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sara callahan

Carter West Public Relations

Oct 10, 2010

Mobile Productivity, Inc., Launches New Company Website with Information to Help Auto Dealerships Maximize Service Department Revenue

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

 

 

Mobile Productivity, Inc., Launches New Company Website with Information to Help Auto Dealerships Maximize Service Department Revenue

 

Las Vegas, NV, October 5, 2010– Mobile Productivity, Inc., (MPi) a leading provider of profitability tools for auto dealer service departments, today announced that based on a thorough review and extensive dealer feedback,  it has redesigned and re-launched its website, (www.mpifix.com).

 

"Since we first launched www.mpifix.com, we've heard a lot of positive feedback about the many resources available to our customers and the industry as a whole," said David Boyle, President and COO of MPi. "But we've also heard a lot of constructive feedback, which we took to heart to create an even better experience. Our aim with the new site is to make it very easy to navigate and find out how to maximize service department revenue. In addition to the new look, we completely revamped the navigation. This puts our visitors at ease of finding the information they're looking for, from company information, to customer testimonial videos to live webinar and web-based training log in.”

 

MPi helps dealerships manage the vehicle inspection process with the MPi World Class Inspection™ (WCI) system. Where WCI is in use, auto dealers are performing a better inspection and doing a superior job of explaining needed repairs to the customer, realizing benefits that average between $100 and $125 in additional needed repairs per vehicle inspection, a substantial increase in profit for the service department.

 

The WCI system has proven to significantly improve a dealership’s service and parts operation as follows:

Business Growth: WCI increases the sale of legitimately needed service work by implementing a better executed vehicle inspection process

CSI and Customer Handling: WCI implements better customer communication tools that provide a detailed estimate of work needed and involve the customer at a high level in the decision making process

The WCI system focuses on the management of a “customer friendly” process which when performed correctly produces better results.  MPi’s complete and all inclusive vehicle inspection program includes its state of the art software solution, EDGE customized customer friendly communication tools (Recommended Action Plan™ and Know Your Vehicle™ reports), detailed management reporting and analysis tools, ongoing consulting and training services, and process and performance metrics.

WCI pricing is based on dealership size and number of users. A dealership can receive a no-cost price quote and business case by contacting MPI at (888) 503-8040 or visiting MPi’s website at: www.mpifix.com

About MPi:

For more information visit:

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

 

 

sara callahan

Carter West Public Relations

Owner/President

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Sep 9, 2010

The CarZar Launches at Paris Motor Show: World's First Location-Based Social Automotive App

The CarZar makes Location-based Car-Spotting Social, Useful, and Global, whether You're a Car Enthusiast, Car Buyer or Just Car Curious!
 
Paris, France, September 30, 2010 -- The CarZar (www.TheCarZar.com), the world's first location-based social automotive app, was unveiled today at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The CarZar is dedicated to making it easy for consumers to share their passion for cars through a location-based car-spotting app that is fun and easy to use, as well as social, useful and global. The CarZar is available for the iPhone in the iTunes store at:http://budurl.com/carzar.
 
Consumers can simply download the CarZar app onto their iPhone, snap a vehicle image, and CarZar tags the location, enabling users to share the image and their status, as well as vehicle information and comments, with friends across the social community -- all while earning points to become the CarZar of their favorite brand or type of vehicle.  
 
"There are nearly a quarter of a billion vehicles on the road in the US alone, and nearly that many drivers, most of whom either have a dream car in mind or are already passionate about their current vehicle…or both," said Jared Hamilton, The CarZar co-creator.  "The CarZar's location-based technology enables this vast population – and many more across the globe - to share their vehicle aspirations, passions and practical information across the social networking community."
 
Leveraging the largest social networks (such as Facebook and Twitter) and location-based services (such as Foursquare and Gowalla), The CarZar enables millions of users to spot and share millions of vehicle images, and their locations, in real time, with millions more - while also providing the best of location-based social community interaction, including comments, reviews, user profiles, most popular vehicle lists and badges.
 
"The CarZar's mission is to bring the car enthusiast out in everyone - casual car fans, in-market car buyers, or dedicated car owners - and is the first and only app to make sharing vehicle pictures easy, social and rewarding," said Eric Miltsch, The CarZar co-creator.  
 
With the CarZar App for iPhone, users can:
 
·  Upload car pictures and share them on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare & Gowalla
·  Tag photos with their year, make and model
·  Ask community members to help tag a vehicle if the user can't identify it
·  Unlock badges
·  Comment on and 'like' vehicles shared from other users
·  Create a profile that's visible on www.TheCarZar.com
·  Build their following, increase their activity and create their influence to achieve
   the highest rank - The CarZar
 
The CarZar for iPhone is available free-of-charge for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad (with operating system 3.1.3 or later) at the iTunes App Store (http://itunes.apple.com/app/carzar/id391972871?mt=8).  
 
