NEW YORK -

More assistance is in motion for Blue Oval retailers. automotiveMastermind — part of IHS Markit and a provider of predictive analytics and marketing automation solutions for dealerships — recently formed a partnership with FordDirect.

As a result of the relationship, the companies highlighted that the new integrations will be offered to both current and future Ford and Lincoln dealerships in the United States that use Mastermind — the automated sales and marketing platform that can empower dealers to close more deals by predicting future buyers and consistently marketing to them.

There is no additional cost to dealers for the integrations with FordDirect, according to a news release.

The companies explained the partnership is designed to deliver bi-directional data sharing that allows both operations to improve their respective services to Ford and Lincoln dealers.

They said Ford and Lincoln dealers will enjoy the benefits of seamless billing via the OEM parts and accessory statements, automatic co-op processing and integration with FordDirect CRM.

Executives also mentioned automotiveMastermind will be building additional upcoming data-driven integrations such as incorporating VIN data and AXZ pricing into the Mastermind platform.

Mastermind is currently 100% co-op approved for Ford, according to the companies.

“Our mission at FordDirect is to help our Ford and Lincoln dealers sell more vehicles,” FordDirect chief executive officer Matt VanDyke said in the news release.  “We believe the benefits of our relationship with automotiveMastermind advances that goal, and we’re pleased to reduce the administrative workload on our dealers with streamlined billing and co-op processing,”

And automotiveMastermind chief executive officer and co-Founder Marco Schnabl added, “Empowering our dealer partners to take a data-driven approach toward building lasting relationships with their customers has always been the focus of automotiveMastermind.

“This new and exciting relationship with FordDirect puts Ford and Lincoln dealers in a great position to capitalize on the innovative technology that Mastermind offers. It will make the sales process more seamless for the dealer professionals, as well as their customers,” Schnabl went on to say.