SEATTLE — Cobalt, a provider of digital marketing services for the automotive industry, today announced the launch of its second-generation mobile Web interface optimized specifically for the in-market automotive shopper.

The design focuses on what a consumer is doing and where, encouraging active in-market shoppers to call the dealership or access point-to-point directions. In fact, Cobalt Mobile users are nearly three times more likely to click-through to an hours and directions page than Internet shoppers using a standard dealer Website. As a result, Cobalt Mobile steers shoppers in the final stages of their shopping process to nearby dealerships.

While some dealer Website providers simply shrink a dealer’s standard Website to fit a smaller screen, Cobalt Mobile was designed as a native mobile interface. Leveraging industry research and best practices, Cobalt Mobile is focused on the conversion of shoppers to sales through clear, one-click calls-to-action: easy-to-browse inventory, one-click-to-call and point-to-point directions. Cobalt created its mobile solution to be a powerful tool for the multi-tasking mobile consumer.

“We have had great success with Cobalt Mobile. It puts the most important calls to action upfront for the shopper,” said James Quinn, Internet manager at Les Stanford Chevrolet-Cadillac in Dearborn, Mich. “This is definitely the future of mobile Websites. I am excited to see what it does for our business platform!”

Cobalt Mobile is a seamless extension of a dealer’s Cobalt Website. Dealers can now offer an easy-to-use mobile experience with no additional effort on the dealer’s part.

The Benefits of Cobalt Mobile:

• Cobalt Mobile Websites focus on a mobile consumer’s goals: browse live inventory, locate a dealership or contact dealer sales & service.

• Inventory presentation is optimized for mobile devices. Search results and inventory listings are simple to scroll through, and it's a one-touch click into a vehicle's photos and details.

• Dealer inventory, pricing and specials are updated in real-time.

• Fast loading, easy to navigate, point and click interface requires absolutely no typing.

• Best-of-breed mapping capabilities: Leverages the power of Google maps for mobile devices; Point-to-point directions with no typing.

• Same URL for both traditional and mobile access.

• Offers dealers an onsite tool for quickly accessing inventory on their car lot.

“Cobalt invested heavily in industry research and design to create a best-in-breed mobile Website solution that offers consumers a seamless website experience” said Paul Nagy, Cobalt’s vice president of core products. “With Cobalt Mobile our dealer customers will be well positioned to exploit the explosive growth of mobile computing and serve the car shoppers that depend upon it.”

“We know that Infiniti customers are very tech savvy and active on the Internet. Our Cobalt Mobile Website is clear cut; it drills right down to what the customer wants, making it easier for consumers to find what they are looking for and contact us from their mobile devices,” said George Grubbs III, executive manager of Grubbs Infiniti, a Dallas-Ft. Worth dealer. “I also have sales staff using the new Cobalt Mobile Website as a portable inventory sales tool. It allows them to access inventory very easily from anywhere.”

Over the last year, the usage of mobile devices doubled (comScore, 2009) and mobile Internet browsing is expected to increase ten times over the next five years (ABI Research/Elektronista, 2008). Given the growing importance of mobile Internet, it is imperative that dealers provide their online shoppers with inventory, specials and contact information that are optimized for display on mobile devices, enabling the consumer to easily shop from the dealer’s Website at any time.

To learn more about Cobalt Mobile, call 800-909-8244 or visit www.cobalt.com/mobile.