Chicago, Illinois (MMD Newswire) February 9, 2012 – Chicago auto insurance leader, Insurance Navy, announced that it has recently added a new locations for its business in the Melrose Park area, a western suburb of Chicago.

The new office came in line with the Company’s expansion policy in the Chicago area. The facilitiy will offer auto insurance, Illinois SR22 insurance quotes and other business insurance services such as Illinois tow truck insurance to the comminities in Melrose Park, Maywood, Stone Park, Northlake, Hillside, and Bellwood.

Insurance Navy Spokesman, Mr. Rami Sneineh, stated that the new office which commenced operations earlier last month, is ‘aimed at continuing the effort to offer quality Illinois auto insurance rates to our clients in the North Illinois and Southwest Indiana. Currently our agency has twelve locations offering various types of car insurance quotes and other business insurance services,” Mr. Sneineh said.

About Insurance Navy

Insurance Navy has been offering varieties of Indiana and Illinois auto insurance quotes for its clients. The company has been in business since 2007. It represents several insurance companies such as Progressive auto insurance, the Hartford, and dozens of other carriers.

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Improves fuel efficiency, CO2 emissions, and security, while reducing UV exposure

Washington D.C., (MMD Newswire) February 8, 2012 — In an effort to educate legislators and regulators about the correlation between the benefits provided by laminated glass and reduced emissions and enhanced fuel efficiency, The Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive Association (EPGAA) demonstrated the significant solar heat-reducing ability of Laminated Glass with Advanced Solar Control technology during the SAE Government and Industry meeting January 25-27, held in conjunction with the Washington D.C. Auto Show.

Such technology has demonstrated the ability to improve vehicle fuel efficiency by nearly 3% by reducing the need for air conditioning (A/C) power consumption in vehicles, as measured during drive cycle testing. By reducing A/C need, Laminated Glass also can improve the performance of emerging fuel efficiency technologies, such as engine start/stop, by keeping the vehicle cooler while stopped (i.e.- when the engine is off.). It can also contribute to increasing electric vehicle (EV) range and mitigating consumer “range anxiety” since A/C power consumption significantly reduces EV range. And with the proliferation of onboard vehicle electronics, reducing A/C consumption conserves the scarce available power to ensure seamless operation of vehicle electronics. The list of such features is growing: Navigation, Bluetooth and inter-car connectivity, active RADAR, LIDAR, IR, and ultrasonic sensors, rear seat entertainment (RSE) and consumer interfaces. Each feature draws power from the same 12-14 volts normally available in a car.

Since the current NHTSA drive cycle test to determine fuel efficiency does not measure the benefits from A/C efficiency improvements, the EPA has made it possible for automotive OEMs to receive “off-cycle” credits toward vehicle emissions when equipped with key technologies such as Laminated Glass with Advanced Solar Control.

Laminated Glass used in side window positions also reduces exposure to cancer-causing UVA radiation from the sun. Much of the sun’s UVA radiation easily passes through “normal” automotive tempered side glass, whereas Laminated Glass blocks over 99%. Now, vehicle windows can be an important measure to reduce UVA exposure, considering that millions of new diagnoses occur each year -and billions of dollars are spent in treatment- related to skin cancer.

“Automotive OEMs go to tremendous lengths to improve vehicle safety, security, efficiency, and emissions,” said Pete Dishart, Director, New Product Development and Emerging Technologies for Pittsburgh Glass Works and EPGAA President. “It

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Orlando, Florida (MMD Newswire) February 2, 2012 —

ActivEngage®, the automotive industry’s premium live chat and real-time website intelligence and reporting solution, today announced that SiSTeR Technologies has integrated ActivEngage live chat into its new application – the Publisher -as part of the company’s 4DF video player. All ActivEngage clients using SiSTeR Technologies’video platform will now have live chat embedded directly into their player, creating additional lead generation opportunities.

It is common knowledge that video remains one of the most powerful ways for dealerships to showcase inventory and engage automotive Internet shoppers on their websites. Unlike most other video solutions, SiSTeR Technologies has integrated ActivEngage live chat technology into its video publisher platform and the ActiveEngage app into its 4DF player.

