TrueCar's Painter says split with AutoNation presents consumers with 'a choice' - Automotive News
He also said that, “ironically,” the loss of AutoNation stores from TrueCar’s network of dealerships could prove financially positive for TrueCar. Consumers who want “truth, transparency, an upfront price” will do business with TrueCar, he said, while those who want to buy cars in a traditional manner will go to AutoNation. The two companies parted ways today in a dispute over customer data, and how much AutoNation, the largest new-car retailer in the U. S. , was obligated to turn over to TrueCar. Although TrueCar doesn’t sell cars as AutoNation does, Painter said his company is in the “customer-acquisition business” -- a field in which AutoNation is expanding its own branding and operations. In a separate interview with Automotive News , AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson said his company was severing ties with TrueCar as of the end of July. Then on Friday, AutoNation said it would move up the termination date to Tuesday, July 15. . Jackson said TrueCar had been trying to impose “onerous” demands, including requiring that AutoNation hand over extensive customer information for all of... Painter characterized the split differently, saying TrueCar gave AutoNation “a clear line in the sand” and demanded the retailer comply with its data-sharing terms, which he called “marketplace requirements we need to enforce. “This isn’t AutoNation dropping TrueCar,” Painter said. Source: www.autonews.com
