Consumers can now view their service invoice and ‘tap to pay’ instantly when the mobile app alerts them that their car is ready from service

New study shows that consumers are embracing dealership mobile apps and want mobile payment functionality, as well as quick access to service history, scheduling and special offers

Daytona Beach, FL – January 15, 2015 – DMEautomotive (DMEa) today unveiled version 3.0 of its groundbreaking mobile app, Driver Connect, with new ‘tap to pay’ functionality.  This new functionality is one of several new features consumers say they demand and that Driver Connect has added to help dealers better serve and retain their customers. The company also announced results of a new survey of dealerships across the country confirming that consumers are embracing mobile apps, with 75% saying they would recommend Driver Connect to a friend.

Driver Connect’s new payment functionality notifies dealership customers when their vehicle is ready for pickup, through a smartphone push notification alert, and then allows them to view their invoice and tap-to-pay. Consumers are able to view a complete breakdown of services provided, taxes and fees, exactly as they would on an in store paper receipt, then pay instantly using Apple Pay and email themselves a copy of the receipt, as well as retaining a copy of the receipt in the app.  In addition, they have the option of tapping to call a service advisor for more information and/or tapping to request a shuttle for dealerships that offer shuttle service.

“This takes dealership customer convenience to a new level and, with it, customer retention and satisfaction. Rather than calling to see if their car is ready and then waiting around in the service bay to pay, customers simply check their smartphone, tap to pay and when they return to the dealership, just grab their keys and go,” said Mike Walther, president and CEO of DMEautomotive.  “Not only is this great for the customer, but it is great for the dealer, with the potential to save service advisor time and reduce personnel costs.  But, most importantly, it improves the customer experience which should greatly enhance loyalty and CSI.”

According to Walther, DMEa is responding to what consumers have said they want in a dealership-branded app. In the survey, 45% said they would pay for service through an app if that feature were available. The top three new features they wanted were 1) seeing when their vehicle was being serviced and being alerted when it was ready; 2) information on pre-paid maintenance programs, and 3) the ability to pay for service through the app (prior to picking up vehicle) -- all of which are now available on Driver Connect.  The survey also showed that the top three features driving downloads were service history tracking, service appointment scheduling and access to special offers and coupons. 

In addition to Mobile Payment, Driver Connect 3.0 features include:

-      Mobile Wallet so customers can store coupons and promotion

-      Multi-location Geo-fencing support for mobile wallet, coupons, and promotions

-      Real time “vehicle-in-service” and “vehicle is ready” messages with push notification

-      Service history tracking

-      Service appointment setting

-      Map Search and Dealer List Sorting

-      Loyalty status and point/balance history

-      Recall notifications

-      Kelly Blue Book car valuation

-      Parts & Service offers and promotions

-      Reporting through Red Rocket Technology

About DMEautomotive
DMEautomotive (DMEa) is the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, and provides turnkey marketing to the largest and most innovative automotive organizations, from automobile dealerships to many of the largest aftermarket companies in the U.S. DMEa's uniquely panoramic view of the complete automotive sales and service market, combined with its cutting-edge, science-based marketing programs, increases customer yield, conversion and retention. 

DMEa does not take marketing performance on faith, and each product and service is measured by a simple, precise scientific approach: Is it true? Prove it. Will it work? Test it. Does it generate results? Show it! Supported by DMEa’s proprietary, cloud-based Red Rocket Technology Platform, the DMEa product suite includes science-based, data driven, multi-channel customer acquisition and retention marketing programs; best-in-class campaign reporting; data management and analytics; auto-focused Customer Interaction Center solutions, and complete on-site mail and email fulfillment services. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, DMEa also has major operations in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Media Relations

Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com
Crystal Hartwell, mWEBB Communications, (949) 929-4637, crystal@mwebbcom.com