New Report Reveals ‘Apparent Consumer Appetite’ for Chatbots

BOCA RATON, Fla. — A new study reveals an apparent appetite among consumers for chatbots, but it concluded that these digital boxes that allow customers to converse with a human or AI-enabled bot still have ways to go before impacting business. Released today by mobile marketing firm 3Cinteractive Corp. (3C), the Chatbot Consumer Report provides ... Read More »

VW Credit Invests in AutoGravity

HERNDON, Va. — VW Credit Inc. (VCI) today announced it is making an equity investment in automotive fintech firm AutoGravity, pending customary regulatory approvals. According to company officials, the strategic investment supports the captive’s goal to digitize the customer financing process. The announcement means finance options from Volkswagen Credit are now available to the more than ... Read More »

F&I Digital Media Awards Now Accepting Entries

TORRANCE, Calif. — Entries are now being accepted for the 2017 F&I Digital Media Awards, organizers announced Friday. The submission deadline is Friday, March 31, 2017. The program, which was designed to honor companies and individuals who are driving innovation in the digital F&I space, is presented by F&I and Showroom and sponsored by F&I Express. It is comprised ... Read More »

Study: Consumers Want to Buy Big-Ticket Items From Their Smartphones

SAN FRANCISCO — A new study shows that one-third of consumers are open to buying cars from their mobile device. However, the same study showed that 86% of them still want to test-drive the vehicle before purchases. The study, which surveyed, 1,185 consumers, was conducted by Survata on behalf of Roadster, a three-year-old company that ... Read More »

Agents and the Rise of the Digital Consumer