For more information visit www.TheCarZar.com.
 
About The CarZar
The CarZar (www.TheCarZar.com) is dedicated to making it easy for consumers to share their passion for cars through a location-based car-spotting app that is not only fun and easy to use, but also social, useful, and global. The CarZar app is the world's first location-based social automotive app and enables casual fans, car enthusiasts and automotive professionals to share and comment on their favorite vehicles. The CarZar is simple to use: See a cool car, truck or SUV? Take a picture and share it with your social networks to unlock badges, coupons and discounts! For more information about The CarZar for the iPhone, visit http://budurl.com/carzar.
 
Contacts:
 
To speak to the CarZar’s co-creator at the Paris Motor Show, or for more
information, contact Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, 424 603 4340 or
 

Melanie Webber
mWEBB Communications
(424) 603-4340 - direct
(949) 307-1723 - cell
melanie@mwebbcom.com

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Sep 9, 2010

Dealix UsedCars.com Joins with NIADA to Give Independent Dealers Opportunity to Reach More Buyers Online

 

Partnership Will Allow Dealix to Build on Its Success Serving Independent Dealers
 
Redwood City, CA, September 29, 2010 – Dealix UsedCars.com announced today that it has signed an agreement with the National Independent Automotive Dealers Association (NIADA) to be a National Member Benefit Partner, giving independent dealers access to an important new online channel to reach pre-owned auto buyers and drive more sales. Dealix UsedCars.com, a leader in online used car marketing with more than 2,700 franchise dealer customers, in the past two years has established a strong foothold in the independent dealer space, which the NIADA partnership will allow it to expand even further by using NIADA’s online and offline marketing channels to drive awareness for UsedCars.com and engage directly with its member dealers.
The Dealix UsedCars.com Network reaches more than 21 million online auto shoppers each month1 and includes leading auto sites, such as Kelley Blue Book and AOL Autos.  UsedCars.com, the cornerstone of the Dealix UsedCars.com Network, is one of the fastest growing auto buying sites, having posted 30% growth in traffic over past year.  Dealers who sign up with Dealix receive premium placement on UsedCars.com, along with having their inventory displayed on the Dealix UsedCars.com Network’s 50-plus sites.
Dealix UsedCars.com is the only major online used car program that offers dealers a pay-for-performance option and backs each lead with a Quality Pledge – which means that dealers can return all non-contactable or duplicate leads and have them replaced or refunded.
“Many of our members have tried UsedCars.com, and have found the service to be a great way to get their inventory and brand in front of pre-owned buyers,” said Scott Lilja, Vice President of Member Services for NIADA. “We’ve gotten to know the Dealix team over the past months and believe that their service is going to be increasingly important to our independent dealer members”
“We’re looking forward to building a strong relationship with NIADA and the community of independent dealers it represents,” said Anna Zornosa, Vice President – ADP and General Manager of its Dealix division. “We’re committed to continuing to enhance UsedCars.com to address the unique needs of the NIADA membership.”
1Comscore MediaMetrix August 2010 report       
 
About NIADA
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), founded in 1946, has represented quality independent automobile dealers for over 60 years. NIADA provides valuable resources to member dealers, allowing them to become more successful within the used motor vehicle industry. NIADA members join a network of over 20,000 professional auto dealers who share a dream of financial prosperity for their businesses. NIADA is also a legislative advocate -- protecting business interests of independent auto dealers. The association is dedicated to providing industry education, information, services and benefits designed to prepare members for an ever-changing marketplace.

About Dealix
Dealix is the world’s leading provider of quality leads for new and used cars for dealerships, dealer groups, and automotive manufacturers. Dealix is the only Internet marketing company that backs its new and used car leads with the Dealix Quality PledgeTM: a distinct set of criteria that defines a quality lead and an invitation to use Hassle Free Lead ReturnTM if a lead lacks any one of those criteria. The company can offer this Pledge because it has the broadest reach and the highest quality lead supply network in the industry, including Yahoo! Autos, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, AOL Autos, MSN Autos, and others. Dealix powers the dealer selector and price quote platforms on Yahoo! Autos, AOL Autos and  MSN Autos; represents Edmunds’ Premier Dealer Program; and places dealers’ used inventory in the Kelley Blue Book The Trusted MarketplaceSM. Dealix connects dealers with the millions of car shoppers who prefer independent Internet sites when shopping for new carsand used cars online. Dealix’s all new Leads Platform quickly matches thousands of serious new and used vehicle buyers to the most appropriate dealers daily, delivering a quality car buying experience for consumers and providing dealers with one of the most efficient methods available today for marketing and selling cars.

