NADA 2014
Learn more about some of the products and services on display at the 2014 NADA Convention & Expo.
New Compliance Measures
On the first day of the conference, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) unveiled its Fair Credit Compliance Policy and Program. The association’s directors hope dealers will use the program to establish a standard amount of compensation for dealer financing and document the reasons for any deviation. The program is available to NADA members but not required by the association. www.nada.org
New Lead-Generation Tool
LotLinx is a new system designed to connect in-market car buyers with participating dealers. The software replaces third-party lead forms with links to dealers’ vehicle description pages, resulting in enhanced conversion rates, according to the provider. The system also offers search optimization, automated inventory indexing and more. www.lotlinx.com
Telephone Meets Chat
Gubagoo Inc. added a telephony component to its dealer website chat platform with the launch of Gubatel. The Gubatel dashboard was designed to display the vehicles and services each customer was researching before they initiated an online chat or phone call. Dealership staff can use that information to conduct more productive conversations and find appropriate inventory, offers and promotions, according to the provider. www.gubagoo.com
Mobile Vehicle Data
Black Book announced the launch of Black Book Digital, a new mobile app designed to allow users to search for vehicles and valuation data and scan VINs. The app is available for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, does not require connection to a Wi-Fi network and can connect users to Q-List, a mobile inventory management tool, according to Black Book. www.blackbookauto.com
Bumper Repair Coverage
Dent Wizard International introduced Ding Shield Signature, a new product that adds bumper repair service to the company’s Ding Shield Preferred suite, which already includes paintless dent removal, windshield chip repair, alloy wheel repair and a hail deductible benefit. The plans provide coverage for up to six years and call for all repairs to be performed at participating dealerships by skilled technicians. www.dentwizard.com
More Dealer Ops
Dealer Debrief: Defection Data & EV Updates
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses how to use defection data to your advantage and the latest on EV sales and charging infrastructure.
Read More →
How Defection Data is Bridging the Dealership Conversion Gap
Lead volume is flat, cross-shopping is up and brand loyalty is in retreat. As confident sales teams keep losing buyers they thought they had, daily industry sales data is showing dealers exactly where their funnel is breaking and how to fix it without buying a single new lead.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Where are you losing customers?
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses the hidden leaks in dealerships where you might be losing customers without even realizing it.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Improving Your Inventory Management
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a new survey that shows what service technicians really want and two launches that could help improve your inventory and vehicle life cycle management.
Read More →
Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
What Market Timing Mistakes Mean for Your Reinsurance Program
When volatility hits, dealer-owned reinsurance programs face a familiar temptation: pull back and wait for calmer waters. New data from BOK Financial shows why that instinct can quietly cost you years of surplus growth.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →