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Sales

• New Default: Maximum Profit Cap for Vehicle Service Contracts

 A new default setting has been added in the Sales screen (line 6) to manage the Maximum Profit Cap for Vehicle Service  Contracts (VSC).

          In addition to your existing maximum pricing, this setting allows you to control VSC profit by:

• A flat dollar cap, or
• A percentage of VSC cost

This gives your team more flexibility and ensures consistent profit margins on service contracts.

• California DMV Link Update: Automatic Repo Fee Box

          For California users, the DMV Link has been enhanced for greater accuracy.

          If a vehicle is already marked as a repossession in DMV Title Info (line 7), the system will now automatically mark the  Repo Fee box (line 1) in the pop-up screen.

This automation helps reduce errors and ensures repossession-related fees are applied correctly.

Contract Screen

• New Feature: Expanded Sub-Category Options in Contract Tab

We’ve added more flexibility when setting up custom sales forms in the Contract tab.

When a form is tied to the “Sales Contract” category, you now have expanded Sub-Category options. This allows you to link forms directly to specific VSC products, such as:

• Bundle
• Dent
• Key/Tire
• Maintenance
• Warranty

This update makes it easier to organize, track, and manage the exact products tied to each sales contract, giving your team more precision and control.

 Inventory

• New Default Setting: Automatic Stock Location

A new default option has been added in Miscellaneous Defaults:

• Line 21: Set a default Location for new inventory (Inventory tab, line 40).

When enabled, any new vehicle added to stock will automatically be assigned to this default location, saving time and ensuring consistency across your inventory records.

Shop

• New Shop Feature: Global Appointments/Reminders

           When adding shop appointments, you now have a new option: Global App/Reminder.

By selecting this option, the appointment description will appear in the Appts/Reminder tab, regardless of which scheduler is selected. This ensures that everyone with access to the appointment list can see it, improving visibility and communication across your team.

• New Shop Feature: Quantity Option for Fees in Kits

          When designing kits in the Shop module, you now have the option to assign a quantity for fees.

          For example, if you create a kit for 4 tires, you can not only set the proper labor hours but also automatically adjust related fees, such as environmental disposal fees, based on the tire count.

This update ensures more accurate estimates and invoicing while saving your team time.

• New Service Shop Feature: Pending PO Parts Tracking

          For Service Shop users, the Pending POs screen now includes a new column indicating which POs have received parts.

          This allows your accounting staff to track received items and avoid posting incomplete invoices in your accounting system. If a  user attempts to post a PO with all or some parts still unreceived, a prompt reminder will appear, giving the option to either:

• Confirm and post the invoice anyway, or
• Wait until all parts are received.

This update helps reduce errors and ensures your accounting records accurately reflect received inventory.

Bookkeeping

• New Bookkeeping Feature: “Add New Loan” Adjustment

          A new adjustment type has been added in the Bookkeeping – Adjustment tab: Add New Loan.

          This option is designed for situations where a customer has an open receivable balance and makes an agreement to finance it. With this feature, you can:

• Select all outstanding invoices from the list.
• Save and enter the details of the agreed financing.
• Manage the customer’s account going forward in the Financed Loan screen.

This streamlines the process of converting receivables into financed loans and keeps all records organized in one place.

ASN CRM

• CRM & Shop Enhancements: Invest in Your Success

          The latest update brings several powerful improvements to ASN CRM and Shop:

• Texting Log: A new way to view and track text conversations with your sales leads.

• Task Management: Enhanced tools to organize and group tasks by key factors, helping your team prioritize effectively.

• Navigation & Shop Features: Multiple enhancements for smoother workflows and better usability.

          These updates are designed to save time, improve communication, and support your dealership’s success. Take a few moments to review the new features — it’s an investment in your own efficiency.

And remember, our CTech Support Message is only a click away if you have any questions.

 Latest System Update

• The Upcoming version is 7.0.18.69 —Our newest update is rolling out in phases. If you don’t see it yet, no action is needed; it will arrive automatically. Once updated, you’ll have access to the latest features and improvements to keep your system running at its best.

