SAN FRANCISCO — Online car-buying solution provider Drive Motors this week announced the hiring of former Dealer.com executive Chris Gugliotta to the newly created position of head of strategic partnerships.

Gugliotta will report to company CEO Aaron Krane and will be responsible for leveraging Drive Motors’ omnichannel car-buying tools for the largest auto finance sources and vehicle OEMs in the world.

“Drive Motors is solidifying its position as the leader of transparent car buying for auto dealers, and forging strategic partnerships is going to accelerate Drive’s sustained growth,” said Gugliotta. “I’m excited to join the executive team, and I’m proud to offer Drive the connections and expertise I’ve developed throughout my decades-long career.”

Gugliotta brings more than 20 years of experience in technology, automotive, and retail sales to the role. In 1996, he started at Lithia Motors, where he developed and scaled internet-marketing and ecommerce teams for more than a decade. He then spent more than half a decade leading growth efforts at Dealer.com, ultimately rising to the post of vice president of sales for Cox Automotive. Gugliotta then returned to Lithia to lead innovation and online sales strategy.

"We’re elated to welcome Chris to the team, given his deep vertical automotive expertise and his passion for delivering great consumer experiences with technology,” said Krane. “His experience is vast, spanning top dealer groups like Lithia, as well as top technology companies like Cox Automotive. That is clutch.”