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Sep 9, 2010

Dealership Accessories Sales Success Featured in DrivingSales Innovation Guide

Dealership Accessories Sales Success Featured in DrivingSales Innovation Guide

 

Case study featuring Acton Toyota, Falmouth Toyota and izmocars AOA selected for DrivingSales Executive Summit

 

San Francisco, CA – September 27, 2010 -- izmocars (www.izmocars.com), the leading business solutions provider for the automotive industry, today announced that a case study including the company’s AddOnAuto (AOA) product has been selected, from dozens of submissions, by a panel of dealers to be featured in the DrivingSales Innovation Guide (www.drivingsales.com/innovation). The case study details the dramatic success two dealerships, Acton Toyota and Falmouth Toyota, have had using a new process for accessories sales. The case study is one of only two to be selected from the Innovation Guide to be featured as a live presentation / breakout session at the 2010 DrivingSales Executive Summit in October.

 

 “We are proud that the success these two innovative dealerships are having - in what used to be one of the most challenging dealership departments - is receiving so much attention: Acton and Falmouth are truly leading lights in our industry,” said Mike Martinez, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, izmocars. “And we are doubly proud that our AOA solution and best practices have contributed to their success.” 

 

AddOnAuto is an in-store accessory sales solution that enables dealers to dramatically increase accessory sales.  AOA creates a seamless consumer experience by integrating accessories shopping and financing with the car purchase, making it very easy for dealers to get into accessories sales by eliminating the need to carry physical inventory or contract with 3rd-party resellers and installers.

 

Chosen by Dealers: Two Dealerships Crack the Elusive ‘Accessories Code’ - To the Tune of Tens of Thousands in Sales Each Month

 

According to the DrivingSales Innovation Guide case study, Acton Toyota and Falmouth Toyota ramped up accessories sales by putting into practice key new processes, as well as by utilizing izmocars’ Add-on-Auto (AOA) accessories solution, which had an immediate impact on their business: driving $50,000 a month in incremental, monthly revenue for Acton, and $36,000 for Falmouth, as well as consistently converting 1 in 2 customers to make accessories purchases (up from just 1 in 10 before).

 

The case study provides an in depth guide to four key processes that can help ramp up accessories sales: 1) The Right Timing, 2) Customer Visualization/Personalization Tools, 3) 100% Virtual Inventory System and 4) Integrated Accessories and Work Flow/Fulfillment System – from Sales, to F & I, to Parts and Service Departments.  To read the full case study click the following link: Acton Toyota and Falmouth Toyota: What they did to double accessory sales and put big bucks to the bottom line - http://www.drivingsales.com/blogs/izmocars/2010/09/13/acton-toyota-and-falmouth-toyota-what-they-did-to-double-accessory-sales-and-put-big-bucks-to-the-bottom-line

 

To access the full DrivingSales Innovation Guide, go to www.drivingsales.com/innovation.

 

The case study will be presented at the DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES), scheduled for October 18th through October 20th 2010 at the Encore Wynn Las Vegas. For more information, and to register for the event, visit www.DrivingSalesExecutiveSummit.com.

 

About izmocars

izmocars is the world leader in automotive imagery and interactive animation since 2002, and a leading provider of automotive business solutions including: Website and Online Marketing Solutions (http://www.izmocars.com/solutions/big-winner-web.html), Enterprise-level Automotive CRM, iConsult Sales Performance Coaching, iService Service Management Solution, and AddOnAuto In-Store Accessories Sales Solution.

 

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 www.izmocars.com.

 

 

 

Angela Jacobson, Media Relations

mWEBB Communications

714.454.8776

Angela@mwebbcom.com

 

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Sep 9, 2010

Auto Point Launches New Website

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information contact:

Sara West-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

 

 

Auto Point Launches New Website

 

Carlsbad, CA – September 21, 2010 – Auto Point, Inc., (www.autopoint.com), the pioneer of ownership lifecycle management services in the automotive industry, today announced that it has recently launched its new company website that enhances all the robust service offerings Auto Point provides its automotive dealer clients.

 

Following several months of planning and design, the official launch comes at an important time for the company. Jim Roche, Auto Point Founder and CEO, explains: "The launch of our new website has been accelerated following our acquisition by our parent company Service Repair Solutions (SRS).We are confident our new website will serve as a particularly useful tool for our clients and prospective customers and will also help develop the Auto Point brand at this key time."

 

The new website acts as a portal that enables Auto Point’s clients to perform analytical analyses, review reports and dashboards, opt out vehicle owners, send SMS messages, submit program change requests and other critical functions.

 

Auto Point analyzes designs and implements a multi-channel, customer segmented lifecycle process that encompasses all customer touch points; this optimizes customer retention. Its exclusive program helps dealers communicate more efficiently and effectively with their customers throughout the four phases of the ownership lifecycle: first sale, after sale, maintenance & service and repurchase.

