SunTrust to Add Functionality to Consumer ‘Smart-Portal’ Tool

SunTrust Bank plans to increase functionality and services offered through its consumer-facing “Smart Portal” web tool in the coming three to six months, said Chuck Jones, the bank’s head of national indirect lending. The online service, which took about six months to build, went live in the second quarter. “The portal is an introductory site showing […]

• Monica Melton
• November 29, 2018
• Innovation & Mobility, Operations, Strategy, Technology

Electric Vehicle OEM Offers Drive Motors’ Digital Financing

Electric vehicle startup Karma Automotive has synced up with digital sales platform Drive Motors to power its online checkout option for consumers. Drive Motors, which counts Ally Financial Inc. as a preferred lender on its platform, enables consumers to get fully approved for loans in less than a minute, Chief Executive Aaron Krane told Auto […]

• Monica Melton
• November 22, 2018
• Innovation & Mobility, Sales & Marketing, Technology

CPS Revamps Dealer Portal for Release in Early 2019

Subprime lender Consumer Portfolio Services is boosting dealer self-service options, with a revamped portal slated to debut early next year. “We’re rebuilding the dealer portal, so the dealer can go in and play around with the [loan] structure until he gets one that he likes, and we accept, without having to call a buyer and […]

• Monica Melton
• November 21, 2018
• Operations, Sales & Marketing, Technology

Dealertrack Looks to Speed Car Buying Process

Dealertrack, with the launch last week of its uniFI dealership management and F&I software product, is looking to streamline dealer workflows and shorten the amount of time it takes to buy a car. A Cox Automotive study published in July found that dealership personnel uses an average of six platforms to complete a deal and […]

• Monica Melton
• November 9, 2018
• Innovation & Mobility, Operations, Sales & Marketing, Strategy, Technology

Mountain America CU Eyes Fintech Partners in 2019

Mountain America Credit Union is scouting fintech partners to provide self-service options, plus mobile and online capabilities to its auto finance customers. “We’re looking at partnership models with fintechs, that’s our biggest focus over the next six to 18 months,” said Jade Beckman, vice president of consumer lending at the West Jordan, Utah-based credit union, […]

• Monica Melton
• November 8, 2018
• Innovation & Mobility, Operations, Strategy, Technology

Daimler Mobility Platforms Reach 26 Million Users, Amid Global Expansion

Daimler AG’s mobile platforms have notched 64% growth in users this year. Through September, more than 26 million customers have used Daimler mobile ride-hailing and car rental services like car2go, mytaxi, and moovel, the OEM announced today. Newly released usage numbers coincide with the announcement that the German company will change its name to Daimler […]

• Monica Melton
• October 30, 2018
• Asia, Innovation & Mobility, Operations, Strategy

Gubagoo Announces Car Selling Tool For Dealership Sites and Facebook

Gubagoo, which provides a chat, text and video platform for dealers, said this week that its adding retail capabilities to its service. The new features, which are now being piloted, are designed to allow car buyers to use Gubagoo to calculate payments, value trade-ins, apply for rebates, submit credit applications and purchase insurance. The retail […]

• Monica Melton
• October 18, 2018
• Innovation & Mobility, Sales & Marketing, Technology

Drive Motors Hires Head of Strategic Partnerships

Drive Motors, an online sales platform for dealers, announced today the appointment of Chris Gugliotta as its head of strategic partnerships. Gugliotta brings 20 years’ experience in technology, automotive, and retail sales. He was formerly the head of innovation and online sales at Lithia Motors, a dealership headquartered in Medford, Oregon. In his new role, […]

• Monica Melton
• October 16, 2018
• Innovation & Mobility, Operations, Strategy