Autobytel.com (www.autobytel.com) First Company to Complete Internet Car Buying Equation with Online AfterMarket Sales
Autobytel.com creates a total Internet sales solution that doesn’t rely on traditional car-selling practices.
Updated
Jun 10, 2004 22:40:15
Rating
16 ( -2 -12.5% )
Description: New Orleans, LA – February 1, 1998 – Autobytel.com (), the premier online car buying program, today announced the completion of the Internet car buying equation with its offering of aftermarket products at the time a new or used vehicle Purchase Request is submitted. By adding aftermaket products to Autobytel.com’s other low-cost, consumer-oriented services—new and used car buying, financing and leasing, and insurance—Autobytel.com becomes the first company to offer Internet consumers a complete online car-buying solution.
"Until now, most sales of aftermarket products to Internet customers have been handled by traditional F&I (financing and insurance) departments," said Pete Ellis, President and CEO of Autobytel.com. "This meant that after Autobytel.com customers committed to their vehicle of choice using our system, they would then need to purchase aftermarket products in the traditional car selling environment. This scenario has prevented the Internet car-buying process from reaching its consumer satisfaction potential."
"By enabling the consumer to choose aftermarket products while making a Purchase Request, Autobytel.com offers the dealer and consumer a process that is more friendly, efficient and lower cost. With the addition of aftermarket options to its program, Autobytel.com is able to fulfill its goal of making every aspect of car buying as streamlined and professional as possible."
Consumer Benefits The Internet has created a positive environment for car shopping, enabling consumers to educate themselves on vehicle pricing, specifications, maintenance costs and more. Prior to Autobytel.com’s announcement, the Internet lacked any cohesive information about aftermarket products. Rarely did a car buyer have awareness of the cost of products such as running boards, roof racks, custom wheels, and security systems.
Autobytel.com’s aftermarket sales program lets Internet consumers compare a product’s list price to the Autobytel.com Accredited Dealer’s price and affords them the efficiency of purchasing aftermarket products at a low cost in a stress-free environment.
Dealer Benefits According to Autobytel.com’s surveys and research, Internet consumers are less likely to purchase aftermarket products at a dealership because they find the traditional sales process uncomfortable. Additionally, because dealers have more cost due to the extra personnel involved in the sale of these products, third-party vendors are often able to undercut dealer prices, thus costing dealers sales. By giving Autobytel.com Accredited Dealers the means to efficiently and effectively present low-cost aftermarket products, Autobytel.com enables them to re-capture that customer’s business. With Autobytel.com’s aftermarket program, dealers will be able to reduce F&I department head counts because the customer is now buying financing and aftermarket products online without the traditional sales pressure.
Autobytel.com Platinum Plus Service Agreements In addition to giving consumers the aftermarket option, Autobytel.com is offering an extended warranty program. Autobytel.com Platinum Plus Service Agreements allow consumers to build an extended warranty product in accordance with their individual coverage and pricing needs—before going to the dealership. This provides consumers with a higher comfort level by enabling them to purchase a service agreement of their own choosing, in a stress-free environment. Autobytel.com Platinum Plus Service Agreements are backed by a member company of AIG, one of the largest insurance companies in the world. Like Autobytel.com’s aftermarket program, Autobytel.com Platinum Plus Service Agreements keep the consumer in control of the car-buying process.
United Online to Buy Classmates Online - United Online Inc., one of the country's largest Internet service providers, Monday said it agreed to buy Classmates Online Inc. for $100 million.
H&R Block Buys Small Online Tax Company - One month after pledging to stanch the loss of customers from its digital tax business, H&R Block Inc. said Thursday it has acquired a small, online tax service company whose founders helped create the popular Turbo Tax software.
16 ( -2 -12.5% )