How Will Tech Partnerships Change The Mobile Automotive Market?

Connected Car and the Dealership:

 

The era of connected cars is officially well underway. Automotive and technology giants recently announced substantial partnerships that will pave the future of cars and technology.

 

Get the AutoMotion Dealer App Location Targeting eBook to discover:

• How mobile is transforming the automotive experience
• Why Location Targeting and Push Notifications are the ultimate combination for your dealerships success
• How your dealership benefits from this groundbreaking technology

With automotive shopping via a smart phone increasing 73% over 2012, implementing  mobile  into your dealerships marketing, sales and service models is now a necessity. Give your customers instant access to your dealership, while broadening your marketing efforts further than ever before. Connect with consumers at key moments before, during and after their purchase. Discover the importance of the mobile automotive shopper and learn why location targeting and push notifications are the key to your dealerships success in 2014.

 

DOWNLOAD NOW 

 

. 

Apple CarPlay : The Automotive Experience Looks To Mobile.

Apple has just released its latest “Play” into the automotive sphere.

CarPlay is Apple’s BRAND NEW in-car infotainment system which promises to give you “The best iPhone experience on four wheels.”

The tech giant explains its recent endeavor as a:

“Smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car. CarPlay takes the things you want to do with your iPhone while driving and puts them right on your car’s built-in display. You can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music all in a way that allows yo to stay focused on the road. Just plug in your iPhone and go.”- Apple

The technology allows you to control your driving experience in 3 ways:

• Voice

• Touch

• Knobs and Controls

The technology is adapted to fit a variety of vehicle formats and set-ups allowing Apple's technology to work on various platforms and manufactures, allowing Apple to reuse its technology over and over. This is very similar to the model Apple already uses, focusing more on software and experience upgrades than the hardware itself. Automakers control the hardware, while Apple controls the interface. This will allow Apple to move its way into some of the largest automakers in the game, broadening their consumer reach exponentially.

The Team:

The 2014 starting line-up includes:

• Ferrari

• Honda

• Hyundai

• Jaguar

• Mercedes Benz

• Volvo

with committed partners including: BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota.

Simplicity and Experience:

What is one of the main reasons people have joined the ‘Apple Movement?” Experience. The iOS operating system is what draws people to Apple’s iPhones and you can easily see many cues transfer over to CarPlay. It looks as if Apple’s main goal is to enhance the in-car experience, but it is much more than this. Giving a tech company like Apple control of the consumers automotive interface allows them to directly influence the automaker's consumers experience.

 

This poses some interesting thoughts…

• How will giving a tech company control of your consumers experience affect your brand?

• Will the lines that separate manufactures and models now become much more blurry?

• What will distinguish top of the line models from low-end compacts if they all have the same infotainment system?

• How will the automakers and tech companies wants and needs correlate to conjoined goals?
  
  

The connected car is a revolutionary step that will change the entire automotive culture as we know it. Tech companies and automakers are partnering up all across the board with Google, Microsoft and Apple all racing to get their piece of the connected car cake. One thing is for sure, the automotive experience is about to take a hard right turn. So buckle up and hold on.

By Josh Knutson

Sources: https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/

5 Revolutionary Ways To Dominate Mobile in 2014 : AutoMotion Webinar

Discover how fast the mobile revolution is moving. Learn how much of your customer base is using mobile during the shopping process and learn the latest data around mobile and buyer behavior. Discover the effectiveness of mobile tools such as Location Targeting and Push Notifications to incentivize the customer at the moment of decision. Raise your mobile marketing game with the latest mobile strategies automotive dealers should be using to drive more sales and service revenue from mobile.
 

We decided to ask our participants some poll questions and the results were very eye opening:

 

How To: Surviving The Winter Season At Your Dealership.

AutoMotion | How To

Follow these 4 steps to transform your dealership from a dreary snow covered lot into a winter wonderland.

1. Off Work and Online:

 

With tons of people staying at home this is the perfect time for you to connect with your customers online. Utilize your social media and special online offers to keep your dealership on the top of shoppers minds. People get cabin fever, make sure to let your customers know if you are open or not and if so, offer them something special to make their trek through the snow worth it.

2. Big Snow,

Big Vehicles: SELL SIZE:

 

Huge snow storms will help you persuade shoppers with smaller vehicles that it may be time for an upgrade. Their little compact may get good gas mileage, but it sure isn’t going to get them through the snow to work or to pick their kids up from hockey practice. Sell the necessity of these larger vehicles and give customers multiple reasons on why a larger automobile will make their winter much more manageable.

4/All Wheel drive becomes your winter hero. Show customers that these vehicles mean business, post pictures, videos and examples online that prove to customers that the added cost of these systems and vehicles is well worth it in these snow ridden climates.

 

3. After Snow Accidents:

 

Terrible road conditions lead to lots of accidents and where do people bring their car after its been all banged up...to your service department of course!

This is the perfect time to create a great relationship with your customers, accidents are traumatic experiences and couple that with cold weather makes for an even more irritated client. Make sure you are on top of your customer service and turn customers bad on-road accidents to great in-store experiences that will create a great memory and keep them coming back to you.

 

4. Empower Employees:

 

The last thing your sales team wants to be doing is spending all day clearing off your entire inventory with your “foam brooms” that seem to take endless pushes and pulls to clear off each car. If you are requiring your employees to fight through the snow to get to work and then spend all day outside make sure you are rewarding them. Happy employees are productive employees. Keep it fun and use the time outside as a team building exercise and make sure you stay warm, nobody wants to work with a salesman who is frozen literally and emotionally.

Make the most of every season and play your demographic strengths to your advantage. No one wants tons of snow burying your profits so come up with creative and beneficial ways to heat up your dealership all year long. 

By Josh Knutson

Image sources: ( www.lehighvalleylive.com , appirio.com , motortrend.com)

AutoMotion TV Brings Apps to the Automotive Dealership Market on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8

Automotive App Leaders Expand to Windows Platform to Increase Mobile Outreach Between Dealers and Consumers.

Minneapolis, MN – AutoMotion TV today announced the release of the AutoMotion TV Dealer apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. With more and more automotive shoppers using Windows 8 on their tablet and using Windows Phone 8 devices, dealers can now provide customers quick access to inventory, service scheduling, live chat, and more through interactive apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.

“We’re excited to connect dealers and shoppers through mobile apps,” stated AutoMotion TV President, Ben Anderson. “Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 users represent an increasing percentage of the mobile market, and we’re pleased to provide a quicker and more convenient way for them to interface with their dealership.”

“We’re pleased AutoMotion TV is bringing its existing dealer base, technology, and mobile leadership in the automotive sector to Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8,” stated John Richards, senior director of Windows App Marketing for Microsoft Corp. “With the AutoMotion TV Dealer apps, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 users looking to purchase a vehicle can easily and conveniently interact with dealers at home or on-the-go from inventory research to service scheduling.”

Using the AutoMotion TV apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, you can research new vehicles through beautiful imagery and video, chat with a live dealer representative, or schedule vehicle service through the app. The app gives instant access to current dealer inventory, incentives, and vehicle trade-in valuations.

The AutoMotion TV apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 are now available for download in the Windows Store and Windows Phone Store respectively.

About AutoMotion TV

AutoMotionTV Dealer App is a leader in mobile apps for automotive dealers. The company’s mobile solutions provide customer access to dealer inventory, service scheduling, live chat, and more. AutoMotionTV helps dealers drive more sales and service revenue through mobile.  

How To: Mobile Location Targeting For Automotive Dealers

Reach the Right Customer, In the Right Place, at the Right Time

Dealers can now target mobile shoppers based on their location. AutoMotionTV’s new Location Targeting feature allows dealers to identify up to 5 physical locations in their area; they can put a tracker on these locations which can then be used to target mobile shoppers. When a mobile shopper visits one of these locations, a special offer from the dealership is automatically sent to the customer’s phone.

Demographics

• Dealers can customize their location targeting to reach customers based on demographic characteristics
• Segment your marketing to reach certain customers
• Utilize your dealerships strengths to provide potential and current customers with the best offers in your area
  
  

Utilize surrounding dealerships, service shops and automotive centers to promote your business.

• Place location targets on these places and then market promotions and specials to draw customers back to your dealership
• Boost revenue from your service department by creating offers that beat the surrounding competition
• Get a one-up on competing dealers by providing more attractive specials that can be sent directly to the consumers phone
  
  
  
  
  

Drive Loyalty and Enhance Relationships

• Reward customers with discounts, promotions and sale specials that will keep them coming back
• Utilize location targeting to provide customers with great experiences, boosting your trust and value index

• Reach loyal customers and continue to build your relationships with them
• Utilize your current loyalty programs features to create even stronger marketing promotions
  
  

Re-targeting Consumers

• Re-target consumers who have downloaded your app to drive continued engagement and increase utility
• Contact prospecting clients more readily by connecting straight with their mobile device
• Utilize seasonal offers to get the most from your sales and service departments
  
  

Contextual Approached

• Connect with customers at moments in which your dealership can provide them the most value
• Couple your location targets with your marketing campaigns to increase everything from sales and service to keeping repeat customers in the know

DEALER SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES                                                   
 

Sales Advantages:

• Advertise your specials
• Competitive cash back offers
• Tent sales
• Leasing specials
• Used car specials
  
  

Service Advantages:

• Service specials
• Oil Changes
• Tire rotations
• Seasonal promotions
  
  

Location:

• Use your competitors to your advantage
• Competitor Dealers
• Midas/Jiffy Lubes
• Grocery Stores
• Local Body Shops
  
  

Location Targeting Message Examples:

• Today only $500 off the purchase of any new Ford Fiesta! Hurry in this offer won’t last!

• You’ve been selected for a limited one time only $500 off special of any new 2013 model year vehicle!

• Don’t let winter run your life, equip your vehicle with a set of snow tires today!

• Maintenance is key to long vehicle life, guarantee your vehicle stays running strong with 20% off all oil changes this weekend only!

• Beat the heat, make sure your air conditioning system is in tip top shape! Head down for 15% off all A/C diagnostics.

 

Utilize location targeting to its fullest. Couple your location targets with your marketing campaigns to increase everything from sales and service revenue to keeping repeat customers in the know.

This tool is virtually limitless and allows a dealer to customize their marketing efforts even further. Too many cross shopping customers? Turn them back to your dealership by offering them sales and service specials while they are on your competitors lot. Tailor each location target to create the greatest benefits for your dealership and create an interactive on-the-go marketing strategy that is sure to please your present and future customers.

By Josh Knutson 

Using Mobile Apps as a Retention Tool

John Roth, Internet Director of Roseville Toyota, discussed the use of a dealer app to keep customers coming back to the dealership. “Things are changing,” stated Roth. “Through AutoMotionTV we designed a very good app, a sticky app designed to bring the customer back.”

Dealerships who have implemented the AutoMotionTV Dealer App are able to retain cross-shoppers. Customers tend to use a search engine rather than revisit a dealership's mobile website after their first visit. A mobile app is a constant reminder of vehicle service needs by default as it is located on the customer's home screen on their smartphone. Dealership inventory, specials, contact information, etc. are at the customer's fingertips.

Selling a car isn't the app's only purpose. "You don't want to put an app out there just to buy a car," John Roth explained. "You want to sell a car, but you want people to come back to you when they need oil changes, and you have to be able to do that so they remember you."

Roseville Toyota also uses their dealership app on the sales floor. "It's really neat to see the customer's reaction when a sales person it talking about vehicle stability control and being able to show them in a video on the iPad. When we flip it around they can see how it actually works rather than trying to describe it. People relate to the iPad because they sit at home and play with them."

AutoMotionTV Dealer App Introduces “Dealer App Extensions” at NADA

AutoMotionTV, a leader in mobile apps for dealerships, is set to showcase the flexibility of their dealer app product at the NADA Convention and Expo February 3-6 in Las Vegas. Visit AutoMotionTV at booth #3555.

AutoMotionTV Dealer App Extensions allow dealers to integrate key features into their mobile app. Dealers are using the platform to add roadside assistance, service scheduling, mobile coupons, credit apps, live chat, and many other features to their dealer apps.

Dealer App Extensions can be integrated into any AutoMotionTV Dealer App product at no additional charge.

“We’re excited about the variety of ways our dealers are using Dealer App Extensions to cater to their mobile customer,” stated AutoMotionTV President Ben Anderson. “No one in the industry has built a platform for dealers with this level of flexibility,” Anderson continued. “The sky’s the limit regarding what dealers can provide their customers in a mobile app experience.”

Dealers are using mobile apps to create long term relationships channels with their customers. Roseville Toyota’s Internet Director, John Roth, expressed “If you can make the customer loyal to the brand AND you as a dealership, you’re setting yourself up for future sales.”

This year’s NADA Convention and Expo will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and focuses on pushing dealerships to new heights in order to keep up during a challenging and uncertain time.

Scheduling Service with Dealer App

An effective and efficient way to keep in contact with customers regarding service maintenance is through a dealership mobile app. The service department can leverage a dealer app to increase service appointments using push notifications.

Dealers can compose a service push notification message right within the AutoMotionTV backend. When the customer receives this notification they can schedule a service appointment while on the go.

“It is about selling cars, but I believe we’re experiencing a paradigm shift in our business," explained Roseville Toyota Internet Director, John Roth. He continued, “The front end of our business is service. If you can create a great app that causes people to come back (i.e. features such as roadside assistance, service scheduling, coupons) then you are building the relationship with the customer right up front.”

The schedule service feature of the Dealer App is also important to the customer. When a customer is reminded that they need an oil change or other vehicle service they can use the dealership’s app on their phone and click to call service or schedule service right on the app. Using the Service feature, the customer is able to quickly connect with the dealership at their convenience.