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The CDK Global Partner Programme in review and what’s next for 2020

By Matt Benns - Global Partner Director, CDK Global

The CDKI Partner Programme was launched last year at a period of rapid transformation for the automotive industry. With 72%* of consumers saying they would visit dealerships more often if the car buying experience was improved, and 4 in 10 car-buyers reporting to have walked away from a dealership due to bad service**, CDK Global created the Partner Programme to meet changing customer demands, improve revenue streams for dealers and join up technology to help dealers deliver a seamless customer experience.  

Changing customer demands, evolving car ownership models, and growing transport alternatives (especially in urban areas) are all putting pressure on automotive retailers, who increasingly need to maximise the technology available to them to provide the best customer experience and service possible.

By early 2019, the CDKI Partner Programme was live in over 100 UK dealer sites. Territories that the programme has been launched in include the UK, Italy, Spain, the Nordics, Benelux and South Africa. The programme offers potential automotive tech partners the ability to integrate their solutions with CDK core Dealer Management Systems (DMS) using standardised integration points. This integration benefits partners by opening up new business opportunities and providing enhanced solutions to mutual customers.

Certified CDKI Partners are already reaping real business rewards thanks to their integration with CDK DMS products including fuller pipelines, international business leads, a boost in product development and increased revenues. Dealerships have also seen benefits from the increase in products they can chose from, to streamlined efficiencies and increased margins.

With clear benefits for both partners and dealers, the Partner Programme continues to expand, with further plans in place for 2020. The objectives for next year are even more ambitious, as CDK seeks to double the number of businesses looking to certify and integrate with CDK DMS products.  CDK is also looking to raise awareness and increase the accessibility of this growing ecosystem to dealers.

As Matt Benns, Global Partner Director, CDK Global says “At a time when there are significant changes in the automotive industry, we want to give our partners and dealers the tools to thrive. We’re keen to work with new partners to support our mutual customers. Beyond working with partners in new markets and across connected showroom and aftersales, we are now bringing scale to our Partner Programme, listening to our customers about what they need to provide a better experience and to help make their businesses a success.”

CDK Global is always looking to hear from more automotive and tech companies with products that focus on dealership business areas. Those looking to provide easy access for dealers to deliver the best car buying experience should certainly get in touch.   

For more information on the CDKI Partner Programme visit: www.cdkglobal.co.uk/partners