Dominion Dealer Solutions aims to bolster consumer trust in the used car buying process with C.A.R.Score.
The all new vehicle condition report is set to compliment vehicle history reports and allow automobile dealers to compete with Carvana and other online retailers.
Norfolk, Va. – December 6, 2018 – Dealer Specialties, a division of Dominion Dealer Solutions, today announced the national launch of C.A.R.Score, a service offering consumer-facing vehicle condition reports to dealers that will bring significant enhancements and transparency to a dealer’s digital merchandising strategy. C.A.R.Score has been tested in seven major markets, and will be available nationwide this summer.
C.A.R.Score is a report that provides car shoppers with the ability to see the current condition of a vehicle — shortening the decision-making path and ultimately the time to purchase. These condition reports show specific details that car shoppers are looking for, yet, until now, were not available online. C.A.R.Score reports assess the condition of all areas of the vehicle including instrument and control panels, interior odors, mirrors, upholstery, even the tire tread depth. Other reports only provide a look at a vehicle’s history without providing any actual condition information. By sharing this type of detail about their vehicles, dealers can instill a heightened level of buyer confidence.
“Transparency is very important to our dealership. I believe we need to be completely up front with our customers and allow the customer to come to their own conclusions in regards to the vehicles’ condition,” said one beta dealer.
C.A.R.Score offers the only full-service vehicle condition report in the market, according to the company. The reports are facilitated through Dealer Specialties, a Dominion Dealer Solutions company. Dealer Specialties currently serves over 3,000 rooftops and processes over 50,000 vehicles on a weekly basis. Dealer Specialties lot representatives have already developed over 500 C.A.R.Score reports in beta markets.
“C.A.R.Score reports offer full transparency to the consumer,” said Shane Marcum, vice president of Dealer Specialties, “Photos or other industry reports are insufficient to determine the exact condition and value of the car. Car shoppers do more of their research online and visit fewer dealerships in person. This type of report helps them scrutinize what they really want in a vehicle and maximizes their time spent traveling to dealer lots.”
To validate the initiative with the consumer base, Dealer Specialities surveyed 243 recent car buyers to gauge their reaction to C.A.R.Score. The company reports significant numbers of positive responses including:
“I love that it tells you exactly what is wrong, and what is right, with the vehicle you are looking to purchase,” said Ashley from Holden Heights, FL, a participant in the study. “This is an excellent tool to have [because] the consumer would be more willing to come and look at, test drive, or purchase the vehicle if they know all the info on the car upfront.”
The C.A.R.Score conditioning platform is now available in several major markets and will be available nationwide in the summer of 2019. For more information on C.A.R.Score, or to obtain a sample copy of a C.A.R.Score Report, please call 888-905-9128 or email dealersuccess@drivedominion.com.
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About Dominion Dealer Solutions
Dominion Dealer Solutions improves dealers’ lives by developing advanced technologies including: reputation and social media management, responsive websites, digital advertising, SEO, SEM, multi-channel marketing, and custom market reports. Coupled with award-winning lead management, inventory merchandising, equity mining, customer relationship (CRM) and dealer management (DMS) solutions, Dominion redefines automotive retail by delivering first-class customer experiences for today’s automotive dealerships. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, every OEM and more than 10,000 U.S. dealers depend on Dominion’s foundation of innovation, integrity, excellence and teamwork to provide them with results at every turn. For more information, visit our website, like us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Youtube, or follow us on Twitter.
About Dominion Enterprises
Dominion Enterprises (“DE”) is a leading digital marketing and software services company offering client solutions across multiple business verticals. DE customers rely on our B2B cloud SaaS solutions to establish their online and mobile brands, generate leads, and manage customer relationships through our Homes.com, Dominion Dealer Solutions, Dominion Business Solutions / DX1, Travel Media and Franchise and Business Opportunity divisions. DE’s B2C web and mobile applications include Homes.com,HotelCoupons.com, FranchiseOpportunities.com, FranchiseGator.com, Franchise.com, and BusinessBroker.net. DE has approximately 2,000 employees who reside and work in their Norfolk, VA home office and in offices across the U.S. Employees will tell you about a collaborative, innovative, team-oriented work environment, excellent career enrichment opportunities, community service opportunities, competitive earnings, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a generous 401(k). DE is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse workforce. DE is a drug-testing employer.
Media Contact:
Meagan Murray
Director of Media and Partner Relations
Dominion Dealer Solutions
meagan.murray@drivedominion.com