AutoTrader lets buyers bid for vehicles in new dealers' area

Revolution UK 21-Jun-06

AutoTrader is to roll out an interactive bidding service that lets car buyers negotiate vehicle prices on the motoring site.

'Make Me An Offer' allows users to browse a selection of dealers'
vehicles and suggest a price via an integrated email form, which the
dealer can then accept or refuse. The site will show the user's

suggestion and the number of offers that have been made so far.

The service is accessible at Dealerportal.co.uk, a new area within
Autotrader.co.uk, which manages the bid process and lets dealers view
all offers.

It is available to AutoTrader's 10,000 dealer base and the brand aims to
extend it to private sellers later this year.

Jonathan Williams, head of marketing at Trader Media Group, said the web
site gives consumers a new car-buying experience.

"'Make Me An Offer' presents consumers with an alternative hassle-free
negotiating route, which takes away the need to barter or haggle over
prices face-to-face with a dealer."

According to figures from Hitwise, in December Autotrader.co.uk had a 37
per cent market share of visits to classified web sites and more than
320,000 classified vehicles for sale at any one time.