Vehicle Valuation Software Released for Palm PDA
Black Book/National Auto Research has released of vehicle valuation software for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) utilizing the Palm(R) Operating System.
"The automotive industry, like most others, is moving into the electronic arena," said Mike Compton, IT director for Black Book. "Our P.D.A. XPRESS(TM) software allows automotive and related professionals to have the best features of our P.C. products combined with the convenience of our printed guides. The initial P.D.A. Suite consists of three programs: used cars, motorcycles and exotic & older cars. They have excellent value retrieval times, and are very user friendly."
According to Compton, the mechanical requirements for subscribing to and operating the programs are that you own a handheld computer using Palm(R) Operating System 3.0 or higher and that you have Internet access for updating the programs at the Black Book Web site, www.BlackBookUSA.com.
The P.D.A. XPRESS(TM) Used Car contains regionalized wholesale, retail and loan values, as well as the VIN model number, for the past 15 model years of domestic and import cars, light trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles. As in other Black Book products, values are given for four vehicle classifications, Extra Clean, Clean, Average and Rough.
The program allows adjustments for both optional equipment and mileage, and offers a "Quick List" to save valuations for fast retrieval. It may be updated each week on Friday after 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Black Book Web site, according to Compton.
In addition to retail, trade and loan values for motorcycles, P.D.A. XPRESS(TM) Motorcycle contains those same values for ATVs, personal watercraft and snowmobiles. It provides MSRP, engine displacement and number of cylinders, and is updated monthly via the Internet.
The third program, P.D.A. XPRESS(TM) Exotic & Older Car, with quarterly Internet updates, reflects the retail market for highline and older vehicles dating from 1946 by providing Excellent, Good and Fair values.
For more information, call Black Book Electronic Sales at (800) 367-3759 or visit www.BlackBookUSA.com.
About National Auto Research
National Auto Research is a Division of Hearst Business Media, an operating group of the Hearst Corp.
The Hearst Corp. is one of the nation's largest diversified communications companies. Its major interests include magazine, newspaper and business publishing, cable networks, television and radio broadcasting, Internet businesses, television production and distribution, newspaper features distribution and real estate.
More F&I
Integrating Nontraditional F&I Products
The niche presents a strategic advantage for auto dealerships as they move to adapt to fast-changing consumer expectations in today’s market.
Read More →
Trust Is Personal
Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.
Read More →
Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results
Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.
Read More →
Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey
Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.
Read More →
Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums
As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.
Read More →
Smaller Loans, Longer Terms
The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.
Read More →
New Lifetime Battery F&I Product Meant to Drive Dealer Traffic
EFG Cos. offering is intended to create lifetime auto dealer engagement with customers.
Read More →
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 →