The News Media of the Pre-Owned Industry
Image courtesy of Autotrader.
Two big names in the auto industry are teaming up to launch a new place to shop for cars.
Car and Driver, published by Hearst Magazines, has joined with Cox Automotive’s Autotrader to create the Car and Driver Marketplace powered by Autotrader, a shopping platform that connects research and vehicle listings on caranddriver.com.
In a news release, the companies said the partnership allows shoppers to move from discovery to purchase new and used vehicles from among the millions of available units for sale without leaving the Car and Driver experience.
The marketplace is designed to combine Car and Driver’s editorial authority and journalism with Autotrader’s data to provide an “intuitive, consistent journey” for consumers, catering to a “distinct automotive enthusiast and research-first” audience, as well as greater visibility and shopper insights for dealers and OEMs.
“Car and Driver has long been where shoppers come to discover, explore and make confident car-buying decisions through our data-driven reviews, rankings and vehicle-research pages,” Hearst Autos chief brand and content officer Eddie Alterman said. “We know 75% of our readers are planning to purchase a vehicle within the next year, and 65% actively engage with our research tools. With Autotrader’s sophisticated technology, data and leading position in the marketplace, the Car and Driver Marketplace meets them where they already are — bringing real-time inventory, dealer connections and listings into the same environment where they’re making purchase decisions.
“It’s a natural extension of how our audience wants to shop, and it brings a real sense of joy and transparency to the process.”
The companies said the Car and Driver Marketplace is a “seamless, all-in-one experience” in which shoppers browse more inventory, use smarter search tools and connect directly with dealers without leaving the site, backed by Autotrader’s tech and lead tools.
“Car and Driver has spent decades earning the trust of automotive enthusiasts and in-market shoppers alike,” Autotrader vice president of operations for consumer marketplace Erin Lomax said. “By integrating Autotrader’s technology into that legacy and editorial environment, we’re creating a uniquely powerful shopping experience, one that supports car buyers earlier in the journey and gives dealers access to a more engaged, research-driven audience.
“With this announcement, we’re modernizing car shopping and reinforcing our market leadership through exclusive partnerships competitors can’t match.”
To celebrate the launch, most current Autotrader clients will automatically have their listings syndicated to the Car and Driver Marketplace, available to caranddriver.com’s 10 million unique monthly visitors.
