CHICAGO — Cars.com dealers who are out-and-about no longer have to rush back to their computers to connect with shoppers. The company has now made its chat platform available through Web-enabled smartphones, meaning dealers have a much easier and quicker was to get in touch with potential customers.    "Mobile chat allows salespeople to be […] [Read More]

OAK BROOK, Ill. — vAuto officials announced late last week they've passed another dealer-customer threshold. As of the close of the second quarter, the company's unique dealership rooftop count totaled 3,093. Executives from vAuto contend these dealerships are successfully executing the Velocity Method of Management to maximize profits and grow their used-vehicle operations. Furthermore, vAuto also […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Exponential growth like that seen at AutoTrader.com in the last 12 years brings about its own challenges and lessons, and a legal settlement between the company and the Business Software Alliance announced Thursday seems to be indicative of that. An AutoTrader.com leader said an important lesson was "brought to light" as the company reached […] [Read More]

MIAMI — Specifically designed to cater to the Hispanic market in the U.S., Yahoo en Español recently launched a revamped version of Yahoo Autos in Spanish. The new website now contains more than 2.5 million new, used, certified pre-owned and private-seller vehicle listings from dealers and private-party sellers nationwide. Site officials also highlighted the other elements […] [Read More]

SAN FRANCISCO — Usually, revamped or new models are unveiled at auto shows and industry events, but Ford went against the grain recently for one of its vehicles and it paid off in the form of major online traction, according to Jumpstart Automotive Group. The 2011 model-year Ford Explorer was introduced via Facebook on July 26, […] [Read More]

SAN FRANCISCO — Honk, a social-media-driven automotive shopping website, rolled out new enhancements Wednesday geared to make the process even more interactive for users. The site's new Dashboard now is meant to give potential buyers a central location to manage their entire vehicle-shopping process from discovery to purchase. As users identify their needs and track opinions […] [Read More]

SHANGHAI — General Motors and the SAIC Motor Corp. in China will work together to build a new small-displacement gasoline engine and an advanced transmission, two technologies officials said can help boost fuel efficiency and cut down on carbon-dioxide emissions in vehicles. GM vice chairman of global product operations Tom Stephens and SAIC president Chen Hong […] [Read More]

SAN FRANCISCO — Jumpstart Automotive Group believes its recent study explains how blending two kinds of online consumer targeting can significantly boost factors such as brand awareness, favorability, message association and purchase intent. Simply put, group executives explained contextual targeting focuses solely on content by presenting consumers with advertising messages that are deeply relevant to the […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — Automotive Internet Media announced it has been selected by the LemonFree.com auto search engine to be the exclusive distributor for the launch of the website's Dealer Certification Program. The first participants in the program will be dealerships chosen by LemonFree.com based on their reputation for employing best practices. The program is designed to help dealers who gain […] [Read More]

PALO ALTO, Calif. — High Gear Media revealed its new chief revenue officer Monday, announcing that it is bringing in David Armitage, who is a former executive with both Autobytel and Edmunds.com. In his new role, Armitage's responsibilities will cover all revenue initiatives. His duties will hone in on boosting brand advertising throughout the company's auto websites. […] [Read More]