HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -

WomenCertified announced Tuesday it is launching a Dealer Recognition Program with research powered by J.D. Power and Associates.

The idea behind the program is to help dealerships to increase customer satisfaction among their female clients through the WomenCertified Dealer Recognition Award.

Customer satisfaction research, powered by J.D. Power, will qualify dealerships who meet a higher standard of customer satisfaction among women, WomenCertified indicated.

According to WomenCertified, recent research shows that women influence more than 95 percent of auto purchasing decisions and control more than 83 percent of all consumer spending.

Ninety percent of women believe that men receive better treatment at a dealership, and 77 percent of women will not enter a dealership without a man to accompany them for support, the company reported.

The WomenCertified Dealer Recognition Award, with research powered by J.D. Power, will offer dealerships:

—Use of the WomenCertified Seal Award in all marketing.

—Turn-key marketing and advertising materials.

—Online “Selling to Women” Training.

—Monthly sales and marketing reinforcement tools.

—Searchable business profile on WomenCertified.com.

Delia Passi, founder of WomenCertified and chief executive officer of Medelia, explained, "J.D. Power is the most recognized and respected brand when it comes to customer satisfaction measurement in the U.S., and we are honored that they have embraced the customer needs of women through our arrangement. The WomenCertified program not only provides customers with the promise of improved customer service, but will also allow women, the gatekeepers for purchasing decisions for the family, to identify dealerships that are eager to meet her higher standards."

Chris Sutton, director of automotive retail service at J.D. Power and Associates, added, "We are pleased to provide the methodology and research standards for the WomenCertified program, which is designed to recognize those auto retailers that excel at delivering customer satisfaction excellence. We believe this program provides a key differentiator for auto retailers in this important market segment.”