Dealers need to incorporate live chat into all elements of their digital business for it to make it have a positive impact.
Dickerson said that in January there were 13 billion automotive searches online globally, and mobile internet use is growing fast, with people looking at their mobile phones 150 times per day.
Aftersales business will be increasingly dominated by the internet and franchised dealers and their manufacturer partners need to be prepared in order to meet consumer expectations.
Auto Trader has warned customers against a third-party website that has been taking payments to sell their cars on the Auto Trader website.
Are car manufacturers now leading the way with social media, providing dealers with adequate guidance and inspiration?
Dealer group Glyn Hopkin is working with Amscreen to display location specific advertising to customers in the vicinity of its Fiat dealerships across London and the south east.
A new online customer service website, carbuyingadvisor.co.uk, has now launched following a three month trial.
Kwik-Fit Group has appointed customer engagement agency Lateral to handle its electronic customer relationship management programme.
South West-based dealer group Vospers has launched a new blog as part of making sure its online experience is as good as the customer experience in the showroom.
Trader Media Group has appointed Trevor Mather as its new chief executive officer.
GForces is opening a second office in the UK to support its growth.
Any franchised dealer that has not fully embraced the internet by now must face a difficult future of being steadily left further and further behind.
Trader Media Group UK sales director, franchise, Sharon Randall will take over the role of group director, digital marketing services on an interim basis following the announcement that Craig Stevens has left the company.
AM/Razsor Digital Marketing Conference Report is now available to read online and on iPad with in-depth coverage and expert advice which will help franchised dealers and car manufacturers to operate the online aspects of their business more effectively.
John Grose, the multi-franchised dealer group, has announced an agreement with social business solutions provider Reevoo to engage directly with car buyers.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has secured additional funding from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to develop an information and communications technology (ICT) teaching resource.
Vauxhall and Chevrolet retailer Eden Motor Group has launched a new finance ‘rapid response’ calculator tool which allows browsers to search its used cars by monthly payment.
Jardine Motors has launched its new website as part of a digital overhaul of its business.
Facebook has unveiled a major redesign of their News Feed to significantly improve the user experience. The UK has over 32 million monthly active users on Facebook, which is 61% of the population who are online.
Dealers using live chat are seeing one in four conversations generating a sales lead, according to statistics from Auto Trader.