The 2001 National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) trade show in early February was a "huge success" for AutoTrader.com, the online automotive classifieds destination, according to spokesperson Caitlin Norton.
In fact, AutoTrader.com announced a 400 percent increase from last year in business by signing on an impressive 600 automotive dealers at NADA, according to Norton. "The success of NADA 2001 adds to the already climbing momentum of the company," Norton said. "AutoTrader.com has increased sales and customer service staff by 200 employees and has seen record-breaking numbers for the past two months in partnership growth, site traffic and page views."
In February, AutoTrader.com experienced the highest traffic numbers ever with 4,485,201 unique visitors spending more than 10 minutes per session on the site, according to Norton.
"The success at NADA 2001 went above and beyond signing on 600 dealers to list their new and used car inventory to millions of potential car buyers," Norton told F&I Management and Technology. "Many dealers purchased AutoTrader.com’s expanded listings service, which include enhanced listings with photos, an email link, graphics, and top positioning, along with many other features." According to Norton, dealers have the option of buying feature packages or building their own listings to gain exposure to AutoTrader.com shoppers.
"AutoTrader.com is the ideal online automotive resource for independent and franchise dealers for many reasons, including a recent expansion to include new car listings, a new partnership with America Online and an extensive marketing program," Norton said. "Such strategies drive potential shoppers to AutoTrader.com, creating a more cost effective avenue to sell vehicles than traditional media advertising, allowing dealers to sell inventory faster."
The alliance with America Online has made AutoTrader.com the exclusive provider of auto classifieds to AOL, bringing together the country’s largest online auto classifieds marketplace with the largest consumer audience in cyberspace, according to Chip Perry, president and CEO of AutoTrader.com.
“Dealers are now accepting AutoTrader.com as an easy way to streamline their advertising efforts,” Perry said. “The dealers are realizing how beneficial AutoTrader.com is to their business and the positive sales impact we can create for them. AutoTrader.com works with, not against, auto dealers to leverage the lucrative classified industry, and strong relationships are being built. We are continuing to take steps to solidify AutoTrader.com as the greatest automotive resource for dealers and consumers, the results from NADA reinforce this.”
For more information, visit www.autotrader.com.
