Artificial intelligent devices like Amazon’s virtual assistant smart speaker, Echo, makes it easier for consumers to purchase items from its online store, paving the way for future online vehicle shopping and research using virtual personal assistants.
Information that is spoken to software on a device that processes the natural and conversational voice of users are likely to be more detailed than ones typed on a screen.
The speech recognition capabilities of Alexa, the artificial intelligence brain of Amazon Echo and similar products like the recently released Google Home designed to detect and recognize voices allow users to speak as if talking to another person.
“About one in five consumers are likely to use a mobile or wearable device to research and buy vehicles online and from our perspective, this means that car shoppers will be comfortable making purchases on a device like Amazon Echo,” said PureCars chief executive officer, Jeremy Anspach.
Similar to how people speak to wearable devices like a personal assistant, Anspach expects that will happen with Amazon Echo as well.
Searches such as “used BMW for sale” or “used BMW 328 for sale” typed into a search engine are common, but more detailed queries spoken to a voice controlled device could sound like “I’m looking for a used BMW 328 with Bluetooth navigation and preferably silver for sale for under $30,000 find it,” according to Anspach.
Dealer’s digital advertising providers having the right tools in hand is vital to leveraging any imminent detailed searches.
“As Echo and other devices like it expand, there’s going to be more decisions that need to be made related to where to buy media,” said Anspach. “That’s not a shift that the dealer is going to need to think too much about, it’s the confidence level they have in their provider to know that the ad budget is spent appropriately.”
Anspach went on to say, “The dealer today is already investing in traditional and digital media, where the dealer needs to make a wise decision is whether his provider is one who can understand which vehicles on the lot need to be marketed and on what media.”
Echo uses Amazon Web Services to recognize and respond to requests processed in the cloud.
Amazon continues to gain third party support for the Echo; there are currently more than 3,000 apps for the device.
Alexa has the potential to be integrated with a number of other appliances and products including cars.
Donlen announced Tuesday that its next generation Vehicle Optimization Model (VOM), delivers enhanced functionality and features an upgraded user interface that makes analyzing and presenting results of fleet vehicle comparisons easier.
“Donlen’s new and improved Vehicle Optimization Model provides our customers with the ability to change a variety of input parameters to enable powerful “what-if” scenario analysis comparing the total cost of ownership of a wide variety of vehicle selection options,” said Donlen vice president of consulting, analytics, and sustainability, Amy Blaine.
The fleet management services provider said the updates aim to help clients make choices that minimize total cost of fleet ownership.
New functionality gives fleet professionals the ability to both customize financial parameters and yield full reports when using the VOM to select vehicles for their fleet.
“The precise analysis available through the VOM makes the vehicle selection process faster and provides the full picture of the cost of a vehicle, empowering users of the tool to make more cost-effective decisions," said Blaine. "With the VOM, fleet professionals can select vehicles with the best TCO, as well as discover the appropriate time to cycle vehicles to reduce their costs.”
On Tuesday, DealerStar announced it upgraded its dealer management system (DMS), which now provides dealerships more access to vital information regarding their vehicles through myCarfax Service Shop tools.
Today, dealers using the DealerStar DMS can join the myCarfax Service Shop program for free resources such as Carfax Service History Check and Carfax QuickVIN.
“DealerStar DMS is focused on increasing profits for our dealers,” said Sandi Jerome, president of DealerStar DMS. “Creating a tight integration with myCarfax at no charge to our dealers helps them streamline their operations and boost their revenues. The enhanced DealerStar DMS delivers more value to our users without any added expense.”
The DMS provider said the Carfax Service History Check allows service technicians to make more valuable recommendations in regards to vehicle maintenance and Carfax QuickVIN helps with ordering parts easily.
Dealers can also register their customers for the myCarfax.com vehicle maintenance service at no cost. Customers signed up will receive alerts to their mobile device from the myCarfax.com app or computer informing them when their vehicle is due for a recommended maintenance visit.
“The key to repeat sales and profitability is getting our customers back into the shop on a regular basis,” said Ryan Pierson, owner of Crossway Auto Center. “Having access to the myCarfax tools through DealerStar and getting customers signed up with myCarfax.com is definitely helping increase loyalty. Plus, our customers love the myCarfax.com app!”
Auto/Mate Dealership Systems announced on Monday it has welcomed a new head of marketing, Patrick Reilly.
Reilly will govern the development of the dealership management system (DMS) company’s corporate marketing strategy.
