Analysis: How e-Commerce is Impacting the Auto Industry

May 17, 2018
With auto sales taking a dip throughout much of the industry in 2017, it forced automakers to react and shift more toward e-commerce, as one report examined.

May 17, 2018—With auto sales taking a dip throughout much of the industry in 2017, it forced automakers to react and shift more toward e-commerce, as noted in a recent article by CBT News.

Multiple companies have caused disruptions to brick and mortar dealerships recently, including AutoNation, which piloted kiosk offering and online sales with Wal-Mart and CarSaver, along with shopping websites like TrueCar. Amazon also grabbed recent headlines when it secured major contracts where it posed a threat to traditional parts suppliers like AutoZone, and Genuine Parts.

The report noted that social media is becoming a clear way with which to connect with customers. And, it’s no longer enough for auto businesses to simply have a website. Nowadays, auto dealerships need to actively engage with their customers through digital means, the cbtnews.com report argued.  

Additionally, the report suggested that dealerships’ e-commerce platforms include the following:

  • product bundling
  • integration with your brick and mortar store
  • cohesive branding throughout
  • optimized product landing pages
  • model, make, and year filtering
  • shopping comparison feeds
  • Intuitive inventory management
  • mobile friendly responsive design
  • wholesale/dealer-tiered pricing

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