Retention solutions provider Xtime has released its proprietary statistics of dealership mobile activity for 2017. Analysts found that, in 2017, mobile service appointments increased by 56% and desktop appointments increased by 5%. Nearly one-quarter (22%) of online service appointments were made after hours, making this a critical feature for dealers, according to Jim Roche, Xtime’s … Continued
This essay is excerpted from Jim Roche’s new book, Fast Lane: How to Accelerate Service Loyalty and Unlock its Profit-Making Potential. Jim Roche is senior vice president of marketing and managed services at Xtime, a Cox Automotive company. If you ask car owners across America, they will tell you the benefits of vehicle ownership, such … Continued
All cars on the road are used. At the moment a vehicle is driven off a dealer’s lot by a proud new owner, that vehicle becomes a used car. This document illustrates some key facts about the size, scope and economic impact of the used car industry in this country. There are more than 278 … Continued
This infographic compares home sales with auto sales and explains why the two industries are no longer in lockstep. Differences in the financing environment between the two have been the primary cause for the difference in performance. Auto lending returned to pre-Recession levels as mortgages try to follow suit.
We always hear the phrase, “Be where the customers are.” Currently, they’re online when researching for a vehicle. We also hear that we should be flexible and relatable, and that’s a little harder. According to Paul Whitworth, senior vice president of DMS at Dealertrack, making that technological connection with customers early is important, just make … Continued
On paper, it might not seem like the most auspicious of starts to 2018 for the used-car market. January was the third straight month that wholesale prices declined sequentially, putting the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index at its lowest reading since July. What’s more, the Cox Automotive report accompanying that index said retail used-car sales … Continued
When the Future of Digital Retail study came out last month, it provided a consumer’s view of the car shopping process. Joe Gumm at CBT News wanted to share with his audience how those views impacted trends we’re seeing develop for 2018 and how they affect dealers. Mike Burgiss, vice president for Digital Retailing at … Continued
MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 3, 2018 – Recently formed Cox Automotive Australia has announced the appointment of Gary Martin as their Chief Executive Officer and Greg Duncan (OAM) as the Chairman of the company’s Board of Management, effective on March 1. The simultaneous appointments are a real coup for the company, securing two industry heavyweights to lead … Continued
Autotrader announced a revamp of the car-shopping site Monday with five key upgrades, including online deal-making. This would will allow consumers to start the buying process online through Autotrader and help “move shoppers from searching to buying when they are ready,” the company said. Additional upgrades include seamless cross-device car shopping, the integration of the … Continued
The auto industry’s party isn’t over, but some of the guests are leaving. Last year’s sales came in at 17.1 million, the third straight year volume exceeded 17 million, a run that set an industry record. This year, WardsAuto predicts sales of 16.4 million, largely because pent-up demand that had built up during the recessionary … Continued