™AutoFire vs Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ)
AutoFire vs Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ): Pricing, Features & Fit (2026)
Fox Dealer is now part of Catalyst IQ, an automotive marketing agency backed by Advance that combines Adpearance, Fox Dealer, Search Optics and ZeroSum. It sells websites, SEO and advertising to franchise dealers, groups and OEM programs. Below, Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ) and AutoFire™ side by side on price, contract, website, inventory, leads and feeds. Every claim about Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ) links to its own public pages.
By AutoFire · Researched
The short answer
Fox Dealer, now under Catalyst IQ, fits a franchise store or group that needs a certified provider and agency advertising. AutoFire has no OEM certification. An independent used-car dealer who wants a published price and no term commitment can start on AutoFire free for 10 cars.
At a glance
| AutoFire | Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ) | |
|---|---|---|
| Published price | Free for 10 vehicles; $59.99 (25), $99.99 (75), $199 (200) per month | No published packages; quotes are based on your ad spend and inventory |
| Contract and setup | No contract or setup fee; cancel anytime. Free plan and 30-day Pro trial need no card | Initial term set on the Order Form, then month-to-month; 30 days' written notice to end it after that |
| Dealer website | Mobile dealer website with a page per vehicle; custom domain on paid plans | Mobile-first sites with an "intelligent i-VDP" and Quick View tools |
| Inventory tools | VIN decoding, photo tools, CSV and Frazer import, and import from your current website | Sites update automatically with inventory, pricing and shopper behavior |
| DMS (deals and accounting) | No. Keep your DMS for deals and accounting | Not published |
| Leads and CRM | Lead inbox with the vehicle attached, test-drive scheduling, ADF export to your CRM | Not published |
| Credit application | Links your lender or credit-app provider on the site; no SSN collection | Not published |
| Marketplace and ad feeds | CarGurus, Cars.com, Autotrader, Google and Meta feeds on paid plans (marketplace fees separate) | Not published |
| AI shopper chat | AI website assistant that answers from your live inventory, on paid plans | Not published |
| Mobile app | iPhone app on every plan | Not published |
| Built for | Independent used-car dealers | Franchise dealers, groups and OEM programs; certified partner in 25 OEM programs |
Sources: Catalyst IQ pricing · Fox Dealer Terms of Use · Catalyst IQ website solutions · Catalyst IQ OEM programs · AutoFire pricing · AutoFire features · AutoFire integrations
What is Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ)?
Fox Dealer is now part of Catalyst IQ, an automotive marketing agency backed by Advance that combines Adpearance, Fox Dealer, Search Optics and ZeroSum. It sells websites, SEO and advertising to franchise dealers, groups and OEM programs. Pricing: quote based on ad spend and inventory.
What Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ) does well, from its own materials:
- Fox Dealer is the named certified provider for Mercedes-Benz, Harley-Davidson and several Canadian programs.
- MarketAI guides keyword strategy, content and optimization for search and answer engines.
- Certified SEO and AEO specialists provide audits, competitor tracking and monthly strategy calls.
- Lists 24/7 website support by phone.
- OEM programs come with turnkey billing and co-op fund management.
Sources: Catalyst IQ pricing · Catalyst IQ website solutions · Catalyst IQ OEM programs
What to check before you choose Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ)
- No published package prices; quotes depend on your ad spend and inventory.
- Fox Dealer may change monthly fees during the term with 30 days' notice. You may terminate before the change.
- Support hours beyond your package cost $100 an hour, and late payments carry a $100 monthly fee.
- The initial term starts at platform activation, deemed no later than 45 days after you sign.
- Fox Dealer may end the agreement at any time on 60 days' notice.
- The OEM page says Catalyst IQ is certified in 25 OEM programs, while the homepage says 20+.
- The Fox Dealer brand now routes to Catalyst IQ; foxdealer.com navigation links to catalystiq.com.
Sources: Fox Dealer home (links to Catalyst IQ) · Catalyst IQ pricing · Fox Dealer Terms of Use · Catalyst IQ OEM programs
Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ) or AutoFire: which fits your lot?
Choose Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ) if
- Your Mercedes-Benz or Harley-Davidson store, or Canadian OEM program, names Fox Dealer as its certified provider.
- You want your website, SEO and paid advertising run by one agency.
- You want co-op fund management and billing handled through your OEM program.
Choose AutoFire if
- You run an independent used-car lot and want a published monthly price.
- You want no initial term, no setup fee and no hourly support charges.
- You want to start free for 10 cars, or pay $59.99 for 25.
- You want marketplace and ad feeds and an AI website assistant on paid plans.
Questions to ask on a Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ) demo
- How long is the Initial Agreement Term on my Order Form?
- What does the website cost on its own, apart from ad spend?
- How many support hours does my package include before the $100 hourly rate applies?
- When is the platform deemed activated, and when does my term start?
- Is my OEM program one of the 25 you are certified in?
Switching from Fox Dealer (Catalyst IQ) to AutoFire
- After the initial term, either side can end the agreement with 30 days' written notice.
- On termination, Fox Dealer stops its platform, and no monthly fees are due after the effective date.
- Copy your content and inventory before the end date, since the platform stops on termination.
- To move to AutoFire, import inventory from your current website or a CSV file, then connect your domain on a paid plan.
Paste your current website on the AutoFire homepage to preview your own cars on AutoFire, or compare plans by lot size.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fox Dealer part of Catalyst IQ?
Yes. Catalyst IQ combines Adpearance, Fox Dealer, Search Optics and ZeroSum. The foxdealer.com navigation now links to catalystiq.com.
How much does Fox Dealer cost?
Catalyst IQ does not publish package prices. Quotes are based on your ad spend and inventory, after a pricing form and a MarketAI walkthrough.
Does Fox Dealer require a contract?
Yes. Its terms set an Initial Agreement Term on the Order Form, then month-to-month. After that, either side can end it with 30 days' written notice. AutoFire has no contract.
Explore more
See whether AutoFire fits your lot
Explore a live dealer website, then compare inventory capacity and features against the tools your dealership needs.