Auto Dealer Network is Crucial to Economic Recovery

NADA Chairman: ‘Franchise system will continue to be the most cost efficient way of distributing vehicles.’

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ — The franchised dealer network is – and will continue to be – the most cost efficient and dependable way to distribute new and used vehicles to consumers, Annette Sykora, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association said in remarks today at the NADA Convention & Exposition in New Orleans.

“You simply cannot replace the value we add to our communities with our local investments, and our contributions to charitable and community causes,” Sykora told thousands of fellow dealers at the Morial Convention Center. “And the tax revenue we generate for our communities that supports the infrastructure and the education of our children is substantial.”

In the midst of unprecedented challenges, it’s important for people to know about the considerable economic impact of dealers in their communities, she said.

“To the media, to the lawmakers, we’ve explained that it’s our investments that allow manufacturers to distribute their products efficiently,” Sykora said. “It’s our investments that provide the service facilities for America’s fleet of cars and trucks.”

As the deadline approaches for General Motors and Chrysler to submit reports to the federal government on their viability plans, Sykora said NADA continues to push for measures that will help restore consumer confidence, including tax incentives for car buyers and “cash for clunkers” programs that will help Americans into newer, more efficient vehicles.

This past week, NADA, the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers and the Small Business Administration launched a loan guarantee program for dealers, and the groups are working to expand dealer eligibility, she said.

“We are taking an active role with the new administration concerning the stimulus package,” Sykora said. “We’re interested in encouraging more activity on our showroom floors.”

Sykora is owner of Smith Ford Mercury in Slaton, Texas, and Smith South Plains Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep in Levelland, Texas.

NADA, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, Va., represents about 19,700 new car and truck dealers holding more than 40,000 separate franchises, both domestic and international.

ThriftyCarSales.com Adds New Features, Achieves Major Growth

TULSA, Okla., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Thrifty Car Sales, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG), continues to blaze new trails with its ThriftyCarSales.com website, adding features that have resulted in significant increases in traffic for the national network of franchised used car dealerships.

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In 2008, ThriftyCarSales.com beat its own “personal best,” with 7.8 million page views and nearly 2,000 unique visitors per day, an increase in visitors of 166 percent from a year ago with the implementation of a new site by vendor CarTHINK. Much of the increased traffic is attributed to a more open architecture that has allowed “spidering” and improvements to the company’s search engine optimization efforts. The average visitor stays about 8.5 minutes on the site.

“These are especially good numbers when you consider our site is pretty much a ‘one-click’ process when consumers are shopping for a vehicle,” said Lee Goldey, Director, Operations, Marketing and Advertising for Thrifty Car Sales. “We are adding new features that get consumers even closer to the cars they are considering purchasing, so I anticipate our numbers will continue to grow exponentially on ThriftyCarSales.com.”

Among the latest features on ThriftyCarSales.com are:

• “Specials” pages: Dealers have the opportunity to showcase local Internet specials on vehicles of their choosing and are featured prominently on their local pages. The selection varies greatly and changes frequently. Dealers are required to change specials a minimum of every 14 days or less.
• Expanded Inventory pages: On vehicle inventory pages, dealers now have the capability to display video and slideshows of vehicles; many use the “movie gallery” feature so consumers can better experience the vehicle they will be purchasing. “It’s the next-best thing to seeing it in person,” said Goldey.
• eBay indicator: Vehicles that are listed concurrently on eBay are marked with an identifier if consumers would like to take a shot at purchasing the vehicle at a potentially lower price using eBay’s popular online auction format.
• “Wipeout” video advertising campaign: Thrifty Car Sale’s ad campaign is a focus on the site’s home page, underscoring the company’s value message: “Wipe out high prices, wipe out high payments, wipe out high pressure . . . Be Smart, Buy Thrifty!” Dealers also have the option to display national or local TV ads on their location pages on ThriftyCarSales.com.

ThriftyCarSales.com continues to evolve with the guidance of CarTHINK, LLC, a privately-held company that provides full-service Internet marketing, software and services to hundreds of franchise and independent dealers across the country. CarTHINK is a data partner with Reynolds & Reynolds, an eBay Motors/eBay Local certified solutions provider and has data distribution agreements with hundreds of online classified destinations such as Autotrader.com and Cars.com. For more information on CarTHINK, visit http://www.CarTHINK.com.

About Thrifty Car Sales

Thrifty Car Sales is a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG), a Fortune 1000 Company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thrifty Car Sales, with 39 locations, franchises retail used car sales dealerships throughout the United States. Dealerships offer a wide range of late model, low mileage vehicles. Thrifty Certified(R) vehicles pass extensive inspection and are backed by a limited warranty. Thrifty Car Sales was founded in 1999.

OEConnection and Snap-On Business Solutions Unveil New Automotive Parts Sales Solution

RepairLink with MORE(TM) bridges the parts sales gap between franchised dealerships and independent repair facilities

RICHFIELD, Ohio, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Snap-on Business Solutions Inc. and OEConnection LLC today revealed a collaborative solution designed to help franchised automotive dealerships sell mechanical replacement parts to independent repair facilities. The integrated solutions, RepairLink with MORE, will drastically simplify the process through which independent repair shops find, order, and receive replacement automotive parts from original equipment dealers in the U.S.

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“To say that this solution comes at a critical time for the automotive industry would be an understatement,” says Mary Beth Siddons, President of Snap-on Business Solutions. “We at Snap-on and OEConnection are committed to and beyond excited by this opportunity to provide our partners in the automotive dealership space with the innovative, unprecedented tools they need to be able to sell more parts.”

RepairLink with MORE (Mechanical Original Replacement Equipment) is a single-source online sales channel through which independent repair facilities will be able to order genuine automotive parts from franchised dealerships for every vehicle they service. No such unified sales channel for original automotive parts exists today.

Charles Rotuno, President and Chief Executive Officer of OEConnection, says, “The automotive OE replacement parts industry faces increasingly tougher competition with aftermarket parts. The combination of RepairLink with MORE will help auto manufacturers and dealerships grow their parts businesses by dramatically enhancing the customer experience.”

Snap-on and OEConnection are uniquely positioned to offer this enhanced ordering capability, with tremendously complementary products, customers, and technologies. In the U.S., OEConnection and Snap-on Business Solutions serve a combined footprint of over 15,000 franchised automotive dealerships. In addition, Snap-on enjoys exceptional brand recognition in the independent repair community, and provides nearly half of the independent repair shops in the U.S. with service estimate and business management solutions through its Mitchell 1 business unit.

RepairLink with MORE addresses some of the key factors that drive independent shops’ decisions about where they source parts. The solution gives independent shops immediate access to current part pricing and availability through a robust, convenient e-commerce storefront. This service provides OEM quality parts data, including VIN filtering and technical illustrations, for every part they service. It also automates the ordering process and provides instant delivery updates.

By addressing the key factors of pricing, availability, ease of ordering, and delivery, RepairLink with MORE will immediately increase the capability of dealers to compete with aftermarket parts suppliers in the independent repair segment.

“RepairLink with MORE will make it much easier for independent shops to buy quality original parts,” says Ken Satz, Product Manager for Snap-on Business Solutions. “Right now, those shops only get about 20 percent of their parts from original equipment dealers. By eliminating the hassle of ordering by phone and by putting part availability right at the fingertips of independent shops, both they and their customers are certain to benefit.”

Mark Tomasetti, OEConnection’s Vice President and General Manager for Collision and Mechanical Solutions added, “RepairLink with MORE is the kind of solution that can only come about when specific technological specializations are merged together. Integrating our own online electronic parts commerce technologies with the unique data reach and catalog creation expertise of our partners at Snap-on creates an unparalleled opportunity for automotive dealerships to sell more OE parts, streamline processes, increase profits, and improve customer service even in these challenging economic climates.”

NADA 2009 marks the public revealing of RepairLink with MORE by Snap-on and OEConnection. Plans are in place to begin rolling the service out in select markets in May 2009.

