AdVantageTec, Cars.com, cDemo Mobile Solutions, DealerTrend and MotorLot are Finalists

Las Vegas, NV -- October 12, 2011 -- DrivingSales (http://www.drivingsales.com) presented Dominion Dealer Solutions’ CarBinder with the DrivingSales Innovation Cup Award for the most innovative dealership solution of 2011 at this week’s DrivingSales Executive Summit in Las Vegas.

The Second Annual DrivingSales Innovation Cup Awards were created to recognize solutions introduced or enhanced in 2011 whose innovative approaches have produced significant results for dealership customers. Dealership solution-providers submitted applications online, vendor names were blanked out, and a panel of dealers assessed each application. Six were selected from dozens of online applicants to present onstage at the Third Annual DrivingSales Executive Summit, where a panel of dealers scored each solution.

Dominion Dealer Solutions’ CarBinder received the highest score. AdVantageTec AV11, Cars.com Dealer Reviews, cDemo Mobile Solutions Mobile Inspector (Mi), DealerTrend CarDealerPress.com, and MotorLot eSignature were named as finalists.

“The Innovation Cup Award raises awareness of the solutions that are moving the needle forward in the auto industry,” said DrivingSales Founder and CEO Jared Hamilton. “CarBinder stood out in an amazing field of competitors. Congratulations to Dominion Dealer Solutions and each of our finalists who are providing winning solutions for dealerships across the country.”

The winner and finalist will be profiled at DrivingSales.com and in the DrivingSales newsletter, and will also be featured in a video interview at DrivingSalesTV. For more information about the DrivingSales Innovation Cup Awards, go to: http://www.drivingsalesinnovationcup.com/.

About DrivingSales.com
DrivingSales is the auto industry’s fastest-growing, most influential trade media property focused on delivering actionable profit-building information to auto retailers and industry professionals. DrivingSales’ media network includes flagship property DrivingSales.com (http://www.drivingsales.com), the world’s largest car dealer social network where thousands of dealership professionals collaborate and share best practices in a 20-group style setting; 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 encourages innovation and excellence in the industry with its annual Dealer Satisfaction and Innovation Cup Awards, whose winners are determined solely by the dealer community. Founded by Jared Hamilton, a third generation car dealer, DrivingSales won a “Top 25 Under Five” award from the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF), which spotlights outstanding entrepreneurs and start-up companies in Utah; was named a 2011 Fast 50 “Emerging Eight” company by Utah Business magazine, which recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit, innovative business tactics and revenue growth of Utah’s fastest-growing companies, and received an Interactive Media Award (IMA) in 2011 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.

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

Mary Catherine Curry of Rice Toyota Scion’s sales and service alliance strategy chosen by dealers as 2011’s‘Best Idea’; ADP | Cobalt-sponsored award presented at DrivingSales Executive Summit

Las Vegas, NV -- October 12, 2011 -- DrivingSales (http://www.drivingsales.com) today announced that Mary Catherine Curry, Marketing Manager of Rice Toyota Scion, has won the 2011 DrivingSales Dealer ‘Best Idea’ Award, sponsored by ADP | Cobalt. John Holt, SVP ADP Digital Marketing Group, and Jared Hamilton CEO of DrivingSales presented the award at this week’s Third Annual DrivingSales Executive Summit in Las Vegas.

Mary Catherine Curry received the highest score for her strategy of a sales and service alliance with a local hospital group. Finalists were: Dan Boismier, Internet Director, Suburban Collection; Bryan Armstrong, e-Commerce Director, VW SouthTowne; Eric Miltsch, Internet Director, Auction Direct USA; and Gary Sanders, Internet Director, Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood.

“Our mission was to find the year’s smartest, best and most innovative dealership strategies for 2011 -- and we were inspired by each and every dealer entry,” said DrivingSales Founder and CEO Jared Hamilton. “Mary Catherine Curry, along with the four finalists, epitomizes the kind of visionary thinking that continues to drive our industry forward. These dealers continue to pave the way for innovation and creativity in the auto industry with strategies that translate into real results. Congratulations to our winner and finalists!”

The 2011 DrivingSales Dealer Best Idea Award, sponsored by ADP | Cobalt, recognizes the most innovative dealership strategies of 2011 whose original approaches have produced significant results in the dealership. Dealership personnel submitted applications online, and a panel of dealers assessed each one. Five finalists were selected to present onstage at the Third Annual DrivingSales Executive Summit, where a panel of dealers scored each strategy. A total of over $10,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to the winner and finalists.

