Spireon Offers Dealers New F&I Profit Channel
IRVINE, Calif. — Spireon Inc. announced that its GPS-based vehicle telematics solution Spireon SkyLink will now give dealers the ability to offer connected car services to their customers, opening the door to a new F&I profit center.
To begin offering the services, car dealers partner with Spireon for a one-time install of the GPS tracking device to use for their inventory management, according to the company. Once the car is purchased dealers can add on the Skylink mobile app service for the car buyer, connecting them to the already-installed GPS tracking device.
“With over 14,000 car dealerships currently connecting their inventory with Spireon products, we are a trusted partner in the dealer community,” said Bill Stephenson, senior vice president at Spireon. “Our satisfied customers can attest to SkyLink’s win- win of being able to not only save time and resources dedicated to inventory and lot management, but also add a new F&I profit center to their business by offering the connected car features that car buyers really want.”
Car owners that use SkyLink can quickly locate their vehicle using the SkyLink mobile app, the company states. While the car owner locates his or her vehicle, Spireon SkyLink will work directly with law enforcement to recover the vehicle. SkyLink also offers optional theft guarantee coverage: If a vehicle isn’t recovered in 30 days of theft, Spireon will provide up to $5,000 in trade-in benefits, according to the company.
According to SNS Research, connected car services — telematics, infotainment, remote diagnostics, usage based insurance, semi-autonomous driving — will account for $14 billion in annual revenue by the end of 2016. According to Spireon, car dealers have still not fully tapped into this market.
More Industry
Charger Network Growth Slows
Despite a projected increase in public EV chargers in 2026, charging infrastructure remains a top concern for consumers as the gap between the most and least EV-friendly places remains substantial.
Read More →
Lenders, Consumers Take on More Auto Loan Risk
September records loosened credit access the most in over a decade as buyers took advantage of the conditions to afford trading, though loan applications fell.
Read More →
Next-Gen Hybrids in Sight
Dealerships can expect to see revamped hybrids from Honda next year as the company rolls out a new system and model lineup.
Read More →
Gem State Stores Change Hands
A larger auto group founded in the industry’s early years sold two franchises to a neighbor group that's on a growth spurt.
Read More →
Charging In Motion
Honda has been researching wireless in-motion charging for electric vehicles since 2025, and new technology developments have put it a step closer to a final product.
Read More →
Twin Cities Stores Sell
Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.
Read More →
U.S. Auto Sales Still Below Prepandemic Levels
Mobility Global industry observers don’t expect the market to return to the higher volumes that became routine before Covid but to stay well below its potential.
Read More →
The Powertrain Shift
Electric-vehicle owners are backpedaling, according to new data, with product availability driving many to shift back to gas-powered engines.
Read More →
Achromatic Autos
The shades that dominate the U.S. car market don’t call attention to themselves, though grayscale may have plateaued after a 30-year upswing, research shows.
Read More →
Used-Vehicle Affordability Worsens
Listing prices in August defied seasonal trends, rising above $27,000 for the second time this year.
Read More →