About OEConnection LLC

OEConnection is the leading Online Parts and Service Exchange (OPSX) in the automotive industry, serving over 17,000 dealerships, collision repair shops, fleets, tire distributors and automakers. Customers use OEConnection products nearly 5 million times each month to market, manage and purchase original equipment parts, facilitating an estimated $12 billion in annual replacement parts trade. Headquartered in the greater Cleveland area, OEConnection is a joint venture created by Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Snap-on Business Solutions.

About Snap-on Business Solutions

Snap-on Business Solutions, a division of Snap-on Incorporated based in Richfield, Ohio, is primarily engaged in the delivery of market-specific warranty solutions and comprehensive parts, accessories, and service information — in electronic form — to the automotive, power equipment, and powersports manufacturing markets. Its CD and Internet based products transform complex technical data, like parts and accessories catalogs and service manuals, warranty claims and registrations into easily accessed electronic information. Snap-on’s innovative approach to integrated solutions helps to increase productivity and drive sales for original equipment manufacturers, their suppliers and their dealership networks.

About Snap-on

Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company- direct, distributor and Internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.8 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Aspen Marketing Services Launches New CRM Tools at NADA

Groundbreaking Web Products Provide Car Dealerships Nationwide with Unparalleled Customer Service Capabilities

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Aspen Marketing Services, the nation’s largest privately-held marketing services agency, today announced the launch of Aspen Portal, an innovative Web-based “one-stop shop” designed to help automotive dealers establish and maintain successful relationships with their customers. For the first time, automotive dealers will be able to access all tools necessary to achieving success in today’s demanding automotive marketplace through a single, easily-navigable online interface.

“We are thrilled to launch several new products at this year’s NADA conference” said Patrick O’Rahilly, Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Marketing. “As a former mega car dealer, I understand the importance of connecting with customers. Aspen’s new tools will help dealers support and respond to clients with speed and accuracy and help build and rebuild loyalties that have been tested too many times.”

Aspen Portal is a groundbreaking all-inclusive Web interface for automotive dealers and features Aspen’s leading proprietary tools including: e-Strike, SmartTouch 2.0 and BackStop. Combining all of these components in one place, affords dealers access to today’s most complete user-friendly and state-of-the-art technology solution for security level, enrollment and reporting in the automotive industry. e-Strike is a CRM platform that allows dealers to create and execute sales and maintenance e-mail campaigns, while SmartTouch 2.0 and BackStop offer personalized telephone services that ensure customers always reach a representative to schedule services such as maintenance appointments and oil changes. Within Aspen Portal, these tools combine to help dealers foster successful longstanding relationships with clients while realizing legitimate ROI goals on marketing dollars spent. Aspen Portal is now available for thousands of dealerships at www.aspenmsportal.com

Aspen Portal is led by EVP of Automotive Product Strategy and Development, Brian Ramphal, who was previously Vice President of Product Development for JM Solutions, a division of the multi-billion dollar diversified automotive company, JM Family Enterprises, Inc. He has also held positions in high-profile companies including Ocentrix/AIMData, Inc., Newgen Results and Applied Card System, serving as Vice President and CIO at each.

The launch of Aspen Portal now serves as the central point for original equipment manufacturers, dealer groups and independent dealers to access Aspen products and services. Brian Ramphal explains “Combined with Aspen’s DM response and activation heritage, Aspen Portal gives automotive dealers the most comprehensive platform approach available under one roof.”

This is Aspen’s second major announcement during today’s session of NADA 2009. Aspen announced the creation of a new joint direct-marketing effort with Experian Automotive, a part of global information services company Experian, designed to help automotive dealers drive more store traffic and convert more sales for their pre-owned inventories. Convention participants are encouraged to stop by Booth #1440 for up-close demonstrations of the many tools available to better meet the fluid needs of dealers and their clients.