Each dealer strategy will be profiled at DrivingSales.com, in the DrivingSales newsletter, and will be featured in a video interview at DrivingSalesTV. For more information about the awards, go to: http://drivingsalesexecutivesummit.com/awards/
About DrivingSales.com

DrivingSales is the auto industry’s fastest-growing, most influential trade media property focused on delivering actionable profit-building information to auto retailers and industry professionals. DrivingSales’ media network includes flagship property DrivingSales.com (http://www.drivingsales.com), the world’s largest car dealer social network where thousands of dealership professionals collaborate and share best practices in a 20-group style setting; 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 encourages innovation and excellence in the industry with its annual Dealer Satisfaction and Innovation Cup Awards, whose winners are determined solely by the dealer community. Founded by Jared Hamilton, a third generation car dealer, DrivingSales won a “Top 25 Under Five” award from the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF), which spotlights outstanding entrepreneurs and start-up companies in Utah; was named a 2011 Fast 50 “Emerging Eight” company by Utah Business magazine, which recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit, innovative business tactics and revenue growth of Utah’s fastest-growing companies, and received an Interactive Media Award (IMA) in 2011 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 Cobalt / ADP Digital Marketing

Cobalt / ADP Digital Marketing is North America's leading provider of digital marketing solutions to the automotive industry. Cobalt currently provides marketing services to nearly half of the automotive dealerships in the United States as well as automotive dealers in Canada and Mexico. Cobalt's digital marketing services are endorsed by two-thirds of North America’s major automotive manufacturers. Cobalt / ADP Digital Marketing is a business unit of ADP Dealer Services. For more information about Cobalt / ADP Digital Marketing visit http://www.cobalt.com.

About ADP

Automatic Data Processing, Inc., with about $10 billion in revenues and about 570,000 clients, is one of the world's largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging over 60 years of experience, ADP offers a wide range of human resource, payroll, tax and benefits administration solutions from a single source. ADP's easy-to-use solutions for employers provide superior value to companies of all types and sizes. ADP is also a leading provider of integrated computing solutions to auto, truck, motorcycle, marine, recreational vehicle, heavy equipment vehicle dealers throughout the world. For more information about ADP or to contact a local ADP sales office, reach us at 1.800.225.5237 or visit the company's Web site at http://www.ADP.com.

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

MPi Launches EDGE Express for Auto Dealer Express Service Business Operations,

Optimizes Inspection Performance Timing

            Las Vegas, NV, October 10, 2011 –MPi (www.mpi-edge.com), the pioneer and leader in vehicle inspection tools, service workflow expertise, and consulting for automotive dealership service centers, today announced the launch of  EDGE Express™ for Auto Dealer Express Business Operations.   The new suite of tools was unveiled by MPi Chairman & CEO Les Silver, during his conference address at the 11^th Digital Dealer Conference on Friday, October 7.

EDGE Express is a complete business solution designed to help increase the efficacy and profitability of auto dealer Express Service Business operations. Key program benefits include:

• Optimized for mobile devices
• Customizable inspection templates
• Embedded workflow optimize best practices and consistent delivery
• Efficiency maximized for inspecting vehicle above, below and in queue for bay
• Inspections created without repair order originating in the DMS
• Enhanced customer communications feature inspection results
• Technician observations/recommendations recorded in real-time

Once implemented, the Express Lane of a service department can complete the vehicle inspection even before the oil has finished draining. Speeding up the process in this manner enables the customer to receive the inspection details early enough in their visit to make purchasing decisions on the spot for any additional services needed.

“Our goal with EDGE Express is to help service departments increase their parts and labor gross profits in their express service business operations by creating a well-organized, practiced and consistent vehicle inspection program,” said Rich Holland, MPi President. “There has been a huge rise recently in the number of dealers offering express lane fast-lube services as they can produce substantial increases in service business.  We are excited to now offer a set of tools to help improve profits in this area as well,” Holland added.

# # # # #

About MPi:

MPi, a wholly owned subsidiary of SRS, Inc., specializes in providing dealerships the necessary tools, processes and consulting to successfully implement a comprehensive, World Class Inspection Program (WCI) in service departments across North America and Canada.   MPi’s proven results driven solution has been helping thousands of dealerships achieve significant profit contribution.  MPi’s complete and all inclusive vehicle inspection program includes state of the art software solution, EDGE; personalized customer friendly communication tools (Recommended Action Plan™ and Know Your Vehicle™ Reports); detailed management analytical tools; ongoing consulting and training services; and process and performance metrics.

