THOUSAND OAKS, CA, APRIL 12, 2011 – IntellaCar, LLC announced today the release of IntellaCar™ 2.0, the next generation of the ground-breaking iPad/iPhone app that has proven to increase dealership sales effectiveness within weeks, revolutionizing the car sales experience for both dealerships and consumers. A mobile sales tool, IntellaCar empowers Sales Consultants with instant “anywhere” access to crucial information. From vehicle specifications to inventory…

The new federal regulations that went into effect this year have added to the never-ending compliance requirements that dealerships have to deal with. Fortunately, most dealers have found that the Risk Based Pricing Notice and updated Privacy Notice requirements are pretty easy to handle. Utilizing the Credit Score Disclosure exception to Risk Based Pricing Notices and using the New Model Privacy Notices is relatively simple – just a few more forms to add to the pile. The Red Flags Rule is…

Jim Ziegler, Ralph Paglia, Larry Bruce and VinSolutions Host "Internet Battle Plan V"

Atlanta, GA: Top automotive industry trainer Jim Ziegler presents a dynamic super seminar event to help auto retailers meet fiercely competitive marketing challenges in today's high-technology retail environment. This major automotive learning opportunity will be held in Kansas City on May…

When a friend posted this picture on Facebook, first I laughed and thought back to those crazy college days with pranks and practical jokes involving duct tape.  Then my thoughts wandered into the humor of my adult life, where I joke about things being held together with duct tape and Popsicle sticks.  Then it dawned on me there is another meaning to…

Much of what employees learn in the car business is from watching and listening to their co-workers.  This type of education can be invaluable in many areas such as sales presentation, demonstration, and closing techniques. Of course, it can also lead to picking up bad habits like pre-qualifying customers by appearance or shortcutting the sales process.

An area that is frequently learned more by osmosis than by formal training is legal compliance.  Dealers often assume that their…

What if we had an all car-guy tv network? I will say that this is in no way meant to offend. It is all just good natured fun and I hope we can all laugh at ourselves. If it offends, please accept my apology. Also, check your card, you may not be a car-guy after all.

All Auto TV Network Program Line-Up

5 -6 AM: Morning Prayer- Brad Alexander and Craig Lockerd open with morning devotions and discuss today’s…

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact(s):  Mark Scott

404-568-7905 (ph), 404-435-2047 (cell)

mark.scott@autotrader.com

NEW ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS AUTOTRADER.COM’S LARGE SELECTION

OF NEW CARS FOR SALE ON SITE

Brand New TV Spot Borrows Imagery from AutoTrader.com’s Heart…

Let’s face it, every dealership is looking for short cuts to help manage Social Media more efficiently and effectively.  One option is to outsource your dealership’s Social Media to someone who can take care of certain tasks for you.  Social Media still requires your participation and any task that doesn’t…

Aussie ‘trust survey’ shows car sales ranked lower than the 'oldest profession'

The credibility of the Australian retail motor trade is at an all time low it seems. But why?

According to the findings of the annual ‘Trust Survey’ 2010 carried out by Reader’s Digest Australia, the car sales sector was rated less trustworthy than the oldest ‘profession’ in a poll that asked respondents to rank forty professions in order of perceived…

You know for last few months I have been hearing a lot about leadership in our industry, about education and how there needs to be more of both, I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!

I met up with Bill Playford at SWSXi (South By Southwest Interactive) for those not familiar with the acronym. We talked about this very thing. I found myself getting very excited…

There are some very interesting things happening in dealership showrooms right now.  The days waiting for Ups while reading the newspaper and drinking coffee are over.  They’re so over, we need a new word for over!

I recently pointed…

And, so, if we train and execute…

Recently, I competed for the National Title of Ms. US Forestry Queen and heard several times over the weekend, “You are an extraordinary woman!”  I am humbled and appreciative of any complement, but this one makes me giggle a little on the inside.  Why do I giggle?  Thank about…

I feel fortunate to see so many different dealerships and how they do business. One of the things I hear often is the staff doesn’t have the time to perform processes correctly. The reality is without the right processes so much time is wasted with no way to place the cost of doing business that way. The advisers scramble to put out the latest fire pulling a technician off this job to work on that job. They feel the battle of their job is to act…

Before I get into what this blog is about I think it might be better to tell you what this blog isn't. First, I won't be discussing why you should be blogging, I'll take the fact that you are reading this as a sign that you already know you should. Second, it won't be a technical how -to-manual of setting up and maintaining blogging software. In this post…

Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov famously tantalized his dogs by ringing a bell to alert them that food was about to be served. The dogs, soon wise enough to associate the sound of a tinkling bell with a big juicy steak, began to salivate each time the bell tolled.

This associated behavior is known as “classical conditioning,” and the parallel between the doghouse and the dealership cannot be clearer. Obviously, the incoming…

Franchise lawyers say the franchise laws have changed little in response to the increasing

business being done online.

While some franchise experts say the relevant market

area hasn't changed--that dealers still do business within about a 20-mile

radius--the factories are stepping into a regulatory vacuum and policing

Internet sales. One example is that Honda allows service contracts to be

promoted but not sold on…

Sales managers: help your sales staff to gain customer commitment!



When was the last time a salesperson came back from a demonstration drive and told you (the sales manager) that he or she has gained commitment from the customer, so you stacked up a 4Square presentation (or whatever it is that you use) – only to see the prospective customer walking out the door a couple of minutes later?



Do you find this happens quite a lot or even some of the…