With all of the focus that automotive advertising agencies are placing on the failings of TrueCar I was surprised that few people discussed the most glaring problem with their business model.  They rely on either buying new customers using price as the key differentiator between dealers or paying for old ones enticed away from your showrooms with automotive advertising funds sourced from your fees.

The market has already conceded that third party leads are a distant second in value from customers that come directly to your facility or website and previous customers are the true low hanging fruit which should be picked by automotive advertising agencies before all others.  Investing in building awareness and value in your dealership has a much more stable and proven ROI than selling vehicles as a commoditity as proposed by TrueCar.  Frankly, the negative energy that surfaced about TrueCar was surrounding issues that can and likely will be resolved as evidenced by their recent accomodations to the Colorado AG office.

I anticipate that TrueCar will adjust their business model away from transaction fees to either lead fees or monthly marketing fees to overcome claims that they are operating as Brokers.  References to invoice pricing on their site can be similarly eliminated where required and clearer language in their agreements concerning their access and use of sensitive DMS information can surely be adjusted to be more like other vendors that require similar data to power their solutions.  Finally, Scott Painter will either temper his anti-dealer position to still the raging waters or prove his initial assertions that auto dealers and automotive advertising agencies no longer provide sufficient added value to customers to justify their existence; NOT LIKELY BASED ON MY RESPECT FOR THE ROLE THAT AUTO DEALERS PLAY IN THE SALES AND SERVICE PROCESS!

My answer to the conversation for and against TrueCar is to focus on customer satisfaction before, during and after the sales/service process for the reasons stated above. Price will always be an issue but people and product will always have a value for customers who want the best deal – which includes more than the lowest price.

The controversy regarding TrueCars Conquest sales strategy vs. other vendors providing Customer Retention based marketing plans has a clear winner; the one that focuses on customer satisfaction.

For example, internal database marketing platform solutions provided by vendors like DrivingLoyalty offer no risk to dealers concerned over protecting sensitive customer information sourced from their DMS.  People like to do business with people that they know and like and solutions like DrivingLoyalty offer virtually automated sales processes to alert past, present and pending customers when they are inequity on their present vehicle, require service or simply want to know the value of their current vehicle or one they are considering.

Transparency is a word that TrueCar uses often as a unique added value that they provide to customers.  However, I know of no more transparent message than one that includes the OTD price and payment for a similar vehicle to the one that you are driving just when you can trade up with little or no money down.  Combine that with the added value of having a customer portal that provides updated information on your vehicle along with required service reminders and I find little reason to search for two strangers who want to do business with no vested interest in eachothers continued satisfaction with the transaction.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA, AUGUST 29, 2011  IntellaCar, LLC announced today the launch of IntellaCar. 3.0, the next generation of the ground-breaking iPad app for Sales Consultants, now optimized for all automotive brands. Building on the initial momentum, the latest version of IntellaCar has enhanced functionality with a striking new interface that is visually stunning and highly intuitive. IntellaCar leverages the latest mobile technology to give Sales Consultants the information they need to close the sale, where and when they need it.

1. Information is prioritized based on customer needs and summarized for a quick readduring the sale.
2. Dealer-specific content, such as inventory and “Why Buy Here” provides a competitive edge.
3. Leveraging the growing importance of social media in the car buying process, customers can now use the app to write and post their own reviews.

IntellaCar (www.intellacar.com) was named as a top pick by Dealer Marketing Magazine in its June 2011 cover story on the explosion of mobile marketing. According to Sean Wolfington of Tier 10 Marketing, “Mobile marketing is here to stay. Dealers are quickly realizing that a mobile solution such as IntellaCar can help them deliver exactly what their customers are looking for.¨

IntellaCar has proven to increase dealership sales effectiveness within weeks. Mike Shum, General Manager at Sunnyvale Toyota, says, “We are delighted with the impact IntellaCar has had at our dealership. It was effortless to incorporate it into our sales process and using it has generated positive feedback from customers as well as our sales team.¨

IntellaCar was created by a passionate team of automotive marketing specialists with decades of experience in developing OEM and dealership solutions, led by Co-Founders Jim Hughes and Bruce Polkes. Their expertise is in simplifying the complex and facilitating the sales flow, critical in today¡¦s world of information overload. IntellaCar is committed to helping dealers improve the customer experience and bringing back the excitement of purchasing a new vehicle. For more information, contact Jim Hughes at (805) 241-5000 or info@IntellaCar.Com; or visit www.IntellaCar.com.

