TORONTO, ON – March 16, 2016 — Over the last 20 years, the Internet using population has grown from 35 million people to 3.3 billion, according to Internet World Stats. In the same period of time, mobile phone ownership has risen from 80 million to 5.2 billion. These staggering increases mean that the car buying public now have an overwhelming amount of information available at their fingertips. They are more educated than ever, but also have significantly shorter attention spans.

 

Working collaboratively with the TRADER Corporation, a top provider of automotive digital marketing solutions, The Dilawri Group of Companies has already started to put these key learnings into practice with an innovative and transparent online automotive e-commerce experience to meet these shifting needs.

 

As the next generation of consumers are accustomed to constant connectivity, they expect access to relevant information to be prioritized and swift. Dilawri set out to navigate the changing consumer landscape with a digital experience that offers transactional pricing (including monthly payment options, OEM incentives and search by payments) and the ability to secure a deposit online via Paypal. According to comScore, 49 per cent of time spent online is now accessed through a mobile device, so optimizing the site for mobile capability was essential.

 

Not only has this shift to online and mobile territory empowered consumers with information, it has also opened up new options for dealer and vehicle choice regardless of geographic location. The first of its kind in Canada, this innovative online automotive e-commerce solution allows consumers to search and reserve vehicles online with transparent pricing and current manufacturer programs. Boasting 31 brands, Canada’s largest dealer group has over 10,000 vehicles in its inventory at any given time which can be searched by location, make, model or price.

 

This new platform powered by TRADER and Dealer.com is already garnering increased traffic and sales. Providing a more user-friendly and transparent online experience has resulted in increased total site visits, time on site and VDP views, while bounce rates have dropped significantly.

 

“Consumer behavior is changing and if we are to continue providing the best level of customer service possible, we need to adapt,” says David Boots, Director of National Operations for Dilawri Group of Companies, “In just a few months of transitioning over to this new platform, we’ve already seen year over year growth and received very positive responses from consumers.”

 

A recent TRADER Keystone study of Canadian buying behavior found that 84 per cent of consumers shopping for vehicles will use online resources as part of their process. Online has changed the way that consumers shop for cars today. Online is now driving faster buying decisions, because consumers are much more informed. The buyer’s shopping journey was also found to be much shorter as a result, with less time and fewer dealer visits – making the window to influence their decisions small but crucial.

 

“At Dilawri Group of Companies, we define our vision as uncompromised excellence,” adds Boots. “We strive to deliver complete customer satisfaction in all areas of our business. We recognize that our clients are not only looking for more transparency in the purchase process, such as transactional prices and payments, but moreover they looking for greater convenience and an online experience that is on par with the likes of non-automotive retailers.”

TRADER Corporation is a trusted Canadian leader in print and online media, managing automotive consumer marketplaces and publications. The company’s primary online destinations include: AutoTrader.ca™, AutoHebdo.net™, and Autos.ca. AutoTrader.ca offers the largest inventory of new cars and used cars in Canada, available via our website and mobile applications. Visitors buy or sell cars, trucks or other motorized vehicles quickly, easily and conveniently. Buyers can search based on vehicle model, make, colour and geographic location to find the deal that is right for them. Autos.ca is the online destination for auto enthusiasts, featuring car news and car reviews from well-known automotive journalists. Follow AutoTrader.ca on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and on YouTube.

Dilawri Group of Companies is Canada’s largest automotive group with 58 franchised dealerships representing 31 automotive brands throughout Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Privately owned and operated by the Dilawri family since 1985, the company continues to expand its footprint in Canada, building on its history of excellence in the automotive industry. With more than 2,700 employees, Dilawri Group of Companies is proud to offer exceptional products and customer service in every dealership. Dilawri Group of Companies is not only a leader in the automotive industry, it is also a leader in the communities it serves, having established The Dilawri Foundation in 2002. The Dilawri Foundation has contributed millions of dollars throughout Canada supporting a variety of charitable causes.