CHICAGO — Resource Automotive, a unit of The Warranty Group Inc., reported that its DriverPlus prepaid maintenance program is experiencing double digit growth, as dealers increasingly focus on fixed operations as the foundation of their customer retention strategy.

DriverPlus provides customers with an alternative to paying for recommended maintenance at the time it is performed by spreading the costs over the term of the loan.

Dealers have found DriverPlus key to assuring that customers return for recommended service and continuously build their relationship with the dealership. Studies show that the more often owners bring their vehicle in for service, the more likely they are to repurchase at that dealership. While DriverPlus is typically sold in the F&I office, many dealers have found it effective to embed the product into every sale.

“At the end of 2009, our retention of new and used customers in the service department was only 29 percent. In January 2010, we began giving each customer that purchased a new or used vehicle a complimentary 36 month/45,000 mile DriverPlus package. By November 2010, of the 862 customers who purchased a vehicle in the first six months of 2010, 35.6 percent have returned for service at least one time and 31.7 percent have returned two or more times. That’s a total return 67.3 percent — more than double what it previously was,” said Fred Timbrook Jr., dealer principal of Timbrook Auto Group. “In addition to e-mailing customers a service reminder, Resource provides us with a user-friendly reporting tool that allows us to see how many coupons each customer has used and also which ones are due for service.”

“DriverPlus is a core element in our strategy of utilizing technology to push profit per vehicle, drawing on every profit center in the dealership. First, it provides a competitive differentiator within the sales process. Second, it brings customers back for service, producing additional gross profit and enhancing customer loyalty. Finally, it increases the chance to make each buyer a customer for life, adding value to the relationship and leveraging the dealership’s marketing activities,” said Mike Frosch, president North America, The Warranty Group.

CHICAGO – Resource Automotive Inc., a training, consulting and financial services provider and a unit of The Warranty Group Inc., announced that TWGConnect, its proprietary online warranty management system, is now a key component of its strategy to increase dealership profitability through the use of technology.

TWGConnect allows dealers to submit warranty claims electronically, reducing paperwork and expediting the claims process. Additionally, TWGConnect permits dealers to attach electronic documents and photos directly to the claim, further assuring quick and accurate claims settlement and facilitating payment.

“Efficient claims administration is key not only to customer satisfaction, but also to cash flow in our fixed operation,” said John Francek, chief operating officer of the Gary McGrath Auto Group in Elgin, Ill. “With online tutorials and on-site support as needed, TWGConnect streamlines our submission process and provides a broad suite of warranty management tools.”

“TWGConnect is a critical component of our strategy to drive per vehicle gross profit using an integrated approach to operational efficiencies, benefitting both our dealers and their customers,” said Mike Frosch, president North America for The Warranty Group. “People, products and process drive the numbers, and technology provides the efficiencies and metrics. From inventory management to claims administration, we look at every opportunity to push profit per vehicle. TWGConnect is key to those efforts.”

CHICAGO – Resource Automotive, Inc., a unit of The Warranty Group, Inc., announced that Charlie Robinson has been named President and COO of Resource Automotive, with responsibility for all North American automotive segments including Resource Dealer Group, First Extended Service Corporation, reinsurance, BDC and national accounts and sales.

“Charlie has been with Resource Automotive for 24 years in various positions, including president of Resource Dealer Group, and he has made a positive impact for our company and for our customers with each assignment,”said Mike Frosch, president of North America for The Warranty Group.

In addition to his tenure at Resource, Robinson spent four years as an executive at Asbury Automotive, where he served as vice president of financial services.

Resource Automotive, established in 1964, is a global provider of automotive financial services products and programs, including vehicle service contracts, GAP, pre-paid maintenance, used vehicle certification, inventory management and a wide range of participation options.

CHICAGO – Resource Automotive, Inc. has announced the launch of TWGConnect, a proprietary online warranty claims system for its U.S. vehicle service contract, GAP, pre-paid maintenance and tire and wheel programs.

TWGConnect allows dealers to submit warranty claims electronically, reducing paperwork and speeding the claims process. This new program eliminates the faxing and mailing of repair orders, resulting in faster payment to the dealer. Additionally, TWGConnect allows dealers to attach electronic documents and photos directly to the claim, further assuring quick claim settlement.

“Dealers are looking for ways to better manage claims administration, and the functionalities that TWGConnect provides will benefit fixed-operation profitability as well as customer satisfaction,” said Mike Frosch, president and chief operating officer North America. “In addition to streamlining submission and providing warranty management tools, TWGConnect enhances cash flow – a critical need for every dealer, regardless of frachise or location.”

TWGConnect is currently being rolled out and will soon be available nationwide.

CHICAGO – Resource Automotive, Inc. has reached an agreement with the Mopar division of Chrysler Group LLC to provide dealers with wholesale mechanical parts training and support.

Resource Automotive will provide Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealerships with proprietary methodology, market strategy, process, training, outside sales implementation and support aimed at conquesting wholesale mechanical parts sales from the aftermarket parts manufacturers and distributors that currently dominate the segment. The program takes a holistic approach based on extensive market research and Resource Automotive’s subject matter expertise.

“Through this program, dealers will benefit from additional revenue and Mopar will increase its market share,” said John England, president of Resource Automotive Solutions.

“Mopar recognizes the size and scope of this market segment and the great opportunity it represents for Chrysler and our franchised dealers,” said Jim Sassorossi, director of Mopar Sales & Marketing. “Customers prefer original Mopar parts, and now they will be even easier to obtain.”

CHICAGO – Resource Automotive, a unit of The Warranty Group, Inc., received a Gold Award from Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine as part of its annual Dealer Choice Awards.

These awards recognize the most highly regarded vendors, suppliers and finance companies in the retail automotive industry, as voted on by dealers and dealership personnel.

Resource Automotive received the Gold Award in the category of “Finance and Insurance Trainer.”

Mark Mishler, CEO of Resource Automotive, said, “We’re proud of our training team. Their passion for the business and deep expertise means top performance in F&I and superior results for our dealers.”

Resource Automotive provides training, service contracts, GAP, CPO programs, pre-paid maintenance, inventory management and related products to single-point dealers, consolidators, publicly held dealer groups and manufacturers in North America, Asia, Latin America, Europe and Australia.