Online car trading goes mobile

Motor dealers can now buy and sell vehicles using the TransUnion TradeXchange “online auction” facility via their mobile phones.
TransUnion TradeXchange, South Africa’s largest online dealer-to-dealer used car trading market, has gone mobile.
Mike von Höne, CEO of TransUnion Auto Information Solutions said the introduction of a mobile version of TradeXchange was a response to market demand for greater and more convenient accessibility.
“Dealers now no longer have to wait until they are back at their desks to upload information about vehicles they wish to sell; or to submit bids for vehicles they wish to purchase. They can now do this by accessing www.tradexchange.mobi from their cellphones or other mobile devices from wherever they are, at any time, greatly reducing the risk of missing out on a good deal,” von Höne explained.
The new www.tradexchange.mobi site contains exactly the same information as www.tradexchange.co.za – with the exception of photographs of the vehicles. The photograph feature will be enabled on the mobi site in the first quarter of 2011.
Registered dealers can access the mobi site using the same username and password as with their standard TradeXchange login account. They can browse the lists of vehicles for sale, submit bids or even upload information about vehicles they wish to sell in exactly the same way as they have always done.
“Technology is quickly changing the way autos are bought and sold for both dealers and consumers. TransUnion Auto is committed to developing products and solutions that will assist industry players stay ahead of the curve and put the right technology and access to information at their fingertips when they need it the most.
“The introduction of a mobile version of TradeXchange is an example of this, and we intend to begin the roll out to over 1000 of our users in January. Some are already using the mobile system with great success,” von Höne concluded.
TradeXchange, the online tender platform for used cars developed and managed by TransUnion Auto Information Solutions, is designed to help sellers – manufacturers and dealers – maximise trade and retail profits, improve their operational efficiencies and reduce lead times to sales. It also provides dealers with greater control of the entire process with inbuilt governance features, including audit trails.