DealerRater® updates its DealerRater Push™ product, further enabling car dealer members of its Certification Program to build and balance reviews among influential third-party review sites.  Additional enhancements to the Certified Dealer tool kit include new elements to MyReviews employee-specific review pages that allow dealers’ staff to differentiate themselves and engage with consumers for a competitive edge.

WALTHAM, Mass.  - March 19, 2012 - DealerRater, the world’s premier car dealer review web site, today announced important enhancements to its DealerRater Push™ product and MyReviews pages, two key features of the DealerRater Certification Program.  The new DealerRater Push update will help dealers to build positive review counts and balance their review mix across third-party review sites.   In addition, the company’s new additions to the MyReviews employee-specific review pages will allow dealers to better promote individual employees for a competitive edge with new elements such as YouTube videos, as well as a contact form for consumers to connect with dealer employees.

“We work diligently to provide Certified Dealers with a comprehensive tool kit for expertly managing and leverage their online reputation,” said Chip Grueter, president at DealerRater. “These latest enhancements to our Certification Program are the first of many exciting changes in the area of product development planned for 2012.”

More specifically, the DealerRater Push feature has been expanded to include four more review websites, in addition to Google Places, that dealers can configure and push consumer reviewers to, including Yelp, CitySearch, Insider Pages and Edmunds.  For every consumer that now posts a positive review of a Certified Dealer on DealerRater, DealerRater Push will prompt the reviewer to share the review on one of these five influential third-party sites, with the specific site pre-selected by the dealer.

“Our Certified Dealer partners have been very successful in soliciting satisfied sales and service customers to write online reviews on DealerRater,” added Grueter.  “With the expansion of DealerRater Push, Certified Dealers will build positive online reviews and have the ability to rotate and balance where they send consumer reviews to over time, with the end goal of helping them to balance their reviews across the major third-party review web sites.”

In addition to the Push updates, DealerRater has also made enhancements to the MyReviews employee-specific review pages to better help dealers easily promote individual sales and service members, and further increase consumer interaction for a competitive edge, even before the prospect enters the dealer showroom. 

Enhancements include:

·         YouTube video uploads.  Employees will be able to upload a promotional video that can be displayed for consumers when they visit the dealer’s employee review page on DealerRater. 

·         Dealer’s inventory added to the page.  The dealer’s cars for sale listing has been added to the employee review page to complement the existing listing on the Dealer review page.

·         Consumer contact form.  Consumers are able to post a simple message on a contact form that is emailed to the individual employee and/or copied to other dealer staff, based on the choice of the dealer.  Dealers may now optionally disable this feature as well if they wish.

·         Streamlined, consumer-driven employee tagging process.   When posting a review of a Certified Dealer, consumers are now prompted to select the dealer employee name(s) associated with the review, eliminating the prior need for dealers to associate or “tag” their individual reviews to specific dealer employees.

DealerRater Push and MyReviews are included within the framework of DealerRater’s comprehensive Certified Dealer Program, a proven online reputation tool for car dealers.  Embraced by more than 4,300 car dealers across the U.S. and Canada, the Certified Dealer Program is designed to help car dealerships grow their online presence and achieve higher SEO rankings across the Web.  Certified Dealers are able to connect with DealerRater’s 8 million web site visitors while demonstrating an utmost commitment to quality customer service.  For more information call 800-266-9455, or visit www.dealerrater.com

#  #  #  #  #

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 third-party information on automobile dealerships.   DealerRater features more than 41,000 U.S. and Canadian car dealers, 600,000 consumer reviews and over 1,000,000 cars for sale.  DealerRater attracts more than 8 million consumers every year who visit the site to search for car dealerships, read current reviews, write their own descriptive reviews, and find car deals – all for free.  Car dealers are rated on the criteria of customer service, quality of work, friendliness, price and overall experience.  In addition, DealerRater offers qualified car dealers a Certified Dealer Program as an online reputation management tool for car dealers, to help them grow their online presence and achieve higher SEO rankings across the Web.  Today, more than 4,300 dealers are members of DealerRater’s Certification Program.  For more information, visit www.DealerRater.com or call 800-266-9455. 

Sometimes I’m asked by prospective clients where they would fall among my client priority. What they mean is how much time and focus can they expect from me given the budget being discussed?

This is a fair question. After all, no one wants to feel less important.

