coverage or lets potential advertisers dictate messaging or create bias in any of its channels.

DrivingSales Media Relations:
Melanie Webber (melanie@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 424.603.4340

Angela Jacobson (angela@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 714.454.8776