NCM Associates launches NCM Institute with 12 all-new educational programs for automotive retail dealerships, Paul Faletti, NCM CEO and President announced today. NCMi establishes a Center for Automotive Retail Excellence to help automotive retail dealers achieve greater profitability during difficult market conditions, while preparing them to capitalize on the economic recovery to come.

Overland Park, Kansas (PRWEB) January 28, 2010 — NCM Associates (http://www.ncm20.com) announces the launch of NCM Institute (http://www.ncminstitute.com) (NCMi) Center for Automotive Retail Excellence. The NCMi curriculum includes introductory and advanced courses in Used Vehicle Management, General Management, Service Management, Sales Management, Financial Management and eCommerce Management. Each course delivers in-depth, real world management and leadership best practices at a level best suited to the student’s needs. Designed for automotive dealership principals and key managers, NCMi classes are conducted by a team of seasoned industry veterans four times per year at NCM’s training facility in Overland Park, Kansas. On-site, in-dealership delivery is also available.

“NCM Institute represents the finest, most comprehensive dealership training curriculum ever offered by NCM,” said NCM Associates CEO and President, Paul A. Faletti, Jr. “Our program is based on over 60 years of proven best practices in automotive retail management, leadership and operational excellence, and the NCMi faculty represents the best-of-the-best in this industry.” Faletti added, “The events of 2009 are a real and stark reminder of just how ‘normal’ business conditions can virtually evaporate and force the market into truly new and unchartered territory. The NCMi Center for Automotive Retail Excellence is a timely response to the changing marketplace and will ensure our dealers are adequately prepared as business conditions evolve.”

Unparalleled continuing education is a new feature of the NCMi program. Upon successful completion of the coursework, students will earn placement in an NCM Manager 20 Group at no charge for six months. NCM clients enjoy substantial tuition discounts and for a limited time, NCM is offering all dealers an introductory $250 tuition discount on February and March classes. Dealership Principals or General Managers may attend most classes free with a paid registration.

Classes begin in February with Principles of Used Vehicle Management I conducted February 1-3, followed by Principles of Used Vehicle Management II conducted February 3-5. Courses in General Management, Service Management and Financial Management are also being conducted in February.

About NCM Associates, Inc.

NCM Associates, Inc. is the originator of the automotive industry 20 Group peer collaboration process and has been providing dealership benchmarking, education and consulting services to the industry since 1947. Located in Overland Park, KS, NCM provides a robust suite of services designed to drive dealership profitability using its proven, operations-focused Benchmark® for Success program with new and pre-owned U.S. automotive dealerships, as well as with dealerships in more than 20 other industries. For more information about NCM Associates, visit www.ncm20.com or call 800.756.2620.

Searches for Car Makes, Models, and Years Feature DriverSide’s Broad Set of Content

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 21, 2010 — DriverSide (www.driverside.com), provider of the ultimate website for car owners and the most comprehensive customer attraction and retention program for the auto industry, today announced a new relationship with Ask.com that makes DriverSide the primary provider of automotive-related content for Ask’s Smart Answers™. Users’ search results will now include such information as photos of vehicles and multiple links to data and tools specific to selected vehicles, all designed to deliver the world’s most trusted Answers on Ask.com.

DriverSide’s tools and information are designed to help the 190 million US drivers save money and time in all aspects of car ownership. The DriverSide partnership now allows visitors to Ask.com who search for a car to see comprehensive information on the vehicle, its resale value (http://www.driverside.com/value-your-car), parts and accessories, listings and reviews, and even detailed repair and maintenance features. Access to all of these features is presented within the Ask Smart Answer™ as shown on search results pages. DriverSide.com provides consumers with an exact estimate of what to pay for common types of repairs, car diagnostics and estimates, access to a panel of certified auto mechanics (http://www.driverside.com/ask-mechanic), and factory service schedules, among many other features.

“We are pleased to be working with Ask to deliver the best and most trusted Answers for their automotive users,” said Jad Dunning, CEO of DriverSide. “Ask continues to innovate in search and provides the best Answers on the web, and DriverSide’s broad set of content for each stage of ownership cycle is a natural complement.”

About DriverSide

Recognized by CNET as the best site to use to maintain your vehicle, Driverside.com is the first website specifically designed for automobile owners. DriverSide allows consumers to save money on servicing and maintenance costs, diagnose car problems (http://www.driverside.com/car-diagnostic) as well as buy and sell automobiles. DriverSide’s in-house editorial staff offers useful advice on how to own and operate a vehicle and new and used auto reviews (http://www.driverside.com/reviews). The site’s community features allow consumers to participate in forums, meet other owners of a particular vehicle, share knowledge, and post reviews on mechanics and dealers. The company also works with businesses across the auto industry to provide comprehensive programs designed to attract and retain customers and increase profits.

DriverSide was founded in fall, 2007 by Internet entrepreneurs Trevor Traina, Adam Jackson, and Jad Dunning. The company is funded by Catamount Ventures and Allegis Capital. For more information, go to www.driverside.com.