Automotive Dealer Social Sites
Posted on 14 February 2008 by Blake
I have read about a few social sites targeting auto dealers, but I can’t really see this taking off. Of all the industries I have worked with, automotive is by far the most “selfish.” When I say this, I mean that they really don’t want to share with a dealership what is working and what isn’t because they may get customers the lot across the street couldn’t get. This makes perfect sense to me.
Based on the social idea, Auto Web Engine will begin rolling out some “social” functions into our system, functions that will make AWE user powered, enabling growth with the customer. For example, obviously makes and models change each year, for the most part. One of our “user powered” functions that will be implemented shortly is the ability for dealers to add in makes or models that aren’t in the list yet, making them globally available for everyone the next time someone comes across that make and model.
AWE won’t be quite a social site, but behind the scenes, users will be making each others inventory admin a lot easier. Perhaps one day dealers will be able to share with each other, especially in market conditions like we are seeing now where car buying is way down.
