BURLINGTON, Vt. — Dealer.com recently struck an exclusive partnership with DriverSide to provide vehicle service and retention tools for dealerships' Web sites. The companies are teaming up to roll out a series of products for dealers. The first is designed to augment Dealer.com's platform with fixed operations content. Additional fixed-ops and service marketing products will be added […] [Read More]

ATLANTA — Global private equity firm Providence Equity Partners is obtaining a 25-percent share in Cox Enterprise's AutoTrader.com, a move Cox officials said will provide the company more investment capital and expertise to help the site grow further. Executives emphasized that Cox will have majority ownership of AutoTrader.com as well as control over operations. The move […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The "Jeep Tiki Hunt" contest — which wrapped up this week after giving away three 2010 Jeep Wrangler Islanders — apparently did wonders for the brand's social-networking presence, along with another related promotion the brand held earlier this year. Jeep has held two social-media contests since March, and the brand's traffic in that arena has […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf will soon arrive at dealerships as alternative-fuel options that dealers can offer consumers, but many shoppers are still wary about buying electric vehicles, according to a Cars.com survey. In fact, two-fifths of shoppers claimed they don't have a significant grasp on the technology involved with electric vehicles, so […] [Read More]

OAK BROOK, Ill. — vAuto founder and chairman Dale Pollak is now a finalist for the 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Midwest, vying with other nominees for the regional honor that will be given out next month. Regional business, academic and community leaders chose the slate of finalists for the […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — In a unique way to reach out to budding auto journalists, Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com is holding a contest where car enthusiasts can make their own vehicle review videos and submit them for the chance to win $10,000 and be a KBB editor for a day. To participate, contestants simply film a two-minute or less […] [Read More]

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — Executives from Auto/Mate Dealership Systems highlighted on Tuesday they completed two crucial integration points intended to help several dealership departments at Mazda franchise stores. The integration connects their Automotive Management Productivity Suite and Mazda North American Operations dealership communication system. The first advancement involved the Mazda Vehicle Invoice Integration, a function the company […] [Read More]

CENTREVILLE, Va. — Carfax recently rolled out a new tool the company believes can leverage the value of its Vehicle History Reports even further. Executives explained the concept behind the Carfax History Impact is to give dealers a unique look at a vehicle's value. They detailed that by analyzing market pricing and millions of used-vehicle transactions, […] [Read More]

CHICAGO — To make the auto research process more efficient for shoppers looking for family vehicles, Cars.com is now housing all of its family car-related content in one resource that it is calling the Family Buying Guide. This consolidated section will encompass such tools as the "mom-focused" Motherproof.com blog, lifestyle buying guides and special advice sections […] [Read More]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Advanced Business Computers of America recently enhanced its DMS solution Deal Pack so it now integrates the underwriting and analysis tool from Kistler Automotive. Executives explained that dealers who already use Deal Pack can immediately access the Kistler tool. They noted that Kistler's solution includes insurance tracking services, insurance underwriting, voluntary physical damage […] [Read More]