In the latest installment of the annual Power 300 issue of Auto Remarketing, we go behind the scenes with some of the leading companies in the used-car space and their top executives with a few Q&A features.

Next up in this series is  Bill Eager, vice president of the dealer business unit at Carfax.
 

Auto Remarketing: Carfax has broadened its horizons beyond vehicle history reports to things like used-car listings and vehicle valuation. What might be some other areas of the used-car market that would make sense for Carfax to explore?

Bill Eager: Our focus is on helping people shop, buy, own and sell used cars with more confidence and connecting those people with our dealers and service shops. Whether it’s Carfax Used Car Listings, myCarfax, the Carfax History-Based Value or our flagship Carfax Report, all of our unique solutions are designed to help in these areas. Nearly 30,000 Carfax-subscribing dealers and 40,000 myCarfax Service Shops all are benefiting from the consumer trust and confidence that only Carfax can help build.

AR: What are some ways Carfax is working with auctions this year, particularly given the amount of flooding/ weather issues and recalls lately?

BE: Our dealers are acutely aware of these safety issues and rely on Carfax for help when acquiring their vehicles. Things like flood damage, recalls, structural damage and more not only can impact vehicle safety but their value as well.

We’re working hard to make sure that the tens of thousands of buyers and sellers who use Carfax at the auction have access to this information. Whether it’s using their mobile device in the lane or through the auction website, having Carfax information readily available is vital in helping dealers buy the right vehicles and, just as important, pay the right price.

AR: Carfax expanded its headquarters in late June. What are some of the benefits you have already seen from this expansion?

BE: Most important is ensuring our customers always have access to Carfax information. With 2.7 million requests coming in every day, increasing our data capacity was a critical part of our expansion. Now our data centers are at virtually 100 percent up-time, which means our dealers and consumers always have round-the-clock access to our data. We have more and better resources in place to support our dealers and help people make better decisions about buying, selling and owning a used car.

AR: How does the increased digitalization of auto retail impact a company like Carfax?

BE: Carfax has been at the forefront of innovation in the automotive industry for over 30 years. Carfax Reports helped change the way people buy and sell used cars, and with every new technology that emerges, we explore how it can be put to work delivering Carfax information to our customers in new and improved ways. At every turn, valuable information from Carfax is available in an instant that connects dealers and consumers and helps them shop, buy, own and sell with more confidence.
 

Additional pieces from this series can be found below: 

4 questions with AUL's Jimmy Atkinson
Q&A with Jared Rowe
4 questions with Costo Auto Program's Lori Grone
4 questions with Tony Hughes of Moody’s Analytics
4 questions with NABD's Ken Shilson
4 questions with Equifax's Lou Loquasto
4 questions with Toyota's Tom DeLuise