In an effort to provide dealerships with all the tools they need to streamline and complete customer vehicle sales online. digital sales platforms AutoAlert and AutoFi teamed up this week to create an integrated software solution.

AutoAlert and AutoFi highlighted their new remote selling solution designed to strengthen the capabilities of dealerships challenged by the unpredictable sales environment of the COVID-19 pandemic is set to launch in June

AutoAlert’s CXM (Customer Experience Management) has an artificial intelligence engine that can optimize complex customer journey data from a myriad of sources to send more than 5 million personalized key to key offers every month to qualified buyers from the dealership’s database. CXM can provide dealers with the opportunity to positively engage and communicate with their sales and service customers while creating the best customer experiences.

A previous honoree among the Emerging 8 highlighted in Auto Fin Journal, AutoFi and its e-commerce platform can integrate with a dealer’s existing systems through its API and allow vehicle buyers to apply for financing, receive real-time offers from finance companies and select vehicle protection products to finalize a deal digitally, providing almost entirely touchless vehicle sales.

In the new collaborative solution, the companies explained AutoAlert will integrate AutoFi financing capabilities into its outgoing customer offers so vehicle shoppers can complete the purchase from the safety of their homes — or anywhere else they feel comfortable.

The companies said multiple dealers have asked for the AutoAlert and AutoFi integration. One is Brian Huth, general manager of Sam Pack’s Five Star Ford in Dallas, one of the Blue Oval’s 2019 Top 100 Volume dealers.

During the state-mandated showroom closure in March, Huth and his team used both platforms in tandem to beat their April 2019 new-vehicle sales by 47%, according to AutoAlert and AutoFi.

Based on April 2020 performance data, Five Star Ford Dallas is now 49th in the Top 100 Volume dealers for 2020.

“AutoAlert and AutoFi’s platforms work so well together,” Huth said in a news release. “This integration takes the next step and will help us move beyond the boundaries of our dealership by identifying more customers, deliver timely offers, and sell more cars.”

Huth and his sales staff use AutoAlert CXM to identify prospective buyers who might be interested in a better deal.

For example, AutoAlert can pinpoints previous customers without perfect credit ratings who have since taken action to improve their credit. With the lower terms and delayed payments currently offered by manufacturers, the companies pointed out more eligible consumers could potentially enter the market.

Despite the April closure of the Dallas showroom floor, Huth’s sales staff was able to safely close deals from their homes by using AutoAlert and leveraging AutoFi’s purchase flow to arrange attractive customer terms.

AutoAlert executives believe these enhanced online sales capabilities may accelerate buying cycles, leading to a faster recovery in dealership jobs and revenue.

“We are committed to continuing to innovate and help our dealers recover as quickly as possible while providing customers with the best vehicle purchase experience on their terms,” AutoAlert chief executive officer Mike Dullea said. “AutoAlert CXM provides our dealers’ customers with over five million personalized offers each month and adding the AutoFi technology enables the customer to move at their own pace allowing dealership personnel to respond with the exact information the customer wants.

“Our dealers are really energized by our integration with AutoFi as we further enable a seamless digital retailing experience from any location, including the customer’s home,” Dullea continued.

AutoFi executives, who have seen monthly submitted credit apps increase 80% since March, believe remote sales will remain a crucial component of total sales as dealers strive to abide by any continued social distancing guidelines and assuage ongoing consumer anxiety.

“This crisis is pulling forward the adoption of digital purchase experiences much faster than the industry anticipated,” AutoFi chief executive officer and co-founder Kevin Singerman said. “Our partnership with AutoAlert creates a powerful customer experience, giving vehicle buyers personalized offers that for the first time can be transacted remotely.

“We are thrilled to bring this type of innovation to our dealers across the country,” Singerman went on to say.

Both AutoAlert and AutoFi reiterated that they offer comprehensive dealership training, a satisfaction guarantee and full integration management so dealers can stay focused on their daily business of fulfilling customer needs.

Bob Tasca, vice president of Tasca Automotive Group, which has nine dealerships in several states, applauded the integration of AutoAlert and AutoFi.

“Technology that makes it easier for our customers to do business with us and get what they want is always welcome, and that’s what AutoAlert and AutoFi have accomplished,” Tasca said in a news release. “The customers have more choices and they have an even better purchase experience with our dealerships.”

Dealers can learn more about driving increased sales through the integrated AutoAlert and AutoFi solution by registering for an informational webinar scheduled for noon ET on May 27. Registration can be completed at go.autoalert.com/remote-selling-webinar.