Dealer Website Expands Reach

Canoe.ca, which operates the Autonet.ca online automotive sales network, has acquired ASL Ltd., a provider of automobile dealer websites and related dealer services, a move that further solidifies Autonet.ca’s online technology platform and dealer support.
“ASL’s specialized knowledge and proven performance, combined with Autonet.ca’s broad reach, has created a powerful alliance guaranteed to deliver proven results to dealers across the country,” said Bruno Leclaire, president and chief executive officer, Canoe Inc.
“This acquisition significantly increases the full range of services provided by Autonet.ca, and will help dealers succeed in the competitive marketplace.”
“We’re looking forward to working with more dealers who understand the benefits of online marketing through Autonet.ca,” said Vic Kovacs, president and co-founder of ASL, based in Kamloops, B.C.
“Our foremost task is to work with Autonet.ca dealers and sharpen their focus on selling vehicles using an effective Internet sales strategy,” he added
Peter Cameron-Inglis
“We built the Company specifically to generate traffic, leads and sales for auto dealers via website development, training, and online inventory management,” says Cameron-Inglis, fellow ASL Co-Founder.
“With a client base of over 400 dealers, we fully understand the automotive sales process and how to guarantee its success with reliable, high-performance technologies.”
ASL’s expertise has enabled Autonet.ca to provide a wider range of services, including website creation and maintenance and specialized sales training for the new online marketplace. The alliance has also made Autonet.ca one of the largest online networks in the country.
The Site operates in partnership with Yahoo! Canada and the extended network of Sun Media properties, and is the automotive category brand for all the Sun newspaper websites, including the classifiedextra.ca classified ad network and thus, can reach up to 96% of Canadian internet users.
According to the company, Autonet.ca attracts more than 775,000 unique visitors to its site every month.
“By combining Autonet’s media component, which includes tracking visits and generating leads, with ASL’s extensive services, dealers will be able to rely on one organization to meet all of their online merchandising needs,” says Leclaire.
Autonet.ca is continuing its online expansion through innovative approaches and partnerships. In June 2007, Autonet.ca forged a partnership with classifiedextra.ca, extending its reach to 20 million potential buyers across the country and integrating over 200 daily and community newspapers with the Canoe online network.
In January of this year, Autonet.ca’s reach was further extended through a partnership with Yahoo! Canada.
In February, Autonet.ca launched a completely overhauled site tailored to the needs of automobile dealers and consumers.
A subsidiary of Quebecor Media, Canoe.ca is a local and national interactive media provider of news, entertainment and services, helping to inform and connect Canadians.
The Canoe Network attracts more than 8.8 million monthly visitors and includes Canoe.ca, top information verticals including Cnews, Slam!, Jam! and Lifewise, as well as the Sun Media newspaper sites.