Continuing our recent string of "Joe Shows," the Auto Remarketing Podcast welcomes Joe Kichler, who is vice president of Manheim Logistics.
Kichler talks with Auto Remarketing senior editor Joe Overby about how the vehicle transport and logistics space has been impacted by COVID-19, how technology is helping in tracking vehicles and much more.
To listen to this episode, click on the link available below, or visit the Auto Remarketing Podcast page.
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Car-shipping platform Super Dispatch has launched Touchless Delivery, stating it is a response to help carriers and their families stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Super Dispatch connects auto transport industry professionals such as shippers, brokers, and carriers with software to help them move cars faster while managing and growing their businesses. Touchless Delivery is a feature within the free Super Dispatch app that the company says “is just the beginning of enabling the auto transport industry to move cars smarter in a post COVID-19 world.”
Touchless Delivery is the newest feature within Super Dispatch’s car hauling app and is available for all app users. The company says that with the click of a button, the free app makes completion of the bill of lading faster.
The driver can stay safe on the road with the app by selecting “Touchless Signature” when prompted for pickup and delivery signature. Once that is selected, the app sends a text message with a link for the pickup or delivery contact to sign and submit a signature. Upon completion, the bill of lading is automatically updated with the signature.
The Super Dispatch team saw the safety challenges carriers face during COVID-19 and spoke to customers about their needs to stay on the road safely. Super Dispatch’s engineering and product teams participated in a “development sprint” to provide its customers with a safe product.
Super Dispatch chief executive officer Bek Abdullayev said in a news release that companies using Super Dispatch “had an easy transition to working from home,” but driver safety was still a concern for Super Dispatch. Drivers, Abdullayev said, “are essential workers and nothing gets shipped without them.” Super Dispatch introduced Touchless Deliveries “to further our commitment to making it safe,” Abdullayev said.
The company expressed the importance of drivers’ ability to “work without a threat to the health of themselves, their coworkers, and their families,” touting Touchless Delivery as “the smart solution for the auto transport industry to keep moving forward.”
In the current COVID-19 crisis environment, Cars.com is seeing more people considering buying a vehicle, as many view their car purchase as a much-needed escape and safe mode of transportation, said Cars.com editor-in-chief Jenni Newman.
“The good news is, consumers no longer have to leave their home to purchase a vehicle, as we’ve seen thousands of dealerships nationwide adopt digital buying practices such as virtual test drives and appointments and home delivery options,” Newman said in a news release.
Virus concerns and steep discounts on cars are motivating 33% of in-market Americans to buy a car this holiday weekend, and that is sooner than originally planned or predicted, according to a Cars.com survey taken this month.
Cars.com released its latest research on Wednesday showing that although 64% of Americans will not travel this Memorial Day weekend because of the crisis, 36% still plan on taking a trip.
And of those planning to travel, 75% will do so by car. They will take a short road trip closer to home and will probably abide by local safety guidelines.
What are the main motivators for shoppers considering a car purchase this weekend? Fifty-three percent said they desired something newer. Thirty-five percent said current deals “are just too good to pass up.” And 21% said they needed a replacement vehicle due to an accident or because their car broke down.
Cars.com said the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect purchase timelines. Eighty-five percent of consumers said the virus has changed when they will buy. Sixty-two percent plan to act sooner than originally planned. Previous Cars.com research in March showed 43% of Americans are buying a car to avoid riding public transportation. Twenty-eight percent said that amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, they distrusted the cleanliness of others’ cars, such as with ride sharing services.
The Cars.com survey taken this month showed that 75% of the respondents planning on traveling will take a short, quick road trip this Memorial Day weekend.
Although most Americans are staying home because of COVID-19, the majority of the 36% of Americans who plan to travel this holiday weekend plan to drive 100 miles or less, and 57% will be away for a day trip or overnight.
Forty-three percent of holiday travelers plan to visit family or friends. But more beaches and recreation areas are beginning to safely open. Because of that, 27% of Americans are planning a beach trip. Twenty-two percent are planning a trip to state or national parks. Twenty-one percent are planning a camping weekend.
"Americans love the freedom and safety that personal car ownership provides, especially in the current environment," said Newman of Cars.com.
Car sales have seen a big slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is especially true for the Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle.
From February to March, that model has experienced a drop of almost 25 percentage points for its inventory selling within 30 days of being listed.
That is according to iSeeCars’ latest study, titled, “Cars with the Greatest Slowdown in Sales Due to COVID-19,” which it released on Wednesday.
According to the study, a mix of alternative-fuel vehicles along with cars and SUVs of varying sizes make up the list of the top 15 cars experiencing the greatest slowdown in sales between February and March.
Honda is the most represented car brand on the list with five vehicles, followed by Toyota with four.
