DealerRater has announced that it received its 3 millionth online review last month.

The site published its first consumer review on Jan. 3, 2003 and has since grown its platform as reviews have become progressively vital to the car shopping process.

"Hitting 3 million reviews is a significant milestone for DealerRater and our industry," said Gary Tucker, chief executive officer of DealerRater. "We witness the importance of reviews every day as tens of thousands of car buyers visit DealerRater to read and write reviews about their dealership experiences.  The fact is that consumers are seeing less and less distinction from one manufacturer's product to the next – customer experience is where deals are won and lost."

In celebration of the milestone review, DealerRater said it will recognize both the dealership and the consumer associated with the review.

The monumental review came from a Hickory, N.C., customer who purchased a new car from Hendrick Honda Hickory on Oct. 30.

"We congratulate DealerRater on its terrific accomplishment," said JR Fredell, Hendrick Honda Hickory general manager. "They provide a terrific platform for our customers to tell others about their experiences. We're thrilled that our focus on employees and serving our customers has often been rewarded with five-star comments throughout the years."

Additionally, DealerRater offers a product that it said is the first of its kind in the automotive industry.

Earlier this year, the car dealer review website began to allow consumers to both review individual dealership employees and connect with them in real-time.

DealerRater helps dealers answer to reviews by allowing them to respond to negative reviews and address the situation with an unsatisfied customer.

Currently, the company’s review model exclusively scores dealerships based on recent reviews that are written within the last 24 months.