Backs are Being Scratched for the Independent Automotive Dealers

[yhurg]

A couple months ago I had posted an entry questioning readers about where the online community was in this industry (Click here to check it out (http://blogproautomo.blogspot.com/2006/09/where-is-community.html)). I had just embarked on this blog venture at the time and was searching all about for the online activity in the automotive online marketplace, but there was little to be found. Today however is revealing a different story.

In the past month I have come across a few new online ventures specific to this industry, some of which I have already posted on and some which I have not. Interestingly, of the recent discoveries I have encountered, the target audience or clientele for some of these sites has been the independent dealers. I find this encouraging because it shows the innovativeness of technology and marketing providers out there for the independents. Call it a sign of grassroots if you will.

Take a look at AutoJini’s blog and HigherTurnOver’s blog. Both target the independents and for similar reasons from what I can tell. They both are providing website solutions designed for the independent dealer but both are backing up this standard product with innovative technology resources such as blogs with content written to help market their businesses and sell cars. This is cutting edge.

I look forward to getting closer to these innovators a bit more that are behind these sites and I am encouraged to see that the online community for this marketplace is indeed growing.

Originally Posted on BlogPro Automotive (http://blogproautomo.blogspot.com/2006/12/backs-are-being-scratched-for.html)

[mchastek]

I myself noticed a big void in the automotive industry when I discovered that there weren't really any any online communities dedicated to professionals. There are plenty of consumer sites, but not many industry-related sites. It's refreshing to see this forum grow, and many others coming about all the time. I think the automotive industry can only benefit from this growing network.

[HTRay]

I'm also glad to see some activity. I've been looking around for blogs and forums in relation to technology and the auto industry for awhile now. Our blog is focused on helping dealers move online. I've noticed that a majority of dealers really don't use the Internet to the fullest extent and do not read blogs and forums. Of course there are the small minority that do, but I hope that this changes over time.

[yhurg]

There really is not enough audience at this time for monetary gain with non-consumer community sites in this industry. I think that in order to achieve monetary kickbacks these sorts of sites need to also incorporate the right blend of consumer interests too. I am actually working on just that and plan to unveil it within the month. It will take a good year or two however for it to achieve any sort of monetary gain.

[SarahLiz]

What exactly is it that you are planning on Yhurg?

[yhurg]

Premature for me to reveal at this point because only the value model has been conceived. We are still in the process of fully defining it, but it will be a user community which as I stated earlier has the right blend of consumer and industry interests and tools. It will likely also include a syndication system of sorts too. What is your background Sarah Liz? We are seeking interested parties to fill certain roles.

[harkul]

Yes, I am all for the independents, there's a tremendous amount of potential and a far more buyer friendly environment than what the franchised dealers can offer. Again, often it is not the dealers fault, they are just trying to live up to the rules of manufacturer, and that process results only a mediocre median, so a lot of unhappy people. Also, we truly need a totally professional site, something that keeps us all alerted to opportunities that factories would rather not tell us about.

[yhurg]

Here is a link to our prototype:

http://autoconversion.net/

This site was set up for experimental purposes. We have some ideas but the primary objective of the site is for it to be user-managaed, maintained, and automated. After I put together a formal announcement about it I will post an entry, but that is a few months away.