TULSA, Okla., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thrifty Car Sales, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. , is rolling out enhancements to its business model that have already resulted in improved dealer performance among the network of 39 U.S. stores.
Located in 16 states, Thrifty Car Sales dealers increased the average number of units sold per month per dealer by 23.1 percent in 2005.
Recent upgrades to the Thrifty Car Sales program include the addition of a Business Development Center (BDC). The BDC -- more typical of new car dealerships with multiple brands -- will utilize dedicated telephone sales agents to take incoming phone calls generated by the marketing efforts of Thrifty Car Sales dealers; they will respond to consumer questions and set appointments at dealerships, as well as perform follow-up on sold and unsold traffic, missed appointments and referrals.
The company is in the process of making dramatic improvements to its Web site, http://www.thriftycarsales.com/ , featuring greater functionality and ease of use for both customers and dealers. The site offers consumers the ability to search the entire inventory of cars across the Thrifty Car Sales dealership network. The upgraded site also includes easy-to-use shopping tools, pre-qualification forms and other bells and whistles.
"The addition of a Business Development Center and the upgrades to THRIFTYCARSALES.com will leverage our ability to drive more traffic to dealers in a uniform, cost-effective way. These new features are already resulting in increased sales at our dealerships, and will ultimately make Thrifty Car Sales dealerships even more attractive to potential franchisees," said Jeff Cerefice, Vice President of Thrifty Car Sales.
Among other developments that are helping Thrifty Car Sales to redefine the nationally-franchised used car model:
* More targeted marketing and integrated customer management: The
marketing efforts of the BDC sales agents will be integrated with a
customer retention module (CRM) installed at the dealership and with
http://www.thriftycarsales.com/ . The sales process will be better
managed from the time of inquiry through the sale, regardless of the
referral source.
* Selection of a "Super Sale" vendor: The company has developed a
relationship with a third-party event sales vendor to aid in doing
"Super Sales" events; the vendor provides turnkey services at a
preferred price that include advertising and marketing of the event
(newspaper and direct mail), and on-site staffing. "We've done a
number of these events, and our dealers have all been very enthusiastic
about the results," said Cerefice.
* Aggressive cross-marketing: The company will utilize DTAG marketing
resources to target a database of existing 1.65 million car rental
customers with a Thrifty Car Sales message.
* Priority access to inventory: Through DTG Operations, Inc.'s Vehicle
Remarketing Department, TCS dealers may purchase both Thrifty Car
Rental and Dollar Rent A Car quality fleet vehicles, and are given
priority access.
* Increased website traffic through web optimization and geo-targeted
keyword purchase: This will push http://www.thriftycarsales.com/ higher
in organic search listings such as MSN, AOL, Google, Yahoo, etc.
Thrifty Car Sales is leveraging DTG buying power to promote each
dealer's website locally.
* Thrifty Certified(R) has been expanded to offer 6 months, 6,000 miles
coverage: Thrifty Car Sales dealers now have the option to upgrade
from the standard 3 months, 3,000 mile Thrifty Certified(R) program to
the new 6 months, 6,000 mile Thrifty Certified(R) program. Both
options offer the same thorough inspection process, roadside
assistance, limited warranty protection and extended peace of mind
after the sale.
About Thrifty Car Sales
Thrifty Car Sales is a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thrifty Car Sales, with 39 locations, franchises retail used car sales dealerships throughout the United States. Dealerships offer a wide range of late model, low mileage vehicles. Thrifty Certified(R) vehicles pass extensive inspection and are backed by a limited warranty. Thrifty Car Sales was founded in 1999.
FCMN Contact: chris.payne@dtag.com