About Aspen Marketing Services

Founded in 1986, Aspen Marketing Services is the largest privately-held marketing services agency in the United States. Headquartered in West Chicago, IL, with offices in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York City, Phoenix, Morristown, NJ, Rosemont, IL, Chicago, San Diego, Tampa and Toronto, ON, Aspen Marketing has more than 825 employees in North America. Aspen Marketing offers an extensive array of integrated, best-in-class services including Direct Marketing, Consumer Promotions, Event Marketing, Public Relations, Digital Marketing, Hispanic Marketing and Database Analytics for clients such as General Motors, AT&T, ConAgra, Motorola, Georgia-Pacific, Allstate, Kraft Foods and JVC. www.aspenms.com

Reynolds and Reynolds Announces Agreement with Penske Automotive Group; Reynolds Continues as Exclusive DMS Provider in U.S. and Puerto Rico for PAG

DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Reynolds and Reynolds announced today the company has extended its long-term relationship with the Penske Automotive Group (PAG) as their exclusive provider of dealership management systems (DMS) to all PAG dealerships in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The agreement, which runs through 2013, continues an exclusive arrangement that began in 2004.

Under the extended agreement, Reynolds will continue to provide its ERA(R) DMS software platform, plus a tailored suite of software applications, hardware, and services to PAG dealerships. Other applications and services implemented across the PAG dealership base include Web Solutions, Advanced Payroll, Kodata, F&I Menus, Desking, and Reynolds’ RPM Network.

“We have had the privilege of doing business with Roger Penske for some 20 years overall now,” said Bob Brockman, Chairman and CEO of Reynolds and Reynolds. “Everyone here feels an immense sense of pride in being associated with Roger’s organization and a single-minded commitment to their dealerships and to the relationship we have built over the years.”

Since 2004, Reynolds has been the exclusive provider of dealership management solutions to the Penske Automotive Group and its more than 120 dealers.

About Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds is the automotive industry’s largest and most trusted provider of automobile dealership software, services, and forms to help dealerships improve business results. The company is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, with major operations in Houston and College Station, Texas, and Celina, Ohio. (www.reyrey.com)

AutoTrader.com, Carfax Renew Partnership

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ — AutoTrader.com and Carfax today renewed their partnership to ensure that Carfax Vehicle History Reports are included with a dealer’s AutoTrader.com listings. Dealers that offer access to free Carfax Reports from their listings can build consumer confidence with more than 13 million in-market consumers who visit AutoTrader.com each month. In addition, it helps drive those online shoppers to a dealer’s showroom.

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“More online shoppers are coming into our store from our AutoTrader.com listings because we’re able to include a Carfax Report,” said Paul Golias, Used Car Manager at Crown Honda in Greensboro, N.C. “It’s one of the main things our customers look for in our listings and once they’ve reviewed the report online, they come in with a greater sense of trust. It’s an essential sales tool our staff uses on the lot and gives us a major advantage online over our competitors who don’t provide one.”

AutoTrader.com has included links to Carfax Reports paid for by Carfax-subscribing dealers since 2005. Online shoppers have free access to these reports directly from hundreds of thousands of AutoTrader.com vehicle listings.

“Offering Carfax Vehicle History Reports on listings on AutoTrader.com is one more way for us to offer the most informative and easy auto shopping experience anywhere,” said AutoTrader.com President and CEO Chip Perry. “We’re pleased to renew this partnership and continue to offer our site visitors this important information.”

For more information, visit www.carfaxonline.com or www.autotrader.com.

About AutoTrader.com

AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet’s leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website. AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location more than 3.5 million new, used and certified pre-owned vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners and the site attracts more than 14 million unique monthly visitors. Through innovative merchandising functionality such as multiple photos, videos, detailed descriptions and comprehensive research and compare tools, AutoTrader.com unites new and used car buyers and sellers online to improving the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles. AutoTrader.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. The venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor. For more information, please visit www.autotrader.com.

About Carfax (www.carfax.com)

Millions of used car buyers and sellers each year rely on Carfax, the most trusted provider of vehicle history information. Using the unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) found on vehicle dashboards and title documents, Carfax instantly generates a detailed Vehicle History Report on any used car or light truck. Carfax Vehicle History Reports(TM) provide valuable information that helps used car buyers and sellers make better decisions. Free Carfax Vehicle History Reports are instantly available with vehicles listed in nearly every online marketplace by Carfax-subscribing dealers. For more information or to become a Carfax-subscribing dealer, visit www.carfaxonline.com.

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