Dealership Loyalty Declines; Bridge the Dept. Gap; Digital Dealer Conference Next Week

Dealer Sales & Marketing Update
NEW Dealer Communications Website Check out the Sales & Marketing Department on our new website! Dealer eZine Click here to read the latest issue. SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND? Comment or news tip? Click here to email the editor.	Editor's Picks Dealership Loyalty Declining Among Consumers According to a recent survey by Chrome Systems Inc., consumers are changing the way they research and purchase vehicles. The 2010 Chrome Consumer Survey found that among those surveyed, more are buying vehicles out of necessity... » Consumers Favor Silver Cars Silver is the top color consumers chose when they get a vehicle, PPG Industries said in a study they did on vehicle color. The Detroit News said this is the 10th year in a row that silver was the most popular color choice among... » Only 6% of 2011 Models Tested Receive 5 Stars for Safety According to The Detroit News, BMW and Hyundai Motor America received high safety ratings for their sedans in new government crash tests for 2011 models. The story said the BMW 5 Series and the Hyundai Sonata received the highest... » More News » Blogs 9th Digital Dealer Conference Kicks Off Next Week Cliff Banks This time next week the Dealer Communications team will be with hundreds of dealerships in Las Vegas for our 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition (October 12-14). I have to admit, I'm starting to get excited about it. A few days ago we blew past our previous high for dealers and managers registered for the conference (and that was a week and a half before it starts). Click here to read the full blog.  Playing Hot Potato Joe Webb I was on-site training a new dealer client's BDC team last week when I heard the most disturbing thing.  The phone rang and the BDC agents began a discussion that went something like this: "Who's turn is it?" "Not mine." "Not mine either." "Well I just had one, like, two minutes ago." "So did I." "I think it's your turn so you take it." "I'm in the middle of an email. Can't one of you?" "But it's not my turn." "Or mine." Click here to read how this conversation ended.  Daily Affirmation "Ability is of little account without opportunity." --Napoleon Bonapart  9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition Information Clayton Stanfield -- 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition Speaker The 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition, scheduled for October 12 to 14, 2010, at the Mirage in Las Vegas, will feature Clayton Stanfield as a speaker. Click here to watch what Clayton will be discussing in his... » Sharon Knitter -- 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition Speaker The 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition, scheduled for October 12 to 14, 2010, at the Mirage in Las Vegas, will feature Sharon Knitter as a speaker. Click here to watch what Sharon will be discussing in his... » Philip Zelinger -- 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition Speaker The 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition, scheduled for October 12 to 14, 2010, at the Mirage in Las Vegas, will feature Tim Jennings as a speaker. Click here to watch what Philip will be discussing in his... » Matt Watson -- 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition Speaker The 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition, scheduled for October 12 to 14, 2010, at the Mirage in Las Vegas, will feature Matt Watson as a speaker. Click here to watch what Matt will be discussing in his session.... » Doug Hadden -- 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition Speaker The 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition, scheduled for October 12 to 14, 2010, at the Mirage in Las Vegas, will feature Doug Hadden as a speaker. Click here to watch what Joe will be discussing in his... » Latest News Ford Plans to Cut 35% of its Lincoln Dealers According to The Detroit News, Ford Motor Company is planning on cutting its Lincoln dealer network by 35%. The story said the automaker is going to meet with each of its 1,200 Lincoln dealers within the next 100 days. The... » Auto Bailout Losses Reduced The estimated amount of money tax payers will lose because of the auto bailout last year was reduced about $7 billion this week. The Detroit News said the government reduced the losses from $24.3 billion down to $17 billion. This... » 2012 Window Stickers First to Display New Safety Ratings The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has started using a new, tougher crash test rating system for 2011 vehicles. The Detroit News said, for consumers, these new ratings will not show up on vehicle window stickers... » Value of a Car Purchase Changing It used to be car shoppers would make a purchase decision solely based on how that vehicle fit into this social status they wanted to portray and price didn't seem to matter, but according to The Detroit News, the shopper's... » Lexus No Longer Luxury Leader According to USA Today, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have now passed Lexus in sales during the month of September. The story said the recalls have taken a toll on Toyota Motor Corp.'s luxury brand and it is starting to show. Lexus sales... » More News » Expert Advice Business Development is for Sales Reps too! Cross Training and Team Building Are your business development and Internet sales teams integrated with your experienced sales team, as documented in your store's Play Book?  If you do not have a defined process with a back-up plan for each scenario, it may... » Getting Social Can Be Good For Business Social media marketing requires time and effort and even if you're not ready to participate, you need to understand its potential to grow your business.  Traditional media like TV and newspapers are no longer the first place... » Profiles of Success Mike Reichenbach from Mike Reichenbach Ford Lincoln Mercury Prior to becoming a dealer, Mike Reichenbach was a factory guy working at Ford Motor Co. After deciding automotive retail was the place to be and going to work for Tim Stewart Ford, Ford called on him three different times to act... » New Products and Services Summit Resources Launches LoyaltyCash to Help Automotive Dealers Boost Customer Retention ATLANTA, GA – Recognizing automotive dealerships usually expend more marketing dollars acquiring new customers than retaining existing patrons, Summit Resources launched LoyaltyCash™, an innovative program that keeps an auto... » Dealer Concepts Offers Complete Loyalty Program to Auto Dealers for $199 Per Month Keego Harbor, Mich. – Dealer Concepts, a leader in providing innovative customer retention and marketing programs, today announced it will offer its Loyalty Rewards® program to any dealer for only $199 per month. The... » Mobile Productivity, Inc., Launches New Company Website with Information to Help Auto Dealerships Maximize Service Department Revenue Las Vegas, NV, – Mobile Productivity, Inc., (MPi) a leading provider of profitability tools for auto dealer service departments, today announced that based on a thorough review and extensive dealer feedback,  it has... » AutoONE Media Announces Integration With Carfolks.com AutoONE Media one of the premier automotive dealership website providers, continues to introduce industry leading tools to give its clients the edge they need to succeed.  In a very competitive marketplace, auto retailers... » CarLocate.com Marks First Birthday with Series of Enhancements DAYTON, Ohio – CarLocate.com marked the completion of its first year of helping consumers "shop smart" for their next new or used vehicle with a series of enhancements to the site. Vehicle search results