The most trusted name in live chat brings the best blog posts and auto news stories right to you! We monitor industry trends, current events and the auto dealer community every week to bring you the top blogs and automotive stories from around the globe. This weekly edition – the President turns pop star, Hubspot teams up with Hootsuite, and GM makes big…

Sharing a really interesting article I came across today on Business Week - the high cost of 'rework and redundancy' in the automotive industry. It is important to stay current on the latest innovations, and investing in research to grow the industry is important. But as this article opines, sometimes it can get out of hand, going from innovative to redundant. The infographic is particularly worth checking out.

What do you all think? At what point should automotive researchers stop…

This post is attributed to my colleague Tim Rose at AM Magazine in the UK http://www.am-online.com. It poses some very interesting views on the future direction of retail outlets as a result of some major research carried out in the UK regarding solus vs multi-franchise outlets....

"Research from a global automotive consultancy is likely to add weight to some carmakers’ demands for solus dealerships when dealers’ current…

The Internet has infiltrated your classic Road to the Sale—did you know that?  Think about it this way:  Would you let your salespeople lot-drop dozens of UPs without a turn?  Would you let them yell at, confuse, or manhandle your shoppers on the lot?  Or, worse yet, would you let them ignore your shoppers?

Your website does this EVERY DAY.  Take a second to ask…

It has already been established that the most exciting time during the sales process is the delivery.  A perfect delivery can erase a debauched meet and greet, poor finance service, and the arduous negotiation over a couple of hundred dollars.  After spending hours with your customer, how do you want them to remember your dealership?

Your customer will remember your dealership every month they have to make their payment.  They will think of your dealership each time they pay for an…

Schedule your priorities, Not prioritize your schedule

“Things which matter most should never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”

—     Johann Wolfgang von Goethe…

I was inspired to write this based on the video that was posted on here, "Long day at the car dealership."

 …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        

Dealers United Helps Dealers with Digital Marketing through June Member Deal

Haystak Digital Marketing was chosen from a field of over 45 SEM/PPC providers in the space based on their comprehensive…

Do you hate seeing that your customers have unsubscribed from your email list? Do you loathe seeing them “unlike” your fan page. Do you cringe when your customers are no longer your Tweeps? Well, the average customer is bombarded with around 3,000 messages a day so more than likely, if they leave, they’re just not that into you.

How can you court your customers back and gain…

1. You cannot name your employees and refer to everyone as “Buddy” or “Chief.”
2. You don’t know what the company’s goals are for the year and you cannot tell anyone what your goals are.
3. Every time an employee comes to your door and knocks, you think they will ask for a raise or time off.
4. You cannot name the last book you read that pertained to your…

What does it take to build a successful Internet department? AutoUSA Internet Solutions is conducting a survey and is inviting auto dealer Internet marketing personnel to participate. We plan to share the information in a special presentation this October during the 13th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition. But we can’t do it without you!



Like many auto…

For your weekend enjoyment, here's a KPA infographic about the social media companies that are leading their niche in 2012. Understanding the heart and soul of the companies can help us all make choices about where to put our efforts this year and in coming years.

Click to enlarge.…

Automotive Internet Sales - Example of How to Handle "Bought Elsewhere" / Dead Deals - Don't WASTE Opportunities!

Everyone knows that the hardest part of Automotive Internet Sales is getting someone on the phone... I get it. As a matter of fact on average you will only connect…

Attention ALL dE Leaders

Why pay and hope you find great automotive minds when you can post your jobs for FREE and know you are reaching the BEST and BRIGHTEST in the industry?



As a leader in the Automotive Industry, you are invited to post jobs for FREE on http://www.dealerelitecareers.com. As part of the fastest growing automotive social networking website,…

One of the most thorough studies of what influences auto buyers was just released this week and the

findings point to the importance of human interaction when purchasing a new car

ST. LOUIS (May 30, 2012) – Contrary to the growing belief that social media will soon replace traditional automotive…

Ken Cosgrove couldn’t believe his ears. In no uncertain terms, the president of theJaguar Dealership Association had just offered to cast his vote for Ken’s ad campaign – if he could sleep with the agency’s voluptuous queen bee, Joan Harris. Ken blinked rapidly, visibly unseated by the scandalous request for both bribery and prostitution. “Was that what I think it was?” His…

What are the main 5 reason's why customers don't buy cars?

The amazing thing about the car business is that customers rarely come up with "new" reason's why they don't buy cars.

The other amazing thing is that most car salesman don't know how to handle the 5 main reason's why customers don't buy cars and they sell cars for a living!

The reason's are as follows:

One: Product or…

There is nothing like the feeling you get at the end of a game…the fourth quarter…2 minutes left on the clock…down by 6 and in need of a touchdown! A field goal won’t do…you need to get the ball in the end zone! It is at this time that the guys move into their 2 MINUTE DRILL: A sequence of plays…

I wanted to personally invite you to an upcoming New Jersey Automotive Conference event on June 12th at the Sheraton Hotel in Eatontown, NJ. I will be presenting a workshop at the NJ Dealer Pit Stop so join me!

The Dealer Pit Stop is a one day event that will feature 12 workshop sessions hosted by top industry speakers. Rarely are conferences…