For more information visit:

http://www.mpifix.com/company/overview.aspx

Dry Ridge Toyota featured on the September cover of Dealer Magazine

San Francisco, CA -- October 10, 2011 -- izmocars (http://www.izmocars.com) today released a case study outlining how a rural dealership in Kentucky increased accessories sales 270 percent in two years, while scoring a 99 percent CSI in the process. The case study is available at http://www.izmocars.com/images/stories/AOA/Dry-Ridge-Toyota_AOA.pdf.

In late 2010, Toyota presented a challenge to the 8 Toyota dealerships in Dry Ridge’s Kentucky and nearby Cincinnati region: increase your accessories sales by 20% within 6 months, by adopting new Internet-based accessories sales tools, and Toyota will reimburse you for half the tool’s cost. With almost no experience in accessories sales, Dry Ridge decided to take on this challenge and adopted izmocars’ AddOnAuto (AOA), an in-store digital sales tool that allows customers to virtually add or remove car accessories and instantly view them on their vehicle of choice. Not only did they meet the goal, they far exceeded it, achieving 412% of the sales objective. The next runner up achieved only 92% of their sales objective.

The case study demonstrates how the implementation of AOA combined with an innovative sales process and a consumer-friendly environment drove eye-opening results for Dry Ridge. It also highlights how this new focus and process has inspired a culture-change at their store – building unprecedented unity among team members.

“We made [accessories sales] a priority,” said Rob Marshall, Dry Ridge Toyota’s Dealer Principal. “In 2010, we put in the right accessories sales processes and invested in the right training. As a result, we now sell an accessory of some type to two out of three new-car buyers and to about a third of our used-car buyers for about $700,000 a year in accessories sales.”

Dry Ridge Toyota’s winning process and use of the AOA sales tool is driving $50,000-plus a month in accessories sold with 2 in 3 car buyers converted to accessories purchases. Other results include:

- The only Cincinnati region dealership to meet Toyota’s accessories sales challenge AND to exceed the Toyota sales goal

- The dealership is on track for $700,000 in accessories revenue in 2011 up from $16,000 per month/$188,000 in 2009: a 270% increase

- Dry Ridge Toyota achieved a CSI score of 99% during its last 90-day period.

- Streamlining process - and sharing profits - across all departments has increased staff unity and buy-in

Dry Ridge Toyota’s success with accessories sales was also featured as the cover story of the September issue of Dealer Magazine, which includes a Q&A with Dealer Principal Rob Marshall and best practices tips about dealership accessories sales.

izmocars also recently released its Midyear 2011 AOA Accessories Trend Report(1), which analyzes accessories sales of dealerships across the country. The AOA report is based on sales data from a diverse sampling of 180 dealerships, representing 13 brands and 5 regions across 30 states. The dealerships studied in this report, in aggregate, sold $10.6 million in accessories in Q2 2011, for a total of over $20 million for the first half of the year. The average dealership analyzed increased accessories sales by $475 per-vehicle-sold, with average gross margins of 47% and average net profit margins of 32.8%, compared to 45% and 28% respectively for all of 2010.

To view the full AOA report, click here: http://www.izmocars.com/trend-reports/AOA-MID-YEAR-TREND-REPORT-11.PDF

To read the izmocars Dry Ridge Toyota Case Study, click here: http://www.izmocars.com/images/stories/AOA/Dry-Ridge-Toyota_AOA.pdf

To read the Dealer Magazine September issue with cover story on Dry Ridge Toyota, click here: http://www.izmocars.com/campaigns/dealer-magazine.html

(1) All dealerships in the report sampling utilized AddOnAuto from izmocars. http://www.izmocars.com/solutions/aoa

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, Melanie Webber, +1-424-603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com, or Angela Jacobson, +1-714-454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com.

Sunnyvale, Calif – October 5, 2011– ResponseLogix®, Inc., the leading provider of automotive digital response management software for internet leads, today announced the launch of their ResponseLogix® RapidTouch™. With RapidTouch™, auto dealers create a powerful closed-loop internet sales process with an integrated first call after the delivery of a price quote. The synchronized delivery of the multi-vehicle price quote and phone call solves the two biggest challenges auto dealers face when trying to respond to Internet leads. RapidTouch was developed in partnership with DMEautomotive, the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing.

