ATC Open Gains Honda Auto Finance, Arelco
MENLO PARK, Calif. - October 2, 2006 – ATC-Onlane announced Monday that Honda Auto Finance and Arelco, a National Alamo licensee, have joined the company's growing list of sellers on its full-service online marketplace, ATC Open. Additionally, ATC-Onlane unveiled a new service enhancement for dealers and buyers, allowing them to receive estimated delivery times and price quotes on the cost of transportation of any vehicle instantly.
Summarizing ATC Open, executives said the program offers dealers access to a wide variety of vehicles before they are usually available at the physical auction lanes.
While Honda has had a long history with ATC-Onlane for its closed remarketing program, the company is now turning to ATC Open to offer its inventory to a nationwide audience of buyers, company executives highlighted.
Moreover, the company said Arelco, a National Alamo licensee and new ATC customer, will use the wholesale online auction to sell vehicles from its rental fleet. Arelco will also use ATC Open to sell wholesale units after running them through its reconditioning center.
"ATC Open gives us unprecedented flexibility as well as significant time and cost savings," said David Pilcher, executive vice president, Arelco.
"Its around-the-clock availability and pre- and post-transaction services make it ideal for our dealer customers to procure vehicles without leaving the office," he continued. "We believe ATC-Onlane is one of the best online remarketing channels in the business. The company's dedication to excellence and sound business strategy will continue to position it as a leader in this segment of the automotive industry."
New Transportation Features
ATC Open's new transportation feature will offer dealers an instant price quote and estimated delivery time when zip codes are entered for where the car will be picked up and delivered, executives pointed out.
The new transportation capability is the latest feature in ATC-Onlane's suite of tools and services tailored to dealers, which already includes detailed third-party vehicle condition reports, high-resolution photos of cars and more. In addition, ATC Open noted that it provides a suite of post-sale services, such as title and payment processing.
"The open marketplace has seen significant traction over the last few months," said Mark Jensen, senior vice president and chief operating officer for ATC-Onlane. "ATC Open was designed specifically to increase dealer confidence using the Internet as a purchase channel, mainly by ensuring each transaction is fair and accurate.
"We're committed to enhancing the experience of both the buyer and seller and will continue to bring new features and functionality, such as the new transportation capability, as we continue to grow the marketplace," added Jensen.
Along with announcing the increase to its sellers on ATC Open, ATC-Onlane also said it is experiencing momentum with its program for dealer-to-dealer online auctions called Inter-Dealer Electronic Auction Lane, or iDEAL.
iDEAL was designed to allow any licensed U.S. dealer to list inventory for sale to a large nationwide network of dealers in order to free up retail space, turn units faster and make better use of capital.
"iDEAL provides us with great access to vehicles nationwide before they are sent to physical auction," said Randy Crase, owner of Crase Auto Connection, a dealership based in Channahon, Ill.
"The program is a convenient way to wholesale aged and trade-in inventory without needing to physically move it and eliminating the costs, fees, time and effort normally associated with disposing of these vehicles."
For more information on ATC Open, visit www.atcopen.com.
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