Automobile transaction facilitation using a manufacturer response

• US 9,141,984 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2011
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sidekick Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Sidekick Technology LLC
• Inventors: Seergy, Michael J., Brown, Benjamin N. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zukanovich, Brandy A
• Application Number:
  US13/176,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20120109770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26.1, 705/26.3, 705/27.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0605 Supply or demand aggregation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A system, methods, and apparatus for performing automobile transactions are disclosed. In an example embodiment, automobile market data representative of current automobile market characteristics is stored. The automobile market data may include pricing, inventory, and consumer interest information received from manufacturers, dealers, and consumers. A consumer may provide a request for a manufacturer response indicating whether a specific automobile can be provided. Automobile market data may be provided to a manufacturer based on the request and a manufacturer response provides a verification, confirmation, or offer indicating that the specific automobile can be provided for the consumer. Bids to sell the specific automobile may be requested from dealers based on the manufacturer response. Dealer bids may be provided to the consumer with prices and a delivery options. The consumer may select a bid which specifies a pickup location at a first dealer.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing, on a computer readable medium, automobile market data which is representative of recent automobile market characteristics, including at least pricing data and inventory data, wherein the automobile market data includes information received from at least one manufacturer, a plurality of dealers, and a plurality of consumers, wherein at least a portion of the automobile market data is updated in real-time;

receiving, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, which is manufactured by a first manufacturer, the first request made by a consumer located at a first location and including geolocation information of the consumer;

executing instructions, by at least one processing device, to;

determine current inventory data of the first automobile, wherein the current inventory data of the first automobile includes a plurality of dealer inventories of a plurality of dealers, with each respective dealer of the plurality of dealers having a respective dealer inventory, and wherein the current inventory data indicates that a first dealer of the plurality of dealers does not currently have the first automobile in a first inventory of the first dealer;

provide first automobile market data including the current inventory data of the first automobile to the first manufacturer, based on the first request, via a manufacturer interface, wherein the first automobile market data is based on real-time automobile market data;

generate, based on the first automobile market data including the current inventory data of the first automobile, via the manufacturer interface, at least one of a verification indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, a confirmation indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, and an offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer;

determine, using the geolocation information, that the consumer is located at the first location;

generate, based on the first location, an in-market dealer area proximately located to the first location;

determine that the first dealer is located at a second location within the in-market dealer area;

provide a first manufacturer response via the consumer interface, the first manufacturer response including the at least one of the verification indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, the confirmation indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, and the offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer;

request, from the first dealer, via a dealer interface, an inventoryless bid to sell the first automobile based on the first manufacturer response;

receive, from the first dealer located at the second location and engaging in inventoryless bidding, the inventoryless bid to provide the first automobile, which is at least one of yet to be manufactured and in the inventory of another entity;

generate driving directions from the first location to the second location; and

provide the inventoryless bid and the driving directions to the consumer interface, the inventoryless bid including at least a price and a delivery option; and

receiving a consumer selection of the inventoryless bid including a first delivery option which specifies a pickup location at the first dealer, wherein the consumer selection indicates a consumer intention to purchase the first automobile.

2. A method comprising:

storing, on a computer readable medium, automobile market data which is representative of recent automobile market characteristics, including at least pricing data and inventory data, wherein the automobile market data includes information received from at least one manufacturer, a plurality of dealers, and a plurality of consumers;

receiving, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, which is manufactured by a first manufacturer, the first request made by a consumer located at a first location and including geolocation information of the consumer;

executing instructions, by at least one processing device, to;

determine current inventory data of the first automobile, wherein the current inventory data of the first automobile includes a plurality of dealer inventories of a plurality of dealers, with each respective dealer of the plurality of dealers having a respective dealer inventory, and wherein the current inventory data indicates that a first dealer of the plurality of dealers does not currently have the first automobile in a first inventory of the first dealer;

provide first automobile market data including the current inventory data of the first automobile to the first manufacturer, based on the first request, via a manufacturer interface;

generate, based on the first automobile market data including the current inventory data of the first automobile, via the manufacturer interface, at least one of a verification indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, a confirmation indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, and an offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer;

determine, using the geolocation information, that the consumer is located at the first location;

