Autotrader.com for sale? Not anymore - is that too bad?

[Jesse]

PS. No way is their revenue up 23% this year. Their New Car Partnership product was a large failure, Alpha Product is too top heavy in this economy. They've had more cancellations & write offs than they've written in new business, ask your rep, they'll tell you (if their honest!)

 

[Alex Snyder (blog)]

Autotrader just took me out to lunch - thanks guys!

 

[Stew Pedasso]

What a bombshell! No company is safe in this economy, I guess.

I doubt AT is truly "off the market" if another company offered the right buy price, I bet they'd sell.

I'm guessing they had to say it's not on the market now, think of the turmoil with AT employees, all the questions, etc.

I'm shocked that internal doc leaked to Edmunds, that's crazy. Or was it perhaps planned that way?

Ahh, who cares. I just wish people would start buying cars again.

 

[Mike Keesee]

You know, we all have our opinions of business's I can tell you that any company who has over 2,600 employee's and keeps adding new products, new jobs to the US Economy has to be "good people" in my book. Do I believe their rates are too high? "Maybe" Do I believe that their products work? "Yes, some more than others" Would the next owner's of AT.com be as good as COX? Now that raises flags in my decision making process. Parent companies are the reason for most .com failures. If cox needs the $ so bad they should make it a public trade company.

 

[Jesse]

Cox initially had plans to take ATC public back in 2000 but decided not to and keep it private. Cox has come to the table late in trying to sell of some of it's unprofitable divisions, newspapers, direct mail, etc. now news that they are looking to unload ATC. I'm trying to see their ultimate strategy here, is it to remain in the cable & communications biz exclusively and reduce debt? ATC had tremendous double digit growth for every year since it's inception in 1997 but their direction in the past couple of years has become arrogant and downright greedy. I'll tell you what thought, I'll bet there are a bunch of ATC execs scrambling to update their resumes on Monster.com right about now.

 

[T.D. Mac]

I had no clue that so many (outsider) expert opinions existed on ATC as I have just read. In actuality, ATC has and continues to produce astonishing growth in all categories. I happen to also know that there are not many companies out there these days that have the courage to continue trying new things (for the benefit of both the consumer and dealers) like ATC has. One writer states ATC failed with their New Car program. Failed? They haven't failed. Does this writer actually think an ATC New Car product is going to roll out nationwide to thousands and thousands of ATC dealers and reach the dominating position ATC has produced in the Used Car arena...overnight? I don't think so. It is and will no doubt remain a strong focus point of growth for ATC for the next many, many years ahead. All in all, in my book, I applaud ATC for their innovation, the creation of thousands of jobs and their commitment to community (you did know that ATC gives hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands each year to St. Jude Childrens hospital didn't you?)...OK...enough is enough. It is obvious that I am a believer in this company and quite frankly I feel they are a valuable contributor to the retail automotive communities (and consumer shoppers)all across our great nation...."Nuff said"

T.D. Mac

 

[Ryan]

I liked the "Lightnup" moniker much better.

 

[Diamond Princess]

Obviously T.D. Mac is a loyal ATC employee. Get your resume together Mac!!!

 

[Mike Keesee]

T.D. Mac said "nuff said" like Bernie Mack. I like that statement. Though, nothing wrong with some industry experts sharing their opinions. We all "believe" in our vendors. Keep in mind some of us are'nt so (outsider).

 

[Lightnup (blog)]

Not to worry Ryan. There's still only one Lightnup and it's not T. D. Mac. But there's really so many more important things to do than hang out here correcting the self-appointed ATC "experts," most of whom have been gleefully predicting the company's demise since the day it appeared on the scene and rocketed to the prominence it holds today.

Kvetch amongst yourselves. I'm too busy providing good service and great value to my ever-increasing customer base of dealers.

Lightnup out.