Generating quality leads has always been a top priority for dealerships, but in today’s digital-first market, the rules have changed. Buyers are researching longer, engaging through more channels, and expecting a seamless online-to-showroom experience. To stay ahead, independent dealers need to combine strong digital strategies with authentic community engagement — supported by the right technology.

Digital & Content Strategies

• Website Optimization: Your website is your online showroom. Make sure it’s mobile-friendly, fast, and has clear calls to action. With ASN’s inventory features, every vehicle listing is automatically optimized with detailed data, images, and keywords to boost your SEO and help you rank higher in local searches.
• AI-Powered Lead Responses: Timing is everything. ASN’s AI-driven lead responses provide instant, consistent communication with prospects — acknowledging inquiries within seconds and keeping engagement alive until your sales team takes over.
• CRM Lead Management: ASN CRM centralizes all lead activity — from website forms and chat to third-party marketplaces — so your team can track, nurture, and convert every opportunity. Built-in tools help assign, prioritize, and follow up, ensuring no lead slips through the cracks.
• Social Media Presence: Regular posts and vehicle walkarounds on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok help you connect directly with shoppers. ASN integrates inventory feeds with popular marketplaces and social channels, making it easy to promote your vehicles where customers are already looking.
• Paid Search & Retargeting Ads: ASN inventory exports include structured vehicle data to improve performance in Google Ads and third-party retargeting campaigns. That means higher visibility and better ROI from your marketing spend.
• Email & SMS Campaigns: Automated follow-ups, price-drop alerts, and service reminders can all be managed directly from ASN CRM, helping you stay in touch with customers at every stage of the journey.

Community & Offline Tactics

• Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses — for example, offering a gift card with every test drive — and promote it through ASN’s email/SMS tools to maximize awareness.
• Event Sponsorships: Sponsor local sports or charity events. ASN’s CRM makes it easy to capture and manage new leads you meet in the community.
• Referral Programs: Reward satisfied customers who refer new buyers. With ASN, referral tracking and reward fulfillment can be tied into your CRM process.

Customer Experience & Engagement

• Live Chat & AI Assistants: Use ASN-integrated chatbots to capture leads in real time and answer common questions 24/7.
• Customer Reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews. ASN CRM helps you automate review requests via text or email after a sale or service visit.
• Re-Engage Past Prospects: Use ASN CRM to identify and follow up with past leads or customers who haven’t purchased in a while.

The Bottom Line

The most effective dealers in 2025 will be those who connect with customers wherever they are — online, in the community, or at the dealership. With ASN Software, you don’t just get a DMS, you get an entire ecosystem built to grow your dealership: AI lead responses, robust CRM lead management, inventory tools that boost SEO, and integrated communication channels. Together, these features help you capture, nurture, and convert more leads into loyal customers.

Source: ASNAI

Dealers are reminded that Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) records must be preserved for 10 years. These records should be stored in cold storage—secure, offline, and protected from alteration—to ensure both compliance and data integrity.

Maintaining proper OFAC records is more than just a regulatory requirement. It demonstrates your dealership’s commitment to safeguarding customer information, supporting due diligence, and reducing compliance risks.

Best practices include:

• Archiving OFAC records in secure, offline systems.
• Verifying backups to ensure they remain accessible and unaltered.
• Scheduling regular audits to confirm compliance.

By preserving these records correctly, your dealership stays aligned with federal requirements and avoids potential penalties while ensuring accountability and trust.

Footnote: ASN already requires OFAC records to be preserved in your system indefinitely, so you remain fully compliant with the 10-year storage requirement.

Source: OFAC-Treasury 

Auto finance company Lendbuzz has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a proposed initial public offering (IPO). 

The Boston-based fintech, which uses AI to assess loan applications for car buyers with limited credit history, plans to list its common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol LBZZ. 

In a statement on the filing, Lendbuzz confirms that the amount of common stock and the price range for the proposed listing "have not yet been determined", while the move remains subject to SEC approval. "There can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering," the statement continues. 

Lendbuzz has enlisted Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, RBC Capital Markets, and Mizuho as lead book-running managers for the proposed offering, while TD Securities, Citizens Capital Markets, Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, and Needham and Company are to act as passive bookrunners. 

