Google Forces itself into Auto Industry Ecosystem

[Brett_Tabke]

Google is testing active pricing forms for new cars in US directly on SERP's. These forms can select trim styles, and other options to 'price' a car.

This is similar to what they have done in the airline industry, but the first time they have done it with an industry with non-reactive and generally fixed pricing (such as air, and hotel rates).

This will have a profound effect on the entire ecosystem of auto buying: from car sites, dealerships, affiliate sites, to even OEM accessory sites.

I wonder if Google has misfired on this one with govt? While big airlines have been around for 40-70yrs, the auto industry has had to be in DC for over 120 years. It makes me wonder if this is big fodder for regulators that are actively looking at Googles ongoing content confiscation.

Who will they come for next?

[RedBar]

Will the auto industry supply G and if so at what trade discounts?

Will G offer lease or hire purchase schemes and what about trade-ins or will G simply go for the easy stuff, cash buyers only?

[Brett_Tabke]

It is radically different in the states from what it is in UK/Europe. Over here, there is this massive tangled web of associations, kick backs, dealers, and oems that run the show.

[engine]

This seems a very complex offering, imho, but, i guess in the US it might be easier.

The land grab probably won't be welcomed, and it'll crowd the SERPs even more.

Google is becoming quite a portal.

[rustybrick]

Got a screenshot? You mean this? [seroundtable.com...]

[Pjman]

Once they went public, every industry becomes a target, in their mind. They need to show growth every quarter for shareholders. Eventually they will run out of opportunities that do not hurt other people. Which I get.

They will eventually piss off the wrong sleeping giant and they will have their growth slowed.

[tangor]

Until "someone" checks them, g will intrude wherever they can. Sigh.

[Robert Charlton]

Barry, thanks for that link. I've been hearing about this... haven't had time to check it out.

From your article, this statement from Google:...

We've heard from potential car buyers that surfacing this inventory information directly on Google helps them quickly explore and compare available cars, leading to more qualified leads for dealers.

Dealers and related businesses can fill out a partner interest form if they’d like to learn more about this opportunity. The car inventory information is powered by feeds shared directly from dealers or their data providers. Google is not charging a fee for this feature.

How does this affect sites like CARFAX, eg... which in a sense is a data aggregator... a very useful one... as well as, say, local co-op used car lots?

We all know that "free" with Google has had its downsides. What are thoughts about specifc examples of the potential downsides, and the upsides, in this vertical? Brett, further thoughts on that tangled web?

I'm thinking that, ironically, this might well cut into Craig's list, which itself cut into classified advertising so deeply that it changed the entire local newspaper business, not for the better. What kinds of sites might be affected on the web? (Let's exemplify types of sites when possible.)

[Brett_Tabke]

Not that screen shot Barry.

I've not gotten permission to use screen shots yet. This is a new form that allows options and trim packages to be selected for a given model car (so you can price it out) right on the SERP. Apparently they are pulling that pricing data from AutoData? Nothing concrete on where G takes it from here, but flights and restaurants are a pretty good indication where it is going.