Four Superhero Powers for Dealer Website Tracking

What if you had Superhero powers like Spider-Man, Batman and Superman? Get ready to switch from Clark Kent to Superman and unveil that special uniform under your suit. Extract the most out of your dealer website tracking with the following Four Superhero Powers.

• One: Have x-ray vision. Find out which keywords are bringing you phone calls. Is it the term “Honda” or “Honda oil change coupon” that is generating leads? There are ways to track these calls back to the individual keyword without constantly monitoring the program. By using x-ray vision, you can tell your SEM to shift your ppc budget those terms that are actually selling cars.

• Two: Try leaping tall buildings in a single bound. List one number on your dealership’s website with a greeting to connect callers with the right department. If there are 3-4 numbers listed, often times the caller will dial the first number listed anyway.

• Three: Use accelerated healing. Don’t let those bad sales calls wound you or your sales team. Listen to call recordings and save a potential customer from calling your competitor, then play back the call in a training session. Everyone will learn quickly what they should be saying and how to close a sale faster.

• Four: You’ve become immortal. Import calls from your website into your lead management tool, your CRM. This is your lifeblood and the place where you spend all of your time anyway. Integrating your call tracking with your CRM will make your life easier.

Jennifer Whaley is the Business Development Specialist at Century Interactive and can be reached at Jennifer.Whaley@centuryinteractive.com or 877-838-3217x1.

Toyota Stops Selling Lexus HS250h for Fuel Leak Risk in Crashes
Yet another safety issue hits Toyota Motor Corp as sales of the 2010 Lexus HS250h hybrid sedan are halted out of concern over possible fuel spill found during crash tests that could lead to fire risks. About 17,000 units already sold are being recalled.
Bloomberg.com, June 26, 2010

Auto Dealers Evade Oversight by New Watchdog Agency
Some 18,000 new-car dealers breathe sigh of relief as Financial Reform bill sent to Congress for approval appears to exclude them from the new rules. NADA chairman calls it a "win" for consumers. Ford also wins exemption, given right to use derivatives for two more years.
Detroit News, June 26, 2010

Dodge President Discusses Company's Future, New Vehicles
Dodge President and chief of Product Design, Ralph Gilles, discusses re-freshening of entire product lineup, new arrivals this fall, new model possibles, marketing strategy changes and more in an exclusive Detroit News interview.
Detroit News, June 27, 2010

Manheim's The Wholesale Institute Shares Advice for Online Showrooms
Amanda Savage of Manheim's The Wholesale Institute makes 10 suggestions for boosting a dealer's online showroom. Tips include hiring summer help with online skills, use latest online tools, describe vehicles properly, use condition reports and take advantage of free training opportunities.

Fitch Says Prime Losses Down But Issues Words of Caution
According to Fitch Ratings, delinquencies and losses on prime auto loan asset-backed securities hit their lowest levels in May since the summer of 2007. Fitch does not see this strong performance continuing.

ADESA Says New Program Can Benefit Both Buying, Selling Dealers
ADESA says its new Dealer Preferred program can help both buying and selling dealers gain confidence in the wholesale market. Participating dealers get top lane placement at auctions, and when buying, they enjoy a 60-day buyback guarantee.

OneCommand Helps Dealers Host Auto Detail and Service Clinics
Service clinics are an excellent and easy way to introduce your customers to your service team. Case studies show incredible results for dealers who use the OneCommand campaign. Planning Ahead: Next weekend is the 4th of July!
Interested in hosting your own Detail Clinic? Click here to request more information or call 800.211.7614 today!

NADAguides.com Offers 2010 Model Data

Pricing and information for 2010 model vehicles is now available at NADAguides.com. Dealers can access info through the website. Pertinent information is updated daily, including wholesale, retail and asking price data, and is reflective of current and forecasted market conditions using advanced analytical tools and making it invaluable to dealers. Visit NADAguides.com for more information.

OPENLANE Expands North American Operations
OPENLANE announced today that it is expanding its footprint and capabilities in North America by adding new features to its online wholesale auction site in the U.S and by launching a new site in Canada (OPENLANE.ca). Contact at Canadian email or U.S. email for more info. Enhancements include:
•  Completely redesigned Vehicle Detail site
•  Upgraded Search and Bid/Buy Confirmation pages
•  One-screen web-listing page

Management: Diagnostic Fee or Diagnostics Free
By Scott “Gonzo” Weaver

With the advent of the computer age upon us, the car has become a rolling updatable, flash reprogramming software jungle of information. The cost of specialized scanners puts them out of reach for most consumers and a lot of small shops, which, in some ways, also places the shade tree mechanic on the endangered species list.