The company, founded in 2015 by CEO Amitay Kalmar and CTO Dan Raviv, previously worked with these four lead bookrunners during a $262 million asset-backed securitisation in January this year. Prior to this, Lendbuzz bagged $400 million through a forward flow programme inked with Viola Credit in August 2024. 

Source: Fintech

The company is offering used vehicles at non-negotiable prices, often below Kelley Blue Book suggested retail value.

Dive Brief:

• Hertz Car Sales is now selling pre-owned vehicles on the Amazon Autos marketplace, the company announced in a press release.
• Customers can browse a nationwide inventory of thousands of used Hertz rental fleet vehicles, apply for financing and finalize their purchase directly on Amazon Autos. Available vehicles within 75 miles of the customer will be shown, and once a purchase is complete, buyers can schedule for pickup at a nearby Hertz Car Sales location.
• The initial rollout of online Hertz used vehicle sales is available in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle, with plans to expand to all 45 of Hertz Car Sales locations nationwide, per the release.

Dive Insight:

Hertz Car Sales is a division of the Hertz Corporation that sells used vehicles that were previously part of Hertz car rental fleet in the U.S. Its partnership with Amazon Autos aligns with Hertz’s strategy of expanding its digital retail presence and making its used vehicle inventory more accessible to customers nationwide. 

“Our goal is to reimagine the car-buying experience and meet customers where they are – whether online or in person – with convenience, confidence and scale,” Jeff Adams, executive vice president of Hertz Car Sales, in the release.

Hertz is offering its used inventory at competitive prices, often below Kelley Blue Book suggested retail value, according to the release. The company lists all vehicles with a no-haggle price.

The majority of vehicles offered by Hertz Car Sales are late models, including sedans, compact SUVs and other luxury vehicles selected from Hertz’s rental companies, including Dollar Rent-a-Car, Thrifty Rental and Donlen, according to the company. Hertz also operates a wholesale business-to-business platform called “Hertz Dealer Direct” that sells vehicles directly to automobile dealerships. Its new partnership with Amazon Autos will help Hertz reach a larger number of potential car buyers.

“Amazon Autos is the ideal partner to help us deliver on this as customers can shop our expansive inventory of high-quality used cars on the same trusted marketplace where millions shop every day,” Adams said. 

For greater transparency, all Hertz used vehicles undergo a 115-point inspection prior to being listed and are be backed by a?12-month/12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Amazon Autos also offers detailed vehicle history and condition reports for each marketplace listing. In addition, customers receive ?24-hour roadside assistance, and a?7-day/250-mile buy-back guarantee if they are unhappy with the vehicle.

“This collaboration allows us to offer an expanded selection of well-maintained vehicles from more dealerships across the country, while maintaining the simplicity that customers expect from Amazon,” said Fan Jin, global head of Amazon Autos, in the release.

The retail partnership between Amazon and Hertz follows Hyundai Motor America’s announcement this month that it would begin selling certified pre-owned vehicles on Amazon Autos. Hyundai became the first automaker to offer new vehicles on Amazon Autos when the online marketplace launched last December.

We’re covering the news relevant to you.

Jin told Automotive Dive earlier this month that customers have been asking for more choices on Amazon Autos, including purchasing vehicles from other OEMs besides Hyundai, since the marketplace launched in December.

Amazon Autos is now available in 130 U.S. cities, including New York, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and other major metropolitan areas.

Source:  Automotivedive

Sales

• New F&I Feature – Bushing Log
  

  A new option will soon be available in the F&I tab to help you manage and track Bushing Log activity. An accompanying FAQ provides a clear overview and step-by-step guidance on how to use this tool.

Bushing occurs when a dealer attempts to change the terms of a purchase order agreement, often referred to as “spot delivery” or “yo-yo” sales. This new feature is designed to help you document and monitor these situations more effectively

Contract Screen

• New Feature – AutoCheck eSign Integration

  You can now add the eSign option for AutoCheck reports directly to the contract screen. When enabled, the report can capture a customer’s electronic signature for acknowledgment.

  Please note: An authorized AutoCheck account is required to use this feature.

• New DMV Registration Interface – DLRdmv

  We’ve added a new interface source for DMV registration: DLRdmv. This private company provides software and services that streamline the vehicle title and registration process for dealerships by integrating directly with state DMVs.

