Automotive News, Press Releases, and Events

Joe Webb draws a parallel between the documentary 'Catfish' and dealerships that misrepresent themselves online, arguing that exaggerated claims about awards, pricing, or service create a trust gap when customers arrive in person. The core insight is that overpromising online and underdelivering in the showroom damages credibility and customer relationships. Dealers are urged to market authentically, letting their real strengths speak rather than inflating expectations they can't meet.

A dealer shared a news report about the arrest of DriverzEdge Warranty Company's president, Robert William Roback, who was accused of embezzling approximately $860,000 in customer warranty funds. The post alerts industry professionals who may have sold DriverzEdge contracts to a serious financial crime and potential liability issue with the company. The key insight is a cautionary tale about vetting warranty partners and the risks dealers face when third-party warranty providers mishandle customer money.

Dealers debate whether internet-empowered consumers have diminished the role of car salespeople, with the original article suggesting customers arrive at dealerships already informed and ready to buy. While some acknowledge that online research has shifted competition to the pre-visit stage, most participants argue that salespeople remain essential because customers still need to physically experience vehicles, require closing assistance, and dealers must compete on service quality rather than information advantage. The emerging consensus is that dealers should invest in customer-centric experiences—transparent pricing, efficient transactions, and product knowledge—rather than traditional sales tactics, though the industry will likely see a shift toward "product advisors" over commissioned salespeople as margins continue to shrink.

Joe Pistell shares an NPR/This American Life episode that investigates questionable sales practices at a Long Island Jeep dealership under pressure to hit a 129-car monthly sales target to earn up to an $85,000 manufacturer bonus. The episode documents how dealers "pull out all the stops" when facing the threat of consecutive months without hitting their goals, suggesting pressure from sales quotas drives ethically questionable dealership behavior.

The thread explores whether dealerships should hire dedicated Technology Specialists to educate new vehicle buyers on increasingly complex in-car technology, rather than relying on salespeople. As vehicles gain features like social media integration and voice commands, the question of who owns the customer education experience becomes a real operational and hiring decision. The discussion points toward a dedicated role as a potential differentiator for dealerships looking to improve delivery experience and customer satisfaction.

Autobytel has acquired AutoUSA, continuing a pattern of acquisitions that has defined the company's history since pioneering internet automotive services in the 1990s. The post traces Autobytel's acquisition strategy over the past two decades, including purchases like StoneAge.com for $48 million and AVV WebControl, highlighting both successful flips and significant investments in the third-party lead generation space. The key insight is that Autobytel has relied on acquisitions as a core growth strategy, though the thread was cut off before discussing the implications of the current AutoUSA deal.

The thread covers Autobytel's $10 million acquisition of AutoUSA, a subsidiary of AutoNation, marking another significant consolidation in the automotive internet lead generation space. Jeff Kershner provides context on Autobytel's long history in the industry, dating back to their 1996 Super Bowl ad, and references their previous acquisitions like AVV WebControl. The deal is framed as a notable shift in the competitive landscape for third-party lead providers serving car dealers.

The thread shares news that Cox Automotive is buying back a 25% stake in AutoTrader.com from Providence Equity Partners, consolidating its ownership of the major automotive marketplace. The post is brief, shared via a tweet, with no extended discussion or community commentary captured in the thread. The key takeaway is a significant ownership shift that further tightens Cox's control over one of the industry's dominant car-shopping platforms.

Jeff Kershner recaps DealerRefresh's 2013 highlights, celebrating community growth, standout contributor articles, and notable forum discussions from the year. A major milestone was the launch of the Dealer ThinkTank conference, co-hosted with industry partners, which debuted in Cincinnati and was set to expand to cities like Dallas in early 2014. The post serves as a curated 'best of' roundup for members who may have missed key content throughout the year.

The thread opens by citing Fortune Magazine data showing that 2013 auto sales reached 15.7 million units, the strongest year in nearly six years, and asks dealers to share their individual dealership performance during this period. The original poster assumes that industry-wide strong sales should have translated into a banner year for every dealership. The thread appears designed to gather anecdotal responses from DealerRefresh members about whether they capitalized on favorable 2013 market conditions.

