Carfax Reports Chosen to Enhance Motor Trend Certified Program

NORCROSS, Ga., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Motor Trend Certified has partnered with Carfax to enhance its national certification program, powered by EasyCare. Starting Aug. 1, Motor Trend Certified will be one of the first independent Certification programs to require Carfax Vehicle History Reports as a key component in the certification process. Every vehicle submitted for certification must qualify for the Carfax Buyback Guarantee, in addition to meeting the stringent Motor Trend Certified national program guidelines.

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"As a Motor Trend Certified dealer, our customers demand exceptional quality in all of our certified units," said Patrick Sexton, general manager/partner at Legacy Ford in Texas. "Carfax Vehicle History Reports and the Motor Trend Certified program are two great tools that help us sell cars faster. The addition of Carfax Reports to the Motor Trend Certified program makes it even better."

EasyCare administers the Motor Trend Certified program. To be considered for certification, vehicles must have less than 80,000 miles and be eight model years or newer. Motor Trend Certified vehicles come with a minimum six month/7,500 mile warranty plus benefits that include key fob replacement, paintless dent repair, personal assistant and best value guarantee – all backed by EasyCare's extended warranty and Motor Trend. In addition, anyone shopping for a Motor Trend Certified vehicle will receive a free Carfax Vehicle History Report.

"Combining Motor Trend Certified and Carfax creates strong value for the in-market consumers researching and shopping for Pre-Owned vehicles," said Ira Gabriel, VP and Executive Director of the Motor Trend Certified program. "Motor Trend Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are inspected to Motor Trend national standards, guaranteed with a comprehensive extended warranty and now will be highlighted on Carfax Vehicle History Reports that they are Motor Trend Certified."

"Used car shoppers expect to get a Carfax Vehicle History Report for every car they consider buying," said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. "Joining two trusted brands like Carfax and Motor Trend benefits both buyers and sellers. Motor Trend Certified dealers have another way to build consumer confidence and consumers have the Carfax Report and inspection – two key steps in the purchase process – already done for them."

Thirty-four manufacturer brands also choose Carfax to build confidence for their Certified Pre-Owned vehicles.

About EasyCare (www.easycare.com)
EasyCare, a division of Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO), is a leading independent provider of vehicle service contracts, key replacement coverage and dent coverage. Founded in 1984, EasyCare is the only extended warranty to have been named a Motor Trend® Recommended Best Buy and currently services over 2.8 million active contracts. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, EasyCare not only provides coverage benefits to over 4 million customers, but also provides marketing services to its 2,000 franchise dealers such as video email, list management services, in-store marketing materials, and the MotorTrend Certified program.

About Motor Trend Automotive Group and Source Interlink Media
The Motor Trend Automotive Group (MTAG) is comprised of flagship automotive brands including Motor Trend, Automobile Magazine, Motor Trend Classic, IntelliChoice, Truck Trend and Automotive.com. Delivering a significant reach across both automotive enthusiast and various in-market consumer audiences, the Motor Trend Automotive Group produces news, features, road tests, data, cost of ownership, analysis, photography and video, and is responsible for some of the industry's most coveted awards, including the Car of the Year, Automobile of the Year, Best Overall Value, Truck of the Year and more. In addition to print products with a combined audience in excess of 10 million readers a month, the Motor Trend Automotive Group's websites attract more than 11 million unique visitors and generate more than 46 million page views a month.

The Motor Trend Automotive Group is part of Source Interlink Media, LLC (SIM) which is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 publications, 90 Web sites, 800 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The division's strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.

About Carfax (www.carfax.com)
Carfax is the vehicle history expert for used car buyers, sellers and the automotive industry. Carfax created the Vehicle History Report in 1986 and is trusted by dealerships across North America to help acquire, advertise and retail used cars. Carfax is the vehicle history provider of choice for 34 manufacturer Certified programs and is integrated into hundreds of acquisition and inventory management tools, available on popular online automalls and featured on thousands of automotive websites. Become a Carfax Advantage™ dealer or learn how Carfax can help your dealership win by visiting www.carfaxonline.com.

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Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Larry Gamache
http://www.profnetconnect.com/larry_gamache

SOURCE Carfax