The Publisher allows auto dealers to add third party provider apps to the top section of the player to create a customized viewing experience for their website visitors. When the user clicks on these embedded apps, the video pauses and the app launches directly from the player. This functionality is integrated with all 4DF video players located on the dealer website, Facebook, Cars.com or AutoTrader.com. Dealers can choose from various apps including lead forms, credit applications, trade-in evaluations and chat based communication platforms to entice their video viewers to take the next step in the dealer’s online sales process.

“We are very excited about this integration with SiSTeR Technologies and allowing the consumer new and exciting ways to communicate with dealers,”said Eric Schlesinger, ActivEngage Director of Sales. “Both companies are at the cutting edge and this is yet another way we can not only help our customers but also create a much better end user experience. After all, it is all about creating the best user experience as possible.”

Israel Alpert, founder and CEO of SiSTeR Technologies, elaborated that his company, “Already delivers more than 3 million views every month and over two thirds of those views are beyond the dealer’s website. Our 4DF player is integrated into every major lead provider’s site, Facebook and is directly accessed from YouTube. Including ActivEngage’s live chat and other 4DF apps has the potential of increasing the ROI for the dealers by a factor of 5-8 times, all with no additional cost, in just seconds.”

The Publisher is provided free of charge to all auto dealers, partners and application providers of SiSTeR Technologies. Moreover, all ActivEngage clients that employ the

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DALLAS, TX (MMD Newswire) February 2, 2012 — Contact At Once!, the dealer chat software leader, and SiSTeR Technologies, the pioneer and thought leader of automated video rendering technology systems, today announced the integration of Contact At Once! dealer chat into SiSTeR’s dealer video products. Dealers who presently use Deluxe or Premium versions of Contact At Once! Dealer Edition packages and who use SiSTeR Technologies video platform, The Publisher, will now have ContactAtOnce! chat embedded directly into the video player, allowing direct, real-time dealer contact as the shopper views video footage of the vehicles offered by the dealership.

While video has proven to be an effective sales and marketing tool, it has traditionally been a one-way communication option, with little opportunity for customer engagement. By adding Contact At Once! chat to SiSTeR Technologies’ vehicle walk-a-round videos, powered by The Publisher, there is now a clear call to action – one that invites the shopper to ask questions and that builds rapport between the customer and dealership sales professionals.

Unique to the industry, The Publisher serves as an integrated marketing platform, allowing auto dealers to add multiple third-party applications to the top of the player. This results in a customized viewing experience for dealer website visitors. As the shopper clicks on one these embedded applications, the video then pauses play while the app launches directly from the player. In addition to Contact At Once! chat, dealers can choose from a variety of compatible applications, to include credit applications and trade-in evaluations, in order to entice their video viewers to take the next steps along the shopping path.

“The Contact At Once! Deluxe Partner Program is for providers of applications that complement our dealer chat solution and that, when integrated, increase the value derived by dealers who are our mutual customers,” said Director of Business Development, Lloyd Hecht. “This partnership makes video a much more interactive sales tool, as shoppers now have a direct and real-time connection to dealership sales professionals while the thought of buying that next vehicle is top of mind.”

The Publisher is provided free of charge to all auto dealers, partners and application providers of SiSTeR Technologies. Contact At Once! Dealer Edition customers at the Deluxe or Premium level, and who utilize SiSTeR Technologies Publisher, will have the live chat integration feature available at no additional charge. Contact At Once! Deluxe or Premium customers should contact their

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J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Remains Steady, Despite an Increase in Claims Filing and Repair Times

More Insurance Companies Are Asking Customers to File Auto Damage Claims Through Call Centers Rather than through Agents

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (MMD Newswire) January 31, 2012 — Overall customer satisfaction with the auto claims experience remained stable during the fourth quarter of 2011, despite an increase in the number of auto insurance claims and the amount of time needed to repair vehicles, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM–Wave 1 released today.

An increase in claims due to weather-related damage led to higher volumes at repair shops during the fourth quarter of 2011. For vehicles that were ultimately repaired, it took an average of 8.5 days for customers to get their repaired vehicle back from the shop, nearly one full day longer than the average of 7.8 days during the third quarter of 2011. However, overall customer satisfaction remained relatively flat, averaging 855 on a 1,000-point scale during the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with 854 during the third quarter and 848 during the second quarter of 2011.

