Tech vendors waive fees, offer aid to dealerships
https://www.autonews.com/dealers/tech-vendors-waive-fees-offer-aid-dealerships|March 25 , 2020
DAVID PHILLIPS Dealerships are getting some help from technology vendors to counter the financial hit brought by the COVID-19 virus, which has slowed sales and forced some showrooms to close to help limit its spread.
Dealership management system giant CDK Global Inc. told dealers in a letter this week that it will temporarily waive all subscription fees for layered applications, such as its Elead CRM and service products, and cut fees for DMS and related products, such as document management and digital contracting, by 25 percent.
April bills will be adjusted automatically to reflect the changes, CDK said.
• Vehicle listings sites CarGurus, Cars.com, TrueCar and Edmunds said they will cut dealerships' subscription fees by half in April. Some listings companies advised stores that they still will receive leads, though volume is expected to be lower than normal.
• Cars.com, CarGurus and TrueCar, citing market uncertainty because of the spreading outbreak, are also suspending financial guidance for 2020.
• RouteOne, which provides software for auto financing, electronic contracting and digital retailing, said it will reduce subscription fees for digital retail products by half. In addition, the company will waive fees for other select products. All discounts will be offered through May 31.