I would hope my clients rarely find me anything less than keen on serving them well and promptly.

However, I have recently recalibrated my client priorities. I must truly answer that question in a way I know I now must:

My most important client is my marriage.

Does that sound odd? Have you ever thought of your marriage as a client or customer -- or your golf game for that matter?

Here’s where I’m going with this:

Where we put our most focus, effort, resources, affection, care and time is what’s the most important to us. Most will agree with this, but mental assent alone is not heart obedience.

I am one of those men who believe the husband is to serve the wife as the wife services the husband. Briefly, it means you before me. It’s a surprising simple, practical and effective truth.

Making anything else of higher priority than this relationship with my wife is courting foolishness.

Invest in your number one client, your marriage --and you’ll navigate life much better whatever it – or business – throws your way.

OAK BROOK, IL (March 15, 2012) – vAuto’s RealDeal is now available for dealership sales teams to use on Android phones, as well as Apple’s iPhone and iPad.

            “We’re pleased to complete RealDeal’s integration across the top mobile platforms,” says Keith Jezek, vAuto president. “It gives our dealers and their sales teams more flexibility to present each vehicle’s RealDeal value story to customers and close more deals.”

Based on the philosophy that “documentation is the new negotiation,” RealDeal is a market-based price validation and merchandising system dealers use to educate buyers on the factors behind a used vehicle’s asking price. It compares a vehicle’s condition, mileage, equipment and other price factors with similar/identical units available in the marketplace. Dealers who use RealDeal find it builds transparency and trust with customers, resulting in more sales and fewer discounts from asking prices.

“The mobile integration takes RealDeal’s pricing credibility boost to a new level,” says dealer Marc Ray of Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Toledo. “Our salespeople can even use a customer’s smartphone or iPad to look up and view RealDeal reports anywhere at the dealership—on the lot, the showroom floor or the service drive.”

About vAuto

Auto provides innovative technology, tools and business intelligence to help dealers improve their used vehicle department sales and profits. vAuto’s Provision inventory management system simplifies the acquisition, pricing and merchandising of used vehicles for dealers based on real-time supply-and-demand data in their markets. vAuto’s RealDeal leverages dealer market intelligence to build transparency and profits in used vehicle sales processes. Today, more than 4,000 dealerships across the United States and Canada rely on vAuto’s used vehicle systems. Dale Pollak, vAuto’s founder, has written two automotive retail industry best-sellers, Velocity: From the Front Line to the Bottom Line and Velocity 2.0: Paint, Pixels & Profitability. Headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, IL, with a research and development center in Austin, TX, vAuto is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com. Additional information about vAuto is available at www.vauto.com.

Today, more than 4,000 dealerships across the United States and Canada rely on vAuto’s used vehicle systems. Dale Pollak, vAuto’s founder, has written two automotive retail industry best-sellers, Velocity: From the Front Line to the Bottom Line and Velocity 2.0: Paint, Pixels & Profitability. Headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, IL, with a research and development center in Austin, TX, vAuto is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com. Additional information about vAuto is available at www.vauto.com.

Media Contacts:

Lance Helgeson

vAuto

Phone: +1.708.613.5816

E-mail: lhelgeson@vauto.com

With Significant Decline projected in Vehicle Service Market, ARS Promises to Help Solve Today’s Most Dangerous Trends Facing Auto Dealers

Henderson, NV --- March 12, 2012 --- While the retail automotive industry is enjoying an increase in sales, fewer vehicles were sold in 2007-2010 and, according  to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Customer Service Index, projected service volumes are expected to decline by as much as 25 percent, reaching a low point in 2013. To help solve this problem and the most dangerous trends facing auto dealers today, well known retail automotive industry veteran Ron Fortt has launched Automotive Retail Solutions (ARS), an independent consulting and training company that deliveries state-of-the-art products and services to the Automotive Industry.  The company had been piloting in select dealerships for the past two years, achieving superior results, and is now ready for its official launch.

ARS’ all inclusive programs are based around the superior execution of a suite of solutions that start on the service drive with well trained service advisors and improved walk around procedures. The programs include Service Advisor Training, Business Development Centers, Service Drive Extended Contract Sales, Windshield Repair Training, Equipment, Software Licensing and In Store Support.

