Toyota and Lexus retailers across the UK are making the business of financing a car purchase quicker and simpler for customers with the introduction of NGage, a new, web-based electronic point-of-sale system.
Commissioned by Toyota and Lexus Financial Services, NGage provides a wealth of features designed to help customers choose the package that’s right for them and, when happy with the details, use an electronic signature to agree the finance deal. Quotations can be compared side-by-side with appropriate interest rates (quoted as APR) and finance approval can be obtained almost immediately.
The process eliminates the need for paper documents at the quotation and agreement stage and avoids the delays that can occur when documents have to be physically signed and returned. The clarity and ease of use are in line with the kind of streamlined purchase procedures customers experience and appreciate in other retail areas.
At the same time as NGage makes for a seamless and transparent customer experience, it is also designed to be robust and secure. For example, any application for finance has to be supported by customer proof of identity.
NGage uses CALMS software designed by the White Clarke Group, enabling interfaces with leading credit bureaux and vehicle data services. It is highly flexible and can be accessed using a wide range of devices, from desktop computers to tablets and smartphones.
Fran Kenny, Director of Operations at Toyota Financial Services, said: “We have sought to produce a best-in-class front-end system that will help strengthen our performance in fleet, retail and direct customer sales. We have had positive feedback from our dealers and we see great potential in the business agility that NGage can provide. Auto finance is dynamic, fast-growing marketplace, so it’s important for us to be agile and contain costs while delivering business change that benefits us, our dealers and our customers.”
“We are delighted that Toyota Financial Services, having completed a thorough market assessment has chosen to extend its partnership with White Clarke Group through the implementation of White Clarke Group’s new CALMS3 product. CALMS3 has undergone a complete technical upgrade utilizing the latest UX technology and design techniques to deliver greater agility and transform the customer experience, including the implementation of the CALMS3 digital processing and e-Signature/e-ID functionality. It’s fantastic to have had such a smooth and well received go-live”, said Brendan Gleeson, Group CEO at White Clarke Group.
NGage has been developed and extensively tested prior to a national roll-out through Toyota and Lexus’s 234 centres over a six-week period with full implementation completed by end of November. At the same time, an e-training programme has been used for all dealer and internal staff to learn how the system works and the benefits it can deliver.