ADI Joins Forces with Dealership for Life.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Automotive Dealership Institute has agreed to join forces with Dealership for Life, a nationwide dealership customer loyalty and retention program, it was announced by ADI CEO Alan Algan and DFL CEO Jeff Buchanan.

Dealership for Life representatives will now include all, or portions of, ADI's thorough Automotive Finance Management and Service Advisor training courses to its dealership partners as part of their program. ADI is a recognized leader in providing automotive educational services, and its programs are designed to enable dealerships to increase their profit margins while retaining outstanding CSI.

As part of the agreement, the Automotive Dealership Institute and Dealership for Life will exchange links to their popular Web sites.

"ADI's courses complement Dealership for Life's customer reward and retention program," said Buchanan. "Dealership for Life was created to provide a comprehensive, turnkey approach to the ultimate customer loyalty program for automotive dealerships. Training is an essential aspect of that philosophy, because it benefits both the dealership and the consumer."

Other products in the DFL arsenal include an engine warranty, oil changes, multipoint inspections, tire rotations and car washes at no additional cost for the entire time customers own their vehicles.

"The concept of customer loyalty and retention is one that we stress in our classes," said Algan. "Referral and repeat business are fundamental building blocks, and are key factors in the growth and success of any dealership. By teaming with Dealership for Life, we can help spread that message to progressive dealerships that understand and appreciate the value of a professional automotive education."

ADI's four-week Automotive Finance Management program, developed by Dean of Education Arzu Algan, includes legal compliance certification by the Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals (AFIP), as well as Ethics Certification for Automotive Finance Professionals by the Institute of Ethical Behavior. Other significant course elements include credit bureau analysis, deal structuring, subprime financing and product presentation/objection handling. ADI's two-week Service Advisor program teaches students the nuts and bolts of that profession, including how to interact with customers and keep customer satisfaction at their highest levels.

"ADI's curriculum is world class, as are its facilities in Scottsdale," said Buchanan. "The professors are well-schooled industry professionals, and their approach is hands-on, and student-oriented. I believe that DFL dealerships that take advantage of ADI's programs will improve their bottom line, and increase customer loyalty. That's what we're all about."

Said Keith Tuber, ADI president, "Our message revolves around the concept of providing exceptional customer service. Dealership for Life shares that same passion. By joining forces we can achieve a higher degree of professionalism in the automotive industry, and improve the image and conception of the dealership experience to the general public."

The Dealership for Life program is a concept developed by Idealergroup LLC, whose operations are also overseen by Buchanan. ADI and Idealergroup signed a marketing and Web site link exchange agreement in April.

For more information about the benefits of the Dealership for Life program, call 800-717-4988, or visit www.dealershipforlife.com.

The Automotive Dealership Institute is a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based automotive management school that specializes in educating the next generation of finance and insurance managers and service advisors. ADI is licensed by the State of Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education and approved by the Arizona Department of Education. For more information call 877-998-7200 or visit www.autodealerinstitute.com.