_ ,,Over my lifetime, the car had actually transcended the fact that it is a car. It has become a venue.” - Eric Bana
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We are going to look into the relationship between mobile apps and automobiles. Truth be told, it was love at first sight. So let’s find out how these two kids got together and how the stage was set for their meeting.
Not too long ago, features such as GPS navigation or integrated car phones were regarded as expensive quirks, reserved only for eccentrics or those engaged in certain businesses.
Nowadays, such traits are status quo and most people expect them to be incorporated in the architecture of every vehicle. The same narrative applies to the history of mobile apps.
From the perception of ,,just a fad” , it grew into an industry spanning every aspect of economy. ABI Research, shows in its market data , that the overall revenue from the mobile applications market will pass the 30bn milestone by the end of 2012.
That, coupled with roughly 1,4 m applications worldwide, reflects the fact that apps aren’t here just to stay, but they’ve extended, broadened and increased the revenues, popularity, brand loyalty and marketing opportunities of thousands of companies.
As the paths of these apparently two separate entities converge and blend with each other, we’re looking at a massive shift in the configuration of the automotive industry, from the manufacturer’s perspective-distributor-buyer.
This is more than just an ,,about-face” situation that every new tech inherently initiates. Mobile applications will improve every nook and cranny in the automobile business.
A few number crunched tidbits. Did you know that 25%-30% of most dealers’ website traffic is coming from a mobile device? By the end of 2013, it’s projected that about half of your website traffic will be mobile.
In fact, according to ThecomScorestudy in June 2011, 68% of the mobile auto population has a Smartphone. And that was just 2011. In 2012 we’re looking at 1bn + smartphones worldwide. So we wouldn’t be far off the mark when saying that IT solutions and vehicles lead to a positive symbiotic relationship.
A twist of the turn, a good misstep and our two protagonists met in a train station, never wasting a heartbeat saying ,,Hello”, and like two strangers, they tripped over each other and began to ask questions. And the answers?
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Media galleries, datasheets, pricing information, owner’s manual
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Dealer locations
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Roadside service info, gas stations, car wash locations, service centers
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Weather and real time info about traffic changes and alerts
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Parking assistance and navigation directions
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Estimates, billing, fuel prices, maintenance
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Sales and service representatives
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Fuel consumption calculator
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Promotions, inventory pricing and competitive offers
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Climate control
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Updates about new models, user experiences and advice
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Mobile apps are a proxy between customers, manufacturers, distributors, auto magazines, dealerships, you name it. So what’s the destination for automotive software? Where does it lead to?
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From the manufacturer-distributor perspective it serves to catalyze industry growth, brand awareness & differentiation and customer fidelity, especially through the ripples of social media.
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People often consult friends and experts before making a life changing decision because they know they aren’t just buying a car, but something more. By realizing that mobile apps are the natural extension of the automotive industry, you take the first steps in creating a deeper and more engaging experience for customers and buyers.
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The endgame is that not only you adopt new revenue and customer loyalty strategies by providing a mobile app, but you also shape the buying and ownership experience radically.
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<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-803" title="Automotive mobile apps were a long awaited love story" alt="automotive mobile apps" src="/images/uploads/2012/12/the-beautiful-country-roadshighway-pictures-country-highway-wallpapers-532951-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" />And the bottom line? Industries that adopt mobile apps not only reap the benefits of increased revenues but gain the prestige of showing that they are geared up to take the ,,simple” experience of driving, to a new dimension of possibilities.
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From planning a weekend adventure and making the best time in the morning traffic or staying in touch with the latest infotainment news and getting the best deals or in-car content, automotive mobile apps are more than just tools for the cool cats.
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As for our two friends, well, from the train station, they went on a getaway, ate a pie and argued why they hadn’t met sooner.
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