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EPR Archived News |
The Co-operative Motor Group Launch Mobile Website and QR Code Application
Released on: November 18, 2011, 5:54 am A surge in demand from consumers for smartphone-enabled websites is behind an innovative, new service being offered by The Co-operative Motor Group. The Co-operative Motor Group, which operates 23 franchised main dealer showrooms across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West, has launched a new smartphone-enabled website at http://www.co-operativemotorgroup.co.uk/, which is packed full of content and allows visitors to carry out vehicle searches of new car dealerships and book services & MOTs from their handheld devices - all within a few clicks. At a Google motoring conference earlier this year it was revealed that mobile searches were soaring, and that at the weekend smartphone browsing exceeded desktop searches. It was also predicted that by 2013 mobile users will exceed desktop for the first time. Nearly half (45 per cent) of Internet users accessed the Internet via a mobile phone in 2011, according to new data released by ONS in the summer, almost double from last year when the number stood at seven per cent. The soaring interest in smartphones –now accounting for 37 per cent of all mobile phone sales - has also resulted in The Co-operative Motor Group introducing Quick Response (QR) codes on individual vehicles, which, when scanned, link consumers to additional content via iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices, and provide customers with a ‘silent salesperson’ if they are either shopping outside of normal working hours or forecourt browsing. Users scan the QR code in used car dealers with their smartphone and full details of the vehicle including mileage, service history and accessories is automatically downloaded and saved. Alison Ottaway, Group Brand Development Manager with The Co-operative Motor Group, said: “We realise that not all potential customers have the time to visit our showrooms during normal working hours, so the launch of our new, smartphone-enabled website and associated QR code technology means that they can shop or research a vehicle and get full background details at any time – all via their smartphone or handheld device. She added, “This is cutting-edge technology that is only now becoming popular in the UK, but over the coming months it will be increasingly used, and we believe will become the norm in a very short time span.” Phill Jones, commercial director at Motors.co.uk, said: “Now is the right time for car dealers to address how best to optimise their websites for use via smartphone browsers. A really great mobile site can act as a clear acquisition channel to introduce new users to the desktop site.” ENDS For further information contact:
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