Racing to the top of the car shopper’s list with the first call
Recent research from the Harvard Business Review (March 2011) indicates that, “Companies that try to contact potential customers within an hour of receiving queries are nearly 7 times as likely to have meaningful conversations with key decision makers as firms that try to contact prospects even an hour later. Yet only 37% of companies respond to queries within an hour.”

Auto dealers face that “moment of truth” when a consumer requests a price quote on a vehicle via the Internet.  Dealers need to respond to car shoppers in minutes with a multi-vehicle price quote and a rapid phone call to engage the buyer. With RapidTouch, the phone outreach is executed well within that critical response time window every single time a price quote is delivered via ResponseLogix ExpressQuote or SmartQuote®.

Synchronized price quote delivery and RapidTouch amplifies dealer response to consumer
ResponseLogix partner dealers can now integrate SmartQuote® or ExpressQuote and RapidTouch into their internet sales process. The multi-vehicle price quote details sent by ResponseLogix to the consumer are leveraged by automotive specialists in DMEautomotive’s Customer Interaction Center to kick-off a personalized dialog with the intent to schedule a test drive for dealers. ResponseLogix partnered with DMEautomotive because of their 31 years of auto industry knowledge and unique expertise in managing inbound and outbound customer interactions for auto dealers and manufacturers.

ResponseLogix has integrated best of breed internet marketing practices and advanced internet marketing technology to deliver consumers an immersive and enjoyable car buying experience.

About ResponseLogix, Inc.
ResponseLogix started in a car dealership. By observing the internet car buying sales process from both the dealer and the customer side, ResponseLogix determined that effective Digital Response Management is the key to achieving both immediate initial response and effective ongoing follow-up. With this in mind, the company created its powerful patent-pending solution suite, tailored to the needs of the fast-paced, multi-tasking dealer internet selling environment.

ResponseLogix delivers software as a service (SaaS) technology to auto dealers that engages the customer early in the car buying process and then propels her toward purchase. SmartQuote® delivers a relevant quote response within 10 minutes of internet lead receipt 95% of the time. SmartFollow® automatically follows-up and reactivates leads if the customer doesn’t buy right away. SmartFacts® delivers powerful analytics to help optimize the performance of Internet sales departments. ResponseLogix products are available in 40 US markets for Toyota, Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Honda, Lexus, Audi, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Kia, Hyundai and Volkswagen dealers across the US. Additional OEM’s will be supported soon. Additional information is available at www.responselogix.com

About DMEautomotive
DMEautomotive is the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, and provides turnkey marketing to the biggest 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!  The DMEa product suite includes data driven, multi-channel customer acquisition and retention marketing programs; best-in-class campaign reporting; data management and analytics via the Red Rocket Portal; auto-focused Customer Interaction Center solutions, and complete on-site mail and email fulfillment services. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., DMEautomotive also has major operations in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Digital Sales and Marketing Veteran to Drive Brand, Marketing and Sales Momentum of Automotive Marketing Leader

Daytona Beach, FL -- October 5, 2011 – DMEautomotive, the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, today announced that digital sales and marketing expert Mike Martinez has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer. DMEautomotive (DMEa), which provides a range of marketing services to the biggest and most innovative automotive organizations in the industry, tapped Martinez to elevate the company’s strong brand and further build demand for its products and services.

“We are pleased to welcome Mike to the DMEa team,” said DMEautomotive’s President and CEO Mike Walther.  “Mike has a deep understanding of the real world needs of manufacturers and auto dealers.  This, combined with his track record of successfully driving adoption of leading-edge products and technologies into dealerships, will be key as we expand our suite of solutions that help automotive retailers market to, and retain, customers across a rapidly evolving consumer market.”

DMEautomotive provides turnkey marketing for automobile dealers and aftermarket franchises nationwide, using cutting-edge science to determine the right time to market to the right customer, via the right medium, in order to increase yield, customer conversion and retention.   DMEa consolidates multiple programs and marketing efforts in one place, increasing ROI and reducing marketing cost.

 “At DMEa, unlike so many other marketing solution providers, customers are never asked to take marketing performance on faith,” said Martinez.  “Everything DMEa does is measured by a simple, precise scientific approach: Is it true? Prove it. Will it work? Test it. Does it generate results? Show it!  Years of working with automotive retailers has shown me that this is what they want, and I look forward to bringing DMEa’s inspired and results-driven marketing science to an even broader range of automotive customers.”

