AutoXplorer established itself in 1996 as a dedicated provider of computer software and hardware solutions specifically designed for used car dealerships. Over more than two decades, the platform became a cornerstone technology for independent dealers across the United States, with over 20,000 installations serving the unique needs of the used car market.
The company's founding mission centered on addressing the operational challenges faced by independent used car dealerships, which often required more flexible and affordable solutions than enterprise-level dealer management systems designed for large franchise operations.
Core Dealer Management System
At its heart, AutoXplorer functioned as a comprehensive dealer management system that integrated multiple operational aspects of running a used car dealership. The platform combined inventory management, sales processing, customer relationship management, and financing tools into a unified system that dealers could use for their day-to-day operations.
Inventory Management Capabilities
The inventory module allowed dealerships to track vehicle information, pricing, and status throughout the sales cycle. Dealers could manage detailed vehicle records including VIN numbers, mileage, condition notes, acquisition costs, and retail pricing. The system provided visibility into aging inventory and helped dealers make informed pricing decisions based on how long vehicles had been on the lot.
Sales Process Integration
AutoXplorer supported the complete sales workflow from initial customer contact through deal completion. The system accommodated various deal structures common in the used car industry, including cash transactions, outside financing arrangements, buy-here-pay-here deals, and wholesale transactions. This flexibility proved essential for independent dealers who often worked with customers across different credit profiles and financing situations.
Customer Management Features
The customer management component maintained detailed records of buyer interactions, financing applications, and purchase history. For dealers offering in-house financing, this became particularly valuable in tracking payment histories and managing ongoing customer relationships beyond the initial sale.
Financing and Deal Structure Support
One of AutoXplorer's distinguishing features was its robust support for different financing scenarios. The system could process and track cash deals, traditional bank financing, and dealer-financed transactions. For buy-here-pay-here operations, it provided payment scheduling, collection tracking, and reporting tools essential for managing an internal finance portfolio.
Reporting and Data Export Functionality
AutoXplorer included comprehensive reporting capabilities that allowed dealers to generate custom reports for various business purposes. These reports could cover sales performance, inventory aging, customer payment histories, and financial summaries. The data export functionality enabled dealers to share information with accountants, lenders, and other business partners in standard formats.
The reporting system proved particularly valuable for dealers who needed to provide documentation to floor plan lenders, insurance companies, or regulatory agencies. Custom report generation allowed dealers to present information in formats required by different stakeholders without manual data manipulation.
Online Services and Digital Expansion
Recognizing the growing importance of online presence for automotive dealers, AutoXplorer expanded beyond core dealer management functionality to offer comprehensive digital marketing services.
Online Advertising Solutions
The company developed online advertising services designed specifically for used car dealers. These services helped dealerships create and manage digital advertising campaigns across various platforms, understanding the unique challenges of marketing used vehicles with diverse inventory that changed frequently.
Search Engine Optimization Services
AutoXplorer's SEO services focused on helping dealerships improve their visibility in local search results. Given that most car buyers begin their search online and often look for dealers within a specific geographic area, local SEO became crucial for independent dealerships competing with larger franchise operations.
Custom Website Templates
The company offered dealer website solutions through custom templates designed specifically for used car dealerships. These websites integrated with the core dealer management system, allowing inventory to be automatically displayed online without manual updates.
WebXplorer Integration Platform
WebXplorer represented AutoXplorer's solution to one of the most time-consuming aspects of modern car dealing: maintaining inventory listings across multiple online platforms. This control panel system allowed dealers to upload their inventory to their own websites while simultaneously distributing listings to major automotive classified sites including AutoTrader, Cars.com, CarGurus, and Carsforsale.com.
The elimination of double data entry proved significant for dealers who previously had to manually update inventory on each platform separately. WebXplorer automated this process, ensuring consistency across all online presences while saving substantial administrative time.
Technical Infrastructure and Support
Computer Networking Services
Beyond software solutions, AutoXplorer provided integrated computer networking services tailored to the independent automotive market. These services addressed the reality that many smaller dealerships lacked dedicated IT staff and needed reliable technical support for their operational systems.
The networking services ensured that multiple workstations within a dealership could access the central database simultaneously, enabling sales staff, finance personnel, and management to work efficiently without system conflicts or data inconsistencies.
Credit Check Integration
AutoXplorer integrated credit checking capabilities directly into the dealer management system through a partnership with 700 Credit. This integration provided access to all three major credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax - allowing dealers to pull comprehensive credit reports without leaving the primary system.
This integration streamlined the financing process by enabling sales staff to quickly assess customer creditworthiness and structure appropriate financing offers based on credit profiles. The seamless integration reduced the time required for credit decisions and improved the overall customer experience during the sales process.
Market Position and User Experience
AutoXplorer's success in achieving over 20,000 installations reflected its position as one of the most user-friendly yet comprehensive dealer management systems available to independent dealers. The platform balanced functionality with ease of use, recognizing that many independent dealerships operated with lean staff who needed systems that were powerful but not overly complex.
The system's design philosophy focused on practical functionality rather than extensive customization options. This approach made AutoXplorer accessible to dealers who wanted robust operational support without requiring extensive training or technical expertise to implement and maintain.
Evolution to Modern Platforms
As the automotive retail landscape continued evolving with increasing digital integration and changing consumer behaviors, AutoXplorer's foundational approach to dealer management influenced the development of modern dealer solutions. Today, these capabilities have evolved into more comprehensive platforms like Get My Auto, which builds upon the core principles of integrated dealer management while incorporating contemporary technology and expanded digital marketing capabilities.
The transition from legacy systems like AutoXplorer to modern platforms reflects the industry's progression toward more sophisticated digital integration, enhanced customer experience tools, and expanded online presence management for independent dealers.