IRVINE, Calif.--Autobytel Inc., a leading automotive Internet marketing services company, today announced results from one of the company's innovative dealer business generation programs, Rapid Response(SM). Used by more than 1,300 dealers across the country, Rapid Response is generating "ringing" endorsements from the many dealers who have seen their sales and closing ratios double since they began implementing the program into their overall marketing strategies.
"From a dealer's perspective, it's incredibly useful," said Greg Taylor, Internet Dept Director of Castle Toyota/Scion in Baltimore. "The phone rings; you pick up and get the information you need; and just like that you're talking to the customer live and telling them you'll have a price quote in five minutes. That's a huge advantage." Indeed, Taylor estimates that Castle has picked up 17-22 additional online sales per month since starting the program and that closing ratios for customers contacted through Rapid Response are roughly double the dealership's average for online leads.
When a participating dealer receives a Purchase Request on one of Autobytel's web sites, the program automatically phones the dealership, providing the customer's information (name, vehicle selection, etc.) and an option to place an immediate phone call to the customer with the push of a button. That capability is providing wide-ranging benefits for hundreds of participating dealers nationwide -- from better contact rates and closing ratios, to more accurate price quotes and a keener focus on Internet (versus walk-in) customers.
Chris Lorenzo, BDC/Internet director of The Great Americans in Hackensack, New Jersey, the #1 volume dealer in the Northeast, reports similar results. "With the help of Autobytel and their Rapid Response program we've nearly doubled our sales," said Lorenzo. "In one month, we went from selling 50 cars per month to 93 on the Internet."
According to Scott Schiller, business development manager of Stamford Motors Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut, the sales and closing ratio improvements are the end result of a great customer first impression. "When our customers are contacted immediately with Rapid Response, it adds credibility to our establishment," said Schiller. "It sends a message that we want to earn their business."
The Rapid Response program is part of a growing suite of services that Autobytel is providing to help its program dealers improve their follow up process and overall marketing value. Shortly, the company plans to go live with its new Email Manager program, which will automatically manage long-term email follow-up campaigns, on behalf of the dealership, for every customer lead generated through the Autobytel program. The company will also be introducing pay-per-call pricing for the used program across its network of websites in conjunction with the rollout of its new flagship consumer site, MyRide.com. With the new pricing model, each program dealers' vehicle listing will feature monitored local and toll-free numbers that shoppers can call directly. Dealers will be able to post their entire used inventory and pay only for leads -- both email and phone -- generated through the program.(1)
"Rapid Response is a great example of how our company has evolved from simply providing quality leads into innovating new ideas to help dealers attract, manage and convert more online customers, more efficiently," said Autobytel Inc. President and CEO Jim Riesenbach. "In a tough sales climate, we're proud to be helping dealers capitalize on new efficiencies and opportunities that give them a competitive edge."
(1) Not available in some states
About Autobytel Inc.
Since launching the first car-buying website in 1995, Autobytel Inc.'s (Nasdaq:ABTL) mission has been to empower automotive consumers with the tools and information they need to make smart, well-informed vehicle purchasing and ownership decisions. The company has helped millions of car shoppers and generated billions of dollars in car sales for dealers. Today, the company's innovative, consumer-driven flagship site, MyRide.com, currently available in a public Beta Edition, expands the company's mission across the automotive purchase and ownership life cycle to meet the wide-ranging auto-related needs and interests of today's Internet-savvy automotive community. As the first vertical search experience for the automotive marketplace, MyRide.com delivers relevant, well-organized search results from across the web, integrated with entertaining multi-media and user-generated content on topics ranging from purchasing and aftermarket, to ownership and enthusiasm.
By providing a convenient and comprehensive automotive consumer experience across the purchase and ownership lifecycle, Autobytel provides new value and touch-points for automotive marketers. Through MyRide.com and Autobytel's marketing network, the company connects dealerships with a steady, diverse stream of exceptionally motivated, serious shoppers, while providing both dealers and manufacturers with precision-targeted brand and product marketing opportunities. The company's advanced web-based advertising and marketing programs also help dealers and manufacturers build relationships with customers, as well as help them to efficiently manage and convert online business.