AdAgencyOnline.Net is an automotive advertising resource / networking portal known for their in-depth reviews of cutting edge automotive advertising vendors on their hosted blog talk radio station – WAAOL, All Automotive Advertising News All The Time.  This week’s Automotive Advertising Experts show will feature a review of an iconic vendor, EVOX IMAGES ®, known by automotive advertising agencies as the best source for video imagery for websites and other integrated vendor platforms that rely on them for their proprietary vehicle video content.

Philip Zelinger, the President of Ad Agency Online, L.L.C. and the host of WAAOL, will moderate the review of EVOX IMAGES ® in an interview with two senior managers of the company, Patrick Kajirian and Stephen Miranda.  Philip explained his reasons for choosing EVOX IMAGES ® to review in this week’s Automotive Advertising Experts show. “I typically focus on start-ups and/or cutting edge vendors that are not yet in the main stream.  I decided to drill down to some of the unique video solutions provided by EVOX IMAGES ® because I do business with them for a number of my vendor partners. I am constantly impressed with their ability to stay one step ahead of the competition, and the market, with their evolving product offerings.  Sometimes automotive advertising vendors that we consider to be “old news” are really just so far ahead of the curve that their established solutions remain cutting edge beyond the typical limited shelf life of other less forward thinking technology based applications.  I am anxious to listen and learn from Patrick and Stephen and I anticipate that several new shared opportunities will be discovered during our online discussion.  After all, what are friends and our Automotive Advertising Experts blog talk radio show for!”

About Patrick Kajirian

Patrick Karjirian graduated with honors from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England with a BSC in Multimedia Technology and Design.  He has worked on a broad range of projects from producing video commercials for cable television to managing online content for world-class ecommerce websites.  Patrick co-founded PEK Interactive, Inc., a web-solutions agency that specialized in web design and online marketing.  Patrick also worked as an instructor for reputable institutions such as The Art Institute of California teaching classes in Motion Graphics, Film Production, and 3D Animation.

Today, Patrick is the Web Technology Architect for EVOX IMAGES ® .  Additionally, Patrick spends his time in emerging technologies such as Cloud Computing, Mobile Development, and Social Media.  He dwells on the web, which is the best place to find him.

About Stephen Miranda

Stephen Miranda graduated from the City University of New York, Hunter College in New York with a BA in Studio Art.  A versatile problem-solver, he has directed international, multi-media productions that range from steel engineering, light industrial fabrication, to CGI imagery pipelines.

Presently, Stephen is the Product Development Manager for EVOX IMAGES ® .  A recent New York transplant to Los Angeles, in his spare time Stephen explores the Southland with his wife and dog.

About EVOX IMAGES ®

EVOX IMAGES ® was founded in 1995 and offers a complete package of unbiased, high-quality, consistent still and interactive US vehicle imagery.  The purpose and passion that drives EVOX IMAGES ® is to continuously break new ground and lead our industry forward.  We believe there is no better industry than automotive and no better clients than our own.

For nearly a decade, EVOX IMAGES ® has produced high-quality imagery and projects for our clients; and we continue to grow, which we believe is testimony to the unparalleled completeness of our product offerings, high quality imagery and services we provide.  We strive to make vehicles available as soon as they are released, providing you with the most vehicles and the most content, on an unmatched delivery schedule.  Our ongoing strategy is to develop high-quality, interactive library content; EVOX IMAGES ® was the first to introduce 360 Spins and Interior Panoramas into the automotive industry and we continue to invest in breakthrough products like these to offer the most powerful solutions for your continued business needs.

Highlights and USPs:

• Imagery available starting MY2000
• 650 new cars added to each model year – with absolutely no carry-over
• Featured on 8 of the top 11 automotive portal sites
• Licensed by over 22,000 dealer websites in addition to automobile manufacturers, newspapers and other users of vehicle imagery worldwide

About Philip Zelinger

 Philip Zelinger is the President of Ad Agency Online, L.L.C. and host of a nationally respected automotive advertising social networking portal, AdAgencyOnline.Net.  Philip invested 25 years as a General Manager and Dealer Principal followed by his last ten years in the automotive advertising industry representing auto dealers and technology vendors focused on the auto industry.

His role as a “Dealer Coach” is enhanced by his hosting a nationally recognized blog talk radio station – WAAOL, All Automotive Advertising News All The Time.  As the author of two books on the auto industry, including “How To Sell A Car – a Career Guide to The Automobile Industry,” he is a recognized authority on market trends and developing technologies with the responsibility of selecting key vendors and applications for his dealer clients as well as forming strategic partnerships for his vendor clients to leverage their shared resources to help them bring their products and services to market.

