As franchised dealer groups continue to ramp up their used-car operations, Yark Automotive Group has teamed up with Cox Automotive to launch Yark QuickBuy, an online pre-owned vehicle platform that allows consumers to complete a car-buying transaction digitally in as little as 20 minutes.

Yark QuickBuy, which is powered by Cox’s Esntial Commerce technology, provides used-car customers with the following, as listed in a Cox Automotive news release:

• Automated financing and lender approval
• 360-degree vehicle views
• Transparent pricing
• Prescriptive aftermarket product and insurance offerings
• Trusted trade-in opportunities with Kelley Blue Book® Instant Cash Offer (ICO)
• Safe and secure completion and signing of deal paperwork and payments
• Complimentary white glove vehicle delivery within 50 miles of the dealership

“We created Yark QuickBuy to save our customers’ valuable time and offer them a fully-online car buying experience,” Yark Automotive Grup marketing and ecommerce director Billy Yark said in a news release.

“With Yark QuickBuy customers can shop however they want to shop, whenever they want to shop. We are proud to be the first dealership in Toledo to offer a start to finish online car buying experience, but if for any reason a customer wants to come into the dealership to see the car or talk to one of our sales experts, that’s always an option,” he said.

Scott Duncan, who is manager of Yark QuickBuy, added: “Yark QuickBuy is the future of car buying. It’s great to be able to give our customers a trusted option to complete their purchase online, while still offering the same local expertise and aftermarket services we’ve been providing for more than 40 years. And we provide a 3-month or 3,000-mile limited warranty in addition to our 5-day or 500-mile no hassle return policy that both come with every Yark QuickBuy purchase. If a customer changes their mind for any reason, they can return the vehicle for a full refund.”

Sonic takes EchoPark to another state

Elsewhere, Sonic Automotive also boosted its used-car operations, with the news Wednesday that its has opened an EchoPark Automotive retail hub in St. Louis, which is the first Missouri location for Sonic’s chain of standalone used-car stores.

EchoPark now has locations in 20 states.

“We are very excited to announce the opening of our first EchoPark location in Missouri,” said David Smith, CEO of Sonic Automotive. “We are pleased with the progress we are making as a brand and I’m proud of our teammates for continuing to deliver happy owners, while growing the EchoPark brand at the same time.

“Our rapidly growing distribution network brings the best quality pre-owned cars with the best-proven value from the most caring staff who will deliver award-winning guest experiences to another key market.”