Dealerships piloting the program have enjoyed a significant boost in profitability. One large volume dealership that does at least 150 repair orders a day increased the dealership’s 2011 net profit substantially. “Since instituting an Automotive Retail Solution program we have been able to generate over $94,500.00 in Net Profit and we were just scratching the surface. These are dollars that we would not have otherwise realized. ARS dealership support and training has been world class! Their customer service is second to none,” said Mike Latham, fixed operations director with Maita Toyota.

According to ARS president Ron Fortt, there is a huge unrealized profit potential in the service drive and 70% of vehicle owners have a need for ARS’ programs and products when they arrive for service. For example, windshield repair, which can be done in less than 15 minutes, and be extremely profitable for the dealership.  ARS is there to help the dealership capitalize on all these potential profit opportunities in the service drive with programs, products and training that enable the dealership to perform at its greatest possible level. ARS also offers products and services that serve as unique customer retention tools and bring additional vehicles into the service drive.  “We assist our clients in increasing their profitability with their existing service customers. Our all inclusive turnkey approach increases the dealership’s net profit with virtually no out of pocket investment,” Fortt said.

Ron Fortt, a graduate of NADA's Dealer Candidate Academy, has more than 36-years of experience in automotive retail and is well known and respected as an active dealer and leader in the minority dealer community; he served as Treasurer of the Toyota Lexus Minority Dealers Association and on the Toyota National Dealer Council Advisory Board. Fortt was co-owner of the highly successful California-based Tracy Toyota, which more than doubled predicted sales goals in its first year of operation and went on to become one of the top selling Toyota dealerships in Northern California, achieving Toyota’s prestigious President’s Award for 2002 and 2003. In 2001 Fortt Co-founded a Technology Company called OneCommand with M.C. Hammer. OneCommand specializes in digital communications in the Automotive vertical and has over 4000 customers today. Fortt is once again introducing revolutionary tools to the industry with the launch of ARS.

ARS trains the dealer’s service department to quickly identify the best sales and profit opportunities on the service drive and in how to convey the benefits to their service customers, resulting in increased profitability, satisfied customers and improved customer retention.    ARS also professionally trains the dealership staff in how to conduct repairs for the products it offers, such as windshield repair, and provides all the tools and supplies, on-site support and service advisor consulting. ARS additionally provides immediate follow up via email for three years, as well as daily management reports to identified senior management and feedback on service advisor overall performance through observation on the service drive.

For more information call: 800.963.1451 or visit www.arspromise.com

izmocars accessories sales experts provide key best practices for selling accessories successfully; seminar free to NADA members

San Francisco, CA - March 07, 2012- izmocars (http://www.izmocars.com), whose AOA product is the accessories sales solution ranked #1 by dealers at DrivingSales.com, will, in conjunction with NADA University, the education and training arm of the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA), present a best practices webinar designed to help auto dealers earn an extra $500 per car sold with key best practices for successful accessories sales.

The 90-minute webinar “Increasing Accessory Revenue $500 Per Sale” will take place on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm Eastern time, and is open to dealers from across the country, free of charge.

In addition to providing proven strategies for generating an average of $500 in accessories revenue per car sold, the webinar will cover accessories sales processes and best practices, such as how to sustain a productive accessories department, how to use accessories to motivate dealership staff, and how to leverage accessories sales to create more loyal customers, plus much more.

Accessories sales represent a $38 billion market and an important area for dealerships seeking to diversify revenue. The majority of consumers prefer to buy accessories at the dealership, yet fewer than 5% are actually sold by dealers. However, dealerships who have cracked the code of selling accessories with the right processes in place, and effective use of technology, continue to generate solid profits from accessories sales. According to a recent report of 150 dealerships across the country, the average dealership utilizing these best practices generated over $260,000 in annual accessories sales -- in addition to pre-installed parts and options -- with an average of nearly $500 in accessories sales per vehicle sold, an average gross profit margin of 45%, and an after-commission net profit margin of 32.3%.

After participating in this webinar participants will be better able to:

• Avoid common mistakes most dealers make in setting up the accessories department
• Look out for the most important areas when drawing a plan to establish an accessory business within a dealership
• Match best practices of other dealers who are consistently producing successful results
• Set benchmarks for accessories-sales success

izmocars Vice President Sidney Haider, an automotive management professional with over 20 years of experience in retail, marketing, and business development, who has previously served as the GSM of Keyes Honda and as e-commerce director of Galpin Motors, Inc. will lead the webinar. He will be joined by izmocars Director of Strategic Partnerships Ken Luna.