About AdAgencyOnline.Net and Ad Agency Online, L.L.C.

AdAgencyOnline.Net reviews automotive advertising vendors and new technologies on several blog talk radio shows including Lunch With Phil Discussing Automotive Advertising, Auto Industry Insiders and  their most listened to program Automotive Advertising Experts.  The shows attract automotive advertising agencies, auto dealers, auto industry vendors and O.E.M. representatives that listen to the blog talk radio station WAAOL to find vendors, applications and technologies to maximize the R.O.I. for their automotive advertising dollars.

AAOL is a national network of independent affiliated automotive advertising agencies linked by an online communication / distribution system developed by Philip Zelinger.  The proprietary operating system that powers AAOL was designed to reduce fixed and semi-variable expenses for full service automotive advertising agencies.  The developing technologies that enhanced the performance of the independent automotive advertising agencies linked by AAOL has served as the role model for the solutions suggested on AdAgencyOnline.Net and represented by AAOL to their affiliated automotive advertising agencies when serving their auto dealer clients.

Ad Agency Online L.L.C is focused on discovering and representing new automotive advertising vendors and technologies not yet recognized by the mainstream automotive advertising industry. Automotive advertising vendors represented by AAOL include;  GetAutoAppraise,  DealMaker.Com, CityTwist.Com, Bulldog Marketing Technologies, Kihon Media, CarFolks.Com, Ai Dealer, Laser Stream Video, SiSTeR Technologies – Video CarLot, PSCars.Com, AIS Rebates, AdvantaStar and IntellaCar; to name a few.

For more information on Philip Zelinger, Ad Agency Online, L.L.C., EVOX IMAGES ® or any of the vendor clients represented by Ad Agency Online contact Philip at 888-796-2228 or email him at pzads@bellsouth.net.  Automotive advertising vendors, automotive advertising agencies and auto dealers that would like to be considered as a “preferred automotive advertising vendor” on AdAgencyOnline.Net and/or to hire/join Ad Agency Online, L.L.C. to represent them can contact Philip Zelinger at http://adagencyonline.net.  To quote Philip Zelinger, “Help is only a click away!  After all, what are friends for!” ###

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 details to competitive comparisons, IntellaCar helps them make the sale.  IntellaCar 2.0 adds new features that boost its impact even further, including: 

• ·         Ability to capture customer data and send it directly to dealer CRM
• ·         Email and printing to easily share content with customers
• ·         Garage function that saves/shows selected vehicles
• ·         On-the-spot vehicle data capture for appraisal 

IntellaCar charter dealerships have experienced dramatic results in the first few months, and are anticipating an even stronger outcome from IntellaCar 2.0. Sales Consultants using IntellaCar not only exhibited significant monthly sales increases that outpaced dealership averages, but new Sales Consultants were able to get up to speed more quickly, and even the most successful Sales Consultants experienced gains.  Noel Graham, Manager at North Hollywood Toyota, says “The more we use the product, the more our sales people are actually learning…IntellaCar has given us a new advantage.” 

IntellaCar’s intuitive interface is optimized to help Sales Consultants make the sale within their existing sales process.  Information is prioritized based on customer needs and summarized for a quick read during the sale. Dealer-specific content, such as inventory and “Why Buy Here” provides a competitive edge. 

Intellacar was created by a passionate team of automotive marketing specialists with decades of experience in developing OEM and dealership solutions, led by Co-Founders Jim Hughes and Bruce Polkes. Their expertise is in simplifying the complex and facilitating the sales flow, critical in today’s world of information overload. IntellaCar is committed to helping dealers improve the customer experience and bringing back the excitement of purchasing a new vehicle. For more information, contact Jim Hughes at (805) 241-5000 or info@IntellaCar.Com; or visit www.IntellaCar.com.

Philip Zelinger, the President of Ad Agency Online, L.L.C. and the host of the automotive advertising resource / networking portal http://AdAgencyOnline.Net, has scheduled a follow up interview on his blog talk radio show with three principals from eVBDS, (Electric Vehicle Business Development Strategies), — George Stellweg, Forest Williams and Carlos De La Guardia.  The trio of auto industry, government and technology insiders will be discussing the introduction of their game changing electric vehicle charging solution in advance of the upcoming 10th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition at The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando Florida April 19th – 21st., 2011.  The show hosted by Philip — Lunch With Phil Discussing Automotive Advertising —  will air Monday, April 11th., 2011 from 12 Noon EST to 12:30 PM EST on  WAAOL, All Automotive Advertising News All The Time hosted by Ad Agency Online.

