Exceptions to the VIN Decoding Rules


If you have read any of our other articles on VIN decoding you know already that the VIN pattern has certain information that it is required to contain in the US and Canada.  However, if you acquire and review a VIN file, like VIN Basic, you will come across exceptions to even these basic rules.  Here are a couple of VIN rule exceptions that have led to questions from our customers in the past.

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Topics: Support, Automotive Data, VIN


Three Tips to Enhance Vehicle Marketing


As technology, solutions and inventory processes continue to evolve, automotive marketing companies face some interesting challenges when it comes to vehicle marketing. With so many classified sites representing dealer inventory locally, regionally and nationally – it can be difficult to “rise above the rest”. This is also (maybe especially) a challenge with Franchised automotive dealer websites which represent an auto dealers inventory direct.

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Topics: Auto Portals, Automotive Data, Marketing, Auto Manufacturers, Automotive


GM's OnStar offers proprietary API to Developers


Developers will receive access to Manufacturer General Motor's OnStar API which is called ATOMS (advanced telematics operating system) sometime in the first half of 2012. OnStar president Linda Marshall described the consumer benefits in terms of functionality comparable to computers, smartphones and tablets as a response to the growth in the mobile applications market for Android and iOS platforms.

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Topics: Automotive Data, Auto Manufacturers, Automotive, Vehicle Equipment


The Market's effect on a VIN


VIN Decoding 101 Part 3: The Market Effect


Have you ever driven in England? How about in India or Japan? Many US drivers who have traveled abroad have a colorful and nerve-racking story about their experiences behind the wheel. These same people are probably confident, knowledgeable drivers in the US. In both situations, they are driving a car with much the same equipment and functionality. So what makes the experience of driving abroad so challenging and perilous? 

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Topics: Automotive Data, VIN


Non-traditional vehicle comparison


We came across this fun video, and while it is entertaining it also serves to really make the point that the right car for a potential buyer is really based on that buyers needs. Although we think few consumers will struggle to decide whether they will purchase a Ford Fiesta vs a Lamborghini - it is clear that vehicle comparison is a critical piece of vehicle marketing.

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Topics: Vehicle, Marketing, Automotive


What is a VIN?


VIN Decoding 101:  Part 1 - What is a VIN?

On current automobiles, the VIN is located on the dashboard in a location visible through the windshield, as well as, on the driver side door jam. You have probably also noticed the VIN recorded on the title, insurance, and registration of your vehicle. The VIN acronym stands for Vehicle Identification Number. It refers to a unique number assigned to a vehicle that contains information to describe and identify the vehicle.

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Topics: Vehicle, VIN, Safety


4 Tips for Vehicle Mobile Marketing



Consumers will pick the medium, format and content that best allows them to find the information that they need, prioritized by how quickly and efficiently they can browse it and digest it. As more and more consumers opt to research within mobile applications, space and functionality become increasingly important to design elements. 

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Topics: Automotive Data, Mobile, Vehicle, Marketing


Vehicle inventory data for classified listing sites


Obtaining vehicle inventory for classified listing sites or lead generating sites can be a daunting task for a new solution provider or a provider who wishes to augment current vehicle marketing programs for auto dealers.

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Topics: Auto Portals, Automotive Data, Automotive


What can you actually decode from a VIN number?


Automotive VIN Data Primer

As a data company we come across many variations on needs from our Clients for VIN decoding. In the marketing segment, the term is used very loosely to describe data collections with a tremendous amount of information that can be queried by VIN.. but what is VIN decoding really?

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Topics: Automotive Data, VIN, Auto Manufacturers


VIN Decoding and Automotive Data Expertise



The automotive industry is one of the largest industries in the US. Outside of housing, buying a vehicle is the single biggest purchase that most Americans make.  The downstream effects of vehicle purchases can be equal or greater than the actual vehicle sale considering the costs we all incur to finance, fuel, insure, accessorize and repair our vehicles. It is no surprise then, that some economists have suggested that one out of every four dollars spent by American consumers is linked to the purchase, use or maintenance of their vehicles.

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Topics: Automotive Data