"Patrick brings a wealth of marketing knowledge to this position and I'm excited to have his energy, expertise and guidance for achieving our ambitious vision for Auto/Mate's future," said the president and chief executive officer of Auto/Mate, Mike Esposito.
Reilly has a background in marketing research, advertising, branding and strategy for technology companies and agencies spanning more than 25 years.
Previously, Reilly held senior marketing positions at CommerceHub and Pitney Bowes Software. His advertising experience includes serving as president of Citrin-Reilly & Associates as well as executive vice president of Smith & Jones.
"In addition to having a great product, Auto/Mate has a compelling brand, story, company culture and message," said Reilly. "I'm looking forward to executing a strategy that will convince auto dealers that this DMS solution is their best choice."
On Monday, Pearl Technology Holdings announced the launch of Proximity, its new geo-fencing program, which allows its auto dealers to target their competitors’ customers by delivering real-time offers to the customer’s mobile device.
“Nothing is better or more precisely targeted than delivering a compelling marketing campaign while the customer is at a competitor and in the buying process,” said Pearl chief executive officer Bruce Thompson.
The way Proximity works is, dealers purchase exclusive targets which no other dealer on the network can target. Additionally, the network does not allow fellow Proximity dealers to target each other.
“Today, the majority of marketing platforms can only track click through rates, but there is no way to really measure their effectiveness. We tell our auto dealers that it is all about in-store visits,” said Thompson. “Proximity not only circumvents the competitor’s selling area, it delivers the customer to our dealer’s lot at an average cost of $30-40 per in-store visit. There is nothing on the market today that comes close to this type of marketing efficiency.”
Thompson added: “What’s so unique about the tool is that we can track a mobile device when it enters one of our dealer’s target locations and when it leaves. We deliver a minimum of 20-30 of our dealers’ ads to each device over the course of two to three weeks. Proximity delivers to 95 percent of all mobile websites and is integrated with virtually all ad exchanges.”
Target devices and their browsing activity is followed in real time and tracks all impressions and clicks developed from dealers' ad campaigns. The platform even records if the customer ever visits the dealer’s lot.
Proximity is sold on an exclusive first-come-first-served model. So far more than 300 targets have been sold.
Integrated Auction Solutions has announced a pilot of what it’s touting as the newest, most advanced marketplace in the wholesale industry.
Beyond the functionality of a standard marketplace (bid, proxy, wish list, watch list, sort and find inventory), IAS has added features it says will command the attention of online buyers. The IAS Marketplace will retain proxies that roll into live events at the auction level, provide enhanced search functionality, and will present live simulcast embedded into the marketplace.
Peter Levy, vice president of sales and business development for IAS, shared a Q-and-A featuring customer inquiries regarding this project.
Q: What differentiates your marketplace from pipeline?
A: We have been taking a modern, forward-thinking approach that allows rapid development, maintains stability, and creates a great user experience. We are moving to where the ball is going, not where it currently is.
The IAS Marketplace will speak fluently to AWG simulcast as well as any management system that has connectivity. It will be fully transactional, with live simulcast integration. The IAS Marketplace will be launched as an auction-centric portal, focused on the independent auctions’ core radius of buyers. All of this will have full application connectivity on both IOS and Android platforms.
IAS continues to build the most cutting-edge Auction Management System “V3,” with the foundation of the proven AuctionMaster reputation of more than 20 years. IAS is getting closer and closer to delivering the industry standard — Windows-based, Web-based, fully integrated with third-party management system … V3. We are in the process of creating the major user interface screens for AuctionMaster V3.
The new user interface is coming together with invaluable input from our present and future customers. The development team has already created a dozen dealer module interfaces and is beginning development on the dealer rep module that is so user-friendly that directions are not needed.
Q: Is the system web-based?
A: We have been developing a single platform that allows it to be web-based in a browser on desktops and mobile devices, as well as a stand-alone desktop application. Our auction partnerships have been insightful and a huge benefit in the development of this platform.
Q: Is there an accounting integration?
A: Like our present version V2, our upcoming V3 will not only have a double-entry accounting interface, but will work seamlessly with auction groups having multiple locations. We have found that the market demands a more elegant way to service transactions on a multi-facility level. We intend with V3 to take our core, industry-leading accounting functionality and expand it to multiple locations.
IAS Simulcast (AWG) web interface goes fully responsive in multi-lane bidding. With many of our auctions already running IP cameras in full HD, the use of transmitters will be a thing of the past.
Along with a totally new administration interface, bidding interface, and advanced reporting functionality, IAS has also created the most intuitive and user-friendly simulcast apps — downloadable at both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. IAS also offers fully integrated custom auction-centric marketplace apps that interact and feed information to buyers and sellers.