 

Since 2004, Auto Point's mission has been to help auto dealerships increase customer loyalty by providing a single source for all marketing and customer communications.  The new website fully outlines Auto Point’s portfolio of products which includes: 

 

·        Email marketing

·        Video emails

·        Email surveys

·        Direct mail

·        Voice marketing

·        Loyalty program

·        SMS campaigns

·        Personal web pages

·        Declined services

 

Roche said of the launch: "Personal and direct interaction with our clients is very important but we also recognize that a strong online presence is equally important in this modern age. An informative and up-to-date website provides our clients with essential 24/7 access to our company."

 

Built by several veterans in the automotive customer relationship management arena, Auto Point brings completely turn-key customer lifecycle management services to automotive retailers. Auto Point works with the dealer to analyze their current programs and retention needs, and then in partnership with the dealership designs a complete customer communication process that is unique to that dealership - from prospect to buyer to service to repeat purchase. The dealership is no longer limited to marketing to only 12 months of its active database. Auto Point helps the dealership market to 4 years of service and sales history and market to its customers for the lifetime of their vehicle ownership.

 

# # # # #

About Auto Point (www.autopoint.com)

Auto Point is a wholly owned subsidiary of Service Repair Solutions, Inc., the parent company to other leading automotive industry companies: MPi, Identifix and iATN .Auto Point is the originator of Lifecycle Management for automotive retailers, enabling dealers to create a single, unified communications process across all stages of the vehicle ownership lifecycle. For years, auto dealers have relied on highly fragmented solutions provided by multiple companies to communicate to their vehicle owner base.

This is both expensive and inherently of poor quality. By allowing dealers to de-fragment their owner communications, Auto Point dealers can increase loyalty and repeat purchases while simultaneously reducing their marketing and communications expenses. For more information visit www.autopoint.com or call: Susan Lovett at 800.997.1674 x2010.

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Sep 9, 2010

AutoTrader buys vAuto - Official Release

AUTOTRADER.COM AGREES TO ACQUIRE vAUTO
 
ATLANTA/CHICAGO – September 17, 2010 – AutoTrader.com and vAuto announced today an agreement under which AutoTrader.com will acquire vAuto, the automotive retail industry’s leading provider of advanced software tools for used vehicle management, pricing and inventory optimization. The terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
 
vAuto will operate as a subsidiary of AutoTrader.com and the two companies will operate largely independently, although they will collaborate in the areas of product development and customer training. Going forward, dealer customers of both AutoTrader.com and vAuto can expect to see enhancements to both companies’ products and services, such as more real-time, market-demand driven tools that will benefit their businesses. 
 
“Over the past decade, the Internet has enabled consumers to have a tremendously more transparent view of used vehicle availability and pricing on a local, regional and national basis,” said AutoTrader.com President and CEO Chip Perry. “This huge consumer benefit has driven more than 75% of car buyers to shop online before making their vehicle purchase. This change in the way consumers shop for cars has created a strong need for dealers to efficiently manage and merchandise their vehicles in a way that ensures they remain competitive. As a result of these trends, the many dealers who use third party classifieds sites like AutoTrader.com and who also employ state-of-the-art inventory management and pricing tools like vAuto are generating strong growth and profitability even in the face of a soft automotive market.”
 
“AutoTrader.com is acquiring vAuto to further help dealers enhance their performance on the Internet by combining the power of AutoTrader.com’s 15 million unique visitor audience and 1,000-plus person consultative sales and service team with vAuto’s industry leading software tools for used vehicle pricing and inventory optimization,” Perry added.
 
Because AutoTrader.com and vAuto are committed to the interests of all auto dealers, AutoTrader.com will maintain all existing data relationships with the providers of dealer inventory management, pricing and optimization tools in the automotive industry.
 
vAuto will maintain its management team and Founder Dale Pollak and President Keith Jezek will remain with the company to continue their mission of helping dealers grow their business through effective use of the company’s powerful inventory management tools. vAuto will maintain its headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill., and its research and development center in Austin, Texas.
 
“I am excited to see vAuto join forces with AutoTrader.com because our two companies share a common passion for helping dealers leverage the Internet through strong product innovation and customer service,” said Pollak. “Together we are intent on ensuring that customers of both vAuto and AutoTrader.com will continue to benefit from the expertise and consulting services that they’ve come to depend on and trust. Another key benefit we expect to provide to both companies’ dealers is improved data products and services offered by both AutoTrader.com and vAuto.”
 
“I believe by working together AutoTrader.com and vAuto will accelerate the automotive retail industry’s adoption of efficiency and profit enhancing tools for used vehicle marketing, management and merchandising,” said Pollak. “This combination will enhance dealers’ performance through improved dealership profitability and operational efficiency, more real-time market pricing and merchandising, and stronger market transparency and responsiveness.”
 
