Auto Trader has rolled out its new Deal Builder tool to all car and van dealers across the UK.
The digital retailing solution was initially launched in a trial phase and then slowly expanded to more dealers over the last 15 months.
Originally developed to support fully connected online and offline journeys, Deal Builder allows buyers to add a part-exchange, apply for finance, choose a handover option and reserve the vehicle. Appointment booking will also be added in the coming months.
According to Auto Trader, retailers using the tool are converting over 80% of reserved vehicles.
In addition, 84% of buyers who build a deal do not submit a lead elsewhere for at least three days and nearly half of all deals occur outside of standard business hours.
Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader chief product officer, said: “The uniqueness of Auto Trader is how we respond to change and how we support retailers and partners through these changes.
“This is why, after an extensive period of working with retailers to evolve Deal Builder and to ensure it delivers the best possible results, we made the decision to make it available to all.
“By unlocking digital retailing for everyone, it’ll not only revolutionise how retailers engage with consumers, but will provide a new era of rich buyer intelligence, helping to convert deals more easily, maximise revenue opportunities and optimise operational capacity.”
Deal Builder is now being integrated across all used vehicle adverts on the platform.
Later this year, Auto Trader plans to introduce new AI-powered analytics to provide retailers with detailed insights on buyer preferences and intent
It said this will help identify high-conversion opportunities and highlight the vehicles generating the most interest.
Retailers will be able to access this intelligence through Auto Trader’s Portal or connect it to existing systems through AT Connect.