What factors are influencing the way today’s consumers shop for their next vehicle and vehicle products.

Kimberly Stonehouse leads Googles marketing and research for the North American automotive clients and agency partners. eMarketer sat down with Kimberly to discuss what factors are influencing the way today’s consumers shop for their next vehicle and automotive products. Below is a brief summary of the interview.

1. Three months continues to be the average time frame consumers are taking to shop and research for their next vehicle purchase.

“A vehicle purchase process takes about three months, on average—and that is a considerable amount of time.”

2. Consumers are using digital for comparison purposes and narrowing down their purchase options.

3. As much time and work that is performed online, the number one offline research source is the test drive.

4. Both the online and offline dealership experience has a major impact on the consumers decision.

” 31% of 2010 auto purchasers visited a dealership site during the six months prior to purchase.”

The importance of long term follow-up. How many of you have a “sign up for our monthly specials” form on your website followed up with a strong email marketing strategy?

5. Consumers are going to the dealer websites more now than ever before. For this reason dealers should really consider increasing your dealership online video content.

6. OEM’s continue to embrace digital marketing with synergy between tier 1 and tier 2 marketing efforts.

“According to Nielsen, more than half of all in-market auto—car or truck—buyers will have visited YouTube in any particular month. So we know shoppers are there.”

What’s your video strategy?

7. Google seemed to shy away from answering questions around “social media” but rather talked about “video” instead – of course.

What defines your dealership social media strategy?

8. Mobile is one of the biggest consumer trends this for 2011. Automakers are recognizing the importance of mobile in the shopping process.

9. 20% of search traffic to OEMs comes through a mobile device.

10. Mobile site visitors are not replacing desktop visitors, rather its a complementary additive. One in three mobile searches is local. Dealers should provide an offer to a consumer who is driving around looking for a vehicle on a Saturday.

That’s the highlights from the interview.

Nothing that most of us don’t already know but some of you might not be executing on. If you need assistance contact us at Potratz today.

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