Carsales has today announced it will waive all fixed and variable advertising fees for the month of April in a support package for Australia’s car, bike, boat, truck, RV and machinery dealers.
The move will contribute significantly to reducing dealers’ short-term operating costs and supporting them through this challenging period. The fee-free period will comprise all of April 2020. carsales will also allow its customers to defer payment of their March advertising costs by 30 days.
“Australian businesses big and small are facing significant challenges and restrictions during this period,” carsales CEO Cameron McIntyre said in announcing the package.
“We are committed to supporting our dealer customers – our fee waiver and payment deferral will substantially assist dealers in maintaining an active presence in the marketplace during this challenging period.”
In addition to waiving all charges in April, carsales will encourage dealers to use new services such as video ads that provides dealers with the opportunity to create a virtual showroom experience for consumers. carsales will also provide dealers with enhanced customer insights during the period .
carsales Employee Assistance Program services will also be extended to its dealer customers during this difficult period. The program includes counselling and a range of personal assistance services. carsales commenced informing its dealer customers of the measures this morning.
“In this challenging period, our thoughts are with our dealer partners and their teams both here in Australia and in all of our international markets,” McIntyre stated.
“This is a very serious situation for the wider region but we’re approaching it with clear heads and in the knowledge that the Australian economy and business fundamentals, while acutely challenged, will begin to recover at some stage over the coming months,” McIntyre commented.