Leading web-based dealership training platform that is driving huge increases in car sales in US dealerships is now available to Motor Dealers’ Association of Alberta members at special rate

Salt Lake City, UT and Alberta, Canada —August 6, 2013— DrivingSales University (DSU) today announced that it is expanding into the Canadian market through a new alliance with the Motor Dealers’ Association of Alberta (MDA) that makes its industry-leading web-based dealership training program available to over 330 MDA members.  In collaboration with the MDA, DrivingSales is offering over 250 DSU training sessions, as well as a path to certification for Internet marketing and lead-handling processes, all at an MDA-exclusive discounted rate.  

Already adopted by hundreds of dealers in the US – and the official online platform for the National Automobile Dealers Association - DSU is the only fully interactive online university of its kind in the automotive industry and is dedicated to providing up-to-the minute profit-building Internet sales and marketing strategies to dealerships.

“Our market is evolving so rapidly that keeping up with the digital, mobile and social media revolution, as well as with major changes in customer behavior, is a challenge for even the most sophisticated dealership -- let alone those whose resources must be focused on selling cars, not researching the latest updates on digital media.  This is why we are so pleased to introduce this fantastic training opportunity from DrivingSales University to the Canadian market, and at a special rate for our members,” said Denis Ducharme, president of MDA. “With DSU, our members have quick and easy access to a turnkey on-demand learning platform, with constantly updated curriculum from industry experts, proven to drive results for any dealership from the largest to the smallest. Plus each dealership is provided with a performance coach for hands-on consulting.”

The DSU-MDA alliance not only offers training modules for the MDA, but members will receive a discount on all DSU training sessions for the first month, as well as a recurring monthly discount on new DSU subscription plans.

"We are very pleased to join forces with the MDA to develop and offer training solutions customized to the unique needs of the Canadian market,” said Jared Hamilton, DrivingSales CEO and founder. “Our missions are united — we are both focused on better automotive dealership management and profitability.  With our new DSU/MDA program, we are looking forward to helping improve the digital marketing and management skill set - and driving greater profitability and success - in the retail automotive industry in Alberta.”

Among the U.S. dealerships seeing great results from the DSU program is Allen Turner Hyundai of Pensacola, Florida, which experienced an 89% increase in car sales after just four months of working with DSU.

"Working with DSU, you know you're getting the inside track. Their cutting-edge approach to teaching, along with their comprehensive measurement system, and designated performance coach, ensures that not only will your dealership's problems be addressed, but areas you never realized were issues will be re-organized for better results, “ said Mark Rask, Internet Director at Allen Turner Hyundai.  “As a result of DSU, traffic to our website increased, the time people  spent on our site doubled and we found better ways to handle Internet leads.  We are a much stronger store today because of DrivingSales University!"

To read more on Allen Turner Hyundai’s success with DrivingSales University, click here: http://drivingsalesuniversityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Al....

For more information check out today’s blog on DrivingSales at: http://www.drivingsales.com/blogs/DSNews/2013/08/06/drivingsales-un...

To sign up for the DrivingSales University/MDA program contact Ron Henson, Director of Dealer Services, at Ron.Henson@drivingsales.com

About DrivingSales University

DrivingSales University is a leading on-demand, web-based training platform focused on teaching the latest web strategies from a variety of top e-commerce experts.  A property of DrivingSales, one of the auto industry’s fastest growing media companies, DSU offers hundreds of classes for all dealership personnel with curriculum that pivots around the three key operational pillars of a dealership: 1. Process – how to handle and close that traffic; 2. Structure – how to structure the dealership to scale, including hiring, testing, compensation, job responsibilities, and more; and, 3. Marketing – how to increase walk in, phone and web traffic. DSU is the only fully interactive online university of its kind in the automotive industry and is a partner of NADA.

About MDA

MDA strives to serve the collective interest of all its members and promotes positive relationships with government, industry, suppliers, consumers and media, by offering needed and effective programs and services.  90 percent of Alberta’s franchised new vehicle and heavy truck dealerships are members of MDA. MDA, a not-for-profit industry trade association with only two paid staff, is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from across the Province of Alberta, and an executive committee.

About DrivingSales

DrivingSales is a professional network serving the auto industry with dealer-driven news and information, online training, and performance data, all to enable dealers to make critical business decisions at their dealerships.  DrivingSales’ mission is to connect progressive dealership professionals to the people and information they need to maximize their success.  Founded by a third-generation car dealer, and opened up to the industry in 2008, today DrivingSales has a registered user in over 50% of new car dealerships in the US and is active in several other countries around the globe.  To learn more about the DrivingSales community, training or performance analytics visit DrivingSales.com, DrivingSalesUniversity.com and DrivingSalesData.com

DrivingSales Media Relations:
Elizabeth Johnson (Elizabeth@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 213.713.4865

Melanie Webber (melanie@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 424.603.4340