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OAK BROOK, Ill. — vAuto's used-vehicle management system can now be utilized as a mobile application for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch products, allowing dealers to tap into market information while they're on the go.

"We recognize that our dealers need the ability to access our real-time market information wherever they are," explained Keith Jezek, president and chief executive officer of vAuto. "We decided to develop our mobile application initially for the Apple devices because they are the preferred mobile devices for web searching activities."

Officials explained that this live market appraisal service is the first mobile application vAuto has developed. It can only be used by vAuto customers, but includes no extra monthly subscription charges. 

It can be downloaded at iTunes' App Store.

The app includes traditional third-party guidebooks and auctions values, as well as vAuto's rBook. The company noted the rBook gives customers the ability to "appraise with the mindset of ‘how to get out of a car before you get in.'"

"The mobile application functionality also includes the proprietary barcode VIN capture method that automatically decodes and uploads to vAuto," officials explained.

One dealer in particular expressed how the mobile app helped his store. Bill Pearson, who owns Finishline Ford in Peoria, Ill., stated: "The vAuto mobile application saves me a tremendous amount of time while at auctions.

"Its design is consistent with the Velocity Method of Management — access to live market data down to the level of trim and equipment combined with used-car market days' supply, allowing us to make the critical decisions on what to stock and how much to pay," he added.