The thread examines 2013 mobile shopping trends in automotive retail, highlighting that consumers average 24 research touchpoints on their automotive journey according to Google. Key data from the holiday shopping season shows smartphones dominate browsing while tablets drive purchases, with mobile accounting for 11.7% of all Cyber Monday sales. The core insight is that mobile search is directly influencing consumer decisions and dealerships need to align their digital strategies accordingly.

Dealertrack Technologies announced its acquisition of Dealer.com for approximately $620 million in cash plus 8.7 million shares, combining two major automotive software providers. Forum participants expressed optimism about the deal, though opinions varied on execution—some hoped Dealer.com's superior design and user interface would improve Dealertrack's products, while others anticipated this acquisition would trigger a wave of industry consolidation in 2014. The thread reflects industry speculation that major players like Reynolds would need to make strategic acquisitions to compete in the rapidly consolidating automotive retail technology space.

Kevin Frye, an automotive industry professional, reviews the inaugural Dealer ThinkTank conference held in Cincinnati, sharing his firsthand experience of the event designed to connect industry leaders and front-line dealers around strategies and solutions. The thread offers a personal account of the conference's content and value, making it useful for dealers considering attending future events.

The thread covers Dealertrack Technologies' announced agreement to acquire Dealer.com, a major consolidation in automotive retail technology. Jeff Kershner flagged it as significant enough to break from his usual editorial approach and post the full press release directly on DealerRefresh, inviting community discussion in the forums. The deal signals a notable shift toward platform consolidation, combining Dealertrack's F&I and DMS reach with Dealer.com's website and digital marketing tools.

JD Rucker invites automotive dealers and vendors to share their primary business focus for 2014, leading a discussion about strategic priorities for the coming year. Rucker himself emphasizes the convergence of search, social, and content marketing as an integrated discipline worthy of focus. The thread appears designed to generate peer input on what dealerships and automotive companies should prioritize during a year positioned as having significant growth potential.

Contact At Once! acquired Outsell's Direct Chat business in December 2013, with both companies entering a strategic integration agreement. Outsell's decision to divest its chat product allows it to refocus on developing its next-generation SaaS Digital Engagement Platform for automakers, agencies, and dealers. The deal signals a consolidation move in automotive live chat, with Contact At Once! expanding its footprint while Outsell doubles down on its core platform.

Jason Martin shares his excitement about receiving the first 2014 Nissan Rogue at his dealership, noting that the model's facelift should help it sell even better in his market, and includes photos of the vehicle. He acknowledges having leftover 2013 inventory that will need to be cleared out. The thread appears to be in early stages with Jessica Ruth requesting additional dealer photos of 2014 models, suggesting potential for shared inventory showcase content.

Jeff Kershner shares a SlideShare presentation originally delivered at DSES 2013, co-created with Ryan Leslie, covering how dealerships can win more customers through superior online and offline experiences. Key topics include managing and obtaining customer reviews and leveraging mobile technology to drive engagement. The thread serves primarily as a resource post, making it useful for dealers looking for structured, presentation-format guidance on customer experience strategy.

Jeff Kershner shares data showing Google has surpassed magazines and newspapers combined in advertising revenue, reaching $60 billion, with projections to exceed magazines at their historic peak. The key insight for dealers is that Google's dominance is built largely on advertising dollars shifted away from traditional media, including automotive, making it impossible to ignore as a core part of any dealership's marketing strategy.

A vendor partner shares five actionable tips to help dealerships improve their holiday email marketing performance, including sending Thanksgiving emails ahead of the December inbox rush and promoting service department gift cards. The post encourages re-engaging dormant email lists and preparing campaigns early to stand out during a competitive period for consumer attention.

A post using a restaurant's quick Twitter response as a model argues that brands—including car dealerships—should reply to tweets within one hour. Commenters acknowledge the standard is hard to meet when dealers already struggle with basic internet lead response times, and one participant recommends the Mention app as a practical tool for real-time social monitoring and rapid replies.

Jeff Kershner announces his co-founding of Dealer ThinkTank, a series of one-day advanced strategy workshops touring the US, focused on delivering honest, unbiased, and progressive tactics to dealerships. The thread highlights early momentum, with strong dealer registrations and sponsor interest, plus a free Internet and phone process assessment for the first 25 dealers who sign up. A Canadian commenter nudges the organizers about expanding the schedule beyond the US.