Pleasanton, CA, July 14, 2009 – CIMA Systems (www.cimasystems.net), the leading provider of multi-channel marketing communications technologies for the automobile industry, announced today its latest software upgrade, designed to take full advantage of the newest technology trends in communications.

 This extensive release from CIMA offers major enhancements that allow for trends in the latest communications technologies and tools on the media horizon. Further, the new release enhances CIMA’s already advanced reporting tool allowing dealers to view trends in market penetration and zip code mapping analysis on all car deals and service repair orders.

 “As new ways of reaching customers continues across society, these improvements to our system give car dealers more flexibility, speed and robust technology to communicate with their market base using the newest forms of emerging media, helping them to increase their business through more interactive marketing and customer retention communications,” said Gary Nixon, President & CEO.

Reflecting this dramatic upgrade, CIMA also announced new branding, resulting in a new logo and tagline — “Building Customer Loyalty Through Innovative Communications” – and a new, more comprehensive website. This new branding reflects several new system technologies as well as new marketing and communications products such as hosted live chat and blogs that help auto dealers grow their business more efficiently and effectively.

 Unlike a typical one-way “blast” promotion, the CIMA system works like a virtual business development center, delivering unlimited two-way communications to dealership customers and prospects. It automatically communicates to customers based on their individual or vehicle needs to increase customer loyalty and response rate. Working automatically in the background, CIMA promotes the entire dealership based on any data which resides in the dealership’s dealer management system.

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LOS ANGELES (June 22, 2009) – Forty-five years after he introduced the original Ford Mustang, launched at a dramatic press conference at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, auto industry visionary Lee Iacocca today announced a new version of the famous muscle car – the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang – a breathtaking vehicle that utilizes the latest in Ford performance technology with a style and panache that screams, Mustang fastback. Only 45 “2009½” Iacocca Silver Edition Mustangs – all painted a special “Iacocca” chosen silver hue – will be built.

Nearly two years in the making, the Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang is a collaborative effort by Iacocca, designer Michael Leone, and Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters, the world-class coachbuilding and Design Company in Fountain Valley, Calif. The new business venture is called I Legacy, and it will be in concert with Galpin Ford, the exclusive Ford dealership to offer these Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustangs to the public.

In a word, the new Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang is stunning. The lines flow organically from front to rear. The hand-crafted piece of rolling art, with its innovations and impact of the fastback design is truly exceptional in every way. With its sunken headlights, slanted grill and low stance, the car gives you “street attitude.”

“Once in a while a car comes along that changes everything, and that was the original Mustang,” said Iacocca.

The Silver Edition Mustang perpetuates the Iacocca mystique.

The car begins life on a 2009 Mustang platform, which is then uniquely modified and coachbuilt. While the exterior fastback design of the Iacocca Silver Mustang is compelling, the mechanical underpinnings are true American muscle. Two power plant options will be offered, a normally-aspirated 4.6-liter Ford V8 rated at 320 horsepower and an optional supercharged version that delivers a head-snapping 400‑horsepower. Both engines are covered by a factory Ford warranty. Drivers will harness the power through a quick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission.

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Gahanna, OH – DealerPro, the nation’s leading high-performance training group specifically for dealers, announced today they have selected CIMA Systems as the exclusive communications provider to integrate with DealerPro’s SMART System in order to maximize profits in the Service Department.

SMART, short for Scheduled Maintenance at Regular Times, is DealerPro’s proprietary service menu system that helps dealerships and manufacturers maximize profits per customer and service visit. In addition to the SMART system, DealerPro trainers will use their more than 22 years experience to consult and train service departments on the integration of SMART into their current process.

By integrating SMART’s service menus with CIMA System’s product suite, customers will receive scheduled communications from the dealership regarding a needed service or repair. The email will link directly to the dealership’s SMART system, which takes the customers to an online list of manufacturer recommended services. From the menu, the customer selects the services needed and can automatically schedule an appointment, by web or phone. In addition, using SMART, customers can also view dealership labor and parts rates, view videos or listen to audio clips and receive automated appointment reminders 24 hours before an appointment. The integration of CIMA will also help dealerships attract and retain current customers by keeping them informed and up to date via regularly scheduled communications and promotions.

“I’ve been in this business over 37 years, including some time as a dealer, so I had a pretty lengthy wish list when it came time to look for a marketing communication tool to integrate with SMART. When we found CIMA, I was thrilled to find it hit every requirement I had,” said Don Reed, CEO DealerPro Service Solutions. “In my mind it is the optimum system for bringing business into the service department.”

Using DealerPro and CIMA together, dealerships have the ability to increase service revenue by more than 40 percent. In addition to the SMART system, DealerPro will offer unparalleled consulting and training knowledge to ensure staff members are using the system to its full potential. As a part of the partnership, CIMA will recommend DealerPro’s training and consulting program to their clients.

