AutoTrader and MSN autos causes a "surge in shoppers"?

[Jeff Kershner]

Did anyone take notice to this ad in one of the recent dealer magazines?

"Get ready for a surge in shoppers like you've never seen before". I don't know about all of that.

Is it true that Cars.com dropped MSN autos because they wanted too much money for the space and at the end of the day they were contributing less then 8% of overall searches for Cars.com?

Have you even tried to search for a vehicle on MSN auto? It's a mess!!



Under the "New Cars" and "Used Cars" options you have (2) Go buttons. The first Go button (the one I thought was going to send me to my search results) lands you on a model page with Kelly Blue Book Values, Ratings with an information button to the right that takes you to each model years specifications page. By now you basically have to start your search over if your looking for actual inventory (unless you take notice to the little search box in the upper corner).



In my opinion MSN autos is far from being the most user friendly website and I seriously doubt I'm going to see a SURGE in leads from AutoTrader now that they are partnered with MSN autos.

Nice Ad though!!

 

[Lao Shi]

We learned sometime ago to never underestimate the influence, power and determination of Microsoft. When they focus and put their head down they are difficult to beat. They may not win 100% of the time but they do very well.

What they, Google, Yahoo are doing in India and China is amazing and they are just beginning. This is not including the local companies who when they emerge into the International market place will have profound impact on all markets.

I think give them 6 months and see what the trend and track of the venture is. Who knows they just may buy Autotrader, move the operation to India and roll the solution into their new DMS solution?

One of the beautiful things about ecommerce is the next killer application and technology breakthrough is just around the next bend.

 

[EJ]

If they are going to buy Autotrader, they might as well buy Manheim while they are at it. Bill Gates used to have a stake in Cox, he may still, I don't know, but Cox owns Manheim and Autotrader.

I feel like Microsoft may be going the way of Xerox; they make some really interesting products, do great research, but have trouble turning products into profits. Look at the xbox and wii, Nintendo got the market, took a risk, and is making a killing.

 

[Tom]

notice how Autotrader made themselves the receiving end of that plug. they sure got screwed!!!!

Go Cars.com!!!

 

[bpulseadmin]

Tom..NICE!! You are so right about that. Unfortunately I have no doubt that AutoTrader will be sure the dealers pay for this on your contract! Another $500 PLEASE. BUT..wait we now allow you to add 10 more photos of your dealership! It's a Bargain!!

 

[Paul]

You cars.com people need to stop. You sound like the guy who calls the woman a lesbian after she shoots you down at the bar. So we can expect a 8% drop in leads? Are your customers going to like this. You guys do know you are in second place, right? It sounds like the gap from first to second just got bigger.

No problem lesbo...i wasn't into you anyway.

 

[namartin]

Guess what Paul?
American manufacturers were #1 too. They built cars and trucks that were over priced, couldn't stay out of the shop and had designs that were really behind the times. Take a good look at Autotrader: OVER-PRICED, TECHNOLOGY DOESN'T WORK RIGHT AND THE SITE DESIGN IS OLD AND TIRED LOOKING!

Stay in that lane my friend...We'll be the guys passing you!!!!!

 

[Steve (blog)]

1. Overpriced? Not any more than a Mercedes is overpriced compared to a Mazda. Smart dealers consider value, traffic, results and consumer name recognition, not just price.

2. Technology doesn't work right? You're kidding, right? Other than a few tweaks to the new admin section (while leaving the old one still available and working perfectly), please cite an example of what's not working right.

3. Site design is old and tired looking? That might be a cars.com sales pitch nugget but is a completely subjective opinion. This sounds like a case of familiarity breeding contempt. For consumers who don't go to either site every day (like those of us in the business do) both home pages are equally up-to-date in terms of design. Besides, changing the AutoTrader.com site design could be accomplished overnight, but then cars.com reps would be left without a sales pitch.

 

[Steve (blog)]

Jeff, the starting price of a C-class Mercedes went from $24,300 in 2005 to almost $32,000 in 2008. $8 grand in four years! I wouldn't be too sarcastic about AutoTrader.com's price increases if I were you.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Steve, dude..simmer down. Why are you cutting on me about the price of a Mercedes. Who are you anyways?

It's great that you are defending AutoTrader. I don't think anyone here are "Cars.com" people but we all do recognize that AutoTrader likes to hike their prices every 12 months while receiving the same level or performance year after year.

And..the Mercedes C "Coupe" did start out at $24,300 but Mercedes no longer makes this trim here for the US. Again...why are we talking about Mercedes and the price relevance to AutoTrader?

Thanks for your feedback though Steve, it's always interesting to read others point of views.