AutoTrader Expands Certified Vehicle Program
ATLANTA--Aug. 2, 2001--AutoTrader.com, the leading Internet auto classifieds destination and marketplace in the United States, today announced the addition of Audi Assured Certified Used Cars to the site's Certified Vehicle listings program.
Audi joins a growing list of leading automotive companies already signed on to offer their certified inventories on AutoTrader.com. Participating manufacturers will be able to advertise their inventory of certified used cars across AutoTrader.com's monthly user base of more than five million unique visitors, resulting in increased leads and potential sales. With this added service, consumers searching for a used vehicle on AutoTrader.com will be offered the option to search exclusively from a database encompassing thousands of certified Audi vehicles currently listed on the site. Audi joins a growing list of top manufacturers who participate in AutoTrader.com's Certified Vehicle program, including Toyota, Lexus and Honda.
Through AutoTrader.com's Certified Vehicle program, consumers are able to conduct a search for the make, model and year of the vehicle they choose and specify their interest in viewing certified vehicle results only, from nationwide Audi dealers participating in the certified program. All certified search results include detailed vehicle descriptions with color photos of the vehicles. Consumers have the benefit of an easy and convenient search experience for high-quality, factory-backed, certified used vehicles from top manufacturers. In addition, consumers can learn more about Audi's Assured Certified Used Car program through the www.audiusa.com/preowned hyperlink to the manufacturer's homepage.
"With the current economic climate, automotive dealers and manufacturers are finding that there is an increased demand for certified used vehicles, as they offer more security and peace of mind to consumers," said Chip Perry, president and CEO, AutoTrader.com. "By employing an added value such as our certified program and leveraging certified inventories from leading manufacturers such as Audi, we are continuing to raise the bar for the quality of resources and services we are providing to our dealers and consumers, resulting in momentous success for our business."
Through a one-of-a-kind technical approach to enable certified-only vehicle searches on its Web site, AutoTrader.com will simply receive a data feed from Audi containing a list of certified vehicles that have been registered by their dealers. AutoTrader.com then lists the cars in both their basic and featured listing format, depending on whether or not the dealer is a paying customer, as well as in a certified-only search. This allows consumers the option to search for certified-only vehicles only or for all Audi vehicles listed on AutoTrader.com.
According to recent industry research, used car sales are rising, with more than 41 million used cars sold in the United States last year alone. A growing portion of these sales include low-mileage, certified used vehicles, backed by the manufacturer, which undergo a thorough inspection and are available to consumers with financing options and a certified limited warranty. According to AutoTrader.com's own research, three-fourths of the site's 5 million unique monthly visitors are searching only for used cars, while half of them indicate that they are interested in certified cars. Audi along with Toyota, Lexus and Honda are leading the way in offering certified vehicle programs to consumers through AutoTrader.com, helping to fuel record growths in their individual certified programs.
About AutoTrader.com
AutoTrader.com is the Internet's largest auto classifieds marketplace and a comprehensive main source for consumers interested in buying or selling a new or used vehicle, or seeking information on price comparisons, safety tips, financing, insurance or warranty information. Through its strategic alliances with Manheim Auctions, Trader Publishing Company, ADP, Inc., America Online and eBay, AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location a comprehensive database of 1.5 million vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners, which provide consumers the largest selection of used vehicles in their local market.
AutoTrader.com was created in 1997 and is a majority-owned subsidiary of Manheim Auctions, Inc., the world's largest operator of wholesale auto auctions since 1945. Manheim Auctions, a wholly owned subsidiary of media conglomerate Cox Enterprises, Inc., is AutoTrader.com's principal stockholder and a key investor along with Landmark Communications, ADP, Inc., eBay, Inc, and the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. For more information, visit http://www.autotrader.com or call 404/269-7359.