Driveitaway.com Launches Dealer-to-Consumer Used Car Auctions on Web
31 October 2000
Driveitaway.com Launches Dealer-to-Consumer Used Car Auctions on Web
Site Combines Security, Service of Established Dealers With
Internet's Low Prices and Convenience
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 31 Pssssst . . . ever hear about those
used car auctions open only to dealers where they go to snag great deals on
sweet, late-model cars? Well, now, with the launch of Driveitaway.com, two
Philadelphia-based businesswomen are letting everyone in on the opportunity --
and it's all from the convenience of your home, office or virtually anywhere.
Driveitaway.com (http://www.driveitaway.com) is the brainchild of Darryl Draper,
who made a name for herself as one of the country's most successful female
auto sales managers, and Stacy Ratner, an attorney and award-winning Web
designer. The women aim to open the used car auto auction to consumers,
beginning in the Philadelphia area and eventually expanding nationwide. Their
concept is simple: rework the used-car market by letting local dealers and
corporate fleet managers post their inventory of late model vehicles on
Driveitaway.com's online auto auction. Consumers can go to the site and
preview scores of these vehicles, all available locally at some of the largest
dealerships in the area, by make, model, location and mileage. They then
choose the car they like and bid online. The auctions run three to seven days
from the date the car is posted. During that time, bidders are encouraged to
visit participating dealerships for an inspection or a test drive.
"Traditionally, many of these vehicles would be sold at auction-closed to
the public," says Darryl Draper, CEO and co-founder of Driveitaway.com.
"Dealers would rather have them sold off their lot, but when they can't, the
cars go directly to a wholesale auction and the public never has the
opportunity to bid on them. We have created an online used car auction that
serves both the consumer and the dealer. Used cars aren't like CDs.
Consumers simply do not want to purchase a used car sight-unseen off the
Internet. There are too many unknowns, and every used car is unique in terms
of wear and tear."
The alternative is Driveitaway.com, the first site to focus on
dealer-to-consumer used car auto auctions via the Web. Consumers can now bid
at prices closer to the wholesale auction price, and they gain peace of mind
from buying the vehicle from a local, respected dealership. Additionally,
they get the chance to bid directly on prime off-lease vehicles for the first
time in automotive history.
"For men and women alike, buying a car is sometimes a little daunting.
The Internet breaks down a lot of barriers traditional car shopping presents,"
says Stacy Ratner, President and co-founder of Driveitaway.com. "Our goal is
to make Driveitaway.com the easiest, most buyer-driven way yet for consumers
to purchase a used car. The site puts the convenience of the Web together
with the comfort and legal protections of the dealership and the excitement of
an auction. It's really the best of both systems for everyone involved."
For dealers, the Driveitaway.com model is a boon. No longer do they have
to shuttle unsold used car inventory out to rural, faraway auto auctions that
sell and resell late model, often just-off-lease vehicles. At the same time,
consumers who find their vehicles online with Driveitaway.com still stop in at
the dealership to inspect and test-drive the car. This builds foot
traffic-one key to a successful auto dealership.
Already, two of the area's largest dealerships have signed on to
Driveitaway.com. Pacifico Dealer Group, based in the Philadelphia Auto Mall,
and Holman Enterprises, in South Jersey, see the site as a way to streamline
the used vehicles sales process while building a used car customer base that
increases sales for the dealership.
"We see Driveitaway.com as an important new way to buy and sell quality
used vehicles as well as build new relationships with customers," says Joe
David Pacifico, Vice President of Pacifico Dealer Group.
In fact, Pacifico and Holman are so excited about the concept that they
are adding Internet-enabled kiosks to their showrooms so customers can bid on
Driveitaway.com vehicles right from the showroom floor. "Besides the benefit
to us of meeting new customers, this is a true win-win for the consumer
because our inventory is refreshed faster and, in the end, our prices are
lower," adds Pacifico.
Automotive Resources International (ARI), one of the largest fleet
management companies in the world with 40,000 cars coming off lease each year,
is another booster of the company. They plan to supply local off-lease
vehicles, housed at local dealer lots and auctioned on Driveitaway.com.
"Driveitaway.com offers us the efficiencies of the Internet and all that
it offers in marketing and electronic commerce," says Bob Graham, Manager,
Used Vehicle Sales for ARI. "For the fleet managers we work with,
Driveitaway.com represents additional value and a smoother process in the
turnover of vehicles. Already, the word-of-mouth is quite positive."
Besides participating dealerships, used-car shoppers can place bids on
Driveitaway.com by visiting the company's kiosk at the Cherry Hill (NJ) Mall.
Driveitaway.com coordinated a major launch event at the Cherry Hill Mall on
October 28, which had the Philadelphia Phantoms' mascot, "Phlex," a
classic-car display, live entertainment and FREE Driveitway.com giveaway
items.
Driveitaway.com plans to run its pilot program in Philadelphia area for
three months before expanding to key markets nationwide.
For more information contact Peter Winicov, Gregory FCA Communications,
Inc. 610/642-8253 or peter@gregoryfca.com.