Electric vehicles will surface many challenges and opportunities for auto dealers, some are known but many more are yet to be discovered.  Philip recognized the unique opportunities being presented by eVBDS that would benefit his affiliated automotive advertising agencies and auto dealer/vendor clients. “I have always valued people over even product and price.  Before I decided to invest my reputation and valued relationships earned over my 35 year career in the auto industry as both a dealer and now as a consultant by recommending eVBDS, I included their partnered relationships as part of my due diligence.”

eVBDS together with Eaton Corporation – a leader in electric power management for over a century with $13B in total revenues – will introduce a line of electric vehicle chargers that permits consumers to charge their EVs at home safely and significantly faster than conventional “trickle” charging. Eaton’s Pow-R-Station will also serve as the controller for the emerging home energy generation and storage systems of the future. eVBDS is creating a channel to allow dealers to enjoy the profits of selling a charger at the dealer level vs. deferring it to the OEM sponsored channels…and later to participate in their customers’ future in-home energy management  needs.”

The factories have functionally bypassed the auto dealers with direct relationships with vendors such as Aerovironment for the Nissan Leaf and SPX for the Chevy Volt.  They are even encouraging customers to contact these vendors directly to purchase their chargers and arrange for installation. The goal of eVBDS is to provide a world class EV charging product that will be sold exclusively thru dealerships’ F&I department. The initial EV buyer is likely to be affluent and will want to leave the dealership with a complete solution.  They will be equally attracted to the ability to add the charger and installation to the vehicle loan package with much more attractive interest rates.

Over the next several years more consumers will want to add home storage batteries to take advantage of the low energy costs that will be offered at off peak hours. In addition, many will also decide to add their own electricity generation capability via solar, wind or even the Bloom Box that can generate electricity fueled by natural gas or propane. Their line of EV chargers are designed to manage these generation and storage processes for the homeowner. In fact, as dealers see service revenues dip due to the lower maintenance requirements of EVs they will be motivated to take advantage of these natural “add on” sales, perhaps leading to new business opportunities.

Many auto industry analysts believe that the EV is going to have the same impact on the power grid that the personal computer had on computing. It will accelerate the move towards decentralized power generation and storage the same way that the PC ended the dominance of the mainframe computer.” 

Philip Zelinger shares the vision of eVBDS  and their ability to help shape a developing opportunity in the retail auto industry.  “The bottom line is that EV vehicles will impact the dealers bottom line before, during and after the sale.  eVBDS is focused on keeping the auto dealer in the mix!  Anything that makes auto dealers money is part of the newly assigned areas of responsibility for today’s full service automotive advertising agency.  Based on my past dealings with one of the principals at eVBDS and my ongoing due diligence regarding their business model I see them as a valuable potential partner.”

“One of the founding partners, Carlos De La Guardia, brings a wealth of knowledge regarding the politics that both help and hurt any new industry.  Couple his knowledge of the beltway with the retail auto experience of another principal, George Stellweg supported by the tech savvy business development experience of their other partner, Forest William and my decision to promote them and theirs to me and mine became self evident.”

“My updated live review of eVBDS on my show scheduled for April 11th. will also be sent out as a podcast to a targeted audience of automotive advertising agencies and service providers allowing me to listen and learn from literally thousands of auto dealers and auto industry decision makers before I presume to teach.  My plan is to get their feedback and support to help us launch this new revenue stream for auto dealers who are struggling to make more with less in our consolidating industry.  After all, what are friends for!”

About George Stellweg

George Stellweg has over 20 years of experience as a business leader, entrepreneur and senior executive in leadership positions successfully establishing new businesses, managing and implementing executive, sales, and business development teams in enterprises worldwide.

George was born in Mexico City of Dutch heritage and educated in North America and Europe. This background along with his exemplary service and business experiences internationally contributes to his extensive multi-cultural global knowledge in business and life.

He is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of Green Automotive Inc, Latin American Consulting, Inc, KSD & Co, LLC, and Electric Vehicle Business Development Strategies, LLC.

About Forest Williams

Forest Williams has been in technology sales and new business development for almost 30 years. A graduate of West Point, he served as a KC-135 pilot in the Air Force refueling the SR-71 spy plane, still the fastest aircraft in the world.

After leaving the service in the early eighties Forest went to work for National Semiconductor as a Strategic Account Manager in Southern California. He left National in 2001 to found CarLocate, a GPS vehicle tracking company that was the launch partner for Trimble Navigation’s TrimTrac, the industry’s first portable GPS tracking device.

