CHICAGO – Cars.com, a leading online resource for buying and selling new and used cars, announced today that it has launched an all-new iPad app focused on new car content, now available for free download from the App Store(SM). The app joins the Cars.com and PickupTrucks.com iPhone® apps, Android apps and mobile websites in the company’s lineup of resources for the mobile car shopper. Lexus has signed on as the Cars.com iPad app’s inaugural sponsor.
“Mobile car shoppers are a highly engaged and well-informed audience, and our iPad app is the latest innovation we’ve introduced to capture those shoppers no matter what mobile device they use,” said Sharon Knitter, senior director, Mobile. “Because iPad is a completely new way to connect with consumers, we examined the traffic to our site and apps to understand how iPad users differ from other car shoppers. The result is an app that delivers the entertaining and interactive experience iPad users demand, customized for the unique way they shop for vehicles.”
The new app includes:
High-definition videos and photos accompanied by information on hundreds of new vehicles
“My Showroom” feature, enabling users to save vehicles for later review and comparison
Expert vehicle reviews from Cars.com’s editorial team
Facebook and Twitter integration, allowing users to share vehicles with their social networks
Side-by-side “drag-and-drop” comparison of up to three vehicles, including a “ghost compare” option that suggests other vehicles for consideration based on the user’s selections
Links integrated throughout the app that transition shoppers to www.cars.com, where they can access new and used car inventory, Dealer Reviews and all of the other resources available through Cars.com
“Recent research conducted by Burke Inc., a leading research and consulting firm, reveals that consumers feel tablets, like iPad, fit what they know about Cars.com more than any other brand in our category. I believe that speaks directly to our reputation as an innovator that understands the mobile car shopper,” said Knitter. “The launch of our new iPad app underscores our commitment to being the leader in mobile automotive search and a proactive partner to our dealer customers.”
Lexus, which also sponsored Cars.com’s iPhone app when it was released in the first quarter of 2010, has signed on as the iPad app’s inaugural sponsor. The automaker is featured throughout the application in interactive custom ad units featuring rich media technology, including prominent free-form vehicle ads that users can swipe to view 360-degree spins. Other units are integrated throughout the browsing process that, once activated by the user, expand to full screen and feature additional content such as videos, sound and photos.
ABOUT CARS.COM
Cars.com was recently named the “Best Overall Customer Experience” by Keynote Systems, the world’s leading Internet usage research company. Cars.com is an online destination for car shoppers that offers information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. With price listings, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and a large selection of new- and used-car inventory, Cars.com puts millions of car buyers in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make confident buying decisions.
Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC., which is owned by leading media companies, including Belo (N.Y.SE: BLC), Gannett Co., Inc. (N.Y.SE: GCI), The McClatchy Company (N.Y.SE: MNI), Tribune Company and the Washington Post Company (N.Y.SE: WPO).
Apple, iPad, iPhone and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
09/29/11
