Technology

SME, a nonprofit committed to accelerating new manufacturing technology adoption and building North America’s talent, has added a new training program, and an electric vehicle fundamentals certification to serve the quickly evolving talent needs in the electrification market. SME said the expansion builds on its long history serving the automotive industry’s talent needs and accelerating […] [Read More]

NAVIcon returns to Used Car Week on Nov. 9. Who should attend? “Anyone who has an interest in innovation around automotive technology,” said Steve Greenfield, CEO of Automotive Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on the automotive and mobility space. NAVIcon — short for National Auto Venture & Investors Conference — is a partnership […] [Read More]

Amazon is getting on board with artificial intelligence vehicle inspections. UVeye announced a partnership with Amazon to deploy its fully automated vehicle inspection (AVI) system in Amazon’s delivery stations in the U.S., Canada, Germany and the U.K. The AI-powered system automates most of the daily inspection process of delivery vehicles, UVeye said, scanning the vehicles […] [Read More]

Reynolds and Reynolds is investing in the future of the auto industry through education. The dealership software provider has committed to provide financial help for students at Northwood University and Sinclair Community College who are pursuing automotive careers. The company announced it is funding $375,000 in scholarships over the next three years for students at […] [Read More]

Former OPENLANE and Cox Automotive executive Zach Hallowell has been named the head of industry transformation at CarGurus, the company announced Wednesday. Hallowell’s role will include providing “strategic and operational guidance as CarGurus continues to evolve its platform to empower dealers and consumers across an increasingly digital landscape,” the company said. His most recent post […] [Read More]

The new receptionist at the car dealership might soon be virtual. STELLA Automotive AI has launched STELLA Reception, a conversational artificial intelligence designed to answer the telephone. The company said STELLA Reception engages with customers like a live receptionist, using an AI-powered digital voice assistant that recognizes and uses natural language and provides personalized interactions […] [Read More]

At the NAAA World Remarketing Convention last month, senior editor Joe Overby connected with Greg Lubrani, CSO of Repair OnDemand, for an episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast. They discuss the company’s recent launch of a new post sale inspection (PSI) product through One Guard Inspections, which is part of Repair OnDemand. Plus, Greg and […] [Read More]

Hertz’s efforts to support electric vehicle use has received a glowing endorsement. The rental car giant was among 15 individuals and organizations named as recipients of the 2023 Drive Electric Awards, presented by Plug In America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the shift to EVs. Plug In America said the awards recognize those […] [Read More]

CARS — which includes the Cars.com, Dealer Inspire, FUEL, DealerRater, CreditIQ and Accu-Trade.com properties — said Tuesday that it is rebranding its commercial enterprise to “Cars Commerce,” to unite its various commercial brands. The company said the Cars Commerce brand “more accurately reflects the industry leadership that has defined the enterprise over the last quarter-century […] [Read More]

Consumer confidence in fully automated self-driving vehicles has declined for a second consecutive year, according to J.D. Power’s latest research. The 2023 U.S. Mobility Confidence Index Study showed the score for consumer readiness for automated vehicles dropped two points to 37 on a 100-point scale from last year’s study, adding up to a five-point decrease […] [Read More]