A true automotive digital veteran, Martinez served in leadership positions at many of the industry's most renowned automotive digital innovators at the early-adoption point of technologies that are now standard operating platforms at dealerships and auto retailers.  After 12 years serving in product and marketing positions at Lucent Technologies and at Microsoft Corporation, Martinez entered the automotive industry as vice president of marketing for The Cobalt Group.  He helped the company launch its website operating platform in the early days of dealership website technology, and built and led the sales and marketing team that ultimately established Cobalt as the leader in the market.  

Martinez subsequently co-founded Four Creeks, a company which pioneered the new technology of IP-based broadcast voice messaging, and that was soon acquired by OneCommand. As president and COO of OneCommand, Martinez was instrumental in introducing the company’s integrated, multi-channel marketing strategies for dealers.  Most recently, he served as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at izmocars, where he drove the highly successful launch of their innovative and industry-leading AddOnAuto accessories sales product into the dealership market.

About DMEautomotive
DMEautomotive is the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, and provides turnkey marketing to the biggest 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!  The DMEa product suite includes data driven, multi-channel customer acquisition and retention marketing programs; best-in-class campaign reporting; data management and analytics via the Red Rocket Portal; auto-focused Customer Interaction Center solutions, and complete on-site mail and email fulfillment services. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., DMEautomotive also has major operations in Jacksonville, Fla. 

Media Relations Contact:

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

Partnership provides dealer training and tools to take bigger bite out of $29 billion accessories market and increase dealership accessories sales by nearly $500 per vehicle

San Francisco, California - October 05, 2011

izmocars (http://www.izmocars.com) and Ask Patty (http://www.AskPatty.com) today announced they've teamed up to provide car dealers with the training and tools they need to more effectively market and sell automotive accessories to women, who purchase nearly as many accessories and aftermarket products as men.

The partnership, which is designed to provide women with a better in-store purchasing experience and to help dealers capture a much larger share of the staggering $29 billion accessories market(1), brings together two critical components of AskPatty.com and izmocars AOA businesses that have proven to increase dealer revenue:

- The AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® Program, designed from the ground up to train and certify dealers on how to attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty with female customers

- And izmocars AddOnAuto (AOA), an in-store digital sales tool that allows customers to virtually add or remove car accessories and instantly view them on their vehicle of choice – conveniently for the customer at the point of purchase, and easily for the dealership by streamlining the sales process and eliminating the need for physical inventory

Citing SEMA reports that highlight the purchasing power of women when it comes to accessories(2) and lackluster accessories sales at the dealership level(3), izmocars AOA's vice president, Sidney Haider, says the time is now for dealers to make marked improvements in accessories sales in general, and to women specifically.

"It doesn't make sense that dealerships sell less than five percent of all accessories sold. Car buyers are captive accessories buyers to whom dealers can provide real-time visuals of thousands of different add-ons, as well as instant sales and customer service fulfillment -- without having to carry cumbersome inventory. Since women buy nearly as many aftermarket products as men, dealers can miss out on significant revenue opportunities by failing to meet the needs of female customers."

Haider says automotive chains, specialty shops and mail order suppliers are presently capturing the lion's share of the behemoth accessories market, capitalizing on sales opportunities best suited for dealers who continue to struggle in a tough economy. And data from izmocars' midyear 2011 report(4) demonstrates the urgency for dealers to diversify and enhance revenue streams, similar to the way Dry Ridge Toyota of Kentucky used AOA to increase accessories sales 270 percent in two years, while scoring a 99 percent CSI in the process(5).

- While vehicle sales in the US market continue to show modest growth, they're still far removed from their high point in 2005. Further, recent economic challenges are contributing to the ongoing tightening of the consumer wallet.

- With 37 brands competing for a shrunken pool of car buyers, price offers become better for consumers. On the other hand, the ability of dealers to maintain profits and gross becomes increasingly challenging.

- A recent study of 180 dealerships who adopted the AddOnAuto sales tool showed that the average dealership analyzed increased accessories sales by $475 per-vehicle-sold, with average gross margins of 47% and average net profit margins of 32.8%, compared to 45% and 28% respectively for all of 2010.

Jody DeVere, CEO of Ask Patty, says dealers have a powerful built-in advantage they simply aren't leveraging to capture a larger piece of the accessories sales pie.

"For starters, women are much more interested in 'blinging' their ride than most dealers realize. What's more, women appreciate ease, convenience and a low-pressure environment, especially when it comes to car buying. Dealers can have a significant competitive advantage in accessories sales by allowing women to visually and easily configure their cars with accessories, and then conveniently roll the cost of those accessories into their monthly payment – all within that 'sweet spot' moment of purchase."

