CDK Global announced last month that it was chosen to be the exclusive digital retailer partner for Hyundai Auto Canada and a preferred technology partner for DMS at the company’s 200-plus Canadian stores.
Implementation of the partnership began in November. Among the solutions CDK provides Hyundai dealers in Canada is the CDK Roadster digital retailing product that powers Hyundai Click to Buy.
“We are excited to partner with Hyundai Auto Canada in providing the first end-to-end digital retail solution and an industry-leading DMS to their network of Canadian dealerships,” CDK president and CEO Brian MacDonald said in a news release.
“Hyundai dealers in Canada will soon be equipped with the tools to help deliver a consistent brand experience and a streamlined vehicle shopping, buying and owning journey for consumers, while bringing more efficiency to their operations,” MacDonald said.
CDK will become a preferred DMS tech provider for Hyundai Canada this year and will provide the CDK Drive DMS Canada Essential Package with F&I integration for its dealers.
“Customers want a transparent and convenient solution when it comes to purchasing their vehicles, and dealerships will greatly benefit by tailoring the vehicle purchase experience that puts the consumer in control,” said Jeff Hewitt, who is director of the connected digital experience at Hyundai Canada, in a news release.
“CDK’s suite of technology solutions will help ensure all Hyundai dealers in Canada will continue to provide next-level sales experience that aligns with our customers’ and their business’s needs.”
The Canadian online auto retailer Clutch wants to be able to service 90% of Canadians by the end of next year.
It took another step toward that goal Tuesday with its expansion into Newfoundland, where consumers will now be able to buy and sell used cars through the Clutch website.
“With Clutch, customers aren’t being sold a car by a pushy salesperson, they’re purchasing a vehicle that best suits their needs based on the detailed vehicle information provided on our website,” Clutch Atlantic Canada general manager Mathiew Lobraico said in a news release.
“We've modernized the car-buying experience and are thrilled to be giving Newfoundlanders access to a more convenient and trustworthy way of purchasing a car,” he said.
The digital purchasing process includes financing, insurance and home delivery. Clutch provides vehicle delivery and pickup services within 30 kilometers of St. John’s, with plans to expand that radius in coming months.
Customers outside of this zone can drop off or pick up vehicles at a set location.
Clutch is also available in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan. Recently, Clutch debuted an instant cash offer tool on its platform to allow the consumer to sell or trade-in their pre-owned vehicle and have it picked up for free.
Canada Drives has added f Alberta to its online car shopping delivery service network, following launches in Ontario and British Columbia.
This translates to Canada Drives' inventory of over 1,200 vehicles being available to 24 million Canadians.
Now, Albertan car shoppers can can pay in full or finance, sign all documents, and have their vehicle delivered to their doorstep — all as soon as the same day.
“Since launching, we’ve served thousands of Canadians who've put their trust in us to deliver a streamlined and stress-free end-to-end experience. From first click on our website to seeing your car dropped off on your driveway, we’ve fundamentally changed the way Canadians purchase vehicles,” Canada Drives co-chief executive officer Cody Green said in a news release. “We’re excited to bring this vehicle purchasing experience to Alberta, reaching a market that is passionate about vehicles.”
This new launch in Alberta comes after a recent closing of $100 million in funding from led by Jeffrey Housenbold’s Honor Ventures with participation from KAR Global and other strategic investors, that was allotted to go toward Canada Drives' continued expansion, plus the creation of over 200 jobs in the next 12 months.
Founded in 2010, Canada Drives has been one of the largest online automotive finance companies in the country, helping more than 1 million Canadians finance vehicles during the past decade.
Toronto-based online car retailing platform CarDoor has received $3 million in seed financing. The new injection of funding comes from Framework Venture Partners.
CarDoor said the latest financing will help the company expand its online platform and service to "reach across Canada in upcoming months."
Here's a little more about CarDoor, launched earlier this year in July. The company offers a complete online buying deliver concierge service to consumers. The end-to-end online ecommerce solution includes trade-ins, financing and insurance. At-home test drives and free delivery with a standard 14-day money back guarantee, 90-day bumper to bumper warranty, and a 60-day exchange program on all vehicles are available to customers, as well.
"Framework Venture Partners is thrilled to be partnering with CarDoor and supporting their next stage of growth. Our team has surveyed the North American landscape of e-commerce enabled car dealers, and we believe CarDoor represents a unique and powerful model providing buyers with selection and unparalleled convenience," Framework co-founder and partner Peter Misek said in a news release.
The free online marketplace platform enables dealers to list their inventory and participate in the digital retailing space without an additional investment in technology, according to CarDoor.
"We make car shopping easy. CarDoor is designed to make the consumer's car-buying experience enjoyable from start to finish," CarDoor co-founder and CEO Matt McKenzie said in the release. "We strive to offer complete peace-of-mind with each purchase and this new round of funding will enable us to grow and take the platform to the next level. We're excited to expand the CarDoor experience and platform offerings to Canadian's coast-to-coast in the near future."
The Canadian online vehicle retailing space will have another participant by the end of the year.
And it’s inspired by one of the well-known operations from the United States.
Last week, TEDA International Auto Group — a multinational, specialty automotive group bringing years of experience to global automotive trading — announced the formation of its new online car brand, which will operate as CARLALA.
According to a news release, the new entity will launch in December as a “virtual destination that will provide hassle-free, fully online car sales.”
Drivers looking to own a new vehicle will be able to visit the CARLALA website for a special online experience with virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
Customers can browse and buy vehicles no matter what country they reside. As a value-add service with its global network of shipping and logistics, CARLALA will offer buyers the option to have their vehicle delivered anywhere in the world.
The parent company of CARLALA, TEDA International Auto Group, is headquartered both in Toronto and Tianjin, China. The company said it has expertise in auto sales, retail leasing and financing.
TEDA International Auto Group chief executive officer and founder Joel Li explained that the company has its eyes on the future with CARLALA, which is embracing cutting-edge technology. Li said that people buying vehicles want an interesting, fun and intuitive experience to keep life interesting and exciting.
Li continued that artificial intelligence adds a fantastic dimension to the vehicle-buying process, giving people a streamlined and seamless experience.
“Our inspiration for founding CARLALA in Canada was the existence of Carvana, which has made its mark in the United States,” Li said in the news release. “The concept is extremely successful, and I know that this is a prime moment for Canada to have its own car-buying service.
“As a millennial with real experience in disruptive and alternative new ways of creative living, I believe that CARLALA will be the future of car ownership,” he continued. “Everyone wants options and great experiences. CARLALA provides both and makes the entire process professional and fun.”
“CARLALA has many more cutting-edge and first-class, advanced technologies than many other car-buying options. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics of searching for a car and has made it a more fast-paced buying experience,” Li went on to say. “Car buyers have changed their purchase paradigms from the old, traditional ‘browse, negotiate, transaction,’ in a dealership to buying cars hassle-free online.
“There are many more options and people can now take full advantage of global car shopping. Car buyers will no longer be limited to their local areas. They can buy anytime from anywhere in the world,” he added.
For more information, visit TEDAauto.com.
NextRoad wants to help potential vehicle buyers overcome what might be two of their primary obstacles to taking delivery nowadays.
The new service to purchase and finance vehicles online officially launched this week in British Columbia, as NextRoad looks to provides a transparent solution by matching individuals with quality vehicles based on financing and payments they can afford — even if they’re facing credit challenges — all from the comfort and safety of home.
The NextRoad process can save vehicle buyers hours by reducing the traditional purchasing model to a few simple steps. The firm explained that there’s no need to shop around from dealership to dealership or sit through in-dealership financing meetings only to potentially be denied financing due to credit issues.
NextRoad has created a seamless process with non-commissioned specialists who match buyers with the best vehicle options for them based on the optimal financing rates and payments they can afford. The process can take as little as a few hours and give buyers the option to have the vehicle delivered right to their door.
“NextRoad is the future of car buying designed for today’s world where more people than ever are shopping online but may be uncertain about their credit situation due to pandemic-related job interruptions,” said Brad Hansen, director of F&I and leasing.
“NextRoad empowers customers with customized payment options that suit their budget with a simple process that can be completed within just a few hours — from online search to vehicle delivery right to their door,” Hansen continued in a news release.
Currently, NextRoad is available in the Greater Vancouver area only. The company plans to expand to the rest of British Columbia during the next few months.
NextRoad said its team of credit specialists can provide a customized automotive finance plan that consists of specific credit building tips and check-in dates to ensure their clients are on the “next road” to building better credit.
NextRoad is looking to assist clients with all types of personal situations from interruptions in employment and divorce to bankruptcy and credit insolvency. NextRoad also mentioned that works with a variety of lenders to find the best rates based on an individual’s credit situation, vehicle preferences and the length of the loan.
NextRoad’s inventory consists of hundreds of certified pre-owned vehicles from Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, Volkswagen and more.
For more information about NextRoad, visit www.nextroad.ca.
