CarGurus launches exciting new initiatives to drive brand awareness and engagement
At CarGurus, we’re always looking for new ways to send even more buyers to your vehicles. That’s why we’re delighted to announce two exciting new initiatives that our team has been working on to further increase brand awareness and buyer engagement. In combination with pent-up demand continuing to flood the market, these efforts will help drive more leads and sales to your dealership.
Tips for attracting more fixed ops business for your dealership
In a recent blog post, we discussed some of the challenges expected to hinder new car supply in the coming months, from microchip and rubber shortages to the ongoing Brexit implications. After more than a year of enduring the Covid pandemic, it looks as though there could still be some rocky waters to come in the months ahead.
From a dealer’s perspective, that makes now a prime time to review the fixed ops side of the business and look for opportunities for growth. When the going gets tough on the sales floor, it’s the service and parts departments that can keep profits flowing and dealerships afloat. But thanks to the new service standards forced by Covid that have become part of everyday life, the post-pandemic customer is going to have an entirely new set of expectations.
Here’s a checklist to help ensure your dealership’s fixed ops systems and workflows are optimised to attract business and meet the demands of today’s customers.
3 Supply concerns troubling the auto industry in the UK – and how to keep them from impacting the car buying experience
The Covid pandemic remains top of mind for most people in the UK as infections continue to spread. However, car dealers have been allowed to reopen as of April, customers are once again able to browse showrooms in person, and demand has surged for vehicles in the UK.
Even with optimism growing, several issues threaten the stability of the new vehicle market in the UK in the coming months though. Since it pays to be prepared, here’s a look at the anticipated supply concerns for the UK auto industry.
Live now! Dealer Tools on mobile
You spoke, and we listened! Due to popular dealer feedback, the CarGurus Pricing Tool is now on mobile.
You can easily edit trim and options, publish prices, and review your stock from anywhere. Watch the video above to see how you can use this tool without being tied to your desk.
To use dealer tools on mobile: open the CarGurus website or app on your phone and log in with your CarGurus Dealer Dashboard login information.
Top Rated Dealer 2021: building trust and transparency through shopper reviews
It’s no secret that today’s buyers use the internet to inform their purchases. With so many resources available, digital makes it easy to research makes and models and compare prices. But it’s not just about price: almost two-thirds (62%) of buyers won’t contact a dealer before checking their reviews, according to a CarGurus consumer poll. That’s because reviews help validate the dealership experience and build a buyer’s trust with a dealer before ever setting foot on the lot.
Not only do reviews give buyers the transparency they crave, helping them choose one dealership over another, but they also benefit you, the dealer. CarGurus dealers with a 4-star average rating or better receive over 50% more connections per vehicle than dealers with a 1-star average rating. Plus, a stellar reputation will help you earn the prestigious CarGurus Top Rated Dealer Award, which helps you bolster a cycle of trust and transparency between your dealership, existing customers, and in-market car buyers.
Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to grow your reputation online. Here are some simple tips for managing your reputation and building trust in your dealership.
Most searched used vehicles of 2021 so far, according to CarGurus data
Though 2021 got off to a turbulent start with lockdown measures in place, car buyers continued to search for and research vehicles online. To see which cars currently sit at the top of buyers’ wish lists, we dug into our search data from the first quarter of 2021. In particular, we looked at which used makes and models were the most searched on CarGurus in 12 UK regions.
6 Ways to promote your Top Rated Dealer Award and bring in new customers
Congratulations to our Top Rated Dealers who are part of an exclusive group of CarGurus dealers with an average dealer rating of 4.5 stars or higher. Your award is the result of your commitment to customer satisfaction and the consistently great reviews you’ve received from the people who matter most: your customers.
You’ve put in the hard work to earn the award, now it’s time to put the award to work for your dealership. Here are our top tips for showcasing your achievement using the assets available to all winners on a paid listings package:
CarGurus exec shares with AM-Online tips for positioning your dealership for success
In a recent AM-Online opinion piece, Wendy Harris, SVP of Sales and Managing Director at CarGurus, shared key learnings from the past year and explained how dealers can adjust their business practices accordingly to set themselves up for future success. In her article, she talks about:
New CarGurus research shows increasing buyer openness towards EVs
Electric vehicles pose a big opportunity for the automotive industry, particularly in the United Kingdom where we’re seeing more rapid adoption compared to the US and Canadian markets. In February, CarGurus surveyed 1,005 car owners in the UK on their sentiments towards electric vehicles. Overall, two-thirds of consumers plan to own an electric vehicle in the next decade. While Tesla is the trusted leader in tech development, other brands have won higher purchase consideration among buyers.
In this emerging space, buyers are excited by the possibilities and less brand loyal so there are opportunities for more competitors to disrupt the market and for dealers to get ahead of the demand curve. Below we’ve highlighted four key takeaways as well as recommendations for dealerships on how to act on these evolving EV trends and preferences. To view the full results, download the CarGurus 2021 Electric Vehicle Report.
Announcing the CarGurus 2021 Top Rated Dealer Awards
It’s that time of year again! Congratulations to all the dealers recognised as winners of the 5th annual CarGurus Top Rated Dealer Awards. This prestigious award celebrates an exclusive group of dealerships with the highest average ratings from CarGurus buyers. Each dealer in this group had an average dealer rating of 4.5 stars or higher and a minimum of five verified customer reviews in the last year, signifying their commitment to exceptional customer service.