Why Should Auto Retailers Use Online Marketing Rather Than Offline Advertising?

‘Over 75% of consumers when searching for the nearest local car retailer start their research online’ – (Jim Rucker- TK productions-chief marketing executive. July 2009)

‘When searching for a car retailer consumers use search engines 3 times more often than TV, radio, and newspapers … combined!’ (-2009)

Major car retailers no longer see a policy of injecting huge amounts capital into traditional means of offline advertising as the best avenue of promotion. Many are are now focused on an interactive internet marketing strategy. This year Fords main marketing aim has been to bolstered their online presence which has seen websites, online ads, and social media meshing with their product line and positioning. Other leading automobile companies are following this trend as CMR interactive noted and has listed Toyota, Honda and Ford amongst the top ten spenders on online marketing.

Car companies can use social media applications and blogs and to move closer to customers gain more interest in their services and brand as well as gaining a better understanding of their customers needs. Car retailers have also seen and noted the importance of an interactive engaging website. In bids to gain and retain customer attention online motoring companies have become more creative, for example Ford have created and posted on their website a video version of the Ford story. As a result of their online marketing focus, Ad Age reports that the number of qualified buyers who planned to buy a Ford jumped 16% from 2008 (econsultancy)

Car retailers who are market leaders in sales generated via the Internet, share an approach that has revealed some common practices that are critical to a successful Internet strategy. Number one amongst these best practices is taking the time to develop and …