ADM Names 2014 Dealers’ Choice Award Winners
This year’s contest asked readers to vote for their favorite vendors in 27 categories. Some categories only had one or two winners, while no winners were named in the Reputation Management and Social Media Management categories.
TORRANCE, Calif. — Auto Dealer Monthly magazine, sister publication to Bobit Business Media's F&I and Showroom magazine, has announced the winners of this year’s Dealers’ Choice Awards. The annual program recognizes the industry’s best product and service providers as selected by dealers and dealership personnel.
In May, voters weighed in to recognize their favorite partners in 27 categories. Providers were scored on the product or service itself, customer support and service, value, and whether they would recommend the company to another dealer. To qualify for a first-place “Diamond,” second-place “Platinum” or third-place “Gold” award, a company must be among those that scored above the group average score in each category. Some categories include only one or two winners; two categories, Reputation Management and Social Media Management, failed to name any winners.
“Each year, the high standards of dealers are reflected in the results of the Dealers’ Choice Awards voting, and this year is no exception,” said David Gesualdo, publisher of Auto Dealer Monthly and F&I and Showroom. “The winners have set a high standard for themselves and for the industry as a whole.”
The winners of the 2014 Dealers’ Choice Awards are listed below. For complete coverage of this year’s program, look for a special section in the August issue of Auto Dealer Monthly.
New-Vehicle Internet Lead Provider
Diamond: AutoTrader.com
Platinum: Dealer.com
Gold: Cars.com
Used-Vehicle Internet Lead Provider
Diamond: AutoTrader.com
Platinum: eBay Motors
Gold: Cars.com
Special Finance Lead
Diamond: DealerLink
Platinum: CarsDirect
Gold: Auto Credit Express
Website Provider
Diamond: Dealer.com
Platinum: eBizAutos
Gold: Dealer e-Process
Chat Provider
Diamond: ActivEngage
Platinum: Contact At Once!
Gold: Client~ConneXion
Online Inventory Listing Management
Diamond: eBizAutos
Platinum: Auction123
Gold: Dominion Dealer Specialties
CRM Provider
Diamond: ELEAD1ONE
Platinum: DealerSocket
Gold: ProMax Unlimited
Digital Marketing
Diamond: eBizAutos
Platinum: ELEAD1ONE
Gold: Dealer.com
Mobile Media
Diamond: Dealer.com
Platinum: eBizAutos
Direct Mail
Diamond: ProMax Unlimited
Platinum: Strategic Marketing
Sales Training
Diamond: Ziegler SuperSystems
Platinum: Joe Verde Group
Gold: The Cardone Group
Internet Training
Diamond: Kain Automotive
Platinum: Dealer.com
Gold: Dealer Synergy
F&I Training
Diamond: United Development Systems (UDS)
Platinum: Reahard & Associates
Gold: American Financial and Automotive Services (AFAS)
F&I Products
Diamond: IAS
Platinum: ECP
Gold: Safe-Guard Products International
F&I Desking Software
Diamond: ProMax Unlimited
Platinum: Dealertrack
Gold: Reynolds and Reynolds
Service Contract Provider
Diamond: CNA National
Platinum: Protective Asset Protection
Gold: AUL
Service Contract Reinsurance
Diamond: Portfolio
Platinum: CNA National
Gold: GSFSGroup
Biweekly Payment Provider
Diamond: SMART Payment Plan
Platinum: US Equity Advantage
Gold: Economic Advantages Corp. (EAC)
Prime Captive Finance Company
Diamond: Ally Auto
Platinum: Toyota Financial Services
Gold: Ford Motor Credit
Prime Non-Captive Finance Company
Diamond: Wells Fargo
Platinum: Chase
Gold: Capital One Auto Finance
Subprime Finance Company
Diamond: Regional Acceptance
Platinum: Wells Fargo
Gold: Capital One Auto Finance
Online Auction for Purchasing Inventory
Diamond: SmartAuction
Platinum: Manheim
Gold: ADESA
Traditional Auction
Diamond: Manheim
Platinum: ADESA
Inventory Management
Diamond: vAuto
Platinum: FirstLook
Gold: Dealertrack
DMS Provider
Diamond: Dealertrack
Platinum: Auto/Mate
Gold: Reynolds and Reynolds
More F&I

The Psychology Behind Menus That Increase Add-On Sales
There is a science to crafting a menu that gives customers confidence in the choices presented, and moving the process outside the F&I office can further boost results.
Read More →
Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You
Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.
Read More →
Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity
A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.
Read More →
Humble and Hungry: 12 Rules for an F&I Life
Dustin Gingerich, with a decade in the F&I business under his belt, shares his thoughts on leadership, building trust with customers, and the importance of learning and innovation.
Read More →
Focus on the Opening
F&I managers must learn as much as possible about their customers, starting before they walk into their offices. The bulk of today’s consumers expect that, and good results will follow.
Read More →
F&I Reaches for the Sky
The increasingly important profit center continued making gains in the first quarter, according to StoneEagle data, ancillary products proving more popular as consumers hold onto their buys longer.
Read More →
What Market Timing Mistakes Mean for Your Reinsurance Program
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 →
The 90/10 Rule
In this video, Ryan Ruff explains the rule that elite sales professionals use to turn ordinary conversations into unforgettable customer experiences.
Read More →
Your Office Is Talking
What’s the atmosphere saying about you to your customers? You can make minor adjustments and additions that transform your space into one that creates trust with the people on the other side of the desk.
Read More →
F&I Training Fundamentals
How can auto dealerships help F&I managers fulfill their vital role in the most effective ways? Industry expert Rick McCormick shares his insights on the best ways to train these professionals and help them maintain good habits.
Read More →