Automotive News, Press Releases, and Events

Dealers and industry observers discuss TrueCar's controversial new policy eliminating write-offs for leads where dealers had prior customer contact, forcing them to pay for sales that didn't originate through TrueCar. Multiple dealers report canceling their TrueCar subscriptions after experiencing the policy change firsthand, with some finding that 35-60% of charged sales involved existing customers. The thread's key conclusion is that TrueCar's aggressive billing shift has eroded dealer trust and may signal the platform's decline as dealers seek alternative strategies.

The thread discusses a Cobalt article using a rock band analogy to explain multi-channel digital marketing for car dealers, arguing that all digital channels must work in harmony rather than in isolation. Replies from industry professionals highlight attribution as a growing priority, with particular enthusiasm for the point that ROI in digital advertising isn't always immediate or easily tangible — brand exposure may influence a buyer weeks or months later. The consensus is that dealers need realistic expectations set upfront before diving into digital advertising.

Jeff Kershner recaps the Digital Summit at Mountain View held on Google's campus, sharing key insights from Google's Todd Rowe on automotive search trends, including that 20% of online searches target a specific brand and smartphones are the top screen for car shoppers. Replies highlight the importance of balancing data-driven strategies with human touchpoints, particularly ensuring dealership staff handle phone calls effectively after significant investment in driving those leads.

Cadillac unveiled the Elmiraj concept car at Pebble Beach, a lightweight grand coupe featuring a twin-turbo V8 engine and dimensions comparable to a Mercedes-Benz S-Class despite weighing only 4,000 pounds. While the concept itself is unlikely to reach production, design elements from the vehicle are expected to influence future Cadillac models.

Kevin Frye shares a firsthand recap of the 2013 Digital Summit at Google's Mountain View headquarters, a conference focused on automotive eCommerce strategy where attendees heard directly from Google. A standout theme was the use of big data to personalize the car-shopping experience on dealer websites, with attendees leaving energized to reassess their digital strategies.

The thread debates whether car dealerships are becoming obsolete in light of Tesla's direct-to-consumer sales model, sparked by a Popular Mechanics article questioning their necessity. Commenters acknowledge Tesla's appeal as an Apple-style controlled buying experience that eliminates dealer games, but argue that most consumers still want to touch and test a vehicle before spending $20k+, and that service infrastructure requirements would essentially recreate a dealership anyway. The consensus leans toward dealerships remaining relevant, with Ford's failed direct-sales experiment cited as a cautionary tale and Tesla's high-margin niche seen as unlikely to scale broadly.

The thread discusses an Automotive News report showing that the average age of vehicles on U.S. roads has reached a record 11.4 years, reflecting consumers holding onto their vehicles longer. A dealer from the Charlotte area attributes this trend to severe economic hardship and poor consumer credit, noting that approximately half of potential buyers are declined financing even through subprime lenders. The key insight is that extended vehicle lifecycles, while creating potential demand, are driven by economic distress rather than choice, presenting challenges for dealers attempting to convert credit-challenged buyers.

DealerRefresh announces its second annual Google Digital Summit at Mountain View, a partnership event held on Google's campus aimed at helping automotive professionals elevate their dealership's digital marketing. The thread features a speaker lineup including Mitch Joel of Twist Image and generates enthusiastic responses from attendees eager to network and learn. The key takeaway is strong community interest in the event, with members coordinating meetups and expressing excitement about connecting in person.

Automotive professionals debate whether implementing a "one price" or no-negotiation sales model is viable for dealerships, with mixed perspectives on its effectiveness. Consensus emerges that success requires complete organizational buy-in, consistent messaging across all marketing channels, confidence in vehicle pricing/trade-in valuations, and strong execution of dealership fundamentals—but skeptics note that negotiation is contextually ingrained in car buying culture and that most dealers who attempted this strategy in the 1990s (like Saturn) eventually abandoned it. Several posters highlight that trade-in value disputes remain the primary driver of price negotiations and that the approach works best as a niche positioning strategy for select dealerships rather than an industry-wide solution.

The J.D. Power 2013 APEAL Study reveals that vehicles with higher appeal ratings sell faster, command premium prices, and generate stronger customer loyalty. Porsche topped the luxury nameplate rankings, while Volkswagen Group won the most model-level awards (five), followed by GM (four) and Ford (three). The study underscores that vehicle appeal is a critical business driver for automakers' sales performance and customer retention.

