“I am very proud to be a part of a team whose mission is unique in our industry: to use social media as a platform to provide unbiased, decision making information to dealers,” said Tijerina. “All business leaders, including dealers, need timely accurate information to lead their organizations.  Without good information business fail which is why broadening the scope of innovative content and services – as well as making sure that the DrivingSales community has this information at its fingertips –will be at the forefront of my efforts for DrivingSales.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information, contact:

Sara Callahan                                                Mike Esposito, President & CEO

Carter-West Public Relations                       Auto/Mate Dealership Systems

Phone: 727-288-2159                                   Phone: 800-371-3970

E-mail: carterwestpr@gmail.com                 Email: mesposito@automate.com

Auto/Mate Honored in the Business Review's

Best Places to Work

Clifton Park, NY (November 29, 2010) – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems,

(www.automate.com), announced today that the Business Review has named the company one of the 2010 Best Places to Work in the Capital Region.   The award recognizes the company’s achievements in creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains employees through a combination of benefits, working conditions and company culture.

The Clifton Park, NY-based Auto/Mate was one of the 200 companies to be nominated, making the top 30 list based on the strength of its employee evaluations.

“This is a group win for us and clearly illustrates how well all our employees work as a team. I am very proud of them.  Auto/Mate has some of the smartest employees I know. We are a group of entrepreneur-minded individuals that works hard but likes to have fun doing it. As we don’t have any long-term contracts with our customers we have to earn our stripes each and every month. We have created a culture where each individual team member strives every day to do just that,” commented Mike Esposito, CEO and president of Auto/Mate.

“We were proud to be nominated for the award program,” said David Druzynski, Auto/Mate Recruiter, “because we think our culture is unique. Not only do we emphasize the customer experience, but we continually look for ways to improve the employee experience.  Our company’s success is directly attributed to the dedication and commitment of our team.  Our management team listens and communicates with our employees and treats them very well.  We set clear expectations and make sure that it is a fun and rewarding experience working for Auto/Mate. The company is very proud of its employees, and we’re proud to be a winner of this award.”

The top companies will be profiled in a special supplement of The Business Review issued on December 4 and will be honored at a celebration on December 3 at the Crowne Plaza in Albany.

Companies were evaluated on an objective 40-question survey completed by employees of participating companies. Employees scored their respective companies on a six-point scale. The results were compiled and analyzed by The Business Review’s research partner, Quantum Workplace.

The survey takes the following strategic measures into account:

• Team effectiveness
• Retention
• Employee alignment with company goals
• Trust with co-workers
• Individual contribution
• Manager effectiveness
• Trust in senior leaders
• Feeling valued
• Work engagement
• People practices

Auto/Mate is continuing to grow and constantly looking for additional employees  in development and support.  For more information contact: David Druzynski at 877-340-2677.

For more company information visit http://www.automate.com/about.html

Videos:  Auto/Mate video: http://www.automate.com/home.html

DrivingSales Announces Most Innovative Dealership Strategy of 2010

Marc McGurren of Jerry Durant Auto Group wins Dealership Strategy Award, sponsored by Cobalt

Dealers with Motortrak websites can now engage more online shoppers and realize the primary benefit of ContactAtOnce! dealer chat - selling more cars 

 Atlanta, GA and Saddle River, NJ – November 16^th, 2010 – Contact At Once!, LLC, the leading provider of dealer chat software that moves online lookers into live conversations with car dealerships, announced today a partnership with digital retail marketing specialist Motortrak.  Motortrak is a leader in the provision of online automotive marketing systems across the globe and will now offer an integrated version of the ContactAtOnce! dealer chat software with their website solutions for Mercedes-Benz dealers.  Dealers with Motortrak powered websites may now quickly and easily add the ContactAtOnce! chat solution to their website, to provide a discrete and convenient new way for busy online shoppers to contact the dealership.  

Using real photos of the dealership’s sales people, the ContactAtOnce! dealer chat software personalizes a dealer’s website and helps online visitors overcome anxiety that can be associated with the vehicle sales process. The solution is easy for dealer sales personnel to use, and through the use of “presence aware” smart technology, it knows when dealership personnel are ready and able to chat.

“Dealers expect their websites to drive additional inquiries and sales by leveraging the latest technology to communicate with customers. Our approach is to integrate with best-in-class providers to ensure seamless integration and a strong ROI for dealers as well as a consistent network-wide and brand compliant approach that is so important for OEM website programs,” said David Cox, Chief Operating Officer of Motortrak. “Contact At Once! and Motortrak invested considerable time and resources to do just that and, as a result, Mercedes-Benz dealers no longer have to deal with the superficial integration and branding mismatch that typically exists when third party software is added to dealer websites.”    

