SMART Payment Plan Receives Dealers’ Choice Award
Austin, Texas — SMART Payment Plan, a financial technology firm specializing in consumer bill payments, received the Diamond Award for outstanding customer support, service and value in the ninth annual Auto Dealer Monthly Dealers’ Choice Awards.
The award, presented in the Bi-Weekly Payment category, was officially announced in the magazine’s April issue.
“For 10 years, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of customers simplify their lives, ease budgeting, improve cash flow, payoff loans faster, and save money,” said David Engelman, CEO of SMART Payment Plan. “We are excited that Auto Dealer Monthly has recognized us as a market leader for our ability to help dealers sell more vehicles and create happier repeat customers who return faster and in better equity positions.”
SMART Payment Plan has simplified the bill-paying process by automatically deducting smaller bill and loan payments from a customer’s bank account on a schedule that coincides with their pay schedule. By making smaller and more frequent payments, customers are able to pay off debt faster and save money by reducing the amount of interest they are charged. SMART Payment Plan works to pay down automobile loans, boat and student loans, as well as home mortgages, credit cards and other types of debt, Engelman said.
The Diamond Dealers’ Choice Award is presented annually to the automotive industry’s highest rated vendors, suppliers and financial companies based upon their products or services, customer service, their overall value, and on whether auto dealers would recommend their product or service to customers or other dealers.
Three awards are given in each category: Diamond, the highest, Platinum and Gold. To win, dealership personnel who have first-hand knowledge and experience with a nominee must rate them among the top three highest performing companies in each category.
More Industry

Autos More Appealing
Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.
Read More →
Used EVs Defy Overall Market
While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.
Read More →
Trade-Ins in Negative Equity Reach New Heights
As such trade-ins rise in frequency, so do monthly loan payment amounts and interest rates, according to second-quarter data compiled by Edmunds.
Read More →
Gone to the Dogs
A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →