Auto classified industry veterans Skip Dowd and Ernie Blood — who have been with operations such as AutoMart Magazine, AutoMart.com, AutoTrader.com, Mini Merchant and Trader Publishing — are now collaborating on a new platform to help dealers move metal.

Dowd and Blood joined forces to launch MAutoSearch, an online mobile vehicle-buying solution that is geared to bring online mobile and print together to help consumers more easily comparison shop on their mobile devices.

“Currently, the mobile car-shopping experience is not always seamless for consumers. We see gaps in the tools provided by current online and offline publishers,” Dowd said. “While mobile shopping works well if you know exactly what you want, the small screens on mobile devices make it difficult to do research and comparison shop.

“So in most cases the car shopper will initiate a search on their mobile device and then go back to their laptop or desktop to complete their research,” he continued. “That’s inconvenient, especially as consumers have begun to rely on their mobile devices for almost everything. As desktop and laptop use continues to decline, we felt car shoppers and dealers would appreciate some new solutions designed to address this gap.”

With more than 3 million vehicles for sale on www.MAutoSearch.com, the company is focusing on the mobile car shopping experience and is using technology to deliver a modernized, digitized and free automotive photo guide as a companion to its online searchable website.

MAutoSearch Magazine shoppers can browse local vehicles to find a vehicle of interest, then enter a special MCode on MAutoSearch.com to get more information.

This solution can provide shoppers a more convenient way to browse vehicles and comparison shop — without ever having to go back to a laptop or computer to do research.

With MAutoSearch Magazine, shoppers can also call or text directly from one convenient number on each listing in the magazine.

Blood added, “Technology has pushed our industry forward immensely in the last 20 years, and yet much of that technology is not integrated with local marketing solutions. Most vehicles are purchased by shoppers located within 20 miles of the dealer, and dealers ultimately want best-in-class technology complimented by efficient local marketing in their hometowns.”

Whether shoppers arrive on MAutoSearch.com by way of an MCode from MAutoSearch Magazine or through the SEM and social campaigns planned by the company, Dowd and Blood insisted they will appreciate the emphasis on mobile messaging.

The founders added that shoppers will be able to connect instantly with dealers via their preferred communication method — ultimately with less clicks — as dealer chat and dealer text options are prominently displayed on both the vehicle search results pages and vehicle details pages.

For dealers, Dowd and Blood said MAutoSearch can provides a low-cost, low-risk way to get their new, pre-owned and certified vehicle inventory directly in front of motivated vehicle shoppers. MAutosearch can offer dealers affordable, online advertising options across the country and online and print packages in select markets.

MAutoSearch.com has launched its website nationally, and its local print and digital ebook will hit the streets this week in the Akron and Canton, Ohio, markets.

The company plans expansion into additional markets in January.

Dealers can make inquiries by calling (770) 634–6351 or sending a message to sdowd@mautosearch.com.