MISSISSAUGA, ON, - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) today announced a new level of integration for the mobile versions of its dealer websites. Subaru dealers using Aristo by PBS Systems Inc. and its integrated Media Suite got an unintended benefit last week when Subaru introduced a feature for its mobile dealer websites, allowing customers to book service appointments directly into the Service Module.
Subaru has always had Service Booking functionality on its dealer websites but, similar to other OEMs, it was based on a dealer's "best effort" and the hope that the dealer would have resources available on the desired date and time. With this new level of integration, customers actually have the ability to view the schedule for the preferred day and only place booking requests for available timeslots.
"Since launching mobile versions of subaru.ca and our 85 dealer websites, we have seen traffic more than double," said George Hamin, Director of eBusiness and Information Systems. "So we are investing in mobile development accordingly."
More than just a smaller subset of subaru.ca, the mobile version of the site takes full advantage of the inherent benefits of mobile devices and makes use of features like integrated GPS when locating dealers or previously owned inventory.
"We still allow users to input their postal code in the event they are looking for a dealer or vehicle in another location, but for the most part we rely on location-based services to find a dealer or vehicle closest to where they are right now," said Hamin.
Subaru will be working with other DMS providers to provide similar integration.