Portico Capital Securities LLC acted as the sole financial advisor to vAuto.  David Washburn of Andrews Kurth LLP acted as outside counsel to vAuto throughout the transaction.
 
AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet's leading automotive marketplace and consumer information website.  AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location millions of new cars, used cars and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of auto dealers and private sellers.  AutoTrader.com attracts more than 15 million unique monthly visitors who utilize the site to view vehicles for sale, research and compare vehicles, review pricing and specials, and read auto-related content like buying and selling tips, auto maintenance tips and coverage of major auto shows and automotive trends.  Through innovative merchandising functionality such as multiple photos, videos, detailed descriptions and comprehensive research and compare tools, AutoTrader.com unites new and used car buyers and sellers online to improve the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles. AutoTrader.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.  The private equity firm Providence Equity Partners and the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers are also investors.  For more information, please visit www.autotrader.com.
 
About vAuto
Headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Ill, vAuto also maintains a research and development center in Austin, TX. vAuto’s innovative “Live Market View” technology allows dealers to manage their used-vehicle inventories based on actual supply-and-demand for their specific market. Today, more than 3,000 dealerships across the country use vAuto’s pricing, appraisal, stocking and merchandising systems. Dale Pollak, vAuto’s Founder and Chairman, is the author of two books featuring best practices and strategies for the used car department, Velocity: From the Front Line to the Bottom Line and Velocity 2.0: Paint, Pixels & Profitability. Additional information about vAuto is available at www.vauto.com.
 
About Bain Capital Ventures
Bain Capital Ventures has been an active investor in vAuto since 2006, serving continuously on the Board of Directors since that time and playing a significant role in supporting the company’s growth for the last four years.  Bain Capital Ventures is the venture capital and growth equity affiliate of Bain Capital, headquartered in Boston.  Bain Capital Ventures has approximately $1.5 billion in assets under management and invests in business services, consumer and retail, healthcare, internet, mobile, and software companies across the spectrum of stages of development.  With a team of more than 30 investment professionals, Bain Capital Ventures offers entrepreneurs a hands-on approach to strategic and operational opportunities.  Bain Capital’s history of investing in growth-stage companies dates back to 1984.  Since then, the firm has made over 125 growth-stage investments in companies such as Archer Technologies, DoubleClick, Gartner Group, iPay Technologies, Liberty Dialysis, LinkedIn, ProfitLogic, Staples, SolarWinds and Taleo.

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Sep 9, 2010

Autobytel Acquires Cyber Ventures and Autotropolis, Making the Internet Pioneer Once Again the Nation’s Largest Automotive Consumer Purchase Request Provider

Autobytel Acquires Cyber Ventures and Autotropolis, Making the Internet Pioneer Once Again the Nation’s Largest Automotive Consumer Purchase Request Provider

Transaction Represents Key Step in Strategic Growth Plan and Is Immediately Accretive

Deal Expected to Enhance Autobytel’s Gross Margins, Boost Revenues and Purchase Request Volume

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: ABTL), a leading provider of online consumer purchase requests and marketing resources to the automotive industry, today announced an expansion of its business with the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of privately-held, Tampa, Florida-based Cyber Ventures, Inc. and Autotropolis, Inc. Cyber Ventures and Autotropolis, Inc., through proprietary content and search marketing capabilities, generate and sell high-quality, high-volume in-market consumer automotive purchase requests.

Founded in 2003, Cyber Ventures and Autotropolis have common ownership and share operating staff and other administrative and operational resources. On a combined basis, Cyber Ventures and Autotropolis had 2009 annual revenues of approximately $10 million. Autobytel reported annual revenues of $53 million for 2009 and $23.9 million for the first half of 2010. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Autobytel’s earnings.

“This transaction extends our core growth and margin-enhancement strategies and solidifies Autobytel’s position as the premier provider of automotive-related consumer purchase requests in our industry,” said Jeffrey H. Coats, Autobytel’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Given our already large and growing auto dealer and OEM distribution network, the addition of Cyber Ventures and Autotropolis gives Autobytel a significant competitive advantage by providing us with an additional major source of high-quality, ready-to-buy consumer purchase requests coming directly from our network of branded consumer websites. We expect our higher-margin, internally-generated purchase requests to increase by upwards of 150%, and our total purchase request volume to grow by more than 40%."

“The acquisition also gives us additional meaningful content for today’s automotive consumer and further enhances our Internet footprint with more than 2 million additional page views per month. We also expect to benefit greatly from the superior search engine optimization techniques and a growing suite of digital automotive products developed by the talented Cyber Ventures and Autotropolis team,” Coats added.