“Auto body shops handled the increased repair volume well, and insurance companies did a good job of keeping their customers informed, which helped manage customer expectations,” said Jeremy Bowler, senior director of the insurance practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “Communication between insurance companies and their customers is vital to satisfaction during the claims process. Customers tend to be significantly more satisfied when their insurer lets them know when they can expect their vehicle to be fixed and then provides updates along the way, than are customers whose insurance company provides less communication.”

While the frequency with which insurance companies communicate with their customers plays a vital role in overall satisfaction, the way in which customers communicate with their insurance company also has a notable effect.

The study finds important shifts in the way customers report vehicle damage to their insurance company. For example, several agency-based carriers appear to be encouraging their customers to contact a call center rather than their agent to file a claim, a practice sometimes referred to as direct first notice of loss. While customer satisfaction with the direct method is steadily improving–from an average of 849 during the second quarter of 2011 to 862 during the fourth quarter–satisfaction is still greater among those customers

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J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Many New-Vehicle Buyers Avoid Certain Brands Due to “Conventional Wisdom” about Reliability, Rather Than Specific Information

Avoidance of Models Due to Foreign Origin Increases to Historically High Level

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: (MMD Newswire) January 26, 2012 — More than 40 percent of new-vehicle buyers who avoided a particular model due to quality or reliability concerns say they based their opinions on conventional wisdom or common knowledge rather than personal experience, reviews, ratings or recommendations, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Avoider Study,SM released today.

The study, now in its ninth year, examines the reasons consumers fail to consider–or avoid–particular models when shopping for a new vehicle.

Perceptions of vehicle reliability have consistently been a prominent reason for avoiding a particular brand or model. The study finds that, among buyers who avoid a particular model due to concerns about quality and reliability, a sizable proportion–43 percent–say their avoidance was due to “the brand’s vehicles, in general, are known to have poor quality/reliability.” A smaller percentage–38 percent–based their avoidance decision on ratings and reviews, while an even smaller proportion–14 percent–based their decision on prior ownership of the model.

“The fact that so many new-vehicle buyers may be basing their opinions about quality and reliability on pre-conceived notions, rather than concrete information or data, demonstrates how important it is for automakers to promote the quality and reliability of their models,” said Jon Osborn, research director at J.D. Power and Associates. “For some brands, namely those that have created marked improvements in their quality and reliability in recent years, it’s even more vital to tell their improvement story, rather than just waiting for perceptions to change over time.”

According to Osborn, it’s also important for consumers to challenge their perceptions about what they may think they know about the quality and reliability of a particular model. The automotive industry has undergone significant quality and dependability improvement during the past decade, and fierce competition has created an environment in which only the strongest brands and models can survive. Although a brand or model may have had a poor reputation for quality or reliability in the past, actual quality or reliability performance may have improved since then. Seeking reviews and recommendations from trusted sources is particularly helpful in making consideration or avoidance decisions.

The study also finds that the percentage of buyers who avoided import models because of their origin has increased to 14 percent in 2012–the

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J.D. Power and LMC Automotive Report: January New-Vehicle Retail Sales Show Continued Strength from Robust 2011 Close

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: (MMD Newswire) January 25, 2012 — New-vehicle retail sales performance in January is abating fears of any reversal from the strong close to 2011, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates Power Information Network® (PIN) and LMC Automotive.

Retail Light-Vehicle Sales

January new-vehicle retail sales are projected to come in at 681,000 units, an increase of 6 percent from January 2011. This represents a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 10.9 million units, which is lower than the selling rate in December 2011 but well above January 2011. Retail transactions are the most accurate measurement of true underlying consumer demand for new vehicles.

“Retail light-vehicle sales in January are showing stability coming off the 2011 high note in December,” said John Humphrey, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power and Associates. “Vehicles are currently remaining on dealer lots for fewer than 50 days on average, which is the lowest level for January for the past several years. This is a good indication that pent-up demand is beginning to return to the market.”

Total Light-Vehicle Sales

Total light-vehicle sales in January are expected to come in at 869,600 units, which is 6 percent higher than in January 2011. Fleet sales are expected to increase by 9 percent compared with January 2011, accounting for 22 percent of total sales.

