VIN Basics Blog

The auto maintenance and repair industry has been forced to face transformative changes associated with the aggressive elimination of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and the new technology variables inherent in a hybrid and EV-focused future. This article discusses how the use of a complete vehicle data solution can help auto repair businesses combat some of the auto industry’s biggest challenges.

Data security failures have become a paramount challenge for the automotive industry to address, with the CDK ransomware attack over the summer highlighting the far-reaching financial and reputational consequences of suffering a critical breach. According to threat intelligence provider SOCRadar, automotive businesses will continue to be an appealing target for cybercrime, because of the vulnerabilities inherent in necessary interconnectivity.

Have you been tasked with picking the best vehicle data and VIN decoding solution for your new business venture or a new product at your current company? There are many things you need to consider when choosing a VIN data solution, such as the depth and breadth of vehicle data coverage, accuracy of the data, pricing, and as discussed in this article, delivery options.

Due to recent economic headwinds, auto insurance providers have had to prioritize profitability over customer acquisition, in order to reverse inflated loss ratios from the past several years. Consequently, as providers have raised rates across the board bynearly 26% in the past year, consumers have significantly increased their rate of policy shopping in an effort to find the best deal, with carrier switching increasing for six consecutive quarters.

The auto insurance market in 2024 is not friendly to consumers. Providers, perhaps in an effort to mitigate rising loss ratio, have increased premiums by 26% in the past year, with plans for these costs to remain elevated through 2025. Consequently, consumers have flocked to auto insurance shopping sites and quoting portals to hunt for the provider that will impact their budget the least, with TransUnion noticing a 12% increase in shopping rates year-over-year in 2023.

The question for auto insurance lead generators and comparative raters is, beyond investing heavily in your market outreach (which is not guaranteed to succeed), how do you stand out as an exceptional product in a market that is both in demand and heavily saturated? How do you make your leads more appealing than your competitor’s leads?

The trailer industry is undergoing a transformative period, marked by innovative designs, technological advancements, and a heightened focus on sustainability. Encompassing recreational trailers to tractor trailers, several trends are shaping the future of this essential automotive industry sector.

Aside from the obvious difference, one is free and one costs money, there is often confusion around how free VIN decoder services vs. paid VIN decoding solutions differ and why one might pay a premium. Each business has different vehicle data and VIN decoding needs, and while a free VIN decoder might do the trick for some businesses, others may have a need for a more comprehensive VIN decoding solution.

No manufacturing process is perfect, an obvious fact that the automotive industry knows too well, with nearly 900  recalls affecting over  34 million cars alone in 2023. No part of a car, truck, or trailer is immune from an error, and that includes the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 

Over the last few years, vulnerabilities such as fuel prices, rapid changes in the economy, consumer demands, freighting resources, and both driver and supply shortages have been highlighted within the heavy-duty trucking industry. With the parts shortage sweeping the nation, it has become important to find vehicle components that fit promptly. Let’s look at the major concerns of the current market for mid- and heavy-duty trucks and how leveraging DataOne’s VIN decoding with ACES Mapping for mid- and heavy-duty vehicles can be the alternative advantage your company needs.

When OEMs make their as-built data, also known as window sticker data, available to vendors through a vehicle data partner, they invest in their brand’s equity. As consumers associate their complete vehicle experience with your brand (from purchase to servicing to resale), it's essential to ensure that the organizations handling your vehicles, from dealerships to insurance providers, have the opportunity to provide the best possible service throughout the vehicle life cycle. This, in turn, will drive long-term customer loyalty.