generate, based on the first location, an in-market dealer area proximately located to the first location;

determine that the first dealer is located at a second location within the in-market dealer area;

provide a first manufacturer response via the consumer interface, the first manufacturer response including the at least one of the verification indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, the confirmation indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, and the offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer;

request, from the first dealer, via a dealer interface, an inventoryless bid to sell the first automobile based on the first manufacturer response;

receive, from the first dealer located at the second location and engaging in inventoryless bidding, the inventoryless bid to provide the first automobile, which is at least one of yet to be manufactured and in the inventory of another entity;

generate driving directions from the first location to the second location; and

provide the inventoryless bid and the driving directions to the consumer interface, the inventoryless bid including at least a price and a delivery option; and

receiving a consumer selection of the inventoryless bid including a first delivery option which specifies a pickup location at the first dealer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pricing data includes normal listing prices, sale prices, manufacturer incentives, actual prices of executed transactions, and consumer offers.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the inventory data includes at least one of inventory data by location, inventory in transit data, production lead time data, production schedule data, and shipping schedule data.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first request is made by a consumer on a website using a request form including at least one of a text box and a drop down list.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the first request is made by a consumer using a mobile device which takes a picture of a vehicle identification number.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the vehicle identification number is recognized using optical character recognition.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the first automobile is one of a particular type of car with a specific set of features and a particular car with a specific vehicle identification number.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the first automobile market data provided to the first manufacturer consists of at least one of the first request and a suggested bid price.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the first automobile market data is based on real-time automobile market data.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the consumer selection of the inventoryless bid indicates that the consumer intends to one of purchase the first automobile and lease the first automobile.

12. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to process the consumer selection of the first inventoryless bid to facilitate;

instructing the first manufacturer to provide the first automobile to the first dealer based on the consumer selection of the inventoryless bid; and

executing a sale, including at least one of providing for electronic signature of documents and providing for an electronic funds transfer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first automobile is made available for pickup at the first dealer according to the consumer selected first delivery option.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the manufacturer interface allows a manufacturer to request data via the consumer interface from a plurality of consumers.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the manufacturer interface allows a manufacturer to request data via the dealer interface from a plurality of dealers.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the first dealer at least one of provides and offers at least one of a financing plan, a service plan, an insurance plan, a warranty, and a hard add accessory, for at least the first automobile.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the first dealer is at least one of a franchise dealer and a non-franchise distribution location.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the automobile market data includes consumer interest data.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein the first manufacturer response includes an acknowledgement of interest.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein the inventoryless bid includes a first price corresponding to the first delivery option and a second price corresponding to a second delivery option.

21. A system comprising:

a computer readable medium storing automobile market data which is representative of recent automobile market characteristics, including at least pricing data and inventory data, wherein the automobile market data includes information received from at least one manufacturer, a plurality of dealers, and a plurality of consumers; and

at least one processing device operably coupled to the computer readable medium, the at least one processing device executing instructions to;

receive, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, which is manufactured by a first manufacturer, the first request made by a consumer located at a first location and including geolocation information of the consumer;

determine current inventory data of the first automobile, wherein the current inventory data of the first automobile includes a plurality of dealer inventories of a plurality of dealers, with each respective dealer of the plurality of dealers having a respective dealer inventory, and wherein the current inventory data indicates that a first dealer of the plurality of dealers does not currently have the first automobile in a first inventory of the first dealer;

provide first automobile market data including the current inventory data of the first automobile to the first manufacturer, based on the first request, via a manufacturer interface;

generate, based on the first automobile market data including the current inventory data of the first automobile, via the manufacturer interface, at least one of a verification indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, a confirmation indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, and an offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer;

determine, using the geolocation information, that the consumer is located at the first location;

generate, based on the first location, an in-market dealer area proximately located to the first location;

determine that the first dealer is located at a second location within the in-market dealer area;

provide a first manufacturer response via the consumer interface, the first manufacturer response including the at least one of the verification indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, the confirmation indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, and the offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer;

request, from the first dealer, via a dealer interface, an inventoryless bid to sell the first automobile based on the first manufacturer response;