“Dealers continue to face increasing pressures to hold gross on new vehicles in today’s competitive marketplace. The 38 billion dollar accessories market represents a natural opportunity for dealerships to increase profits,” said Sidney Haider. “We are confident that this webinar will provide valuable insight for those dealers who are ready to reap the many benefits of accessories sales.”

This educational presentation is offered through NADA University’s MarketINSIGHT webinar series, which focuses on industry trends and issues presented by industry experts. The webinar is open to everyone, at no cost. Attendees may join the event as it happens, which gives them the opportunity to participate and ask questions, or watch it on-demand at their convenience.

To register, please visit https://nada.webex.com/nada/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=766280502; event password: izmo.

1 AOA Auto Accessories 2012 Trend Report: http://www.izmocars.com/trend-reports/aoa-2012.pdf

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, Chattanooga, TN, Philadelphia, PA, and Brussels in Europe.

CONTACT: mWEBB Communications for izmocars, Angela Jacobson, +1-714-454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com

Digital marketing and technology expert to manage new product development

Salt Lake City, UT -- March 07, 2012

DrivingSales today announced that technology and digital marketing expert Eric Miltsch has been named Director of Product Strategy for the company. Miltsch is charged with further enhancing and developing DrivingSales’ product and services suite, which includes the largest car dealer social network; the auto industry’s only unbiased, comprehensive vendor ratings platform; dealership-oriented data integration and business intelligence products, as well as professional education and training programs -- all focused on making dealerships more profitable, while also providing benefit to automakers and the industry as a whole.

“Eric is a leader in innovative digital marketing and technology for dealerships, both in vision and in practice. He doesn’t just talk the talk but he has walked the walk, on the ground and in the dealership, helping make Auction Direct one of the fastest-growing and most successful used car dealerships in the country,” said DrivingSales founder and CEO Jared Hamilton. “We are proud to welcome Eric to the team. He is a long time friend of DrivingSales and a true evangelist for improving dealership access to the best and most innovative digital strategies and information available. We look forward to seeing him put his passion into action for the thousands of dealers in the DrivingSales community.”

DrivingSales provides comprehensive professional resources for the automotive retail segment including DrivingSales.com, DrivingSalesTV, DrivingSales University, DrivingSales Executive Summit, and Dealership Innovation Guide.

Prior to joining DrivingSales, Miltsch directed successful digital experiences for Auction Direct USA, one of the nation's fastest growing used vehicle dealerships, which was also named the #1 Independent Retailer in the US in 2010 and 2011. Miltsch also wrote for WhyBuyUsedCars.com, Auction Direct's used car blog and his personal blog, WhatDidEricSay.com, one of the first blogs focused on location-based marketing concepts and strategies.

“I am excited to join DrivingSales, whose positive impact on the $500 billion auto industry and its auto dealer community has been profound: today, one in every three dealerships has a member in DrivingSales,” said Miltsch “I look forward to working with the DrivingSales team on its mission to expedite and improve information flow to car dealers - in a digital universe that moves at the speed of light - by creating the industry’s most effective and accessible profit-building data management, education and best practices resources and products.”

Miltsch is a frequent contributor to the retail automotive community presenting his views on the latest digital marketing strategies and technology trends at respected industry events such as the DrivingSales Executive Summit, National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA), Thought Leader Summit, Internet Battle Plan, RIT Social Media & Communication Symposium, and the JD Power Automotive Internet Roundtable. His written work has been published and cited in various publications including The Dealership Innovation Guide, Automotive News, Auto Dealer Monthly, and Used Car News. He is also co-creator of CarZar, the first location-based, photo sharing automotive application.

About DrivingSales.com

DrivingSales is a business intelligence data company that includes the auto industry’s largest car dealer social network. Dedicated to the dealer community, DrivingSales leverages its social networking platform to collect and route business intelligence and market data around the $500 billion automotive industry, all to make dealerships more profitable, while also providing benefit to automakers and the industry as a whole. Approximately, one in every three dealerships in the United States has a registered member in the DrivingSales community.