 “We’re thrilled that a global leader like Motortrak recognized the advanced capabilities of Contact At Once! and chose us as their chat solutions partner,” said John Hanger, President and CEO of Contact At Once!.

The integrated ContactatOnce! chat solution is available immediately. Motortrak customers should contact the US support team for more information.

About Dealer Chat Software Provider Contact At Once!, LLC:

Contact At Once! is the leading provider of industry-specific live chat software and presence-aware networks for the automotive, apartment, and real estate industries with over 10,000 active users.  Adding ContactAtOnce! live chat software to a website typically improves the conversion of website lookers into conversations and appointments by at least 25%.  The presence-aware networks powered by ContactAtOnce! connect businesses to the media websites on which they advertise, increasing the effectiveness of online ads while providing consumers with a better online experience.  Contact At Once! is headquartered in Atlanta and more information can be found at Contactatonce.com.

About Motortrak

Motortrak is a specialist provider of online retail marketing systems to manufacturers and dealers world-wide.  Founded in 1995, Motortrak has over 15 years sector expertise in the provision of highly customizable online marketing services and applications ranging from inventory management systems and B2B remarketing platforms to B2C services including dealer and OEM content management websites, used vehicle locators, social and mobile solutions.

Motortrak currently provides services in over 60 markets and 25 languages and has offices in London, New York and Melbourne.  Clients include Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Penske Automotive Group and smart. For further information please visit www.motortrak.com. 

izmocars Releases AddOnAuto 3.0: Faster, Better, and Generating Millions of Dollars in Accessories Sales for Dealers

All new interface increases speed, performance and usability; enhances image visualization and provides multiple customization/personalization options

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- izmocars (www.izmocars.com), a leading Internet business solutions provider for the auto retailing industry, today released AOA 3.0, a completely upgraded version of AddOnAuto (AOA), the dealership accessories solution that is generating millions of dollars in accessories sales gains each month for dealerships across the country.

The AOA 3.0 upgrades are all designed to further enhance the consumer accessories purchase experience and to make the product even more intuitive for dealership personnel, including a completely new interface, built from the ground up, for increased speed, performance and usability; multiple customization options, including custom skins and more colors; dynamic and heightened vehicle and accessory image views, and more granular product and category details.

"Dealers using AOA tell us that it has literally revolutionized accessory sales – and profit gains - in their dealerships," said izmocars President Tej Soni.  "AOA's rich accessories visualization has dramatically increased the number of consumers who purchase accessories from 1 in 10 to 1 in 2. With this new AOA release, we are taking the accessories purchase experience to the next level, making visualization even more immediate, robust, detailed and dynamic for consumers – all while adding greater speed, customization and more user-friendly options for dealers.  Our goal is simple:  inspire every customer to purchase accessories and enable every dealer to rev up profits with easy, hassle-free accessory sales."

izmocars' AOA provides a seamless consumer experience by integrating accessories shopping and financing with the car purchase, while making it very easy for dealers to launch an accessories sales business by eliminating the need to carry physical inventory.

Kirk Spencer of Burien Toyota of Burien, Washington, is just one dealer who has seen skyrocketing accessory sales and profits almost immediately after implementation of AOA.  "We didn't think this product could get any better: we went from $5,000 to $20,000 per month in accessory sales in just 45 days after implementing AOA…and we went to $50,000 the next month! With AOA 3.0, we're excited about how much further we can go!" said Spencer.  "Amazingly, we have both expanded and simplified the accessories sales process with AOA. And, because AOA makes it easy to explain accessories and provides something in every budget range, customers are excited and want to look at accessories options, our sales staff is having fun selling accessories – and, bottom line, we are all thrilled with the profits!"

AOA 3.0 Upgraded Features:

• All-new interface, built from the ground up for increased speed, performance and usability
• Enhanced customization options
  • More detailed color scheme options
  • Custom skins
  • More "in-page" dealer-specific image options, with additional advertising message options
• More comprehensive category selection with more detailed descriptions
• Dynamically changing vehicle view - from front to rear – as consumer adds accessories
• Accessories 'fly in' to vehicle image to highlight before and after
• Zoom in/enlarge vehicle image capability, including full screen image with installed accessories
• Manufacturer information and OEM parts highlighted in listings
• Wheel filter system for selection by finish, size and/or manufacturer
• Category filter by price/name of product/manufacturer
• More detailed product descriptions screens, including multiple thumbnails
• Shopping cart/mini-cart enable review of products prior to finalizing purchase
• Touchscreen-ready interface for tablets that support Flash
• Popular Products section automatically generates the most sold products for each specific dealership
• Related/Required Parts automatically displayed for shopper's specific vehicle

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

Craig Toyota Improves Service Department Productivity

and Customer Relations Using Auto/Mate’s DMS

Electronic Appointment and Repair Order Solution Streamlines Processes

Clifton Park, New York (November 1, 2010) –  When Craig Toyota in Madison, Indiana converted to Auto/Mate’s AMPS (Automotive Management Productivity Suite) Dealer Management System (DMS), Service Manager Jason Tague decided to do away with paper appointment books and handwritten pre-writes. By implementing the AMPS’ Service module Electronic Appointment (EA) and RO features, his department immediately realized several benefits, including increased productivity and improved customer relations.

