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CHICAGO — Cars.com is hosting a free online seminar Friday designed to teach dealers strategies for using certified pre-owned programs, vehicle history reports and customer reviews/testimonials to their advantage when it comes to fostering trust with in-market shoppers.

The "Trust Makes the Sale" Webinar starts at noon (EST) and will be moderated by Kathy Kimmel, dealer training director at Cars.com.

On the expert panel will be:

—Joshua Fichter, director of operations at Five Star Ford.

—Kevin Frye, e-commerce director at Jeff Wyler Automotive Family.

—Armand LeVasseur, dealer marketing manager at Carfax.

"Car buyers want to purchase the right vehicle from the dealership that delivers the best value and provides the most professional service," Kimmel shared. "Dealers who build — and become known for — a customer-oriented culture will win more deals and net greater profits than competitors who fall short."

The Webinar is designed to teach how:

—Vehicle history reports verify the car's condition and help dealers earn a higher gross.

—Manufacturer certification programs accelerate the purchase process and build brand loyalty.

—Managing dealers online reputation helps win more deals.

"Not only do car buyers want to like the salespeople who assist them with their purchase, but they also tell us they need to trust them," Kimmel pointed out. "Once we've established this credibility, it's easier to ask for the immediate sale and the repeat and referral business we need down the road."

Dealers can go to http://dealers.cars.com/live to register or learn more about the seminar. While there, they can also check out previous events that have been recorded.

The company emphasized that it isn't required for dealers to be part of Cars.com to take part. However, it is required they download free WebEx software at www.webex.com.