Cyber Ventures and Autotropolis co-founders Ian Bentley and William Ferriolo and certain members of their staff will join the Autobytel team.

“Joining forces with Autobytel will give both organizations complementary strengths,” Bentley said. “We look forward to pursuing the growth opportunities that we believe are ahead with the economic recovery in the automotive industry.” Added Ferriolo, “We are pleased to be on the ground floor of Autobytel’s strategic expansion plans and excited to be associated with the pioneer firm in our industry. As a result, our dealer customers and consumers will benefit greatly from the many value-added services provided by Autobytel that help dealers sell more cars and assist consumers in their entire automotive shopping and ownership experience through best-in-class online automotive content.”

About Autobytel (www.autobytel.com)

Autobytel Inc., an online leader offering consumer purchase requests and marketing resources to car dealers and manufacturers and providing consumers with the information they need to purchase new and used cars, pioneered the automotive Internet when it launched autobytel.com in 1995. Today, the company is continuing to offer innovative products and services to help consumers buy, and auto dealers and manufacturers sell more used and new cars. Autobytel has helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and helped every major automaker market its brand online. Through its flagship website Autobytel.com®, its network of automotive sites, including Autoweb.com®, AutoSite.com®, Car.comsm, CarSmart.com®, CarTV.com®, and MyRide.com®, and its respected online partners, Autobytel continues its dedication to innovating the industry’s highest quality Internet programs to provide consumers with a comprehensive and positive automotive research and purchasing experience, and auto dealers, dealer groups and auto manufacturers with one of the industry’s most productive and cost-effective customer referral and marketing programs.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the expectation that the transaction will be immediately accretive to Autobytel’s earnings and other benefits to be gained as a result of the acquisition, such as superior search engine optimization and marketing technology, are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain assumptions that management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made and certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Autobytel undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements are the failure to integrate the operations of Cyber Ventures or Autotropolis into Autobytel’s business, changes in general economic conditions, the financial condition of automobile manufacturers and dealers, increased dealer attrition, pressure on dealer fees, increased or unexpected competition, the failure of new products and services to meet expectations, failure to retain key employees or attract and integrate new employees, actual costs and expenses exceeding charges taken by Autobytel, changes in laws and regulations, costs of legal matters, including, defending lawsuits and undertaking investigations and related matters, the economic impact of terrorist attacks or military actions, and other matters disclosed in Autobytel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are strongly encouraged to review Autobytel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could affect operating results and the market price of the stock. In addition, current year financial information could be subject to change as a result of subsequent events or the finalization of the company’s financial statement close which culminates with the filing of its 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Contact:

Autobytel Inc.
Jim Helberg/Crystal Hartwell
949-437-4755
crystalh@autobytel.com
or
PondelWilkinson Inc.
Roger Pondel/Laurie Berman
310-279-5980
investor@pondel.com

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Brian Pasch

PCG Consulting Inc

Sep 9, 2010

AWA Awards Presentation Announced

Automotive Website Awards The 2010 Automotive Website Awards (AWA) will be presented on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 8:00 am at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas in Grand Ballroom D.

Details on the awards ceremony have been finalized by PCG Digital Marketing today.

Members of the automotive industry that would like to attend the awards breakfast should follow the guidelines below:

1. All attendees MUST be pre-registered since seating is limited.

2. The breakfast will be sold out so walk-in attendance will not be permitted.

3. If your company is listed below, you are entitled to two complimentary tickets for the event, as long as the attendees are members of your company and they register with Carrie Hemphill By October 4, 2010.

  • ADP/BZ
  • All AutoNetwork
  • Auto Fusion
  • Auto Jini
  • Auto Lot Manger
  • Auto Revo
  • Click Motive
  • Cobalt
  • Dealer Car Search
  • Dealer E-Process
  • Dealer Fire
  • Dealer Impact
  • Dealer Peak
  • Dealer Specialities
  • Dealer.com
  • DealerHD
  • DealerOn
  • DealerSkins
  • DealerTrend
  • eBizAutos
  • eCarList
  • Fresh Input
  • Higher Turnover
  • Izmo Cars
  • Jazel Auto
  • K3 Automotive
  • Liquid Motors
  • MJMI
  • My Dealer Bizz
  • Nexteppe
  • Potratz Partners
  • Promaxonline
  • Pure Dealer
  • Reynolds & Reynolds
  • Search Optics
  • SEO Sport
  • Smart Web Concepts
  • TKCarsites
  • VinSolutions
  • Wilson Software
  • World Dealer
  • XIGroup
  • Xspond.com

 

 

4. If your company is listed above and you need to purchase additional tickets, contact Carrie Hemphill by October 4, 2010. Tickets to the breakfast are $45 per person and you can reach Carrie at 732.450.8200 ext 2.

