IRVINE, Calif. -

AutoAlert,a data analytic and lead generation tool provider, revealed Monday it has been issued  two new U.S. patents that adress extended functionality of its lead-generation solution — which identifies a dealership’s existing customers whose vehicles and vehicle histories make those owners “hot prospects” for additional sales opportunities, the company explained.

These two new patents come on the heels of Patent Number 8,005,752 that was issued this past August, and Patent Number 7,827,099 in December 2010, each of which also address extended functionality of the AutoAlert solution.

Additionally, co-founder Jeff Cotton noted even more patent applications are in process to “ensure that the solution’s unique capabilities are commercially protected.”

Delving more into the capabilities of the AutoAlert solution, the company explained that while choosing a dealer’s existing customers who might be in the market for a new car, it also identifies them based on whose vehicles fit certain sales criteria, such as equity position and mileage, lease termination and/or mileage, and market demand for trade-in offers, to name a few. 

Basically, the solution works to create sales opportunities with higher gross profits for dealers; bring in late model trade-ins; and sell additional warranties and services to their existing customers, “while improving customer retention and loyalty,” officials surmised.

Boyd Warner, president and chief executive officer of AutoAlert, also offered his opinion on the product; stressing its importance in today’s market, where high wholesale prices and scarcity of used vehicles are daily struggles: "Today’s new normal is about keeping the customer you already have, since the retail auto industry is characterized by lackluster sales growth, a scarcity of late model used vehicles and rising customer expectations. AutoAlert is a powerful retention tool that helps to insure longer lasting customer relationships that will convert to sustainable and repeatable sales opportunities.

“Dealers credit the patented AutoAlert solution for helping them ‘create a dealership within a dealership.’ It does so by helping them identify and then sell up to several hundred extra units a month — from existing customers alone,” he continued.

Launching in 2002, company officials now contend 1,100 dealerships have utilized the AutoAlert solution to be "more competitive, improve their all-important customer retention and help sales associates excel."

Warner also pointed out AutoAlert is a registered trademark of AutoAlert, Inc. ServiceAlert, MileageAlert, WarrantyAlert, ConquestAlert, MaintenanceAlert, FlexAlert, are trademarks of AutoAlert Inc. in the United States and other countries.