“Don has a tremendous reputation in the industry as a leader in training and consulting services. Between his mastery at bringing out the best in the service staff and the integration of DealerPro and CIMA in SMART, dealerships have all of the ammunition needed to make their service department the powerhouse of the dealership,” said Gary Nixon, President & CEO, CIMA Systems.

The SMART System and dealership training is available from DealerPro immediately. For more information on DealerPro, please visit www.dealerprotraining.com (http://www.dealerprotraining.com/) or call 1.888.553.0100. For more information on CIMA Systems or its products please visit www.cimasystems.net or call (866) 461-CIMA.

DealerPro, the training group specifically for dealers, announced today they have selected CIMA Systems as the exclusive communications provider to integrate with DealerPro’s SMART System in order to maximize profits in the Service Department.  

SMART, short for Scheduled Maintenance at Regular Times, is DealerPro’s proprietary service menu system that helps dealerships and manufacturers maximize profits per customer and service visit. In addition to the SMART system, DealerPro trainers will use their more than 22 years experience to consult and train service departments on the integration of SMART into their current process.

By integrating SMART’s service menus with CIMA System’s product suite, customers will receive scheduled communications from the dealership regarding a needed service or repair. The e-mail will link directly to the dealership’s SMART system, which takes the customers to an online list of manufacturer recommended services. From the menu, the customer selects the services needed and can automatically schedule an appointment, by web or phone. In addition, using SMART, customers can also view dealership labor and parts rates, view videos or listen to audio clips and receive automated appointment reminders 24 hours before an appointment. The integration of CIMA will also help dealerships attract and retain current customers by keeping them informed and up to date via regularly scheduled communications and promotions.

Using DealerPro and CIMA together, dealerships can increase service revenue by more than 40 percent, the companies said. In addition to the SMART system, DealerPro will offer consulting and training knowledge to ensure staff members are using the system to its full potential. As a part of the partnership, CIMA will recommend DealerPro’s training and consulting program to their clients.

For more information visit www.dealerprotraining.com

CIMA Systems, a Customer Interactive Management Application (CIMA) that serves as an automated business development center (BDC) for dealerships, introduced CIMA Hosted LiveChat, an innovative new take on the LiveChat feature. Unlike other LiveChat solutions that are placed on a dealer Web site and hosted by dealership personnel, the CIMA Hosted LiveChat proactively engages the customers/prospects visiting a dealer’s Web site and email marketing campaigns.
 
“By embedding CIMA Hosted LiveChat into emails in addition to placing links on the dealership’s Web site, dealers will experience greater LiveChat opportunities resulting in connecting with the prospect/customer sooner and more often” says Gary Nixon, President & CEO of CIMA Systems. “CIMA’s Hosted LiveChat actively engages the recipient in one-on-one interaction pro-actively 18 hours per day, seven days a week,”

The system takes the load off of dealership personnel and is designed to promptly deliver Hot Sales Leads to your dealership so you can put your best sales people on them. Statistics show that 99 percent of people use LiveChat for immediate answers so 99 percent of the time you must follow-up immediately.

“Our customers really enjoy the live interaction with the dealership. CIMA LiveChat has greatly assisted us in consistently driving more sales and service appointments to our dealership,” states Leonard Harrington, Dealer Principal of Turlock Auto Plaza.

Each of CIMA’s highly qualified agents is trained to handle inquiries about your inventory, vehicle price and service requests and turn them into ups and service appointments. In this way, CIMA Hosted LiveChat delivers a more pro-active LiveChat option without the need for dealership personnel. Each CIMA agent has access to a custom Dealer Knowledge Center which is developed for each dealership allowing agents to access the dealership’s products and pertinent information. The system also provides detailed lead information and transcripts immediately following a LiveChat, as well as weekly reporting and analytics to provide dealers with the insight that drives performance.

CIMA Systems, a Customer Interactive Management Application (CIMA) that serves as an automated business development center (BDC) for dealerships, announced the hiring of Tom Austin as Regional Sales Executive to the Northeast region. In Austin’s new role with CIMA, his primary responsibility will be overseeing sales to all dealerships in the area. Bringing more than thirty years of experience with the Chrysler, LLC, Austin was the Five Star Manager at Chrysler’s Mid-Atlantic Business Center from 2003-2008, where he exceeded Sales Training Revenue targets during each year of his tenure.

Austin’s impressive record at Chrysler included overseeing all aspects of the Five Star Certification Program for the Mid-Atlantic Business Center’s 340-plus Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge dealerships. Austin also managed all planning, development, and promotion for new product launches and was directly responsible for administering training campaigns for the entire Mid-Atlantic Business Center management and field staff.

A graduate of Penn State’s Business Management program, Austin has extensive experience within the Chrysler Corporation. Prior to becoming a Five Star Manager he held the positions of Minneapolis Zone Dealer Development Manager and Zone Process and Training Manager, among others.
“I’m very excited to be a part of CIMA Systems,” Austin said. “While I was at Chrysler, we private labeled the CIMA System and I was so impressed I felt the need to get involved. Dealer feedback from the system has been extremely positive.”