5. If you would like to attend and are not an employee of the companies listed above, please contact Carrie Hemphill at 732.450.8200 to purchase your tickets.

6. The breakfast reception holds 75 people so we expect that between the companies being considered for the awards plus industry press, media and dignitaries that the 2010 AWA Awards Breakfast will be sold out quickly.

Members of the Automotive News Media can request press passes from PCG Digital Marketing by supplying the appropriate credentials. We are encouraging the CEO of the companies being considered to attend the breakfast along with the head of the website development team. This will allow PCG to take meaningful photos of the awards being presented to the winning companies.

Brian Pasch

PCG Consulting Inc

CEO

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Press Release

DrivingSales

Sep 9, 2010

izmocars Launches iService: Makes 100% Service Absorption a Reality

iService first and only solution to fully integrate/automate appointment, shop-loading and production management process to re-capture billions of lost service department dollars

San Francisco, CA September 15, 2010 – izmocars (www.izmocars.com), the leading Internet business solutions provider for the auto retailing industry, today released izmocars iService, the automotive industry’s most complete service management system specifically designed to increase productivity and efficiency, recapture billions of lost service department dollars, and achieve 100% service absorption.

“It’s not unusual to see $25,000, often more, in wasted service dollars each month because of antiquated systems and processes that do not effectively communicate with each other to coordinate service scheduling with shop loading and production management,” said Tej Soni, president of izmocars. “iService provides the processes and information for dealers to re-capture that revenue.”

iService solves traditional service coordination challenges by integrating a consumer-friendly service-scheduling interface with an easy-to-use backend, and DMS-integrated, software system that ensures efficient, coordinated shop loading and real-time production management. The system makes the information easily accessible in real-time to users across departments, from service writer to shop scheduler to technician. iService targets 100% service absorption and includes all the information and tools needed to manage a successful service department.

iService is receiving endorsements from dealerships who have been using it in beta.  For example, Trevor Walker, General Manager of Walker Acura in Metairie, Louisiana says: “The product has just flat out worked.  The setup and installation was so easy, and the product continues to work day in and day out.  I would recommend this product to any dealership.”

Concluded Soni:  “Service department profits are increasingly the foundation for survival and success for dealerships. To us, this meant that a critical task was to develop a solution that eliminates huge service department inefficiencies, and do it in a way that increases consumer satisfaction, streamlines workflow, and ramps-up absorption -- all while being both resource and user-friendly for the dealership: iService is that solution.”
 
iService Features and Benefits
 
·         Online Service Scheduling, including control of number of waiting customers, loaner cars, shuttle rides, and valet service
o   Management of waiting customers assures increased shop productivity, directly impacting the bottom line
o   Management of loaner cars provides reductions in loaner car expense

·         Dealership Appointments, Scheduling, and Loading
o   Better management of appointments results in more face-time with customers and the opportunity to increase sales of recommended maintenance items.

·         Multiple Group /Team Feature provides dealers with the ability to assess shop load for each group when scheduling an appointment
o   Well-balanced shop loading assures the highest level of productivity resulting in increased labor sales and gross profit

·         Multiple Location Login provides a single login with controlled access to various locations or franchises
o   Allows BDC, appointment coordinators, and service advisors to easily schedule for any franchise or location in a single user session, streamlining the appointment process
o   iService is a per-rooftop application, providing a significant cost savings to dealers that are currently being billed on a per-franchise basis

·         Real-Time Production Management
o   The ability to set goals and manage work in real-time “drives” shop production resulting in significant increases in flat-rate hours per day and overall service revenue
o   An established daily flat-rate goal provides non-threatening accountability for service advisors and technicians. Employees feel in control of the process and deliver higher levels of performance.

·         Performance Monitoring at all levels and operational visibility 24/7
o   With the ability to view the operation from any location at any level, dealership management has a clear picture of what’s occurring and can determine what actions to take in order to deliver a more successful outcome.
 
·         Rapid Employee Training and Adoption (less than an hour, versus weeks)
o   The simplicity of the iService interface provides a guided path for new personnel to properly schedule and load the shop in about an hour.

·          Technician Out Feature allows dealerships to easily adjust technician schedules
o   When technicians are unavailable on a specific day, shop flat-rate goals and available hours are adjusted accordingly to assure consistency in performance and the customer experience.

·         Automated Carry-Over function assures accurate calculation of workload and     hours-to-sell
o   Proper shop loading and the ability to complete work are dependent on an accurate picture of the amount of work carried over. iService is the only application available that provides this information in a simple, easy to understand format to assure proper loading, appointment availability and promise times.
 
·         Advanced Reporting provides real-time and date-range reports including: advisor performance, no-show appointments, online repair orders, MTD performance, and real-time monthly projection.
o   Knowledge is power and the iService Reporting Suite provides critical information for assessing employee strengths and areas for improvement “on-the-fly” and for chosen time periods.


