I’m excited to welcome more than 2,000 dealerships to the Cars.com family!

As you may have heard, Cars.com announced an agreement with media company tronc, Inc., to convert tronc’s eight affiliate markets into Cars.com’s direct retail channel, effective February 1. As a result, more than 2,000 dealership customers have converted from tronc’s affiliate network into Cars.com’s direct sales channel, including dealerships in Los Angeles and Chicago, the nation’s second and third largest markets for new vehicle sales in 2017.

These 2,000 dealerships now have direct access to Cars.com products and operational support, and stronger integration that will allow them to make the best use of our data, tools, training, and expertise. I see dealerships benefiting in a number of ways from this direct access, such as:

  • Increased local support and service to help our dealers win.
  • More marketing support nationally and locally.
  • Increased effectiveness that will allow us to continue to scale new consumer and advertiser products.

With the conversion of tronc, the following key markets are being incorporated into Cars.com’s direct retail channel: Los Angeles; Chicago; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Baltimore; Newport, Va.; Hartford, Conn.; Allentown, Pa.; Fort Worth, Texas; Sacramento; Modesto, Calif.; Seattle (independents); and Bradenton, Fla.

I’m excited about merging a winning team with our direct team to create an even stronger client sales and service network.

The 2,000+ dealerships are becoming Cars.com direct customers at a time when we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary – and there is much to celebrate. Recently, Cars.com won two coveted DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Awards. Cars.com is a Top Rated company for both the New Car Leads and Used Car Advertising categories – an acknowledgment that dealerships believe we are a preferred growth partner for both new and used vehicles.

We are truly putting in the work to transform the car shopping experience for partners and consumers. Competitively, our brand name has equity and we have the largest and most reputable sales team in the industry – and with the experience you bring – the team will be even stronger.

Welcome to the Cars.com network!