receive, from the first dealer located at the second location and engaging in inventoryless bidding, the inventoryless bid to provide the first automobile, which is at least one of yet to be manufactured and in the inventory of another entity;

generate driving directions from the first location to the second location;

provide the inventoryless bid and the driving directions via the consumer interface, the inventoryless bid including at least a price and a delivery option; and

receive a consumer selection of the inventoryless bid including a first delivery option which specifies a pickup location at the first dealer.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the pricing data includes normal listing prices, sale prices, manufacturer incentives, actual prices of executed transactions, and consumer offers.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the inventory data includes at least one of inventory data by location, inventory in transit data, production lead time data, production schedule data, and shipping schedule data.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the request is made by a consumer on a website using a request form including at least one of a text box and a drop down list.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the request is made by a consumer using a mobile device which takes a picture of a vehicle identification number.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the vehicle identification number is recognized using optical character recognition.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the first automobile is one of a particular type of car with a specific set of features and a particular car with a specific vehicle identification number.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the first automobile market data provided to the first manufacturer consists of at least one of the first request and a suggested bid price.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein the first automobile market data is based on real-time automobile market data.

30. The system of claim 21, wherein the consumer selection of the inventoryless bid indicates that the consumer intends to one of purchase the first automobile and lease the first automobile.

31. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one processing device executes instructions to process the consumer selection of the first bid to facilitate:

instructing the first manufacturer to provide the first automobile to the first dealer based on the consumer selection of the inventoryless bid; and

executing a sale, including at least one of providing for electronic signature of documents and providing for an electronic funds transfer.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the first automobile is made available for pickup at the first dealer according to the consumer selected first delivery option.

33. The system of claim 21, wherein the manufacturer interface allows a manufacturer to request data via the consumer interface from a plurality of consumers.

34. The system of claim 21, wherein the manufacturer interface allows a manufacturer to request data via the dealer interface from a plurality of dealers.

35. The system of claim 21, wherein the first dealer at least one of provides and offers at least one of a financing plan, a service plan, an insurance plan, a warranty, and a hard add accessory, for at least the first automobile.

36. The system of claim 21, wherein the first dealer is at least one of a franchise dealer and a non-franchise distribution location.

37. The system of claim 21, wherein the automobile market data includes consumer interest data.

38. The system of claim 21, wherein the first manufacturer response includes an acknowledgement of interest.

39. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing software instructions which, when executed, cause an information processing apparatus to:

store automobile market data which is representative of recent automobile market characteristics, including at least pricing data and inventory data, wherein the automobile market data includes information received from at least one manufacturer, a plurality of dealers, and a plurality of consumers;

receive, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, which is manufactured by a first manufacturer, the first request made by a consumer located at a first location and including geolocation information of the consumer;

determine current inventory data of the first automobile, wherein the current inventory data of the first automobile includes a plurality of dealer inventories of a plurality of dealers, with each respective dealer of the plurality of dealers having a respective dealer inventory, and wherein the current inventory data indicates that a first dealer of the plurality of dealers does not currently have the first automobile in a first inventory of the first dealer;

provide first automobile market data including the current inventory data of the first automobile to the first manufacturer, based on the first request, via a manufacturer interface;

generate, based on the first automobile market data including the current inventory data of the first automobile, via the manufacturer interface, at least one of a verification indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, a confirmation indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, and an offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer;

determine, using the geolocation information, that the consumer is located at the first location;

generate, based on the first location, an in-market dealer area proximately located to the first location;

determine that the first dealer is located at a second location within the in-market dealer area;

provide a first manufacturer response via the consumer interface, the first manufacturer response including the at least one of the verification indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, the confirmation indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer, and the offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer;

request, from the first dealer, via a dealer interface, an inventoryless bid to sell the first automobile based on the first manufacturer response;

receive, from the first dealer located at the second location and engaging in inventoryless bidding, the inventoryless bid to provide the first automobile, which is at least one of yet to be manufactured and in the inventory of another entity;

generate driving directions from the first location to the second location;

provide the inventoryless bid and the driving directions via the consumer interface, the inventoryless bid including at least a price and a delivery option; and

receive a consumer selection of the inventoryless bid including a first delivery option which specifies a pickup location at the first dealer.