Customer Relationship Management
The Customer Relationship Management category is constantly in motion. A whopping 17 companies have ranked above average over the years, and there’s been movement among the top companies every year.
Customer Relationship Management
This year’s Diamond Award winner, ELEAD One, is trying to buck that trend by making it two in a row. The company earned the top score for a second consecutive year and achieved Double Diamond status. “It is our extreme honor to be recognized in the CRM category for the second consecutive year … We recognize that dealers have many choices in this space and we take a tremendous amount of pride in receiving such a prestigious award,” said Hugh Hathcock, owner of ELEAD One. “Over the past year, ELEAD One well exceeded our goal of providing dealers new monthly enhancements to improve overall retail operations. These enhancements include a new SMS texting solution, more robust digital and service marketing platforms and a faster, newly designed Web-based interface.”
ProMax Unlimited, which has always been known for desking software, became a first-time winner in the CRM category this year with the Platinum Award. “We are extremely excited about this honor!” said ProMax Unlimited Chief Operating Officer Shane Born. “About two years ago, we really listened to our customer base and started aggressively focusing on CRM/ILM. In return, we’ve been rewarded with our highest gains in retention and new business over the last six months. In 2012, you will see a continued focus along these lines, and we look forward to attaining Diamond Status next year.”
After a two-year absence, the Higher Gear Group returned to claim this year’s Gold Award. Achieving an above-average score in fourth place was DealerSocket; the company is also only one of two winners from last year to score above average.
Company | Award | Score |
ELEAD One | Diamond | 105.3 |
ProMax Unlimited | Platinum | 102.7 |
Higher Gear | Gold | 93.5 |
DealerSocket | 93 | |
Group Average | 92.6 |
Vol. 9, Issue 4
More Dealer Ops

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →
Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half
A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.
Read More →