The thread highlights a push to attract more women into automotive retail by featuring a successful female dealer as a case study and sharing industry statistics on gender disparity. Replies emphasize that diversity isn't just a social goal — it's a business imperative, since dealership staff should reflect the consumer base to optimize sales performance. The key takeaway is that cultural change within dealerships, not just hiring, is essential to making the industry more inclusive and profitable.

The thread covers the departure of Chip Perry, AutoTrader.com's founding CEO, who built the company from its first employee in 1997 into the world's largest automotive marketplace. Replies from industry peers, former colleagues, and competitors uniformly praise Perry as a visionary pioneer of automotive digital marketing, noting his strategic brilliance, integrity, and personal warmth. The consensus is that his legacy reshaped how dealers advertise and consumers shop for cars online.

MikeHaeg promotes an interview with Robert Wiesman, a sales consultant who shares insights about surprising customers and employees in the automotive industry. The post references a related article called "The Element of Surprise" and links to a video interview where Wiesman discusses his proactive approach to sales in the competitive automotive field. The key takeaway is that Wiesman advocates for taking initiative and creating memorable customer experiences rather than passively waiting for opportunities.

The thread covers DealerTrack's October 2012 acquisition of ClickMotive, with industry professionals offering congratulations and analysis of the strategic fit. A DealerTrack employee of seven years provides internal perspective, explaining that ClickMotive expands on DealerTrack's existing digital marketing capabilities gained through the eCarList acquisition, though integration across multiple inventory and web products will be complex. The overall tone is positive, with insiders treating it as a logical move to strengthen DealerTrack's website and interactive marketing offerings.

IHS Inc. announced a $1.4 billion deal to acquire R.L. Polk & Co., the parent company of Carfax and a major automotive data provider. The acquisition was to be funded through a mix of equity, cash, and bank loans, pending regulatory approval. The thread highlights the significant consolidation happening in automotive data and vehicle history reporting.

Cars.com announced the launch of Cars360, an audience extension and retargeting solution that allows dealerships to follow and re-engage Cars.com shoppers across hundreds of thousands of websites after they leave the platform. The product aims to keep dealer brands top-of-mind during the increasingly long online car-shopping journey, which can span up to 19 weeks. The thread appears to be a press release share introducing the product to the dealer community.

ActivEngage, an automotive live chat company, announced that its employees raised over $2,600 for the American Cancer Society through their participation in a local Relay For Life event in Orlando in 2013. This was the company's second consecutive year taking part in the overnight fundraising relay. The post serves as a press release highlighting the company's community involvement rather than sparking industry discussion.

The thread covers AutoTrader's announcement to include AutoCheck vehicle history reports starting September 2013, seen as a direct challenge to CarFax amid dealer lawsuits and growing industry frustration. Commenters agree AutoCheck offers a comparable or better product at a lower price, and several dealers report already switching, with some calling for AutoCheck to launch a major branding push to capitalize on CarFax's vulnerabilities.

Kevin Frye, eCommerce Director at Jeff Wyler Automotive, shares his detailed recap of Digital Dealer 14, covering standout sessions, industry insights, and networking highlights including his own presentation on debunking automotive eCommerce myths. Replies are largely positive affirmations from attendees and vendor partners who met Kevin at the event, praising his transparency and knowledge-sharing. The thread reinforces Kevin's reputation as a respected voice in automotive digital marketing and builds anticipation for Digital Dealer 15.

The thread covers AutoTrader.com's acquisition of Haystak Digital Marketing through its VinSolutions subsidiary, announced just before the DD14 conference in May 2013. The deal was teased by Jeff Kershner on Twitter before the official announcement, generating industry buzz. Haystak was set to continue operating under its own brand with its existing leadership team intact.

AutoTrader's VinSolutions division acquired Haystak Digital Marketing, prompting dealership professionals to debate the implications of the consolidation. While one respondent sees potential benefits for VinSolutions' leadership, the prevailing concern is that the acquisition may negatively impact dealerships through product changes, with uncertainty about whether key service components like Moore & Scary will remain part of the offering.

120 dealers filed a $50 million antitrust lawsuit against Carfax, alleging monopolistic practices, with the original poster expressing support for the suit. Multiple industry professionals weigh in to confirm that this is a widespread concern among dealers, with several respondents indicating that the vast majority of dealers they encounter are actively discussing and concerned about Carfax's market dominance, contradicting initial skepticism about dealer interest in the issue. At least one dealer reported switching to AutoCheck as an alternative, suggesting the lawsuit is resonating as validation for dealers frustrated with Carfax's pricing and market control.