But regarding Tesla, iSeeCars chief executive officer Phong Ly said the vehicle is typically in high demand. Because of that, it is the used vehicle with the best resale value, Ly said.
“However, because they are lingering on lots, now is the time when dealers may offer more deals than usual,” Ly said in a news release.
The Tesla Model X also made the list, showing the fifth-greatest slowdown in sales.
“Like the Model 3, the Model X is also in high demand,” Ly said.
Ly continued, “The Model X is the most expensive vehicle on the list, with an average price of $70,162 for three-year-old versions. Demand may additionally be lowered because potential buyers could be waiting for the release of the lower-priced Model Y SUV that started deliveries in March 2020.”
Prime negotiation opportunities for consumers
For the study, iSeeCars analyzed more than 1.8 million used cars for sale in February and March to determine the models with the most significant slowdown in sales, or models with the largest drop in the percentage of cars sold within a month of being listed.
iSeeCars says that for consumers in the market for a used car, those vehicles present prime negotiation opportunities.
“Overall car sales have plummeted as a result of stay-at-home orders and the economic downturn,” Ly said.
Ly continued, “But for those fortunate enough to be able to make a car purchase, now is an opportune time as dealers increasingly need to move inventory, and these slow-selling models could present great deals.”
Four Toyota SUVs making the list include the second-ranked RAV4 Hybrid, the seventh-ranked RAV4, the eighth-ranked CH-R, and the 12th-ranked Highlander. Ly noted that the RAV4 and Highlander are two of America’s top-selling SUVs, and the RAV4 Hybrid was so popular it experienced supply shortages in 2019.
“The popularity of these vehicles is largely due to Toyota’s reliability, which makes these vehicles smart buys,” Ly said.
One luxury vehicle made the list: The GX 460 from Toyota’s luxury extension, Lexus.
“Those who want a luxury off-road SUV can likely get a great deal on the Lexus GX 460,” Ly said.
Honda vehicles making the list include the 10th-ranked HR-V, the 11th-ranked Pilot, the 13th-ranked Civic, the 14th-ranked Odyssey, and the 15th-ranked CR-V.
“These vehicles are all leaders in their classes thanks to their safety and proven longevity,” Ly said.
Ly continued, “It shows that popular models across all vehicle types are seeing significant changes in selling times, which could bring deals to those who want a reliable used car.”
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and the Volkswagen Atlas are a pair of newer SUVs that debuted for the 2018 model year and comprise the third and fourth position on the list, respectively.
“The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is one of the most affordable SUVs in the compact class, while the Volkswagen Atlas midsize SUV is among the best SUVs for families thanks to its cargo space and safety ratings,” Ly said.
The sixth-ranked Chevrolet Spark subcompact car rounds out the list, and Ly mentioned its low starting price and a “long list of standard features.” Ly said for those looking for a small car, the Spark is a good value.
“Consumers looking for a used version can likely get a great deal on the already-affordable vehicle,” Ly said.
iSeeCars showed the top 15 vehicles with the greatest sales slowdown in the area of used-car prices. The most expensive vehicle on that list? The Tesla Model X, with an average price of $88,114 for one-year-old models.
The least expensive? The Chevrolet Spark. A five-year-old version of that vehicle shows an average price of $7,692.
Geographic analysis: New York City takes a hit
To determine the difference in percentages of cars sold within a month between February and March in the 20 most populous metropolitan areas, iSeeCars analyzed the data geographically.
New York City was the most impacted of the 20 largest metro areas. Ly said because New York City was the epicenter of the Coronavirus, the fact that shoppers would not want to visit dealerships makes sense. In addition, Ly noted the state of New York’s ban on test drives and said that could have played a major role.
The least impacted area? San Francisco.
Regarding that city, Ly noted that California banned in-person car sales.
“So the lower percentage suggests that Bay Area dealers may have been able to adapt to an online selling model,” Ly said.
iSeeCars also analyzed the slowdown of used car sales by state, with Pennsylvania showing the greatest downturn. Idaho showed the least impact.
“Many dealers are taking special precautions such as conducting online transactions and contact-free services so consumers who want to can still safely purchase a car,” Ly said.
Ly continued, “Used car shoppers should look at how long a vehicle has been on the lot because dealers will be more willing to discount slow-moving vehicles.”