DrivingSales' information and data network includes flagship property DrivingSales.com (http://www.drivingsales.com), the world's largest car dealer social network; DrivingSalesTV (http://www.drivingsalestv.com), an interactive web channel which helps car dealers and auto professionals keep tabs on their industry and emerging technologies 24/7; DrivingSales University, an on-demand training platform where dealerships learn the latest web strategies from top e-commerce experts; DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES) the industry's leading conference where progressive dealers collaborate and learn from world renowned experts, and DrivingSales Dealership Innovation Guide, a quarterly free publication featuring case studies of the industry's most innovative dealerships, solutions and best practices.

DrivingSales Media Relations:
Melanie Webber (melanie@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 424.603.4340
Angela Jacobson (angela@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 714.454.8776

DMEautomotive releases service market loyalty white paper and new demographic findings:

• Auto service loyalty now pivots around age: roughly half of aftermarket chains loyalists are under 34, while around half of dealer loyalists are 50+.
• Dealership loyalists from the over-70 segment exiting market would represent $3.4 billion loss.
• Aging vehicle fleet favors aftermarket: dealerships lose 47% of bread-and-butter service business when vehicles reach age 3-6.

Daytona Beach, FL – March 5, 2012 – DMEautomotive (DMEa), the science-inspired, results-based automotive marketing leader, has released its new white paper, “The Changing Service Loyalty Landscape,” the most comprehensive study of the $215 billion U.S. auto service market[1] to date - and the first-ever analysis of consumer service loyalty rates at dealerships, independent stores and aftermarket chains[2].  
 

The paper includes new findings revealing that two “forces of graying” are significantly favoring aftermarket chains’ service profits - while threatening those of new car dealerships. Data in the report indicates that the dealership service center is becoming a “senior center”, as younger consumer segments are significantly gravitating towards aftermarket chains. And the report provides fresh evidence that the record age of the U.S. vehicle fleet is significantly benefiting independent stores and aftermarket chains, while taking its toll on dealerships.
 

Produced by DMEa’s Strategy & Analytics division, “The Changing Service Loyalty Landscape” is based on a recent survey of 4,000 U.S. vehicle owners.[3] The complete report is available at: http://www.dmeautomotive.com/solutions/the-changing-service-loyalty-landscape-whitepaper-request.aspx
 

Young Aftermarket Chain & Aging Dealership Loyalists

DMEa’s white paper identifies  three levels of loyalty for service center customers: “loyalists” (who both visit and spend most at a store type); “swing loyalists” (who either visit, or spend most at, a store type, but not both); and “disloyalists” (who neither visit nor spend most at that store type).  

Newly released data from the paper also analyzed loyalty, spend and service selection motivators by age, and revealed that dealership “loyalists” represent the oldest service customer, while aftermarket chains - which are poaching the largest share of business from both dealerships and independent shops - are best capturing the younger wave of shoppers.

Click here to view chart: http://www.pitchengine.com/Brand/ViewImage/9afa8d74-d142-40da-a8c9-63aec140d0a5

The report also shows that dealership loyalists are more likely to be over 60 than any other loyalist group. Roughly half (47%) of aftermarket loyalists are under-34, while nearly half (46%) of dealer loyalists are a “graying” 50+.  Meanwhile, over a third of those most likely to be disloyal to a dealership service center are only 25-34.  With a significant percentage of a dealership’s loyalists poised to exit the market, and as young aftermarket loyalists enter, the report’s findings have troubling implications for dealerships service centers, if more heartening signs for aftermarket chains.

“If dealerships don’t replace their aging loyalists, and aftermarket stores are successful in retaining their loyalists as they charge towards their prime spending years, a share-of-wallet sea-change is looming that would greatly favor aftermarket stores, while eroding dealerships’ lifeline service profits,” said Doug Van Sach, Vice President, Strategy & Analytics, DMEautomotive.

Dealership service is a $78 billion market,[4] and DMEa’s new data shows loyalists drive 62% of those revenues. Hence, if dealerships lost (and did not replace) loyalists over age 75, it would represent a loss of $310 million, and if over-70 loyalists exited the market un-replaced, it would represent a hit of $3.4 billion.