Estimates/Guesstimates
Defining the word “estimate” has been an issue for shops since day one. Should we charge to diagnose the car or should the estimate be free in hopes of selling the job? The main problem comes in the form of defining the word estimate.

Diagnostic Money
What is a diagnostic? It is the process in which a technician is able to determine the cause or failure of a piece of equipment, vehicle or appliance. It is the process used to determine the root cause of a given mechanical or electrical problem that has become an issue with a vehicle, appliance or piece of equipment. Sounds the same as an estimate, doesn’t it? Once the diagnostics have been completed, an “estimate” in the truest sense can be written and given to the customer for their approval.

Charging for You
I’m not in favor of a free diagnostics and I’m not too fond of the free estimate. If there are any “man hours” that are part of any job, a “man” wants paid. If that “man” is working on a commission or flat-rate, I can assure you he is going to rush through the “estimate” in order to get to the real money of the job. Then again, if all the shops in a demographic area charged similar diagnostic fees, it would lead to a more even playing field for everyone, including the consumer. It might even put an end to the “I can get it done cheaper down the street” escapades, making my drive home a whole lot more pleasant.

Scott “Gonzo” Weaver, owner of Superior Auto Electric in Tulsa, Okla. (owned the shop for 27 years), can be reached at Gonzosae@aol.com or through his website www.gonzostoolbox.com. Click here to read this article in its entirety.

Nissan North America (NNA) has launched a national wholesale parts loyalty program on behalf of its Nissan and Infiniti dealer networks. Designed to increase original equipment manufacturer (OEM) collision and mechanical parts sales, the "Rewards Loyalty" program allows independent body shops and repair facilities to earn points that can be redeemed for more than 3,000 premiums selected from an online catalog.

Once Nissan and Infiniti dealers enroll in the Rewards Loyalty program, they select the wholesale mechanical program and collision repair network facilities they wish to include (participation is free for the shops). Shops receive a monthly Nissan/Infiniti Parts Reward email statement with their points balance, points activity and participating dealer promotions. Click here for more info on the program. For more info on Advantage visit www.advantageDS.com.

The Audi A8 is a“Paradigm Shift” in MMI Navigation
Telematics speaks with vehicle architecture execs at AUDI AG

Mathias Halliger, chief MMI architect AUDI AG, and Daniel Rosario, project leader for connected vehicle architecture at AUDI AG, comment about how growing wireless access will affect the industry—and the impact of AUDI AG’s recent Telematics Update award (named jointly with Google).

What is the product/service that won the Telematics Update Best Embedded Telematics Navigation Product award?
The new Audi A8, which celebrated its launch in Europe and other global markets in the first quarter of 2010, set the bar at new heights with regard to connected vehicle technology. The MMI navigation system in the new Audi A8 luxury sedan is available in selected markets with a variety of Google services and information via the Internet.

What does winning this award mean to your company?
We are very pleased to be recognized for our joint efforts in what we believe to be the leading edge of the infotainment arena. This recognition is an excellent example of the close cooperation between Audi and Google teams in Silicon Valley and Germany. We are convinced that this feature not only introduces a new, progressive experience to our customers, but also presents a paradigm shift in this category.

Where do you see major developments happening in the industry?
The major developments that will significantly impact the industry in the coming years will be the arrival of faster broadband wireless data networks, the ubiquitous spread of wireless data coverage, and the continued democratization of access to wireless data through affordable data pricing plans.

Click here for the complete line up of innovative, highly connected Audi vehicles!

Fill 'Er Up, Please -- With Electricity

The electric car future path is strewn with challenges, not the least of which will be how to keep these vehicles charged up and running. Charging stations and equipment are the next big hurdle the U.S. government is attempting to address. Even the thought of running out of steam has coined a new phrase -- range anxiety. As one blogger writes:
"How long will it take to "fill-up". I have an electric golf cart that takes several hours to recharge. If you are on the road, are you supposed to pull into the recharge station, hook up and wait for a few hours before you can proceed? Click here to get in on the discussion and then click on the image for a close-up look at EVs today!