DETROIT -

SmartAuction, Ally Financial’s online used-vehicle auction, launched a mobile app designed utilizing dealer input.

Users can now search for vehicles, communicate with sellers, negotiate pricing and make bids over Android and Apple-based smartphones.

“By including dealers as part of the development team we were able to build an intuitive tool that enhances the SmartAuction online market and makes it easier for dealers to find the right vehicles for their markets,” SmartAuction vice president Steve Kapusta said on Thursday. 

“Working in the automotive business means you're rarely sitting behind a desk,” Kapusta continued. “Our users told us they needed to be connected to our online market anytime, anywhere, and the new SmartAuction Mobile app delivers the solution to meet that challenge.”

The SmartAuction mobile app includes the following features:

—Vehicle Search: Conduct basic and advanced searches (make, model, trim, year, drivetrain, etc.) and access saved searches from your profile.

—Search Results: Users can sort through specific vehicle criteria on their mobile device (i.e., guide book values, year-make-model, mileage, etc.) and results can be sorted based on preference.

—Vehicle Details: A wide variety of vehicle information is available, including: Interior and Exterior images, vehicle condition and damage disclosures, Carfax and AutoCheck reports (as available), wholesale guide book values, vehicle equipment and accessory details, seller information, and promotion and incentive eligibility details.

—Communication Direct to Seller: Users can communicate with sellers on a vehicle directly from the mobile app.

—Bid List: Users can place bids directly from the mobile app, including placing an AutoBid, Buy Now or Make an Offer.

—Offers: Users have the ability to conduct private, one-on-one negotiation directly between the buyer and seller. Users can also view and respond to pending offers as a buyer or seller.

—Vehicle Posting Updates: Vehicle sellers can update the vehicle price and auction status of a posting directly from the mobile app.

“Continuously improving the customer experience is what allows us to remain a leading resource for dealers and consignors. We’re very excited to begin offering SmartAuction Mobile to our customers across the country,” Kapusta said.

Registered SmartAuction users can download the app online at the Apple Store or the Android Google Play store.

Earlier this week, Auto Remarketing Conferences announced that SmartAuction has once again signed on as the presenting sponsor for the National Remarketing Conference.

In addition, SmartAuction and Ally have signed on for a number of other sponsorships throughout the Used Car Week Conferences, including refreshment breaks at the Re3 Conference and the Women in Remarketing awards during the National Remarketing Conference.

“SmartAuction and Ally have been great supporters of the Used Car Week Conferences for many years,” said Bill Zadeits, conference chair. “They have recognized the value of the events for their organization and have stepped up to make the National Remarketing Conference, and the networking and education that go on during the event, possible.”

Kapusta reinforced the importance of the National Remarketing Conference to his organization and to the entire industry.

“The NRC is the remarketing industry’s premier gathering. It’s the place we come to share ideas and connect with the people and businesses that help us put vehicles in motion,” said Kapusta. “On behalf of everyone at Ally, I’m pleased to once again put my support behind this very important event, and I look forward to seeing everyone in San Diego.”

The National Remarketing Conference and the Re3 Conference are two of four events that constitute the Used Car Week Conferences, a weeklong series of events that also includes the CPO Forum| The Pre-Owned Conference and the SubPrime Forum.

All four events will be held Nov. 11–15 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. The week will begin with the CPO Forum on Nov. 11–12, followed by the SubPrime Forum Nov. 12–13. The Re3 Conference will be held Nov. 13, and the National Remarketing Conference will be held Nov. 13–15.

For more information about these events, visit www.usedcarweek.biz to be directed to the individual website for each conference. If you would like to join SmartAuction as an event sponsor, contact Bill Zadeits at bzadeits@autoremarketing.com or (800) 608-7500, ext. 134.

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