Platform launched to help dealers develop longer customer relationships

A new technology platform has been launched to help dealers drive longer customer relationships and greater lifetime value.

The iConnect portal helps connect dealers with their customers post-sale and maintains a connection over the ownership of the vehicle.

The platform is developed by Mad Devs, an automotive software solutions company that was launched by former enquiryMAX managing director David Boyce and partners Adrian Favill and Mark Craven.

The company said its open platform technology helps facilitate the digital transformation of automotive retail.

David Boyce, chief executive officer at Mad Devs, said: “Dealers are facing an unprecedented period of change that will require a deeper and longer relationship with the customer.

“The shift to electric vehicles will impact aftersales revenues and changing retail models will create a more competitive marketplace.

“We believe the answer for dealers is to move rapidly to build longer-term relationships that add value to the customer experience over the ownership of the vehicle and beyond.

“Becoming a customer’s mobility partner will create new revenue opportunities for the coming decade.”

The iConnect platform builds customer journeys around document storage and is available to dealers and OEMs.

It can be branded or operate independently and integrates with aftersales software and data providers.

Automotive retailers that can leverage their customer data will be best placed to face any future challenges with the automotive retail model, according to customer relationship management (CRM) specialists Salesforce.

Mad Devs said customers benefit from a central point to manage their service schedules, invoicing, insurance and any relevant video content. Users will also be able to value their vehicles at any point in time.

An expert panel from Chorley Group, Eden Motor Group, Devonshire Motors and Mitchell Motor Group shared some of the secrets to efficient aftersales provision in an AM webinar.

Boyce added: “The data held in the app will provide useful triggers to provide offers to customers and incentives to swap vehicles early or buy additional financial products. It creates a closer link between customer and dealer through better management of data.”