Over the past several years Forest has become increasingly involved in the development of electric vehicles and the charging station infrastructure that is an important component for the success of EVs in the marketplace. He is currently a Founder & Managing Partner and VP of Sales and Marketing for Electric Vehicle Business Development Strategies, LLC, or eVBDS, which is introducing a line of home EV chargers that will also manage the energy generation and storage products many consumers are adding to their homes.

About Carlos R. De La Guardia

Carlos R. De La Guardia is Founder and Managing Partner in Electric Vehicle Development Strategies, LLC (eVBDS), Latin American Consulting, Inc, KSD & Co, LLC and the President of The De La Guardia Group; an international marketing and business consulting firm that advises the government in the development and implementation of new technology strategies in the public sector. He has developed a close relationship based on credibility and positive results with high ranking members of the government administration.

In April 2004 Mr. De La Guardia was appointed Chargé d’ Affaires until the new ambassador arrived after the administrations changed in Panama. In October of the same year he coordinated the transition team at the embassy and went back to his private consulting business; this time creating The De La Guardia Group, an international business and political strategy consulting firm based in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, where he resides with his wife Laura.

He became a diplomat when he was appointed Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Panama in Washington, DC, the United States of America in November 2002. He was also Minister Counselor to the President in US-Panama affairs. Mr. De La Guardia’s role in Washington, DC was instrumental in the initial conversations between the two nations to have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He also played a key role in all the arrangements for the official presidential visit of President Mireya Moscoso to the White House in June 2003.

About Philip Zelinger

Philip Zelinger is the President of Ad Agency Online, L.L.C. and host of a nationally respected automotive advertising social networking portal, AdAgencyOnline.Net.  Philip invested 25 years as a General Manager and Dealer Principal followed by his last ten years in the automotive advertising industry representing auto dealers and technology vendors focused on the auto industry.

His role as a “Dealer Coach” is enhanced by his hosting a nationally recognized blog talk radio station – WAAOL, All Automotive Advertising News All The Time.  As the author of two books on the auto industry, including “How To Sell A Car – a Career Guide to The Automobile Industry,” he is a recognized authority on market trends and developing technologies with the responsibility of selecting key vendors and applications for his dealer clients as well as forming strategic partnerships for his vendor clients to leverage their shared resources to help them bring their products and services to market.

About AdAgencyOnline.Net and Ad Agency Online, L.L.C.

AdAgencyOnline.Net reviews automotive advertising vendors and new technologies on several blog talk radio shows including Lunch With Phil Discussing Automotive Advertising, Auto Industry Insiders and  their most listened to program Automotive Advertising Experts.  The shows attract automotive advertising agencies, auto dealers, auto industry vendors and O.E.M. representatives that listen to the blog talk radio station WAAOL to find vendors, applications and technologies to maximize the R.O.I. for their automotive advertising dollars.

AAOL is a national network of independent affiliated automotive advertising agencies linked by an online communication / distribution system developed by Philip Zelinger.  The proprietary operating system that powers AAOL was designed to reduce fixed and semi-variable expenses for full service automotive advertising agencies.  The developing technologies that enhanced the performance of the independent automotive advertising agencies linked by AAOL has served as the role model for the solutions suggested on AdAgencyOnline.Net and represented by AAOL to their affiliated automotive advertising agencies when serving their auto dealer clients.

Ad Agency Online L.L.C is focused on discovering and representing new automotive advertising vendors and technologies not yet recognized by the mainstream automotive advertising industry. Automotive advertising vendors represented by AAOL include; ronsmap.com, DealerMouth, TeleTextSolutions, GetAutoAppraise, Argistics – AutoTransaXion, DealMaker.Com, CityTwist.Com, Bulldog Marketing Technologies, Kihon Media, CarFolks.Com, Ai Dealer, Laser Stream Video, SiSTeR Technologies – Video CarLot and IntellaCar; to name a few.

For more information on Philip Zelinger, Ad Agency Online, L.L.C., eVBDS or any of the vendor clients represented by Ad Agency Online contact Philip at 888-796-2228 or email him at pzads@bellsouth.net.  Automotive advertising vendors, automotive advertising agencies and auto dealers that would like to be considered as a “preferred automotive advertising vendor” on AdAgencyOnline.Net and/or to hire/join Ad Agency Online, L.L.C. to represent them can contact Philip Zelinger at http://adagencyonline.net.  To quote Philip Zelinger, “Help is only a click away!  After all, what are friends for!” ###