4:45 pm, October 12, 2010
MANHEIM Retail Services has launched a new mobile product that will help dealers convert enquires to sales.
The Vehicle Mobile Marketing product will enable dealers to directly send mobile web pages, full specifications and high-quality images straight to prospective customers’ phones.
Managing Director of Manheim Retail Services John Simpson said: ‘As the market toughens dealers need to be using a full suite of communications channels to optimise every sales opportunity.
‘By embracing new technology we are now able to help dealers make it simple and instantaneous for prospects to access stock information though their preferred communications channel, whatever that may be.
‘Mobile marketing is now one of the fastest growing technologies in the UK and dealers should be thinking very carefully about incorporating it into their marketing strategies.’
The new service has been trialed by Fife SEAT, who have already seen the results.
MD Stephen Graham said: ‘It’s like a virtual showroom. You can have a customer on the phone and within about 20 seconds send a vehicle brochure straight to them while you are talking. The template also allows you to tailor personal messages to the individual customer.
‘We had a recent enquiry from a customer outside our area whose local dealer didn’t stock the car they wanted and couldn’t provide any further information on it.
‘Even though we were some distance away, the customer got in touch with us at 9.30am one morning and I texted him the information while he was on the phone – by 2.30pm he was in the showroom and by 4.30pm he was driving away in his new car.’
Powerful stuff indeed.
Manheim’s new mobile service is also available to customers by sending an text to an advertised shortcode number.
by JAMES BATCHELOR
