Car Pros Automotive Group chief financial officer Shirley Jones has been honored by CDK Global as one of its 2024 Women Paving the Way.

The award recognizes women in the automotive industry who contribute, connect and collaborate to elevate the role of women.

“We are delighted to honor Shirley Jones for her grit, determination and drive, as well as her efforts in advocating for women in the automotive industry,” CDK Global’s Patrick Ryan said. “Beyond her industry knowledge and leadership, Shirley is extremely well-respected within her group and by the neighboring dealerships in southern California.”

Jones oversees all financial operations for Car Pros, the nation’s top-selling Kia retailer, which employs more than 700 in its nine dealerships in Western Washington and Southern California.

The company said she is dedicated to its vision of creating opportunities by providing “an open, inclusive and safe environment for team members to grow and thrive,” while working to change the lives of both employees and customers.

Jones came to Car Pros in 2005 as an office manager and was promoted to CFO in 2018. The company said the processes and procedures she has instituted and her commitment to fostering confidence and motivation in her employees and collaborative relationships across departments have contributed to Car Pros’ success.

“In an industry not historically known for its diversity or embrace of women, she is not only a testament to an industry that’s changing, she is part of driving that change,” Car Pros CEO Matthew Phillips said in a news release. “Her success demonstrates the power of learning your craft, investing in yourself and, always, focusing on excellence.”

Jeff Wyler Automotive announces first 100% online new car sale

Jeff Wyler Automotive Family has completed its first 100% online new car sale.

The dealership group said the sale was made through its WylerComplete tool, which it said is different from many dealers who promote “100% online” buying systems that are actually designed to generate sales leads for a traditional dealership buying experience.

“Our shoppers can buy a new car in less than 15 minutes, with the ability to get approved for financing, place their car in a shopping cart and purchase their car 100% online,” Jeff Wyler Automotive president David Wyler said in a news release. “Simply put, we are innovating for the future by always putting the consumer first.

“Our goal is to provide the convenience the modern-day shopper is looking for, while always providing the benefit of our highly experienced sales team to assist at any point in the process before, during and after the sale.”

WylerComplete allows shoppers to buy a used vehicle 100% online, including select eligible rebates and incentives, putting the vehicle into a shopping cart and completing the transaction with remote signature, the company said.

WylerComplete, launched in 2022, uses Cox Automotive’s e-commerce capability to guide consumers through the online car buying process. It employs artificial intelligence-powered shopping features and patent-pending finance automation designed to enable buyers to see pre-qualified payments on every vehicle in inventory and shop by make, model, price and monthly budget.

Jeff Wyler Automotive Family operates 23 dealerships in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Gregg Young Automotive acquires Ernst stores in Nebraska

Gregg Young Automotive Group has acquired Ernst Toyota and Ernst Chevrolet GMC in Columbus, Neb., from Jim and John Ernst’s Ernst Auto Group, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which brokered the deal.

Family-owned Gregg Young Automotive operates 12 locations in Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska. President and owner Gregg Young, who started in the auto industry as a used-car salesperson 30 years ago, was among the Time Dealer of the Year nominees in 2016.

Ernst Auto Group has been in business for 64 years, In 2020, John Ernst, Jim’s son, was nominated for the Time Dealer of the Year Award.

Ernst Toyota, which will be renamed Gregg Young Toyota of Columbus, has earned numerous honors over the years, including Toyota’s highest dealership honor, the President’s Award, in 2014. Ernst Chevrolet GMC will be renamed Gregg Young Chevrolet GMC of Columbus.