Interactive Automotive Articles

Friday the folks at DealerTrack announced that they have integrated their AAX and eCarList products into one inventory management and merchandizing tool and announced the launch of a mobile application.

The integration will allow dealers to appraise, price and merchandize vehicles with live retail and historical data.

The mobile ap, which also features an iPad and iPhone option, will allow a dealer to watch finance and consumer credit activities.

DealerTrack bought eCarList last July, when AutoTrader chose VinSolutions over the Dallas based company.

To read more:

http://bit.ly/AwQ4wg

ResponseLogix, the lead response management software, and Dominion Dealer Solutions, the CRM tool formerly known as AutoBase, announced a technology partnership to syncronize functionality. Interesting that AutoBase was previously a CRM system that caused some of the most challenges to ResponseLogix integration system.

The features of the partnership include a view of the lead history, including price quotes, ResponseLogix follow up emails, test drive requests and "reactivations," the ResponseLogix feature that shows leads that have re-engaged the customer through the follow up process known as SmartFollow.

This seems like a big win for Dominion Dealer Solutions, as…

The OEM's are warning dealers to be prepared for an even slower off-lease year in 2012 than they saw in 2011 according to AutoRemarketing. Off-lease vehicles are part of the most significant universe of vehicles that can be CPO'd due to maintenance and mileage requirements. That said, 2011 still turned out to be a record breaking CPO sales year with over 1.74 million sales, a 6.4 percent increase over the previous year.

The OEM's are advising dealers to continue marketing very agressively to their new car customers to keep the influx of low mileage, newer trade-ins…

TrueCar announced Wednesday that they would be changing their billing practices in the state of Virginia away from the illegal per sale model to a subscription fee. Wonder if they plan to make the same move in Texas, Maryland and Louisiana where that practice is also illegal. From my days of launching cars.com's NewLeadsPlus in Texas, and other pay per lead generating products in those other states, UpShift Digital is well aware of the laws and the penalties. Interesting that TrueCar and Scott Painter didn't feel those laws related to him. Working the Texas lawmakers, we learned that it's…

James Wood's two dealerships, one in Denton and one in Decatur just north of Dallas, were just recognized by GM as having success within the "next online frontier." Amanda Woods, the dealer's social networking expert has created a mommy blog and have incorporated that process into the buying process. Knowing that you can't sell cars, or measure a straight ROI on social networking, Woods is working closely with Internet sales manager Ted Moore. Williams claims they've actually sold some vehicles to folks that have communicated directly through text or Twitter completely through the process. Coming in only to sign…

AutoNation is reporting that the dealer group saw a 7% overall new car sale climb in 2011, led by their domestics that saw a 17% YOY increase. Imports remained flat and luxury models climbed 15%.

AutoNation chairman and chief executive officer received the 2011 National Retail Leadership Award from the Detroit Free Press as part of the North American International Auto Show.

Since everyone has been talking about the great year that 2011 was, I thought I would join USA Today (what? UpShift Digital is following a newspaper?) and have a look at the 5 worst selling vehicles for 2011. I found it interesting that each of these vehicles were from Asian OEM's - considering how much we're talking about how great Hyundai is every other day.

1 - Toyota Land Cruiser - uh, ok - it is $68,000 and probably the only Toyota that was left on the lots this summer and it still wouldn't move. They sold a…

The Detroit Auto Show named the 2012 Hyundai Elantra the Car of the Year. The Truck of the Year honors go to the Evoque.

When was the last time we got to say that cars were running out of stock? Well, tsunami aside (forgive me Toyota, Honda and Nissan etc. dealers). New car vehicle sales are hitting some of the highest numbers in five years, and November's stats from Auto Observer were out of this world for many brands.

So what are the hardest to find models, according to Auto Remarketing? Here they are in order.

10. Hyundai Elantra
Days to Turn: 12
Price: $16,445
Configuration: 4-cylinder, 4-door

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Ford's 3Q Income Lower - Remain Confident

October 27, 2011 by John Druien

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