AutoNation Splits With TrueCar Over Providing Consumers With Transaction Information

AutoNation Inc. is severing ties with TrueCar Inc. following a protracted contract dispute centered on access to customer information.

AutoNation, the country’s largest new-car retailer, informed TrueCar executives Thursday that its dealerships would stop using the Internet vehicle shopping service at the end of July. Today, 226 of AutoNation’s 240 U.S. dealerships use TrueCar’s services.

The split had been foreshadowed. In April 2014, AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson said the retailer planned to de-emphasize third-party lead providers such as TrueCar, AutoTrader.com and Cars.com, as it strengthened its own website and digital presence to build traffic and sales.

Read Article

MDarringer - 7/10/2015 1:12:14 PM

0 Boost

We just smile and stare silently when some ding dong comes in and points to the price of our vehicle on his iPhone.

ricks0me - 7/10/2015 8:46:06 PM

0 Boost

MD >>>> Have to agree with your comment !!

MDarringer - 7/11/2015 6:45:52 PM

0 Boost

The beauty of TrueCar is that it is NOT up to date. Last November we had a Black Friday and three ding dongs came in demanding the TrueCar price. We agreed because the TrueCar price on one was $2K higher, another $5k, and the third $6K over.

The flaws of TrueCar is that it tells you what people paid--which may not be the best price possible--and manufacturer-to-dealer incentives are not fully transparent.

Sure, use TrueCar for a ballpark idea, but demanding that price will not often get you the best deal.

Doukas - 7/10/2015 10:16:08 PM

-1 Boost

now its time for edmunds to go away. I'd finally like to see a profit on new cars for a change

CarCrazedinCali - 7/20/2015 9:22:49 PM

+1 Boost

laughable, we won't be making big profits on buyers that do their research, it's just the times man

MDarringer - 7/11/2015 7:31:05 PM

+1 Boost

The dealers I'm involved with specifically do NOT do hard sell. In fact, if you ask nicely we'll even tell you our backside and negotiate from there.

We're out to grow the number of customers NOT sell cars as our priority. The Fiesta buyer--if treated right--is much more loyal to a brand and a dealer than say a BMW customer. The research shows that without a doubt.

So...

One of the things we did at several of our mainstream stores is to institute a handwritten thank you card from the salesperson to the owner with a $50 gas card that the company pays for. The card is to arrive within a week and specifically asks if there is anything the salesperson can do for the customer that needs attention.

We've tried giving customers two free oil change coupons. One goes to the owner and the second goes to anyone the owner gives it to. When the coupon comes in, we immediately send the owner an oil change coupon.

Little "nothings" like that and treating customers properly actually causes customers not to worry so much about getting every last cent out of a deal.

During summer we ask walk on Lookie Lou's if they would like a cold bottle of water. That increases look time.

If we're doing a deal and kids are present, we provide refreshments and offer to do a free fast food run.

Happy kids means parents are more likely to conclude a deal.

If you walk in with TrueCar on your iPhone and make demands, we do none of that for you.

The deal is NOT all about the consumer. The deal is about finding a price that is fair to the customer and the dealer.

And yes, we walk from idiots pointing to TrueCar who demand more than we can give. The look on their faces is priceless.

They demand to see who is in charge and that's when--if I'm at a store--they become my toys to enjoy.