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.

izmocars Media Contact:

Melanie Webber
mWEBB Communications,
(424) 603-4340

Press Release

DrivingSales

Industry Press Releases

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Bart Wilson

DrivingSales

Sep 9, 2010

Scott Monty and Dan Zarrella Keynote DrivingSales Executive Summit

Ford Social Media Visionary Scott Monty and Social/Viral Marketing Scientist Dan Zarella to Keynote DrivingSales Executive Summit

 

Social media leaders join Jeremiah Owyang on DSES Keynote Line-up

 

Salt Lake City, Utah - September 14, 2010 - DrivingSales.com (www.drivingsales.com). the automotive industry's largest car dealer social network, today announced that Scott Monty, Ford Motor Company's social media visionary, and Dan Zarrella, author of the watershed The Social Media Marketing Book, have joined the ine-up of the second annual DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES) presented with WardsAuto.com.  They join renowned social media analyst, blogger and web strategist Jeremiah Owyang as keynote speakers at the DSES, which is scheduled for Octover 18th through 20th, 2010 at the Encore Wynn Las Vegas.  This year's summit focuses on Innovating Dealership Profit Centers in the Recovery Economy.

"We are proud to present a line-up of visionary social media keynoters who will provide our attendees with inspiration, insight, innovation and, most importantly, actionable strategies to help them meet the demands of a rapidly evolving marketing universe," said DrivingSales CEO and Founder Jared Hamilton.  "Scott is deservedly known as 'the best corporate social media lead on the planet,' and Dan's scientific and data-based book on social media is a must-have text for today's marketers.  We are truly honored to host them at the DSES."

Scott Monty is scheduled to keynote the DSES on Monday, October 18 at 4:00pm.

As Global Digital & Multimedia Communications Manager at Ford Motor Company, Scott heads up the company's social media function.  He is the strategic advisor on all social activities across the company, from blogger relations to marketing support, customer service to internal communications and more.  He is also an active blogger and podcaster in his 'The Social Media Marketing Blog' (www.scottmonty.com) and The Baker Street Blog.  He has been featured in numerous news and business publications, in over a dozen books, and on a variety of broadcast media from podcasts to NPR to national television.  Scott coined the Oxford Dictionary of English-accepted term "tweetup."

Dan Zarrella is scheduled to keynote the DSES on Wednesday, October 20th at 9:00pm.

Dan is an award-winning social, search, and viral marketing scientist and author of the O'Reilly Media book "The Social Media Marketing Book".  He has a background in web development and combines his programming capabilities with a passion for social marketing to sturdy social media behavior from a data-backed position and teach marketers scientifically grounded best practices.  Broadly quoted in today's top media from The New York Times to TechCrunch, he was awarded Shorty and Semmy awards in 2009 for social media & viral marketing.

For more information about the DrivingSales Executive Summit Agenda click here.

About DrivingSales Executive Summit Presented with WardsAuto.com

The DrivingSales Executive Summit present with WardsAuto.com is a uniquely collaborative event modeled after the best practices shared among dealership professionals on DrivingSales.com.  The event brings together the most successful and innovative dealers in the country, along with world-renowned speakers, all to focus on dealership innovations and profitability.  Unlike other automotive industry events, the DrivingSales Executive Summit is 100% dealer driven and designed specifically for the most progressive dealer principals and dealership executives in the industry.

The DrivingSales Executive Summit will be held in the Encore Ballroom, at the Encore Wynn Las Vegas October 18th - October 20th, 2010.  For more information about the conference, visit: DrivingSalesExecutiveSummit.com or contact dses@drivingsales.com.  Follow conference news as it develops on www.twitter.com/drivingsales using #DSES and on facebook.com/drivingsales.

About DrivingSales.com

DrivingSales.com (www.drivingsales.com) is the largest car dealer social network where thousands of dealership professionals collaborate and share best practices in a 20-group style setting.  Th site is the industry's largest source of free dealership best practices information.

At DrivingSales, members create profiles, network with each other and share best practices.  Dealership managers are allowed to rate and review their dealership vendors in a verified setting.  DrivingSales hosts the largest retail focused community of automotive blogs, videos, interview, social automotive news feeds and more.

DrivingSales was created and build from the ground up in 2003 by Jared Hamilton, a third generation auto dealer, as a private automotive business community to network his NADA Dealer Candidate Academy class.  The site opened nationally in 2008 and is the industry's leading automotive social media custom platform.  DrivingSales was named on of ten social media gambits for 2009 by Automotive News and one of the top 10 Companies to Watch by Auto Success Magazine.

DrivingSales Executive Summit Media Relations:

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

Bart Wilson

DrivingSales

Director of Operations

878

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