EVOX Images has unveiled a mobile app that lets truck shoppers research and compare models through a virtual reality experience.
Equipped with dynamic content uploads and other features to provide the ultimate car viewing experience, RelayCars 5.0 provides a first-hand look inside truck models from the expansive EVOX VR library.
With more than 115 trucks and growing, the app’s “Truck Portal” lets users import any truck from EVOX’s extensive VR automotive library, and explore inside and outside the vehicle in full 360-degree stereo.
It also lets users explore a range of vehicles — from exotics to muscle cars —in virtual showrooms; watch informational videos on select vehicles in the virtual cinema; and take virtual test rides in the open desert or along the coast.
EVOX uses its 360-degree imaging — which it supplies to more than 20,000 dealer and automotive websites — to power its new virtual reality technology. To date, the RelayCars app has generated more than 720,000 downloads.
“RelayCars 5.0 builds off the tremendous momentum we’ve generated since launching RelayCars earlier this year,” said EVOX Images chief executive officer David Falstrup. “Given that overwhelming reaction, we felt it was imperative to provide VR enthusiasts with a next-generation app that provides a look at a complete vehicle line.
“For truck shoppers, the access to the newest domestics and imports is unprecedented. For OEMs and dealers, it promises to truly engage, excite and motivate their target customers.”
Within the past year, the EVOX VR team has broadened its technology offerings with the introduction of showrooms, virtual cinema, vehicle configurator capability, VR product clinics, and more. These new virtual shopping features will benefit dealers by building customer engagement and driving store traffic, the company said.
EVOX Images is in full production of a comprehensive VR Image Database of US automobiles — a library of high-quality interior and exterior, 360-degree stereoscopic images for use with Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, HTC Vive, Google Cardboard, and other mobile and desktop VR headsets.
RelayCars 5.0 is accessible in the Oculus Samsung Gear VR Store and Google Cardboard for Android users, and will soon be offered for Apple iOS.
To learn more, visit evoxvr.com on your smartphone, and view with Google Cardboard and similar VR mobile headsets.
MyDealerLot announced on Wednesday the company’s name change to MDL autoMation in conjunction with the release of Service Drive Concierge, which is geared to use license plate recognition (LPR) technology as an alternate identity trigger to MDL's existing RFID solutions.
Recently, MDL also rolled out availability of its new Bluetooth based vehicle location system called Bloodhound for both service and sales operations at U.S. and Canadian dealerships.
“MDL continues to expand and diversify its product line providing a range of high valued technologies to both sales and service operations in dealerships, and the new company name reflects this direction,” MDL founder and chief executive officer George Cresto said.
“Solutions are designed to improve business processes, enhance the customer experience, improve inventory management, and increase sales and retention,” Cresto continued.
Also, MDL explained Service Drive Concierge is designed to use LPR technology to instantly convert a license plate to a VIN for instant guest recognition and messaging.
“It is only very recently that this solution became possible with the advancement of LPR cameras in terms of functionality and cost,” Cresto said. “These cameras, coupled with our license plate conversion algorithms, enable the highest level of plate conversion with the fastest conversion time in the industry.
“Its significantly lower cost enables MDL to deliver a very scalable solution to a much broader market of dealerships of all sizes and brands,” he continued.
Dealerships can now choose the best solution for their store based on required functionality and budget. While MDL can now offer two distinct identity triggers — RFID and LPR — MDL pledged to provide the same Service Drive Concierge technology stack to dealerships for sales and service messaging.
Customers of Fletcher Jones Auto Group’s Mercedes-Benz dealerships now have access to a digital sales and finance app powered by AutoGravity.
AutoGravity’s FJ Drive app, for iPhones and Android devices, enables Fletcher Jones’ customers to enjoy a seamless car shopping and financing experience that lets them choose from a large selection of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, secure a loan or lease through FJ Drive, and pick up their Mercedes-Benz at the Fletcher Jones location of choice.
AutoGravity uses proprietary technology to connect car shoppers, lenders and dealers. The company’s collaboration with leading banks and captive lenders provides users with up to four personalized auto finance offers. AutoGravity offers its one-of-a-kind smartphone-based car sales and financing experience with AutoGravity branded iOS, Android and Web apps, and partners with select OEM, lender and dealership brands to offer branded experiences, powered by AutoGravity, for their customers.
“FJ Drive powered by AutoGravity is a new platform that delivers an unparalleled mobile car shopping and financing experience right to the smartphones of the rapidly growing segment of tech-loving millennials,” said Andy Hinrichs, founder and chief executive officer of AutoGravity.