Aging Vehicle Population Also Means Dealership Losses:

Despite economic recovery, Americans are still breaking records for how long they hold on to their vehicles. And DMEa’s new data provides fresh confirmation that an aging, out-of-warranty vehicle fleet favors the aftermarket, while it takes a toll on dealerships. Consumers reported on their service center preferences for five “bread-and-butter” services across their vehicles’ lifespan - and DMEa identified major dealership defection points around brakes, battery and tires:

Click here to view the chart: http://www.pitchengine.com/Brand/ViewImage/5fc0102b-0c39-420d-a342-037faf0b0d40

Notably, less than half (45%) reported they’re likely to visit the dealership for these core services even within the first two years of ownership, when the in-warranty dealership relationship is still strong. And as vehicles hit 3-6 years, dealerships lose (on average) 47% of that initial business, with only 31% reporting they would use dealerships for these services. By 7+ years, only 13% of customers will select dealerships for these services. DMEa’s survey reveals independents and aftermarket stores grab significantly more “core” service business at vehicle-age-three, much earlier than many dealerships may imagine.

“This white paper explores many serious, often surprising, shifts underway in the U.S. service market - where more than three in four customers, and 42% of dollars, are currently in play. And the ‘graying’ dealer loyalist base and vehicle population are two distinct forces poised to further color the market-share picture,” noted Van Sach. “Our next white paper will help every service category develop smarter communications and marketing programs to retain their loyalists, convert more of the  “swing” and “disloyalist” customers, and reach entirely new shoppers.”

DMEa’s “Marketing Success in a Changing Service Loyalty Landscape” (available March 2012) analyzes: a) drivers of service center selection - what specific store attributes matter most to the spectrum of service shoppers, b) communication strategies that leverage communication preferences and media usage, and c) role of a loyalty program in retaining your most precious asset – your loyalists. This data will inform best practices on sending the right message, to the right customer, via the right platform.

To request this report, click here: http://www.dmeautomotive.com/solutions/marketing-success-in-a-changing-service-loyalty-landscape-whitepaper-request.aspx

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 - including AutoNation, Lithia Automotive, MileOne, Larry H. Miller and the Van Tuyl Automotive Group - 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.

Contact Media Relations:
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com
Angela Jacobson, mWEBB Communications, (714) 454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com

Palm Harbor, FL – March 1^st, 2012 – ChatLead.com, Inc/CarChat24, a leader in 24/7 Staffed Auto Dealer Chat Support, and Dealer Chat Software as a Service, announced today the appointment of Jeff Sterns as Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Sterns joins the team in a leadership role and will focus on the continued growth of the overall CarChat24 business in North America. Sterns will be located in the Palm Harbor, Florida head office; reporting to Shereef Moawad, President and CEO of ChatLead.com, Inc/CarChat24.

Sterns brings over 25 years of sales management leadership experience to CarChat24 and most recently was the Director of Sales for Ferman BMW. According to CarChat24’s CEO, Shereef Moawad, “Jeff Sterns’ experience in the automotive sales business will be a real asset to CarChat24”. Additionally Shereef commented “We look forward to continued strong growth under Jeff’s leadership and expansion of both our domestic and international footprint.”

When asked about his decision to join CarChat24 Sterns said “CARCHAT24 is a progressive, fast-paced and entrepreneurial company. I'm elated to be joining this growth company.” And with respect to the marketplace, “2012 is going to be an exciting year for Auto Dealer Chat with adoption expected to more than double 2011. This year, Car Dealers will embrace new and innovative chat technologies and staffed/managed automotive specific chat support service alternatives as a way to drive growth and profitability. Whether its desktop dealer chat software, mobile dealer chat solutions, or Staffed/Managed 24/7 dealer chat support solutions, CarChat24 is well-positioned to serve its customers and partners in North America". Email Jeff at Jeff.Sterns@CarChat24.com, or Call Jeff at 800-510-7567 ext 702. To learn more about Jeff Sterns go to www.Jeff.Sterns.com or connect with Jeff on Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/in/sterns

About CarChat24.com (http://carchat24.com) CarChat24 provides 24/7 hosted Live Chat Support & Dealer Chat Software for new and used car dealership websites. CarChat24 helps dealers sell more vehicles by converting a higher percentage of their website visitors into quality leads. Since June of 2006, CarChat24 has been helping car dealers improve their sales and customer service on the Internet. Our mission is to empower car dealers with cutting edge live chat technology, and provide the professional staff and superior processes needed to obtain the best possible results. We are committed to helping our clients get the best return on investment from their websites. We strive to make our support service the very best and are always looking for innovative ways to give our dealers the edge over their competition. Follow CarChat24.com on http://www.twitter.com/CarChat24 and fan CarChat24.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CarChat24

