IRVINE, Calif., March 09, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL), a leading provider of online automotive services connecting consumers with dealers, is gearing up to announce the winner of its prestigious 2015 Dealer of the Year Award on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 1:30pm PDT, at the NADA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0d695b00-a0cc-4f28-b85e-9af8014cf74b
The official awards presentation will be made at the Autobytel convention booth, #2267C.
The company recently announced three exceptional #ABTLDealerStars as winners of the Autobytel Dealer of the Month Award for Q4 2015. The winners all employ the highest standards in digital automotive retail sales, lead management processes and customer service. They are also committed to implementing emerging technologies at their dealerships to enhance business and drive sales. They round out the year’s incredible list of winners.
Q4 2015 Dealer of the Month Award winners are Robert Marcial of Lake Elsinore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Kyle Bolton of Newton Nissan; and Chip Alvey of the Oxmoor Auto Group.
“We are continually impressed by the Autobytel Dealer of the Month winners and their successful approach to embracing new and innovative technologies to drive and manage leads, and ultimately sell more cars,” said Jeff Coats, President and CEO of Autobytel Inc. “It is certainly no surprise that these dealers excel in an already competitive field of thousands of automotive retailers, and we are particularly excited to recognize the Dealer of the Year winner in the coming weeks.”
Autobytel’s sales and dealer operations teams rigorously evaluate prospective candidates from thousands of automotive retailers in the Autobytel network, and across multiple criteria, before making their selections.
Newcomer Lake Elsinore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Southern California just opened its doors in August 2014 and is already distancing itself from the competition. Internet Director, Robert Marcial, credits the dealership’s success by focusing on its Process, Product, and People, and by dedicating one representative to each customer from initial contact to the delivery of the vehicle. The team uses TextShield by Autobytel, enabling car buyers to text with the dealership, which has become the preferred communication channel of most consumers. His team believes TextShield keeps a steady stream of customers coming into their dealership.
Newton Nissan serves the Nashville, Tennessee area and surrounding markets. Newton Nissan’s Internet Sales Manager, Kyle Bolton, says that fully understanding lead sources, the lead management process, and communicating clearly, directly, and openly with customers are keys to his dealership’s success. Bolton is also a firm believer of learning proven best practices from industry leaders like Autobytel and the tips offered in the Autobytel Dealer Insights Series. He created a comprehensive play book highlighting these tips for his sales team. The dealership also uses Autobytel’s next generation virtual showroom, SaleMove, featuring audio and video communication along with co-browsing, to recreate the physical showroom experience on their website.
The Oxmoor Automotive Group in Kentucky serves the greater Louisville area. Chip Alvey, the group’s Marketing Director, says his team members work closely with their Autobytel representative to refine leads for each of their brands, carefully selecting specific territories and sources for each model which has improved overall close rates. Alvey dedicates much of the dealership’s success to process, and says his team knows exactly how to manage each lead – on day one, day two, even beyond day 30. They also understand the importance of providing exceptional customer service since today’s consumers visit few dealerships, instead doing the bulk of their research online.
Following is the complete list of 2015 Autobytel Dealer of the Month Winners:
Christian Robinson, Subaru of Las Vegas
Paul Hamilton, Livermore Toyota
Keith Sponburgh, Packey Webb Ford
Shane Maness, Hastings Ford
Joe Homen, Tracy Toyota
Lexie Brecke, Dolan Auto Group
Ben Seyden, Taylor Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Rob Grossheim, Stillwell Ford
Peter Deiser, Ed Morse Automotive Group
Robert Macial, Lake Elsinore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Kyle Bolton, Newton Nissan
Chip Alvey, Oxmoor Auto Group
To learn more about the Autobytel Dealers of the Month, visit the Dealer Corner at http://dealer.autobytel.com/dealer-corner/. Visit http://dealer.autobytel.com/auto-dealer-lead-products/ and http://mobile.autobytel.com to learn about the company’s leading automotive information and products and services.
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About Autobytel Inc.
Autobytel Inc. provides high quality consumer leads and associated marketing services to automotive dealers and manufacturers throughout the United States and offers consumers robust and original online automotive content to help them make informed car-buying decisions. The company pioneered the automotive internet in 1995 with its flagship website http://www.autobytel.com/ and has since helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and helped every major automaker market its brand online. Investors and other interested parties can receive Autobytel news releases and invitations to special events by accessing the online registration form at investor.autobytel.com/alerts.cfm.
CONTACT: CONTACT: Autobytel Inc. Media Relations Splash Media Jennifer Lange 9499164820 [email protected] or Autobytel Inc. Investor Relations Kimberly Boren SVP, Chief Financial Officer 949-862-1396 [email protected] or Cody Slach or Sean Mansouri Liolios Group, Inc. 9495743860 [email protected]