  Key highlights:

  • Nationwide Expansion – Services now available in all 50 states.

  • Out-of-State Titling – Their DLR50 program simplifies out-of-state titling and registration.

  • eTitling – A leading provider of electronic titling in several states.

  • Dealer-Focused – Designed for dealerships, not the public, enabling customers to receive plates right at the time of purchase.

This integration brings increased speed and convenience to your title and registration process, enabling you to better serve your customers.  This service requires a new subscription which you can find in DealerZone- ASN Services.

 Inventory

• Inventory In-Date Enhancements- We’ve added new tools to help you manage vehicle In-Dates more accurately:

  1. Settings Option – In Defaults > Miscellaneous (line 13), you can now choose to leave the In-Date field blank and update it once the vehicle actually arrives.

  2. CRM Digital Recon – A new Edit button in the In-Date field allows authorized techs to update the date directly from the Digital Recon inspection screen.

These improvements give you greater flexibility and accuracy in tracking your inventory.

Shop

• RO Updates Alert- Service writers can now capture a customer’s communication preference (text, email, or both) during the CRM check-in process. This preference is stored for the current Repair Order and will automatically send notifications once the RO is dispatched, keeping customers informed the way they prefer, without extra steps.

This makes communication smoother, saves time, and ensures customers stay informed their way.

• Repair Order TAGs- We’ve added a new Active column to the Tags_Master along with Activate/Deactivate buttons in the Tag Management screen. This lets you inactivate tags you no longer wish to use—without deleting them.

Custom reports will continue to display the correct tags on past ROs, whether the tags are active or inactive, ensuring historical accuracy while keeping your tag list clean.

• Shop Update – Part Reservation Alert- To inform when the system prevents duplicate part usage, a new message will now display if a shop user attempts to pick a part that has already been reserved by another user. The alert will include the related RO# and Part ID# for quick reference.

• New Payment Option – PayPal “Pay Later”- Service shop clients now have the option to let customers pay using PayPal’s “Pay Later” feature.

This gives customers more flexibility when they don’t have funds available at the time of service, while ensuring you receive faster, more reliable payments.

To enable this feature, go to ASN CRM > Settings > Other tab > PayPal Settings and complete the signup process.

Bookkeeping

• Flooring Clients- In Receive Money Screen- A new option is now available when posting dealer payments—you can apply payments as “Interest-Only Payment.” This adds to the right-click menu in the Receive Payment screen, bringing the total to 10 choices for even greater flexibility in managing dealer accounts.

ASN CRM

• Shop Payment Options- In ASN Settings > Other tab > PayPal Settings, you can now enable multiple payment methods for your service customers, including:

  • Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

  • Venmo

  • PayPal

  This feature makes it easier for customers to pay their shop invoices while helping you improve cash flow.

ASN Payment Portals

• ASN Payment Site Update

  A new enhancement has been added to the Account Summary page for customers with multiple accounts. In addition to the existing account switch option, the summary now displays:

  • Total Balance Due across all accounts

  • Total Late Amount (highlighted in red, if applicable)

  This gives customers a clearer view of their overall account status at a glance.

 Latest System Update

• The Upcoming version is 7.0.18.62 —Our newest update is rolling out in phases. If you don’t see it yet, no action is needed; it will arrive automatically. Once updated, you’ll have access to the latest features and improvements to keep your system running at its best.

As we celebrate Labor Day, we are reminded that this holiday is more than a long weekend—it is a tribute to the hard work, perseverance, and entrepreneurial spirit that built America. Nowhere is that spirit more alive than in the independent auto dealer community.

Every day, independent dealers across the country take on challenges that larger franchises may never face: tighter margins, tougher competition, and the constant demand to deliver personalized service. Yet, it is this very grit and dedication that makes you the heartbeat of local communities. Families rely on you to provide affordable, reliable vehicles, and you do it with honesty, hustle, and pride.

Labor Day gives us an opportunity to pause and recognize that your work is not just about selling cars—it is about creating opportunities. Whether it’s helping a first-time buyer get financing, putting a family in a safer vehicle, or employing local talent in sales, service, and administration, your business is a cornerstone of both the economy and the community.

