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April 2 by Jeff Kershner -

AOL Autos Launches Largest Site For Used Car Listing

Aol_autos_logo

I reported on this a few weeks ago “AOL Autos and Vast partner – something a little different?“. After AOL Autos dropping AutoTrader.com and selecting Vast to power their used car marketplace, the changes have finally happened.

I don’t usually post announcements but since I had been following this from the beginning and even interviewing Doug Eddy, Director of business development for AOL Autos and Kevin Laws, CEO Vast.com about their joint venture, I thought I would share the actual PR announcement.

AOL AUTOS LAUNCHES LARGEST SITE FOR U.S. USED CAR LISTINGS
More than 2.5 Million Fully Searchable Listings for Buyers; Sellers can List for Free

DULLES, VA – April 2, 2008 – AOL Autos,http://autos.aol.com, today announced an open marketplace for used cars, providing car buyers with access to more than 2.5 million vehicles for sale in the United States and a new set of search and filter tools to more easily find a car that fits their needs.

The AOL Autos used car marketplace features a new intuitive search function that enables users to search for used, certified pre-owned, and private-seller listed cars using natural language queries (e.g., “black Honda Civic”). Users can filter results based on make, model, price, body style and more, resulting in more relevant listings. In the coming months, additional enhancements to the site will include Spanish language listings, video listings and more posting services for sellers.

“For the first time, consumers will have completely unrestricted access to the biggest U.S. inventory of used cars on the Web, coupled with user-friendly search tools, enabling buyers to find the exact car they’re looking for,” said Rudi Thun, general manager of AOL Autos. “The development of an open marketplace signifies our commitment to creating an environment in which everyone can participate, resulting in a better experience for both buyers and sellers.”

The AOL Autos used car site now operates on a flexible platform, powered in-part by Vast.com, that allows sellers to post cars for sale, and include details such as photos, comments and even a car’s history.  Buyers can contact the sellers directly through the site by email or phone.  In addition, dealers and service providers have the option to participate in a pay-for-performance program for the used cars they list.

“AOL is the first major portal to shift to an open marketplace model for buying and selling cars via the Web,” said Kevin Laws, CEO of Vast.com.  “AOL is able to design their experience around helping the consumer find the best vehicle easily and helping dealers sell more cars in the process.”

AOL Autos, http://autos.aol.com,
offers car shoppers a multitude of resources to research and compare prices, features, specifications and photos of new and used cars.  The site also features the latest automotive news, including reviews and advice from industry experts on topics such as car buying, ownership and repair, hybrid trends and more.

Dealers interested in putting their inventory into the new AOL Autos used car marketplace can contact their marketing partner or provide a feed directly to Vast (http://www.vast.com/info/submitcontent).

# # #

Contact:
Chris Savarese
AOL Corporate Communications
[email protected]
212-206-4589

Categories: Latest News & Trends

About the Author

Jeff Kershner

Jeff Kershner

I’m the founder of DealerRefresh. I got my start in the dealer business when I was 18. From there I've worked throughout several departments within fixed to variable ops. Whether it’s managing the desk, perfecting sales process or studying online marketing and media trends, I absolutely love this business and the challenges it brings. On top of keeping up with DealerRefresh, I consult with dealerships and key industry businesses. My passion has been and continues to be helping dealers leverage new media to sell and improve customer service.

Comments

  1. Kevin Frye says

    April 3, 2008 at 7:40 am

    We feed our inventory to VAST for about 90% less in cost than what we pay AutoTrader monthly… Yet AOL is one of the top 10 most hit websites in the world. When AutoTrader lost this account, they lost a significant amount of value in what they are providing us as dealers. IMHO = VAST provides a great “bang for the buck”, AutoTrader is providing less for more money… Kevin Frye/eCommerce Director/Jeff Wyler Auto Family/ http://www.wyler.com

  2. Brian in Etown says

    April 4, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    yeah but they don’t have spotlights ads 🙂

  3. JF says

    April 21, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    Traffic for ATC…

    March 2006=11 Million Unique Visitors
    March 2007=12.4 Million Unique Visitors

    Dumped AOL and added KBB…

    March 2008=15.4 Million Unique Visitors!!!

    It seems to me like this was a great business move by ATC! 25% spike in visitors looks like ATC is providing more!

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  • Jeff Kershner

    Jeff Kershner

    I’m the founder of DealerRefresh. I got my start in the dealer business when I was 18. From there I've worked throughout several departments within fixed to variable ops. Whether it’s managing the desk, perfecting sales process or studying online marketing and media trends, I absolutely love this business and the challenges it brings. On top of keeping up with DealerRefresh, I consult with dealerships and key industry businesses. My passion has been and continues to be helping dealers leverage new media to sell and improve customer service.
  • Alex Snyder

    Alex Snyder

    2019 marks Alex's 30th year in the car business. In that time he has had a front-row seat for the rise of the Internet and has been working to bring the online and offline dealership experience closer. Whether you knew him from his life at Checkered Flag or his years with Dealer.com/DealerTrack/Cox Alex has remained an opinionated DealerRefresh contributor who enjoys nothing more than to poke at the unsaid truths in our industry. He also helped found FRIKINtech.

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