For more information visit http://www.carchat24.com or call 1-800-510-7567
 

ChatLead.com, Inc/CarChat24
1592 Lago Vista BLVD
Palm Harbor, Florida 34685 
800-510-7567
www.CarChat24.com

Company continues expanding lending programs for the more than one-third of car-buyers with non-prime credit

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 29, 2012  -- CarFinance Capital LLC (http://www.CarFinanceCapital.com), a specialized provider of non-prime financing for auto dealers, today announced that it has secured a $200 million warehouse credit facility. The new credit line, which is provided by Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, further enhances CarFinance Capital's ability to help auto dealers serve the growing ranks of non-prime consumers, who now account for over one-third of U.S. car buyers.

CarFinance Capital is led by an experienced management team that previously built one of the largest non-prime U.S. auto finance companies (Triad Financial Corporation). Launched in May 2011, CarFinance Capital currently serves over 1,000 dealers nationwide with indirect, less-than-prime lending solutions, as well as first look opportunity on referrals from the Company's new consumer direct lending site, CarFinance.com.

"As the economic climate shifts and car sales lift, more and more non-prime consumers are looking for financing, and more and more auto dealers are looking for an experienced partner to help them serve these customers," said CarFinance Capital President and CEO Jim Landy.  "Securing this $200 million warehouse facility further supports CarFinance Capital's mission of providing the industry's best solutions to help car dealers finance - and reach - the more than one in three car buyers with less-than-prime credit."

CarFinance Capital's indirect lending product is designed to be dealer-friendly, to eliminate any surprises in credit and/or cashing contracts and to be consistent across the board. The program offers credit for the mid-market non-prime spectrum (from 525 FICO through 675), expertise that preserves dealer flexibility and negotiating room, and rapid funding and reimbursement – as well as one-on-one customer support.

The Company's dealer referral program sends approved and financed customers from CarFinance.com - many of who might otherwise fall through the cracks for dealerships - to participating dealers to make their vehicle purchases. The program, which has a paperless, online application process, can dramatically minimize a dealer's work as all required stipulations have been collected and the signed agreement is in hand. Additionally, the Company funds dealers' bank accounts directly via ACH, so when paid, the funds are available immediately. The program provides LTVs (Loan-to-Value ratios) of up to 120% and $2,000 for back-end products (i.e., extended service contracts, etc.) sold by the dealer.

Irvine, CA-based CarFinance is licensed in over 24 states for both its direct and indirect businesses and will roll out nationwide in the coming months.

If you are a franchise dealer interested in receiving CarFinance.com referrals, email CarFinance.com at NewDealer@carfinance.com.

About CarFinance Capital LLC

CarFinance Capital LLC (http://www.carfinancecapital.com) is a fresh new company focused on partnering with franchise auto dealers to provide credit to non-prime consumers.  Dedicated to premium service for its customers, CarFinance offers one-on-one support; consistent, predictable credit decisions; fast funding; multiple lending options; and deal-structuring flexibility to help auto dealers meet the needs of today's non-prime car buyer.  Headquartered in Irvine, California the company is led by Jim Landy and a seasoned team of executives that have long histories working together in the non-prime auto market. 

About CarFinance.com

CarFinance.com (http://www.carfinance.com) is the first and only direct, online auto financing lender with a mission to empower the growing ranks of credit-challenged (less-than-prime) new and used car shoppers by providing a virtually paperless time- and money-saving way to get a car loan pre-approved before hitting the dealership. Through CarFinance.com, car shoppers can, from the comfort of home, or anywhere with an Internet connection, apply for a car loan to purchase a vehicle - or lower existing car loan payments by refinancing with a new loan - and complete the entire process online, keeping personal information private, safe and secure. CarFinance.com enables car shoppers to walk in to the dealership with cash in pocket and their heads held high - and to secure a better deal by confidently negotiating price as "cash buyers."  CarFinance.com also provides consumers with easy-to-use finance empowerment tools and content, such as calculators, financing tips and advice.

CarFinance.com is led by the team that built Triad Financial, one of the largest U.S. auto finance companies, and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

Media contacts:

Angela Jacobson, mWEBB Communications, (714) 454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com