J.D. Power and LMC Automotive U.S. Sales and SAAR Comparisons
                         January 2012(1)               December 2011            January 2011
New-vehicle retail       681,000 units                 1,040,035 units          644,695 units
sales                    (6% higher than January 2011)
Total vehicle sales      869,600 units                 1,240,263 units       
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UK (MMD Newswire) January 20, 2012 – - Source: Department for Transport   (National)
Passengers travelling between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow are set to benefit from an extra 28,000 seats a day under a new flexible franchise agreement which will allow more services to be scheduled around busy periods.
In addition, a long franchise of up to 15 years for the West Coast Main Line will encourage the new operator to invest in improvements at stations and help drive down excessive costs. Other benefits for passengers will include the introduction of smart ticketing technology, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said today as she launched the Invitation to Tender.
Theresa Villiers said:
“Passengers will welcome the 28,000 additional seats this new franchise will deliver everyday on what is becoming one of the UK’s busiest rail lines. A longer, more flexible franchise will encourage private sector investment, for example in improving stations. It will also promote greater efficiency to enable improvements to be made whilst driving down costs.
“The introduction of new requirements on passenger satisfaction will mean the operator has to focus strongly on the issues that matter most to passengers; and the roll out of smart ticketing will provide many more passengers with greater convenience and the sort of advantages already enjoyed in the capital.”
The new franchise will run from December 2012 to March 2026, with an option for the Department to extend for up to 20 months.
A total of 106 new ‘Pendolino’ carriages are being added to the West Coast route, enabling four new train sets to be introduced and 31 existing trains to be lengthened from nine to 11 carriages.
A new flexible franchise agreement gives bidders the flexibility to vary timetables on individual days of the week to cater for changes in demand, enabling the future operator to provide better services for passengers, whilst protecting existing services by specifying a minimum number of stops at each station.
Notes to editors
1. Virgin Trains’ existing contract to run services on the West Coast Main Line expires on 9 December 2012.
2. Details published of the new franchise that will take over from 9 December 2012, are set out by the Department in an Invitation to Tender (ITT) which can be accessed at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-passenger-franchise-intercity-west-coast
3. The Invitation to Tender follows a consultation designed to give the public and stakeholders a chance to have their say on what they wanted from the new franchise.
4. The proposed Train Service Specification for new
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Press Release – For Immediate Release
January 19, 2012 (MMD Newswire) – - Mr Robert Winfrey, a guest writer for Web-Est, shared his thoughts on ways to use the estimating process to keep your customers from taking their business elsewhere.  “Alot of the time when insurers do not inspect a drivable car they tell the customer to go get three estimates. Well 9 times out of 10 unless that customer is sold on you and your shop, they are going to go with the cheapest of the estimates.”  Mr. Winfrey goes on to share various methods that he’s learned for cutting costs while still protecting the shop’s bottom line.  You can read the full post by visiting our Auto Body Corner blog.
About Web-Est:
Web-Est is a provider of Collision Estimating Software offered at $99 per month.  They use the Mitchell International Database and is accepted by all major insurance companies.  Their Internet technology make their program accessible from any location. More details online: http://web-est.com
Source: Web-Est (a logic-based collision repair estimating program)
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Press Release – For Immediate Release
January 19, 2012 (MMD Newswire) – - Mr Robert Winfrey, a guest writer for Web-Est, shared his thoughts on ways to use the estimating process to keep your customers from taking their business elsewhere.  “Alot of the time when insurers do not inspect a drivable car they tell the customer to go get three estimates. Well 9 times out of 10 unless that customer is sold on you and your shop, they are going to go with the cheapest of the estimates.”  Mr. Winfrey goes on to share various methods that he’s learned for cutting costs while still protecting the shop’s bottom line.  You can read the full post by visiting our Auto Body Corner blog.
About Web-Est:
Web-Est is a provider of Collision Estimating Software offered at $99 per month.  They use the Mitchell International Database and is accepted by all major insurance companies.  Their Internet technology make their program accessible from any location. More details online: http://web-est.com
Source: Web-Est (a logic-based collision repair estimating program)
###
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