DeVere says these are just a few examples of the sales and marketing practices that speak relevantly and effectively to women, to influence purchasing decisions. "We see AOA as a perfect complement, a natural fit, to the fundamentals of our training program."

Haider says that while women represent a powerhouse customer segment in the accessories marketplace, the ideal situation is for dealers to improve accessories sales for all customers.

"We're extremely pleased to partner with AskPatty, a company that brings an unparalleled level of expertise to automotive marketing and sales for women. Most importantly, we want dealers to enhance their accessories sales operations across the board – from visualization tools on the front end, to a more streamlined sales process on the back-end – for women and men alike."

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. For more information, go to http://www.izmocars.com

About AskPatty.com, Inc.

With international headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California, AskPatty.com, Inc. takes a two-pronged approach to revolutionizing the women's automotive retail market: For consumers, the AskPatty.com website, is a safe and reliable source for expert automotive advice and research. For auto dealers, tire dealers, collision centers, auto service and repair centers, the revolutionary AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® program, designed from the ground up, trains and certifies automotive retail and service centers on how to attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty with women customers. Women can find an Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly® auto dealer, tire dealer, collision center, auto service and repair centers using the location search at AskPatty.com. Go here to learn how to become Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly®. AskPatty® and Certified Female Friendly® are U.S. registered trademarks owned by AskPatty.com, Inc.

Melanie Webber, Media Relations
mWEBB Communications
424.603.4340
melanie@mwebbcom.com

Angela Jacobson
mWEBB Communications
714.454.8776
angela@mwebbcom.com

(1) 2011 SEMA Annual Market Study, Total retail specialty equipment sales for 2010: $28.60 billion
(2) SEMA 2007 Trends and Forecast Quarterly Update- Q2 , “..nearly the same number of women as men said they planned to buy… 22% of men said they will make a purchase whereas 21% of women said they will shop for specialty equipment over the next three months.”
(3) 2011 SEMA Annual Market Study, New Vehicle dealers sold 4.5% of specialty equipment in 2010
(4) AddOnAuto Midyear Trend Report Q2 2011. http://www.izmocars.com/trend-reports/AOA-MID-YEAR-TREND-REPORT-11.PDF
(5) Rob Marshall, Dry Ridge Toyota, Dealer Magazine cover story, September 2011, “…we now sell an accessory of some type to two out of three new-car buyers and to about a third of our used-car buyers for about $700,000 a year in accessories sales.” http://www.izmocars.com/images/stories/campaigns/dealer-magazine/Dry-Ridge-Toyota.pdf

Dealer Specialties’ CarBinder Selected by Dealers as DrivingSales Innovation Cup Award Finalist; Winner to be announced at DrivingSales Executive Summit

MONROE, OH and Salt Lake City, UT – October 5, 2011 – CarBinder has been named a finalist for the Most Innovative Dealership Solution of 2011 in the DrivingSales Innovation Cup Awards. Dealer Specialties’ CarBinder was selected by a panel of dealers from a competitive field of solutions and will be presented onstage at the Third Annual DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES), held October 9^th through October 11^th, 2011 at the Bellagio Las Vegas.

DrivingSales (www.drivingsales.com) created the Innovation Cup Awards, presented annually at the DrivingSales Executive Summit, to recognize solutions introduced or enhanced in 2011 whose innovative approaches have produced significant results for dealers.

Glen Garvin, general manager of Dealer Specialties states, “In my almost 20 years in the automotive industry, there’s never been a product that harnesses the need of the consumer to manage their vehicle information while capitalizing on a dealership’s branding.  This app puts the dealer’s most important information at the customer’s fingertips and improves customer loyalty, while also increasing the customer’s lifetime spend.  It’s wonderful to be recognized for a product that is truly something new and exciting.”

CarBinder is available for both the iPhone and Droid devices and is currently in development for the iPad.  From a consumer standpoint, this app acts as a “garage” of useful pieces of information like the vehicles’ VIN #, mileage, service history and book valuations.  The app will not only notify customers of inventory recalls or specials, but also allows car buyers to view service schedules and owner’s manuals. Through both the iPhone and Droid versions of this app, customers can schedule service appointments with DMS integration, find local gas stations, parking spot reminders and loan calculators. 

The dealer owns this white-labeled application on the car buyer’s most important and useful asset – their mobile device.  Contact information contained in the app, service schedules and appointment setting will increase fixed operations at the dealership.  An equity alert shows the consumer how valuable their trade in could be and alerts the dealer to the consumer’s interest in their equity.

