CSM Corner

Author, Josh Iverson, CSM II 

Hey Truck Pros,

As we kick off July, the ability to efficiently acquire the right commercial vehicles for your customers is more critical than ever. This month, we're diving deep into VAST (Vehicle Acquisition Search Tool), a powerful solution within Work Truck Solutions designed to help you navigate today's inventory challenges and boost your bottom line.

In the world of commercial vehicles, securing the right trucks – new or used – is crucial. VAST helps you do just that, giving you an edge in a competitive market.

Expanding Your Inventory & Saving Time

Time is money, and VAST is built to save you both.

• Vast Inventory Sources: VAST aggregates inventory from numerous partners, including rental companies, OEMs, fleet management companies, auctions, finance companies, and even other dealers. We currently have over 100,000 vehicles available through VAST.
  
  

• Targeted Search Capabilities: Say goodbye to endless scrolling. VAST's powerful, commercial-grade search filters allow you to quickly find the exact vehicle your customer needs. You can filter by:
  
  

• Body Type (e.g., Service, Flatbed, Dump, Mechanics)
  
  

• Body Add-ons (e.g., Crane, Lift Gate, Shelving, Van Partition, Winch)
  
  

• Chassis Type, Cab Type, Cab Style, and Class (1-8)
  
  

• New "Featured for Dealer Purchase" Option: On the VAST landing page, you'll now find vehicles "featured for dealer purchase." This means these vehicles are vetted and ready to move, making your acquisition process even quicker.
  
  

• Auction Integration: VAST includes an auction filter, even allowing you to search specifically for "auction with a buy now option" to acquire vehicles quickly.
  
  

• Time Savings: Imagine the hours you or your team spend searching for specific inventory. VAST cuts down on this required time investment, allowing you to spend more time serving your customers – time that translates directly into sales. We estimate that if someone spends just one hour per day searching, VAST could save you hundreds per month in labor costs.
  
  

Strategic Advantages for Dealers

VAST offers significant strategic advantages beyond just finding vehicles:

• Smart Trade-in Valuations: When a commercial customer is looking to trade in their vehicle, VAST helps you get an idea of what similar vehicles are selling for at auction. 11This prevents you from over-investing in a trade, protecting your profitability.
  
  

• Boosting OEM Allocation: If your OEM allocation for a certain chassis is limited, VAST can help you acquire new vehicles and even impact future allocation. 13For example, you can search VAST for new inventory that other dealers are looking to wholesale. 14These are still reported to the OEM as new vehicle sales, helping you earn allocation for the next year in those categories.
  
  

• Moving Aged Inventory: Have a vehicle sitting on your lot for too long? You can add your vehicle to VAST, making it visible to other dealers who are better positioned to move that specific unit. 161616This helps you reduce flooring costs and days to turn for aged inventory.
  
  

• Minimize Transportation Costs: VAST can help you search by state or market area, assisting you in minimizing transportation costs by finding vehicles located near your dealership.
  
  

• Find What Your Customer Needs: When a customer is looking for something you don't have, VAST shows you what other dealers are actively trying to "get rid of". 19These vehicles are typically more accessible for acquisition. 

Your Action Item This Month:

It's time to leverage VAST to its fullest potential. If you'd like to feature some of your aged inventory, you can edit its availability directly within your Inventory Management.

For a personalized walkthrough of VAST's features and to optimize your inventory strategy, give your Customer Success Manager a call today! They can show you how to take advantage of this powerful tool to ensure every truck finds its perfect owner.