In my calls on dealers, I have found a majority now have Factory controlled websites, usually by "XXXXX", "XXXXX" or the likes. These sites severely limit where a dealer can link out to and the content his site can include. Each one looks like the next one, with the same content and tools.
This is obviously a controll issue by the manufacturers but also limits the ability of the Internet Dept. to sell cars. The successful Internet dealers I see almost all have custom websites designed to sell cars, not promote the brand like the factory sites.
I think the dealers see this as an easy way to have a web presence and satisfy the factory. The hook for the factory is no factory website, no leads from them.
Any thoughts on this situation?
Tom Browder
[This message has been edited by jimmuntz (edited 04-12-2001).]