FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Cars.com's Manufacturer Certified Pre-Owned Program Connects Dealers With Shoppers

by Staff
June 3, 2002
3 min to read


Cars.com announced June 3, a new manufacturer certified pre-owned (MCPO) vehicle

program designed to spotlight dealers' used car inventories

Ad Loading...

and connect them with consumers looking to purchase certified

pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. According to the company, Audi of America, Inc. is the first

automobile manufacturer to partner with cars.com and promote the CPO

vehicle listings of Audi dealers in the cars.com network.



According to cars.com, CPO vehicles typically sell at higher prices than traditional used

Ad Loading...

vehicles. According to a 2001 Dohring Company study, dealers reported

that certified vehicles can earn as much as $1,200 more in gross

profit than non-certified vehicles. Cars.com says it is raising awareness of MCPO programs among used-car

shoppers and driving demand for certified listings through branding and content aimed at educating consumers about CPO vehicles.

CNW Marketing Research Inc. reports that in 2001 only 18 percent of

Ad Loading...

consumers were aware of MCPO vehicle programs. When educated about the

benefits of certified vehicles, however, 40 percent of these consumers

said they would buy a MCPO vehicle.



"Cars.com's new MCPO program is a priority for our business and

reinforces the value of our dealer CPO vehicle listings," said Mitch

Ad Loading...

Golub, general manager of cars.com. "Cars.com is putting significant

marketing and education efforts behind the concept of certified used

vehicles to raise awareness of MCPO programs in general and promote

the premium pre-owned listings of our dealers. Our focus remains on

driving educated, qualified consumers to local dealers to reduce their

Ad Loading...

inventory levels and increase their customer base."



Audi Assured CPO vehicle dealers in the cars.com network say they are the

first to benefit from the new MCPO program. In addition to the branding that cars.com dealers already receive, Audi Assured

dealers across the cars.com network will receive exposure for

their certified vehicles on cars.com. Audi Assured certified vehicles

Ad Loading...

will be tagged with a special logo that identifies them as a

manufacturer-certified vehicle in consumer search results, according to cars.com. Pop-up

windows will describe specific program benefits and offer additional

details, encouraging consumers to contact local dealers carrying the

CPO vehicles they want. Dealer contact information will be displayed in search results to drive shoppers who are

Ad Loading...

ready to buy to Audi Assured dealer showrooms.



About Audi of America, Inc.



The network of over 260 Audi dealers currently offers a line of

vehicles that include the A4 and S4 sedan and Avant

models; the A6 sedan and Avant; the S6 Avant; the Audi A8 and S8; the crossover allroad quattro and the TT

Ad Loading...

Coupe and Roadster.

Audi of America is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and

markets a line of luxury cars built in plants in Ingolstadt and

Neckarsulm, Germany and Gyor, Hungary. The parent company, Audi AG, is

headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Ad Loading...



About cars.com



Cars.com claims to help dealers promote their dealerships and connect

with local consumers. Cars.com's Online

AdPackage offers dealers four different ways to connect with

consumers - telephone, e-mail, Web site referral and walk-in. Beyond

Ad Loading...

online advertising, cars.com's SalesCenter enables dealers to manage

prospects for sales success.


Cars.com also claims to offer integrated solutions to automotive

manufacturers and to advertising and e-commerce partners interested in

accessing consumers through cars.com's media platform. Offerings

Ad Loading...

include advertising and sponsorship opportunities, lead management,

and an eCRM platform currently used by a number of automotive

manufacturers.

To become a cars.com dealer or learn

more about cars.com products and services, visit www.dealers.cars.com.

Ad Loading...

or call 1-800-298-1460.


Topics:F&I

More F&I

Man holding magnifying glass over sales volume paper.
F&IMay 29, 2026

Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You

Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.

Read More →
Photo of woman typing on a laptop as she sits on a couch
F&Iby Hannah MitchellMay 29, 2026

Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity

A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.

Read More →
Dustin Gingerich standing on stage giving a presentation
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceMay 28, 2026

Humble and Hungry: 12 Rules for an F&I Life

Dustin Gingerich, with a decade in the F&I business under his belt, shares his thoughts on leadership, building trust with customers, and the importance of learning and innovation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of businessman's hands resting on files on a desk
F&Iby John TabarMay 27, 2026

Focus on the Opening

F&I managers must learn as much as possible about their customers, starting before they walk into their offices. The bulk of today’s consumers expect that, and good results will follow.

Read More →
Photo of a three-seat vehicle back seat
F&Iby Hannah MitchellMay 22, 2026

F&I Reaches for the Sky

The increasingly important profit center continued making gains in the first quarter, according to StoneEagle data, ancillary products proving more popular as consumers hold onto their buys longer.

Read More →
Cover image for a BOK Financial report titled “Timing the market: How avoiding volatility entirely can hurt long-term reinsurance program performance.” The image shows several road construction barricades with flashing amber warning lights lined up in a nighttime work zone. Beneath the image, red text explains that avoiding volatility can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long-term surplus growth. The BOK Financial logo appears at the bottom right.
SponsoredMay 8, 2026

Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance

For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Ryan Ruff, The 90/10 Rule, Automotive Training Academy, Sales Series
F&IMay 6, 2026

The 90/10 Rule

In this video, Ryan Ruff explains the rule that elite sales professionals use to turn ordinary conversations into unforgettable customer experiences.

Read More →
Photo of essential oil diffuser on desk next to laptop
F&IMay 4, 2026

Your Office Is Talking

What’s the atmosphere saying about you to your customers? You can make minor adjustments and additions that transform your space into one that creates trust with the people on the other side of the desk.

Read More →
"Effective training ensures the customer’s needs remain at the heart of everything we do. When that is the focus, both sales and profits naturally improve." by Rick McCormick with F&I and Showroom logo and picture of Rick McCormick
F&IMay 1, 2026

F&I Training Fundamentals

How can auto dealerships help F&I managers fulfill their vital role in the most effective ways? Industry expert Rick McCormick shares his insights on the best ways to train these professionals and help them maintain good habits.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of car tire and the tread mark it left in snow
F&Iby Hannah MitchellApril 29, 2026

Not Just Any Tire Will Do

More consumers and businesses are opting for all-season options for various reasons as safety, sustainability and convenience push practical change.

Read More →