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When it comes to dealer finance the perceived wisdom has always been that a quick response is imperative to help close a sale quickly (especially if it is an acceptance). Carlyle Finance has delivered for all of its dealers – from the very largest national account retailer groups, through car supermarkets and independent retailers – providing a fast, consistent service right across the country, 7 days a week.

Through the credit crunch, consumers have found it increasingly hard to get the funds they required to finalise a car purchase from personal loan providers. Loan availability has been limited and inevitably underwriting has been much stricter; – this gives motor dealers an opportunity to offer dealer finance, but only if finance partners could help. Whilst dealer finance companies have not been immune from the recessionary pressures in the case of Carlyle Finance, sales have grown significantly and service has been a key part of this success.

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The web and e-marketing tools represent a valuable means of creating higher quality sales leads and Carlyle Finance, one of the leading independent motor finance organisations seeking to offer the best car loans, are embracing this opportunity.

With 90% of customers researching their future car purchase on the web prior to making contact with a retailer, and over 70% of customers checking out their car financing options, including searches for the best car loans online before visiting a retailer, it is very apparent that making use of the internet is important in driving business. It is worth noting that whilst the web can be more cost effective and deliver more sales, it demands a different approach, it requires speed and it requires a passion to keep pushing into new e- territories. Above all it requires passionate e-retailers. Whilst all motor dealers should make use of the web, Carlyle Finance has invested a significant amount of money in supporting dealers so that they can maximize coverage for potential customers, and in turn, increase sales with an innovative new website from Carlyle Finance ready to be launched in the coming months.

Carlyle finance has invested a lot of time and research into the psychology of the web shopper. To benefit from this audience Carlyle needed to create e-marketing strategies, unique approaches and excellence in customer service to meet the very different needs of car buyers using the web. Carlyle’s new website will support what web shoppers expect, ensuring customers are driven to supporting dealers. Whilst Carlyle seeks to support its dealers, here are a few tips for improving your own website to maximise your sales:

Continue reading ‘Carlyle Finance Supports Dealers to Increase Sales And Offer The Best Car Loans’ »

As people are turning more towards buying used cars for various reasons, they have mainly three options viz. certified used car dealers, private sellers, and used car auctions. The two options other than going for a certified used car dealers are not likely to give the buyers the value for their money and often involve many risks. Going for a used car dealer means hassle free and a wide range of cars to choose from. Used car dealers also give prolific offers like free roadside assistance services, extended warranty, and many more.

Benefits of buying Used Cars from Certified Dealer:
Certified used car dealers account for a major share in sales of used cars. Certified used car dealers offer a variety of choices to find a wide range of vehicles at one place. Buyers can get some of the best certified pre-owned (CPO) cars, which are efficient and low priced. Buying pre-owned cars from certified dealers is safer. Certified dealers used cars are inspected, certified by the manufacturer, are generally less than 5 years old, and have traveled less then 80,000 miles. Other benefits of buying used cars from certified dealers is that they offer various financing deals, roadside assistance, and provide maintenance services. Certified used car dealers are bound by federal rules and follow federal regulations so that buyers are not duped. In addition, for any parts replacement, the manufacturers insist certified dealers to use only genuine factory parts considering safety on top priority.

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Used cars from Japan have become a rage among South African customers for their superior quality and technology. Yes, equipped with high standard maintenance and replete with extraordinary Japanese technology, these cars are more in demand than even brand new cars. This has given rise to a market that seems to be growing in leaps and bounds – the Japanese used car market, which is changing the global auto economy for the better.

However as they say, all good things also come with negative side effects; this phenomenon of growing popularity of Japanese used cars have given rise to a number of Japanese car exporters in Japan exporting to South Africa. And unfortunately some of them are bogus, and you may end up spending lots of money on a car that is not even worth the price. While the advent of online shopping things may become more convenient, but at the same time complicated, for there are increased risks involved in the entire purchasing process nowadays.

Continue reading ‘Japanese Used Car Dealers in Japan Dealing Business With South Africa’ »

Still, after all these years, there are unscrupulous car dealers who want to sell you rubbish used cars, cars that you cannot afford or cars that are just plain dangerous. Having been in the used car dealership trade for many years now I think that it is important that people have the right information on hand before they even go to look for the perfect used car.

We often buy used cars because our finance swill not stretch to a brand new one – in the perfect world we would all buy brand new! This isn’t possible and I think it is essential that people can shop for used cars confidently without worry of getting ripped off.

Continue reading ‘Buying Used Cars And The Tips Unscrupulous Car Dealers Do Not Want You To Know’ »

The Internet has changed the way consumers shop and corporations sell their products. For auto dealerships, promoting their business online is very crucial as most of the consumers turn to Internet when purchasing a car. According to ‘Capgemini Cars Online Study 2009/2010′, almost 90 percent of consumers use the internet to research vehicles. Dealers need to use the right Internet marketing tools to push their auto dealership ahead of their competitors. One of the most important tools of successful Internet marketing strategy is ‘Local Search Submission’.

Historically, consumers relied on promotional flyers, local newspapers, local TV and radio stations to find information on local products and services. But with the advent of the Internet, search engines became the primary source of local business information for many people. According to a BIA/Kelsey survey, 97% of consumers use online media while researching products or services in their local area.

Continue reading ‘The Benefits of Local Search Submissions For Auto Dealers’ »

Car buyers like to be informed about the vehicles or services you offer before they step into your dealership. They like to go into a dealership knowing as much information as possible about the product or service they’re planning to buy. Today, most car buyers are researching on the Internet before buying vehicles or accessories. According to a ‘Capgemini Cars Online 09-10′ survey, almost 90 percent of consumers today use the Internet to research vehicles. Nearly 40 percent would like to buy a car over the Internet, and half would purchase parts and accessories online.

Moreover, mobile web access in the US is growing fast. With an increase in mobile device usage for online transactions, mobile websites are becoming a necessity for many car dealerships to leverage new opportunities on Internet. Some of the main reasons for a car dealer to optimize website to be mobile-friendly are:

Continue reading ‘Importance of Mobile Website Customization For Automotive Dealers’ »

As new-vehicle sales continue to be affected by the economy and the decreasing average credit scores of vehicle purchasing customers, many franchise dealers are considering adding a buy-here, pay-here operation as another profit center for their business. This addition of Buy Here, Pay Here is not as easy as opening another used car lot and can be expensive and cash flow negative for some time. The long term profit potential, however is more consistent and predictable than the new vehicle department.

For some time, buy-here, pay-here has had the image of an operation not particularly good for new car franchisees. To begin with, due to the difference in demographic of the customer, new car franchise staff and owners have been concerned that they would have too many BHPH customers tieing them up in their new car showrooms.In addition, there may have been a concern that once a new car store became known for selling buy here pay here, the average Fico score of its’ customers may drop, and the retail banks approval rates may go down for their “good” credit customers. Some of these may be true, but the benefits are so strong and there are ways to do BHPH without having the negatives. Continue reading ‘New Car Dealers, You Have a Future in "Buy Here, Pay Here"’ »