iSeeCars Top 15 Cars With Greatest Slowdown in Sales
| Vehicle |
% sold within 30 days, Feb. 2020 |
% sold within 30 days, March 2020 |
2020 Feb – Mar % Sold difference |
| 1. Tesla Model 3 |
71.5% |
47.4% |
-24.2% |
| 2. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid |
62.2% |
41.3% |
-20.9% |
| 3. Volkswagen Altas |
64.7% |
45.3% |
-19.4% |
| 4. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross |
53.9% |
34.9% |
-19.0% |
| 5 Tesla Model X |
57.9% |
40.4% |
-17.5% |
| 6. Chevrolet Spark |
62.6% |
45.4% |
-17.1% |
| 7. Toyota RAV4 |
60.0% |
43.2% |
-16.8% |
| 8. Toyota C-HR |
54.0% |
37.2% |
-16.8% |
| 9. Lexus GS-460 |
58.4% |
41.7% |
-16.7% |
| 10. Honda HR-V |
53.0% |
36.4% |
-16.6% |
| 11. Honda Pilot |
59.7% |
43.4% |
-16.2% |
| 12. Toyota Highlander |
64.1% |
47.9% |
-16.1% |
| 13. Honda Civic |
65.1% |
49.1% |
-15.9% |
| 14. Honda Odyssey |
63.4% |
47.6% |
-15.8% |
| 15. Honda CR-V |
57.8% |
42.1% |
-15.7% |
People are sheltering in place across the country because of COVID-19. But Matt Schmitz notes that many of those people are making a brief escape from their homes and hitting the roads.
“Our research shows that people just need a break from the daily monotony, and cars are serving as a safe, personal retreat for families,” said Schmitz, who is assistant managing editor for news for Cars.com.
Schmitz continued, “We are even seeing a resurgence in an American pastime: The family Sunday drive.”
New Cars.com research has resulted in insights to understand how American drivers are using their cars. The company even suggested several vehicles as top choices for getting out of the house based on ride comfort, visibility and spacious interior: the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas, 2020 Hyundai Palisade, 2020 Subaru Outback, and the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica.
The company said just about everyone is experiencing new challenges, and research shows that people’s cars represent safety, freedom, and even escape.
As Schmitz noted, Cars.com research shows the return of the family Sunday drive is one top trend since the COVID-19 outbreak. As an activity to get out of the house, nearly 60% of parents and 45% of non-parents have resurrected the leisurely Sunday drive.
Cars.com fielded its survey on April 9 to 20. Of the 990 responses, 536 were parents/caregivers, and 454 were non-parents.
Another trend from the survey: Parents are hiding from their kids.
Fifty-three percent of parents admitted they used their cars as an opportunity to escape from their homes and children.
Top trend No. 3: The car is the new office.
Many people are adjusting to a work-from-home lifestyle, and more than one out of four Americans say they are using their cars as a makeshift office. That is especially the case for parents.
Cars.com says digital engagement remains strong for car shopping. Cars.com internal data says consumers are taking advantage of the Cars.com new Virtual Appointment and Local Home Delivery badges on more than 1.5 million vehicles on its site.
The new badges show that local dealers across the country are meeting shoppers where they are and ensuring safe digital car sales.
Cars.com provided more detail on its recommendations of the Atlas, Palisade, Outback, and Pacifica as top choices for getting out of the house. The company made its recommendations based on ride comfort, visibility and spacious interior.
The company says the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas, with an MSRP of $31,545 to $49,195, was its 2020 Family Car of the Year. The vehicle offers “a spacious interior and a comfortable, quiet ride,” according to Cars.com.
With the Atlas’ roomy third-row, even adults have enough space to enjoy the ride.
The Atlas’ bench-style second row easily allows three child seats to fit across, Cars.com said, adding that a moonroof option is available.
Cars.com offered additional insight on the 2020 Atlas on its website, saying the vehicle will meet the needs of people driving frequently with six or seven people, or who need a lot of cargo space.
“It may not have the flashiest looks or be the most fun to drive, but it has more utility than many competitors,” Cars.com wrote.
Moving on to the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, which is the Cars.com 2020 Car of the Year, the company notes that depending on its roomy second- and third-row seating configuration, it carries seven to eight people comfortably. The vehicle’s MSRP is $31,775 to $46,625.
With the Palisade’s luxury-grade interior, riders experience a relaxing, quiet ride.
“Large side windows and an optional moonroof are great for a lively game of I Spy or car bingo,” Cars.com said about the Palisade.
Cars.com offered additional praise for the 2020 Subaru Outback, noting that because of its quiet, spacious interior, excellent visibility and affordable pricing, the Outback has a “loyal following for adventure-seeking families.”
The Outback, with an MSRP of $26,645 to $39,695, offers comfortable seats in the front and back for a family of five, and Cars.com says the “popular wagon” features plenty of legroom and a back seat that sits slightly raised. That provides stadium-style seating to help passengers see out the front windshield.
Moving on to the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, Cars.com said that because of its roomy interior, optional captain’s chairs or bench seating in select models, and quiet, comfortable ride, the vehicle is popular among minivan fans.
The Pacifica, with an MSRP of $34,045-$44,795, seats seven to eight people. Cars.com said that because of its more-than-adequate legroom and storage, it’s a perfect fit for busy families.
“The rear-seat Uconnect Theater system and optional panoramic moonroof offer all riders an escape,” Cars.com said.
