LONDON -

This week, White Clarke Group highlighted that one of its tools is being leveraged by Toyota and Lexus Financial Services throughout the United Kingdom. The captives launched the new NGage system nationwide for instant, seamless and transparent customer finance quotations and agreements.

White Clarke said that Toyota and Lexus dealers across the U.K. are making the business of financing a vehicle purchase quicker and simpler for customers with the introduction of NGage, a new, web-based electronic point-of-sale system.

Commissioned by Toyota and Lexus Financial Services, NGage is designed to provide a wealth of features designed to help customers choose the package that’s right for them and, when happy with the details, use an electronic signature to agree the finance deal. Quotations can be compared side-by-side with appropriate interest rates (quoted as APR) and finance approval can be obtained almost immediately.

White Clarke pointed out the process eliminates the need for paper documents at the quotation and agreement stage and avoids the delays that can occur when documents have to be physically signed and returned. The company said the clarity and ease of use are in line with the kind of streamlined purchase procedures customers experience and appreciate in other retail areas.

At the same time as NGage makes for a seamless and transparent customer experience, White Clarke went on to mention the solution is also designed to be robust and secure. For example, any application for finance has to be supported by customer proof of identity.

NGage uses CALMS software designed by the White Clarke, enabling interfaces with leading credit bureaus and vehicle data services. It is highly flexible and can be accessed using a wide range of devices, from desktop computers to tablets and smartphones.

“We have sought to produce a best-in-class front-end system that will help strengthen our performance in fleet, retail and direct customer sales,” said Fran Kenny, director of operations at Toyota Financial Services.

“We have had positive feedback from our dealers and we see great potential in the business agility that NGage can provide,” Kenny continued. “Auto finance is dynamic, fast-growing marketplace, so it’s important for us to be agile and contain costs while delivering business change that benefits us, our dealers and our customers.”

NGage has been developed and extensively tested prior to a national roll-out through Toyota and Lexus’ 234 centers over a six-week period with full implementation completed by end of November.  At the same time, an e-training program has been used for all dealer and internal staff to learn how the system works and the benefits it can deliver.

“We are delighted that Toyota Financial Services, having completed a thorough market assessment has chosen to extend its partnership with White Clarke Group through the implementation of White Clarke Group’s new CALMS3 product,” said Brendan Gleeson, group chief executive officer at White Clarke Group.

“CALMS3 has undergone a complete technical upgrade utilizing the latest UX technology and design techniques to deliver greater agility and transform the customer experience, including the implementation of the CALMS3 digital processing and e-Signature/e-ID functionality,” Gleeson went on to say. “It’s fantastic to have had such a smooth and well received go-live.”