An Uncle Joe Old School Warning to you all.
"Be Careful what you wish for."
I've been warning ya'll for years, The internet has completely crushed industries, ask yourself how has the used car biz avoided this?
#1). There is no industry standard to report used vehicle condition
#2). Vehicle Trim, Package and Installed Options gathered in the field are far from uniform.
If you automate problem #2 -and- if some industry player creates a "used vehicle condition" protocol*, then kiss EVERYTHING good bye.
FACT: The flatter and more transparent the product analysis becomes, the thinner the retailers margins will be.
If that line above doesn't ring a bell in your head, then your barking up the wrong tree.
*The biggest winner would be Cox Enterprises who owns KBB.com, Manheim, AutoTrader.com, vAuto. Standardized Used condition reports improves every single aspect of the Cox Empire.
WINNERS:
--Manheim Online Wholesale Platform gains authority
--KBB.com valuations become far more precise
--AutoTrader.com leverages the above, search becomes far more granular (i.e. 2010-12 Chevy Equinox, AWD, LT2 or LTZ, with Roof, Backup Camera, Nav, Leather optional, no color preference, miles under 36k, with a vehicle condition score of 8.5 or better)
--Vauto data becomes far more critical
--VinSol builds in sales assist tools to help the rep with difficult A/B product comparisons
LOOSER:
--Every Single Dealer (regardless of brand).
p.s. Remember, the internet BLOWS UP industries. Here's another body blow. Uniform and automated Used vehicle data creates a totally new shopper opportunity where the shopper can post their car to trade on a site where dealers can "bid on my trade".