“The addition of Tom to our team is a reflection of CIMA’s continued strong growth and expansion,” says Gary Nixon, President & CEO of CIMA Systems. “Tom’s extensive background in sales and management will help us expand CIMA further into the northeast region and we’re very honored to have him join our team.”

PLEASANTON, Calif. – Feb. 4, 2008 – CIMA Systems, a Customer Interactive Management Application (CIMA) that serves as an automated business development center (BDC) for dealerships, today announced it has partnered with Chrysler LLC to provide automated marketing and communications applications to its  Chrysler, Jeep_® and Dodge dealerships. Under the new program, Chrysler has privately labeled the new system Chrysler Interactive Management Application (CIMA). It’s available immediately through Chrysler’s “Dealer Connect” Web site. 

ROCK HILL, SC — Feb. 4, 2007 — Insignia Group, a leading provider of dealership Accessory Sales Systems, announced an integration alliance with CIMA Systems, a customer interactive management application. Through the alliance, Insignia and CIMA Systems will offer mutual dealership clients special pricing on the combined systems. The integrated solutions will provide tools to leverage communications with retail customers while capturing increased profits through accessory sales, promotions, and regular dealership service visits. The combined systems will enable dealers to efficiently track and maintain accurate customer data; manage multi-faceted customer communications programs; and evaluate response.  

 “We are excited to be working with CIMA Systems to further simplify the sales process,” said David Copp Stringer President of Insignia Group. “Our joint solution will give dealers the latest technology based tools to reach and engage their customers.“ 

By joining together, Insignia and CIMA Systems will provide dealers a powerful marketing platform for staying in touch with customers. Dealerships will now be able to leverage CIMA’s powerful marketing platform to link directly to the Insignia accessory sales system.  This allows customers to see dealer pricing and accessory promotions specific to their vehicle and place accessory orders immediately. If the accessory is special ordered, CIMA will automatically notify the customer once the accessory arrives and allow them to immediately schedule an on-line service appointment to get it installed.

 “We at CIMA are excited to provide our customers yet another valuable integration which will drive business into their dealership. The integration between CIMA and Insignia will result in dealers selling more accessories while meeting our motto of “Make it easier for your customers to do business with you””.   – Gary Nixon, President & CEO of CIMA Systems, Inc. 

See the systems demonstrated together in booth 3133W at the NADA Expo February 9-12, 2008.

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PLEASANTON, Calif. – October 2, 2007 – CIMA Systems, a Customer Interactive Management Application (CIMA) that serves as an automated business development center (BDC) for dealerships, today announced they’ve been selected by Suzuki Motor America as a preferred marketing vendor.  

CIMA’s automated communication system captures any vehicle, parts and customer data from a dealership management system (DMS) and communicates two-way unlimited marketing/advertising campaigns to any dealer customer based on the data extracted. In addition, communication to each customer is delivered to them in the way they prefer, i.e., phone, email or text. With the CIMA base system, dealerships will receive CIMA’s patent-pending automated reminder system, automated appointment system (phone or web) and advanced reporting tool (CIMAVision). CIMA enables dealers to communicate with their customers in the way they prefer and includes the ability to attach e-coupons to up sell additional products and services. Customers can then use the automated system to schedule their appointment via a toll free phone number or online. Before their appointment, CIMA will automatically contact the customer with an appointment reminder, using their preferred method of communication.  

In this way, CIMA is providing Suzuki dealerships a complete service and parts process, giving them the best chance to break through the marketing clutter and garner additional in-store leads and service revenue.  

“We’ve been working closely with Suzuki over the past year and are thrilled to be selected as a preferred Suzuki vendor,” said Gary Nixon, President and CEO of CIMA Systems. “The dealerships currently using our system have seen phenomenal return on investment numbers, and we look forward to helping Suzuki dealerships lower their no-show rate, increase upsells, better track their success with reporting and ultimately increase sales in their dealerships.”   

Dealers utilizing the CIMA System will receive special co-op dollars, on top of reduced pricing, from Suzuki for using this forward-thinking marketing technology.  For more information on CIMA Systems, or its products, please visit www.cimasystems.net or call 925-461-4600.

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CIMA Systems is excited to announce our partnership with Chrysler Corp., which will bring Chrysler dealers the premier system for communicating important promotions/information to customers. This collaboration is the result of Chrysler’s substantial research into tools to help generate revenues and profits for their  dealerships while improving customer satisfaction via world-class communications. In today’s competitive environment, pro-active and personalized customer communication is paramount to building customer loyalty and driving sales. The system will be called the Chrysler Interactive Management Application and will tentatively roll out in August. With this roll out, Chrysler will announce special pricing to their dealers.