Articles by ADM - STAFF

Dealers rated only two lead providers high enough to win awards in the Used Vehicle Internet Lead category this year.

Similar to past years, several different website providers received votes from dealers; however, only two companies garnered high enough marks to take home awards.

For dealers, online inventory marketing is a key component of their digital marketing strategy, and there are several providers that help facilitate the push and pull of inventory information across the Internet. This year, dealers rated four providers high enough to be recognized.

Over the years, fluidity in the CRM category has been the norm, so when dealers rate a provider well for consecutive years, it’s a testament to the company’s staying power. This year, dealers recognized four companies, including a new top dog and two newcomers to the category.

The 2011 awards mark the first year Auto Dealer Monthly has recognized chat providers in the Dealers’ Choice Awards; however, it’s not the first time dealers have voted for chat providers.

Out of all 21 categories in the Dealers’ Choice Awards, the direct mail category is the only one that has seen no movement among the top two award winners for the past four years.

For a second year in a row, only two sales trainers were rated well enough by their dealers to claim awards.

Compared to the other categories in the awards, the Internet Trainer category is always a high-scoring one, and this year was no different. However, the race between the top two this year was closer than ever with only 0.4 points separating them.

In the increasingly regulated realm of F&I, continued training is vital for dealerships of all shapes and sizes. This year, dealers recognized three F&I trainers.

Familiar but different sums up this year’s winners in the Service Contract Provider category. Only one provider returned from last year, but all four companies with above-average scores have been recognized in past years.