“The innovation-driven team at Fletcher Jones is embracing AutoGravity technology to set another benchmark in the increasingly digital world of automotive sales and finance.”
Shoppers simply choose the Mercedes-Benz they wish to buy, select their preferred Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz dealership, customize the terms of their loan or lease and apply for indirect financing with AutoGravity lenders, including Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. They can then take their approval to the showroom to pick up their vehicle.
“Our whole industry is going digital. By launching FJ Drive powered by AutoGravity, we’ve cemented our standing on the forefront of innovation and positioned Fletcher Jones to pull ahead and win with an unmatched digital car shopping and financing experience,” said Keith May, president of Fletcher Jones.
“AutoGravity is the clear technology leader in this space and Fletcher Jones works only with the best. Our partnership with AutoGravity extends our reach and empowers our guests through their favorite technology, anytime and anywhere they want.”
Both FJ Drive and AutoGravity are available for download on Apple devices running iOS 8.4 or higher from the App Store and Android devices running Android 4.1 or higher from Google Play.
AutoGravity said additional app features, network expansions and broader accessibility options are under development and will be announced shortly.
Editor's Note: Garth Blumenthal and the team at Fletcher Jones Motorcars — which are part of the dealership group— is Auto Remarketing’s 2016 CPO Dealer of the Year, sponsored by NCM Associates.
Carjojo’s goal is simple: to change the way people buy cars.
The company’s website, which officially launched on Tuesday after three months of open beta testing, is a big step in that direction.
Carjojo says it’s the first company to show car buyers detailed information — and to predict actual prices — on all of the 3.5 million new cars currently for sale in the U.S.
“Eighty-seven percent of people think car buying is a miserable experience, and it’s no surprise considering the process is often so intimidating and time-consuming,” said Carjojo founder Peter Levy, who in 1986 founded IntelliChoice Inc., the first company to develop and distribute consumer automobile ownership-cost data and ratings of vehicles based on their consumer value.
“Carjojo wants to solve that,” Levy continued. “We have built technology that for the first time gives the buyer the edge over the dealer. And since the majority of people hate negotiating with dealers, we provide a service to take that off their hands as well.”
To get started, car buyers select the make, model and features they are looking for, and Carjojo captures every new vehicle in the user’s search radius that matches those criteria. The company leverages its Edge2Edge big-data technology to calculate the lowest price each dealer will accept for the specified vehicle — aka the Guaranteed Best Price.
Carjojo can then negotiate the purchase on a buyer’s behalf, or buyers can use the information Carjojo supplies to negotiate the price themselves.
“Until now, car-buying sites haven’t solved the primary pain point for car buyers: the sneaking suspicion that they’re being ripped off — not just by dealers but by car-buying websites that claim to work for the consumer,” Levy said. “We’re profoundly different: We take no money from dealers. We show every new car in stock at virtually every dealer in the country.
“Our aim is to ensure buyers don’t waste days haggling with dealers or pay a penny more than they should for the exact car they want,” said Levy. “Other sites work for dealers; Carjojo works for car buyers. It’s about time somebody did.”
In order to predict accurate car prices, Carjojo instantly analyzes dealers’ sales patterns, inventory levels and vehicle turnover, as well as vehicle popularity, market conditions and incentives. The company likens this “big data” approach to travel search sites that scour almost every flight available, take into account all relevant options, and show consumers the best prices.
When a user registers for a free Carjojo account, they also get access to:
- Deal Sheets: One-page summaries for each of the user’s selected cars, including the name and location of the dealer selling it, how long the car’s been on the lot, how much inventory that dealer currently has, how many similar cars are available from other dealers, and the Guaranteed Best Price. Deal Sheets are meant to be used as leverage for negotiation with dealers.
- Dashboard: Updated in real time, a user’s dashboard is a central hub that houses their Deal Sheets, saves past searches, and displays alerts about new inventory and price drops in their area for the vehicles that they want to buy.
- Guaranteed Price Negotiation Service: For $199, Carjojo will negotiate a car purchase for the buyer, ensuring they pay the Guaranteed Best Price. The process between Carjojo and the buyer happens entirely online. Buyers skip negotiating with dealers and simply pick up the car from the local dealer with whom Carjojo has finalized the deal.
“Americans love their cars but they don’t love buying them,” said Levy. “Carjojo is the first company designed to truly put the customer in control so they drive away with the confidence that they got a great deal on the exact car they want, and were able to skip the stress of haggling entirely using Carjojo’s Guaranteed Best Price negotiation service.”