As the industry continues to evolve—through technology, financing, and customer expectations—your adaptability will remain your greatest advantage. Just as this holiday honors those who built the future through hard work, independent auto dealers are building the road ahead for their customers and their communities.

This Labor Day, take pride in your role as innovators, problem-solvers, and community builders. The work you do matters, and it fuels more than just your dealerships—it fuels progress.

Here’s to the independent spirit, the hard work, and the drive that keep America moving.

Happy Labor Day from all of us at ASN Software.

Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a mix-, mileage-, and seasonally adjusted basis) decreased from July in the first 15 days of August. The mid-month Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index fell to 206.5, showing a rise of only 1.2% from the full month of August 2024. The seasonal adjustment was responsible for the decline in the index in the month, as it was higher than typically seen. The non-adjusted price change in the first half of August rose 0.6% compared to July, and the unadjusted price is higher by 1.3% year over year. The average move for the full month of August is a small rise of 0.1 percentage points for non-adjusted values, indicating the pricing moves observed so far in August are stronger than normally seen for the full month. August 2024 showed abnormally strong price appreciation, making the comparison more difficult on a year-over-year basis.

The Federal Trade Commission has dropped its claims of discrimination against three Texas car dealerships to comply with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

According to court documents, the FTC pulled back its 2024 claim that Asbury Automotive Group’s David McDavid Ford of Fort Worth, David McDavid Honda of Frisco and Irving had discriminated against Black and Latino consumers in charging more for add-ons.

Source: NIADA

New tariffs levied by the Trump Administration on a wide variety of vehicle components are taking its toll on automakers. OEMs now face challenges in shoring up their supply chains to help mitigate the impact.

Several automakers have already adjusted their full-year guidance or posted big quarterly losses in the first half of the year due to uncertainties around tariffs, which may continue for the remainder of 2025. Ford Motor Co., for example, took out a $3 billion loan amid tariff uncertainties. General Motors reported a $1.1 billion tariff impact in Q2

Ford takes out $3B loan amid tariff uncertainty.

The unsecured loan signals confidence from lenders, although the automaker’s current credit rating indicates its business is vulnerable to adverse economic conditions.

GM CFO looks to strategic pricing, costs to blunt $1.1B tariff impact

Trade deals with South Korea, Mexico and Canada will be important for the automaker’s future, the executive said Tuesday. 

Toyota reports $3.3B drop in Q1 net income as tariffs take hold

The automaker expects that the impact of tariffs on its operating income for the remainder of FY2026 will be $9.5 billion.

Stellantis posts first-half losses in ‘tough’ year

The company’s U.S. tariff hit heads up the automaker's reasons for its predicted $2.7 billion overall loss for 2025.

Volkswagen takes $1.5B hit from tariffs

The auto group was forced to trim its full-year earnings forecast and “realign” its business model, possibly focused on less U.S. trade, executives said. 

Subaru forecasts a 50% profit decline for FY2026

Despite the impact of tariffs on its bottom line, the automaker’s quarterly sales in the U.S. increased by 25,000 units

Source: Automotivedive

Source: AutoTech Outlook

Source: ASN Research

Source: The Street

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will continue to require state officials to notify the agency of the enforcement of the Consumer Financial Protection Act.

In an unexpected turn of events, the CFPB reversed its decision to rescind the procedures under which state regulatory officials must notify the CFPB of actions under the act. The CFPB originally proposed to eliminate the rule back in May, stating it was part of the administration’s efforts to roll back unnecessary regulations.  But in doing so, the CFPB reserved the option to maintain the rule should the May proposal generate “significant adverse comments.” 

In a Federal Register notice published July 21, 2025, the CFPB noted that because significant adverse comments were received, the Bureau is withdrawing the proposal.

It is difficult to predict what type of impact, if any, retaining this reporting obligation will have on states’ opting to exercise their statutory authority to enforce federal consumer financial protection laws.

The rule implementing this obligation has existed for several years, and many states have used the authority when the facts and circumstances of the violation lent themselves to such enforcement action. Likewise, nothing in this development affects individual states’ ability to enforce their separate state-based consumer financial protection laws and regulations. 

Independent dealers are encouraged to continue to take their compliance obligations seriously and monitor developments at the state and federal level.  

Source: NIADA