Auto Dealer Monthly

APR 2012

Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine is the daily operations publication serving the retail automotive industry. This automotive publication serves dealer principals, officers and general managers with the latest best practices.

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One question we're asked every year is, "How do the Dealers' Choice Awards work?" And that is not a simple question to answer. First, we compiled a survey that allows dealers and dealership personnel to vote for providers in 21 different categories. Survey respondents are asked to cast votes only for providers with which they have first-hand knowledge and experience. In addition to identifying their primary providers in each category, respondents must rate their providers in four areas: 1) the product or service provided, 2) customer support and service, 3) the overall value for dollars spent, and 4) whether the dealer would recommend the provider. The 2012 Dealers' Choice Awards survey was open online from Jan. 2, 2012, through Feb. 17, 2012. Those who voted in at least five categories qualified to be entered in a random drawing in which two Kindle Fires were given away. In past years, the survey was set up as multiple-choice, with a list of companies under a category from which to choose, plus the option of a write-in vote for a company that wasn't listed. This year, there were no multiple choice options, and instead respondents had to write in their primary provider for each category in order to vote. While this process did create some extra work in matching up companies based on differences in how respondents identify their providers (e.g., Arkona and DealerTrack), this eliminated some past concerns regarding write-in votes. Now everyone is a write-in vote. In the auditing process, all votes were reviewed, scrutinized and cleansed for companies that received votes in the wrong categories. As always, the sheer number of votes is not the deciding factor. What matters is quality, not quantity. Scores were totaled, averaged and weighted for each provider. Then the overall average vote across all categories was assigned a value of 100. Then the scores – including group averages and company scores – were adjusted accordingly, relative to their position above or below the overall average. Scores are rounded to one decimal place when reporting the final numbers. However, final placement is determined by raw scores, which are carried out several decimal places. Consequently, two companies may appear to have the same score in the final announcements but be placed differently. In order to tie, two nominees must have exactly the same score. The provider with the highest above-average score receives the Diamond Award, followed by the Platinum Award and the Gold Award, respectively, provided their scores are above the group average. 2012 DEALERS' CHOICE AWARDS T THE RULES his year marks the eighth straight year that Auto Dealer Monthly has recognized the highest-rated vendors, suppliers and finance companies in the automotive industry. The Dealers' Choice Awards are based solely on votes cast by dealers and dealership personnel. As they are the people who use these products and services every day, there's no better way to judge the product and service providers in the industry. The Awards feature 21 dif- ferent categories this year, and each company was rated on the product/service it provides, customer service, the overall value of the product/service, and if they would be willing to recommend the provider to another dealer. There are three awards that can be awarded per category— the Diamond, Platinum and Gold awards. To win one of these esteemed awards, a company must have a score among the top three and score above the group average. The highest-scoring company above the group average wins the Diamond Award, while the second- and third-highest-scor- ing companies with above-average scores earn the Platinum and Gold Awards, respectively. Each year, the Awards fea- ture first-time winners that shake up the competition, as well as favorites that win awards every year. In addition to the Awards giving credit where credit is due, it is also the prime place for dealers to research when look- ing for new third-party providers. Auto Dealer Monthly would like to extend congratulations to the 40 different companies that won a total of 48 awards in the 2012 Dealers' Choice Awards. To achieve these accolades, they must be doing an exceptional job. Also, thank you to all the dealers and deal- ership personnel who took time out of their busy schedules to cast votes for their product and service providers!

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