CARSALES MOVES TO SUPPORT DEALER CUSTOMERS

Carsales moves to support dealer customers

All fixed and variable advertising fees for April will be waived by carsales to support Australia’s car, bike, boat, truck, RV and machinery dealers.

The company says the move will contribute to reducing dealers’ short-term operating costs and help them through this challenging period. It informed it’s dealer customers of the initiative this morning.

The fee-free period will comprise all of April 2020 and, carsales will also allow its customers to defer payment of their March advertising costs by 30 days.

“Australian businesses big and small are facing significant challenges and restrictions during this period,” says carsales chief executive officer Cameron McIntyre.

“We are committed to supporting our dealer customers – our fee waiver and payment deferral will substantially assist dealers in maintaining an active presence in the marketplace during this challenging period.

In addition to waiving all charges in April, carsales will encourage dealers to use new services such as video ads that provides dealers with the opportunity to create a virtual showroom experience for consumers.

It will also provide dealers with enhanced customer insights during the period and its Employee Assistance Program services will also be extended to its dealer customers during this difficult period. The program includes counselling and a range of personal assistance services.

“In this challenging period, our thoughts are with our dealer partners and their teams both here in Australia and in all of our international markets,” says McIntyre.

“This is a very serious situation for the wider region but we’re approaching it with clear heads and in the knowledge that the Australian economy and business fundamentals, while acutely challenged, will begin to recover at some stage over the coming months,” he says.

“Customer service remains a priority and carsales’ consumer and dealers support teams are on hand to assist. Our team is also creating updates and advice specifically created to assist both consumers and industry.

“carsales has implemented these measures to support our customers, given they are key stakeholders of our business and have supported us over the last 20 years.

“We have a strong balance sheet and prudent gearing, which positions us well to provide this support and deal with this challenging environment,” says McIntyre.

Source
Robert Barry  | March 23, 2020  | Autotalk