Get a Grip on Vehicle Values

A new hand-held device called ezAutoVal using a Palm Pilot/Pocket PC-based system allows dealerships to value and track more vehicles, more accurately and in less time, say the companies offering it, CAVU Companies and PRIMEDIA's Automobile Red Book.

Valuations are determined through Red Book's enhanced VIN number look-up protocol and make/model drill-down menus. CAVU has developed a “through-the-windshield” scanner for reading VIN barcodes “directly through windshields in bright sunshine or reduced light conditions,” says CAVU President Jim Deuvall.

He says a dealer can evaluate and save multiple vehicle lookups for managing inventories and for determining trade-in, finance and retail values that reflect geographic region, physical condition, actual mileage and equipment options.