“The DrivingSales Executive Summit is designed to inspire dealers to push the envelope on innovation and to help them uncover, collaboratively, the actionable solutions and strategies that will move their dealerships forward,” said DrivingSales Founder and CEO Jared Hamilton.  “The Innovation Cup, a centerpiece of the DSES, raises awareness of the vendor solutions that are moving the needle forward in dealerships across the country by allowing those who know best – auto dealers – to decide the finalists and winner; Clearly CarBinder is already making its mark with dealers, and we look forward to sharing Dealer Specialties’ unique solution with the hundreds of progressive dealers attending the summit.”
 

Dealership solution-providers submitted applications online, vendor names were blanked out, and a panel of dealers assessed each application. Finalists will present their solutions onstage to DSES attendees and a panel of dealer judges. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session with the panel of dealer judges who will score each solution. The highest scorer will win the Innovation Cup for Most Innovative Dealership Solution of 2011.

Each solution will also be profiled at DrivingSales.com, in the DrivingSales newsletter, and will be featured in a video interview at DrivingSalesTV. 

For more information about the DrivingSales Innovation Cup Awards, go to:  www.drivingsalesinnovationcup.com/. To register for the 2011 DrivingSales Executive Summit, visit: http://drivingsalesexecutivesummit.com/2011_registration/.

About Dealer Specialties

As an industry leader with more than 20 years experience, Dealer Specialties, a division of Dominion Dealer Solutions, provides robust and comprehensive inventory management solutions and services to automotive dealers nationwide. Dealer Specialties’ inventory management system combines vehicle data, analytics, and merchandising tools to help dealers maintain inventory control and maximize results from the lot to the web. With a nationwide footprint of over 800 local market specialists, our team delivers professional and customized services based on dealer’s changing needs. More than 5000 dealers rely on Dealer Specialties’ inventory management solutions and services to promote vehicles, drive, showroom traffic, and maximize profits.  For more information, visit www.dealerspecialties.com or follow Dealer Specialties at twitter.com/dealrspecialts.

About The DrivingSales Executive Summit

The DrivingSales Executive Summit is a uniquely collaborative event modeled after the best practices and information-sharing among dealers and auto industry professionals on DrivingSales.com.  The third annual event will bring together the most progressive dealers in the country, along with world-renowned speakers, all focused on pushing the auto industry’s ‘innovation boundaries’ and translating the latest trends and business realities into solid 2012 action plans for every dealership department.

Unlike other automotive industry events, the DrivingSales Executive Summit is 100% dealer driven and designed specifically for the most advanced dealer principals and dealership executives in the industry.  The exclusive event has a vendor-neutral policy, meaning no vendor influence on presentation selection and adherence to a strict dealer-to-vendor ratio.

For more information, visit www.DrivingSalesExecutiveSummit.com or contact dses@drivingsales.com.  Follow DSES news as it develops on www.twitter.com/drivingsales using #DSES and on facebook.com/drivingsales.

About DrivingSales.com

DrivingSales is the auto industry’s fastest-growing, most influential trade media property focused on delivering actionable profit-building information to auto retailers and industry professionals.  DrivingSales’ media network includes flagship property DrivingSales.com (www.drivingsales.com), the world’s largest car dealer social network where thousands of dealership professionals collaborate and share best practices in a 20-group style setting; DrivingSalesTV (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 encourages innovation and excellence in the industry with its annual Dealer Satisfaction and Innovation Cup Awards, whose winners are determined solely by the dealer community. Founded by Jared Hamilton, a third generation car dealer,   DrivingSales won a “Top 25 Under Five” award from the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF), which spotlights outstanding entrepreneurs and start-up companies in Utah; was named a 2011 Fast 50 “Emerging Eight” company by Utah Business magazine, which recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit, innovative business tactics and revenue growth of Utah’s fastest-growing companies, and received an Interactive Media Award (IMA) in 2011 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.

Dealer Specialties Media Relations:

Peyton Hoffman (peyton.hoffman@dominionenterprises.com), Dominion Dealer Solutions, 757-351-7271

DrivingSales Media Relations:

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

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

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Mark Bonfigli, Mitch Golub, John Holt, Mark O’Neil and Chip Perry Outline 2012 Vision in Interactive Summit Session

Salt Lake City, UT - September 27, 2011 - The DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES) today announced a unique interactive session that brings together the industry’s most influential dealer technology CEOs with the industry’s most progressive dealers. Moderated by DrivingSales CEO and Founder Jared Hamilton, "Executive to Executive: Vision for 2012," will be headlined by Mark Bonfigli, Founder and CEO of Dealer.com; Mitch Golub, President of Cars.com; John Holt, SVP ADP Digital Marketing Group; Mark O’Neil, Chairman and CEO of DealerTrack; and Chip Perry, President and CEO of AutoTrader.com.

