Stating that the announcement reinforces its dealer-first ethos, connected car platform Dealerware said it is part of a closed marketplace of vendors that Toyota Motor North America has selected to power its “Rent a Toyota” program at more than 850 U.S. dealerships.

Dealerware said it now offers a customer-centered and cost-efficient experience for Toyota’s vehicle rental program.

The announcement takes place after a 2020 multi-month, joint pilot program at various retail locations in which participating dealerships experienced cost recovery increases of 114% and rental fleet utilization rates of more than 85%, according to Dealerware.

Toyota launched its Rent a Toyota program in 1988 to help dealers provide quality temporary transportation to customers. That includes service rentals, insurance replacement vehicles and retail options for extended test-drives or travel plans.

Dealerware said its inclusion in the program means dealers gain a streamlined vehicle management platform with digital services such as actionable reporting and analytics and mobile-first, one-minute rental contracting.

The company, which launched in 2016 and partners with dealers, dealer groups and OEMs to modernize their retail operations, also said that through its inclusion in the Rent a Toyota program it offers an improved customer experience, dealer support and automated cost recovery.

Toyota Motor North America dealer fleet manager Paul Rohovsky said his company sought software partners that could help improve the dealer and customer experience and prepare its network for future mobility offerings.

“And Dealerware can clearly deliver on these metrics,” Rohovsky said in a news release.

Rohovsky continued, “As an approved provider, Dealerware’s platform will help our dealers better manage their rental fleet, recoup costs and provide a better customer experience.”

Dealerware rolled out a pilot program last year at three Toyota U.S. dealerships to further understand dealer challenges. The company sought to develop features that turn friction points into opportunity. As a result, Rent a Toyota programs at these dealerships within months saw the cost recovery increases and high rental fleet utilization rates mentioned earlier, along with improved data accuracy.

Dealerware said it showed 100% year-over-year growth in 2019 with a Net Promoter Score in the 100th percentile for technology companies. The company attributes its growth to a partner ecosystem with providers such as CDK Global, PDP Group, Arrowhead, Sedgwick, Reynolds & Reynolds, RedCap, myKaarma, Guidepoint, and MDL autoMation.