SEPTEMBER 24, 2007

Dealer Direct tops 100,000 transactions
since unveiling

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that a program allowing car buyers to get their new license plates at participating auto dealerships is growing in popularity after less than a year.

More than 100,000 transactions have been processed through the Dealer Direct program since it was unveiled by Land in October 2006. The program lets car buyers drive off the dealer lot with new license plates and registration tabs in place. There are 230 new-car dealers statewide offering this convenient option.

"Dealer Direct lets car buyers enjoy the ease of one-stop shopping," Land said. "It's a handy option for consumers as well as an added dimension of customer service that dealers can provide. We appreciate the enthusiastic response from dealers across Michigan and look forward to finding new ways to simplify our customers' lives."

The program's benefits are:

• On-site issuance by participating dealers of the new Spectacular Peninsulas and fully reflective standard plates as well as registration tabs. That saves customers a return trip and eliminates the need for those plates and tabs to arrive by mail.
• The option of ordering fundraising and personalized plates at the dealership. As with orders placed at a Secretary of State office, the specialty plates are manufactured and mailed directly to customers.
• On-site title application processing. The titles are mailed by the Department of State but customers typically receive them within five days.
• Easily and accurately calculating taxes and fees for titles, registrations and permits so that customers can immediately see the total cost of their purchases.
• Fewer dealer title and registration transactions are submitted to Secretary of State offices, which speeds up service for other customers.
• Improving service efficiency for customers and participating auto dealers.
• Giving dealerships a convenient option to enhance customer satisfaction and finalize transactions.

Dealer Direct is voluntary. Dealers choosing to offer the Dealer Direct option may charge a $24 electronic processing fee. Vehicle purchasers can elect to pay the fee for on-site processing of their title application and issuance of a new license plate.

Many new-car dealers shared their expertise with the department during the program's development. Dealer Direct has more than lived up to expectations, according to Terry Burns, executive vice president of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association.

"Customers have found this new service to be both efficient and practical, allowing them to leave the dealership and enjoy their new vehicle, not worrying about additional paperwork," Burns said.

Participating dealers use software provided by Computerized Vehicle Registration (CVR), a company specializing in computerized vehicle registration systems. CVR currently serves more than 20 states in addition to Michigan.

Visit www.Michigan.gov/sos for more information about Department of State programs, services and requirements.