New Joint Venture to Revolutionise Kiwi Car Sales
Auckland, 22 June 2004
For immediate release
A joint venture partnership between the IMVDA, SKY Television and CanWest TVWorks has announced the nationwide launch of
a revolutionary new service that it predicts will change the way cars are bought and sold in New Zealand.
Called go auto, the service provides car dealers and their customers from all over New Zealand with access to a
nationwide multimedia advertising initiative, incorporating interactive TV (go auto TV), a nationwide online search site
(go auto Web), and a weekly, full-colour glossy publication (go auto Magazine).
Developed as a joint venture with SKY Television and CanWest TVWorks, go auto means the car-buying public will have
access to seamless, professional and interactive service from IMVDA dealer members.
David Vinsen, CEO of the IMVDA, says that the joint venture has pulled together a broad range of industry specialists to
develop an integrated cross media solution that will make it easy for consumers to gain access to a range of vehicles
through the go auto network.
“If a potential buyer sees a vehicle in our new magazine, or on go auto TV (SKY digital channel 205), they can use the
website to find out more about it or other similar vehicles available in their region. Buyers can also use the
comprehensive search function available on the website to search for a specific vehicle type or colour anywhere in the
country,” says Vinsen.
SKY TV’s Tony O’Brien says that SKY is delighted to be involved in the initiative.
“One of the great things about go auto TV is that the interactive SKY digital channel (channel 205) allows viewers to
choose one of eight regions from the menu, so they know the cars being advertised are close by.
“SKY is excited about the prospect of launching another interactive service on our digital platform - one that offers
viewers the convenience and control to view the cars they want, when they want to,” he says.
O’Brien says it is great to be working closely with both CanWest and the IMVDA on this innovative service.
“go auto is a fantastic opportunity for car dealers to be cost-effectively featured on television as part of the multi
media package.”
Kevin Green of CanWest, says the open technology platform being used to drive data uploaded from the website into go
auto TV (SKY Channel 205) and the go auto Magazine makes CanWest one of the most innovative technology providers in the
market.
“The technology behind go auto has been designed so that dealers can easily use and update the data themselves. It is
highly innovative and deceptively simple,” he said.
The world first technology behind go auto was developed by Tauranga-based Enform, a specialist multimedia business.
The joint venture is being managed by an independent third party, Hot Tin Roof, who will supply expertise in marketing,
design, media, advertising, PR and events management.
Ends