Amazon

The Rise of the Super Platform

Facebook and Amazon will command nearly 25 percent of all digital advertising dollars spent in 2018.[i] These two brands are more than powerful advertising destinations. They are super platforms, or self-contained universes offering businesses – including automotive dealerships — a vast audience and tools to reach them. The rise of super platforms is an example […]

How Personalization Is Changing Automotive Shopping

Automotive dealerships are now trying to please consumers whose expectations for a great customer experience are set on non-automotive sites such as Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, and Tinder. These online destinations have successfully responded to a new breed of consumer who demands a more personalized shopping experience. They’ve flourished in part by using machine learning to […]

Amazon Puts Automotive at the Center of a Voice-First World

Amazon recently showed that automotive is leading the way to a voice-first world. On August 9, Amazon announced the launch of Alexa Auto Software Development Kit (SDK), which makes it easier for software developers to integrate Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, into vehicles. As a result, automakers can integrate Alexa to perform more tasks through hands-free […]

How and Why You Should Build Brand Ambassadors

Salespeople sell cars. But brand ambassadors make your customers so happy that they tell other people about you and return to do business with you time and again. It’s obvious which type of person a dealership would prefer to have on staff. And more than ever, dealerships possess the tools required to cultivate brand ambassadors. […]

Does Your Automotive Marketplace Pass the Friction Test?

Let’s talk about friction. Friction doesn’t just play a critical role in physics. Removing friction from the automotive shopper’s journey is the key to automotive dealerships prospering in an industry fraught with the challenge of running a modern dealership. Twenty years ago, an automotive retailer needed to be proficient with one-to-three traditional media outlets to […]

Amazon Joins Forces with Automotive

Amazon is partnering with automotive manufacturers to meet the needs of the on-demand consumer. On April 24, Amazon launched Amazon Key In-Car Delivery for Prime members. Through the service, Prime members may get Amazon packages delivered to their vehicles parked at home, at work, or near other locations designated in the customer’s address book. The […]

The Importance of Getting Rid of “Used to” Thinking

Many people live in the land of “used to.” I used to work out. I used to run four miles a day. I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight. Then reality sets in, and sometimes we realize we lack the discipline to stay the course — or in […]

“Technology Needs to Support the Business”: A Conversation with Cory Mosley

During NADA 2018, Cars.com is hosting industry thought leaders as part of our Coffee and Conversations series. On March 23, entrepreneur and strategist Cory Mosley stopped by Booth 4515C to share with NADA attendees what he’s been seeing, hearing, and discussing at the event so far. During his visit, he took a moment to chat […]

Automotive Super Bowl Ads: The Dream Versus Reality

Automotive manufacturers sell dreams on Super Bowl Sunday. Lexus recently previewed a Super Bowl LII ad, “Black Panther, which equates car ownership with being a super hero. During Super Bowl LI last year, Alfa Romeo compared owning a car to flying a dragon. Kia relied on Melissa McCarthy to inject fun into owning the Kia Nero. Ford’s Go Further […]

“This Business Has Never Been for the Fainthearted” – Innovation at NAIAS

The 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) continues to showcase why the automotive industry is a leader in product innovation and why 2018 is all about OEMs and dealerships mastering the 4Ps of Automotive Marketing™: product, price, place, and person. As discussed on our blog, OEMs have been unleashing major innovations since Day One. […]

Autonomous Vehicles Drive the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show

It’s no surprise that the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show has been a proving ground for autonomous vehicles. OEMs and their technology partners have been busy rolling out new concepts for autonomous vehicles. Lyft and Aptiv have been providing on-site transportation via self-driving vehicles. What’s especially interesting about CES 2018 is the ambitious nature of OEMs’ […]

Automotive Thought Leaders Predict: Brian Pasch

Cars.com recently talked with automotive industry leaders to get their thoughts on trends that will affect the industry in 2018. Following are insights from Brian Pasch, founder of PCG Companies. Among other predictions, Brian sees technologies such as artificial intelligence changing the way consumers shop for cars. Thank you for sharing, Brian! How will the […]

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