ATLANTA -

CarNow and J.D. Power are set to launch a new partnership during the first quarter.

The companies recently announced a strategic alliance that’s meant to integrate the J.D. Power F&I presentation solution with CarNow’s real time retail platform.

According to a news release, the direct integration of J.D. Power with CarNow’s platform can provide vehicle shoppers with online access to the J.D. Power F&I product presentation menu. CarNow’s retail platform then can unify the shopper’s online activity with the in-store experience.

CarNow reiterated that it can allow dealers to view and serve shoppers in “real-time” as they engage with a dealer’s virtual or physical showroom. It’s all geared to improve the customer buying process with no disruption to the dealers existing process.

Andy Wright is managing partner at Vinart Dealerships and offered this perspective about the partnership through a news release from CarNow.

“The partnership between CarNow and JD Power moves us one step closer to the seamless, streamlined process so many consumers wish to experience when buying a car. While most digital retail platforms are nothing more than glorified lead generation tools,” Wright said.

“CarNow continues to innovate, getting dealers that much closer to delivering the ‘start to signature’ omni-channel experience,” he added.

Executives at both CarNow and J.D. Power also are upbeat about what the partnership can do.

“This alliance is a significant step forward in the evolution of the dealer-customer interaction, and a win for our dealers and consumer shoppers who are asking for a user friendly and accurate F&I shopping experience. CarNow chief executive officer and founder Andy Park said. “J.D. Power enables CarNow to deliver on that promise.

“Today’s automotive retail buying experience frustrates consumers because there are too many points where communication with the dealership or the accuracy of the transaction breaks down and restarts,” Park continued. “These break downs lengthen the process, disrupt the flow of information, and weaken the transition between the online and in-store experience. Our platform solves that.”

Phillip Battista is president of dealership technologies at J.D. Power.

“Consumers want an easy-to-use F&I experience when moving from the web to the dealership, so this integration will provide a seamless transition into the dealership and into our flagship menu application,” Battista said.

“When the capabilities of two companies are shared for the benefit of both dealers and vehicle shoppers, it’s a notable achievement. Dealers will see the advantages right away and the customer experience will be better than ever,” he went on to say.