 “The greatest advantage is the ease and control of making and changing appointments, and frankly, the cleanliness of the system,” says Tague. “It’s so much better than a book with a bunch of erased information, filled with grease and coffee stains.”

Once a customer’s information is entered into the system, scheduling and changing an appointment, or creating an RO, can be achieved with just a few clicks. The paperless system allows any technician or advisor to pull up appointment information by entering in a name, VIN or phone number. Craig Toyota’s average service transaction has been reduced from several minutes to about 30 seconds.

 “The whole process is seamless, from customer input to the customer showing up, to the pre-write being printed off, to the customer verifying and signing the information,” said Tague.

Increased Productivity

The AMPS paperless system has greatly improved Tague’s ability to keep track of appointments and ROs, resulting in a productivity gain. Tague regularly reviews a week’s or month’s worth of appointments at a time, from which he can determine which days or technicians are busy or not, so he can set priorities. “I can also see how many ROs are open, closed, invoiced, paid and how many carryovers there are,” Tague says. If an RO hasn’t been closed, the system automatically transfers it into the next day’s book of business, instead of someone having to physically go through and write in the carryovers.

Improved Customer Relations

As a direct result of the service department’s increased productivity, Tague noticed an increased level of customer satisfaction. “This is most noticeable around 8:00 am, when there are ten drop-offs,” he says. When a customer arrives, an advisor can instantly pull up a pre-write and print it off for review. Customers appreciate the speed of the transaction and the personal touch with their specific information and requests.

Tague also credits the paperless system with reducing the amount of mistakes made by service employees. He refers to a time when a customer request, such as using Pennzoil for an oil change, was scribbled on a post-it note or in the margin of an RO. Then during the course of the day, that information was misplaced or lost. “With the electronic system, you just pull up the screen—it takes about five seconds—change the op code to specify the request made, then print it out so there’s no delay.”

While accommodating the needs of customers in a hurry, a paperless system also allows advisors to spend more time with customers who appreciate it. “The less time required doing paperwork, the more time can be spent face to face with the customer, and the more satisfied their response is,” says Tague.

The Service History, Merchandising & Invoicing System is a module in Auto/Mate’s comprehensive Dealer Management System, AMPS (Automotive Management Productivity Suite). The service module provides a complete merchandising, invoicing and service history system for the service department.

About Auto/Mate

For more information, please visit http://www.automate.com/about.html

MPi Helps auto dealers CREATE STELLAR SERVICE ADVISOR RESULTS WITH RELEASE OF NEW EBOOK ‘THE THREE PILLAR PROFIT MODEL’

NOVEMBER 1, 2010 --- Mobile Productivity, Inc., (MPi) (www.mpifix.com) a leading provider of profitability tools for auto dealer service departments, today announced the release of a new eBook, “The Three Pillar Profit Model,” that outlines steps for creating stellar service advisor results that mean more service profit and customer retention. Download this eBook for free at the Mobile Productivity, Inc., Web site: http://www.mpifix.com/media/19158/3_pillar_profit_model_revised.pdf

A typical new-car dealership’s service advisors will interact with more customers in one day than many sales associates in a week and those interactions are either profitable for the business or not. “The Three Pillar Profit Model” explains how most any dealership can:

·         Add hundreds of dollars or more in customer-pay upsell maintenance services per repair order

·         Recapture up to 25% of Declined Services opportunities

·         Retain a greater number of service customers who trust your advisors and are confident in your service department

“’What gets measured gets done’ is a truth with overpowering impact on the service department bottomline,” notes David Boyle, president and COO for MPi. “Service departments practicing The Three Pillar Profit Model perform at “world-class” levels, and this eBook shares ideas and solutions service directors can implement this Friday to measure better results by the next.”

About MPi:

For more information visit:

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

http://www.mpifix.com/Customers/Videos.aspx

For additional information contact:

Sara Callahan                                                 Susan Lovett

Carter West Public Relations                          Mobile Productivity, Inc.

Phone: 727-288-2159                                     Phone: (800) 997-1674 x2010

E-mail: scallahan@carterwestpr.com                        slovett@mpifix.com

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