“DSES attendees are among the most progressive dealership executives in our industry and they requested a summit session where they could connect directly and personally with the industry’s most influential dealer technology CEOs,” said Hamilton. “We are very pleased to be able to offer them such an impressive line-up, in an intimate setting where real one-on-one, substantive discussion is possible.”

In the session, the dealer technology executives will each present their vision of the key areas dealerships should be focusing on for 2012, and then discuss those visions, and other industry issues, in an interactive QA session with DSES’ dealer attendees.

“Unique to DSES, this executive to executive session puts the ‘executive’ firmly into the summit, providing peer to peer interaction between those who drive the technology underpinnings of today’s progressive dealerships and those who execute on it,” continued Hamilton. “This CEO session will provide a unique snapshot not only of where our industry is - and should be - headed, but is poised to spark new ideas for driving dealership success in 2012.”

Mark Bonfigli, Mitch Golub, John Holt, Mark O’Neil and Chip Perry join an impressive and diverse line-up that includes Gary Vaynerchuk, Rob Siefker, Aaron Strout, Paul Potratz, Dennis Galbraith, Kevin Root of Dealer.com, Brian Pasch, Jeff Cryder of Lebanon Ford, Marc McGurren of Jerry Durant Auto Group, Tracy Myers of Frank Myers Auto Maxx, Eric Miltsch of Auction Direct, Mark Beithon of Rudy Luther Toyota and many more.

The third annual DrivingSales Executive Summit for the industry’s most progressive auto dealers will be held at the Bellagio Las Vegas from October 9th to October 11th, 2011. The summit is dedicated to pushing the auto industry’s innovation boundaries and translating the latest trends and business realities into solid 2012 action plans for every dealership department. To maintain a focused and interactive environment, registration is limited for the exclusive summit, and a few spaces are still available. Dealers are encouraged to register today.

The DrivingSales Executive Summit is presented with Ward’s Auto. Media partners include Automotive Digest, Canadian Auto Dealer, Dealer Marketing Magazine and DealerRefresh. ADP/Cobalt, Dealer.com and TKCarsites are supporting DSES as premium sponsors. Additional sponsors include Cars.com, Dealer e-Process, DealerSocket, DrivingSales University, Mongoose Metrics, AutoTrader.com, DealerTrack, Dealix, eBay Motors, izmocars, VinSolutions, Mudd Advertising and ResponseLogix.

For more information about the DrivingSales Executive Summit click here.

About The DrivingSales Executive Summit
The DrivingSales Executive Summit is a uniquely collaborative event modeled after the best practices and information-sharing among dealers and auto industry professionals on DrivingSales.com. The third annual event will bring together the most progressive dealers in the country, along with world-renowned speakers, all focused on pushing the auto industry’s ‘innovation boundaries’ and translating the latest trends and business realities into solid 2012 action plans for every dealership department.

Unlike other automotive industry events, the DrivingSales Executive Summit is 100% dealer driven and designed specifically for the most advanced dealer principals and dealership executives in the industry. The exclusive event has a vendor-neutral policy, meaning no vendor influence on presentation selection and adherence to a strict dealer-to-vendor ratio.

About DrivingSales.com
DrivingSales is the auto industry’s fastest-growing, most influential trade media property focused on delivering actionable profit-building information to auto retailers and industry professionals. DrivingSales’ media network includes flagship property DrivingSales.com (www.DrivingSales.com), the world’s largest car dealer social network where thousands of dealership professionals collaborate and share best practices in a 20-group style setting; DrivingSalesTV (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 encourages innovation and excellence in the industry with its annual Dealer Satisfaction and Innovation Cup Awards, whose winners are determined solely by the dealer community. Founded by Jared Hamilton, a third generation car dealer, DrivingSales won a “Top 25 Under Five” award from the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF), which spotlights outstanding entrepreneurs and start-up companies in Utah; was named a 2011 Fast 50 “Emerging Eight” company by Utah Business magazine, which recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit, innovative business tactics and revenue growth of Utah’s fastest-growing companies, and received an Interactive Media Award (IMA) in 2011 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.

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