Edmunds.com announced an update to its mobile application that gives customers the ability to send text messages to dealers.                   

The texting solution uses the phone’s native texting platform, as opposed to a third-party application, allowing customers to text their dealer in much the same way they would friends or family.

“More and more shoppers are turning to text messaging for their customer service needs, but until now there wasn’t a reliable way to text directly with car dealerships,” said Seth Berkowitz, the company’s president. “Edmunds.com’s app seamlessly integrates text messaging to thousands of dealers nationwide, so now consumers can text a sales or service inquiry and receive a timely, customized response from a dealership representative.”

Edmunds added the feature in light of its recent survey, which shows that 34 percent of the car shoppers surveyed would prefer text messaging with dealers instead of communicating by phone or email. Users of the system can also receive video and picture messages from dealers to show them stock on the lot and can opt out of the conversation at any time by texting “stop.”

Smartphone users can check the Edmunds app out here.