Is CarBravo the Dealership of the Future?

Buying a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle just got a lot easier, and it’s all thanks to a new online platform launched by one of the world’s largest automakers. CarBravo allows General Motors to address two trends that have rocked the auto market in recent years: the rise of the web-based used car dealership and historically high pre-owned pieces.    

Used car prices have been on the rise ever since the global pandemic, jumping 47% in 2021 alone and reaching a new all-time high back in 2022. While prices have cooled in recent years, buyers are still paying 25% to 40% more than they were in pre-COVID days. The EV segment does represent one bright spot, with the average price of an all-electric model falling as previously leased models hit the market, but a half-decade of rising prices has left consumers feeling a bit squeezed. 

Enter CarBravo. The website allows GM to create a centralized used-vehicle marketplace that puts a renewed focus on fair, transparent pricing. Instead of having 1,000 dealers setting 1,000 different prices on virtually identical used models, CarBravo seeks to create a more unified structure, allowing buyers to browse, finance, and arrange delivery or at-home test drives entirely online or in combination with a brick-and-mortar dealership.

This approach benefits buyers and dealers alike, encouraging fair, transparent pricing across different dealerships and ensuring a consistent pre-owned product no matter where you shop. CarBravo also packs plenty of perks, allowing drivers to enjoy a confident buying experience complete with a standard limited warranty, optional protection plans, GM’s rewards program, and access to 4,000 nationwide service centers.

How CarBravo Works

What unique advantages does CarBravo offer? Why should you turn to the internet when it’s time to choose your next car, truck, or SUV? We’ll answer all that and more as we learn how GM is transforming the online buying process.

Find A Vehicle

CarBravo couldn’t be any simpler from a buyer’s perspective. Instead of wasting your weekend trudging between dealerships, drivers can simply cruise over to the CarBravo website from the comfort of their own home, or even use their phone to access our extensive inventory of quality, pre-owned vehicles while on the go. From browsing SUVs over brunch to tracking pickup prices on the sidelines of your kid’s Saturday morning soccer game, CarBravo provides a seamless platform for all your car-buying needs. 

The CarBravo website offers a familiar, intuitive interface that makes it refreshingly easy to zero in on the right model for your unique automotive needs. Drivers can filter for every possible variable, including make and model, body type, price, monthly payment, year and mileage, color, features, Engine size, fuel economy, and fuel type. CarBravo also allows buyers to get an honest look at a vehicle’s background with the ability to filter out models based on accident history. The site can even be used to filter for CARFAX-certified One-Owner vehicles, which often represent some of the most enticing options on the pre-owned market.

Take a Test Drive 

Once you’ve settled on the right model, CarBravo will connect you with a participating local dealership where you can get behind the wheel and experience your chosen ride for yourself. This is an important part of the buying process, giving drivers the chance to get a feel for the vehicle in a way that a website simply can’t match. 

That compact crossover might look roomy on the website, but it could start to seem a little small once you actually climb into the driver’s seat. Maybe you have your heart set on a full-size SUV, but soon realize it’s a bit too large for your daily routine after a few laps around the neighborhood. While we’d recommend that every driver test-drive our pre-owned vehicles themselves, CarBravo’s generous exchange policy gives buyers 10 full days or 500 miles to make their final decision. If you’re not satisfied with your chosen ride, simply return to the dealership, and we’ll start back at square one.

Arrange Financing

Financing your Certified Pre-Owned vehicle couldn’t be any easier when you work with CarBravo. Simply click any model, and you’ll instantly see both a cash price and an estimated financing arrangement. The financing figure can be easily edited with a built-in tool that lets drivers adjust their monthly payment, financing term, and credit score. 

This transparent tool eliminates the frustrating guesswork from the financing process, letting you create a payment schedule without any unwelcome surprises. For example, some dealerships list one price on their website, only to hit you with a long list of additional taxes and fees. At CarBravo, you’ll see all these charges added to the bottom line, including sales and document fees, as well as title. 

Landing a fair price for your current vehicle can also be an important part of the transaction. Around 49% of U.S. drivers will finance a new vehicle using a trade-in, and CarBravo makes the process even easier with another helpful app powered by the pros at Kelley Blue Book. Drivers can enter specific details about their current model, or simply enter the VIN or license plate number to auto-fill most relevant categories. The app will then display your vehicle’s real-time value, giving drivers the chance to fill in an important part of the financing puzzle.

Finish the Paperwork

Once you’ve got all your financial ducks in a row, it’s time to officially start the buying process. You’ve already done most of the hard work, but the next step is reaching out to a local dealership that can help bring the sale home. Just click “Start The Buying Process,” and you’ll get the chance to review the details of the deal, including your trade-in value, special offers, additional plans and services, and personal info, before being taken to a page where you can upload all relevant documentation. After adding some basic personal and financial information, you’ll be able to add an electronic signature that officially seals the deal and reserves your pre-owned vehicle.

Take Delivery

Finally, it’s time to take delivery of your new CarBravo vehicle. If you’ve been working with a local GM dealership, that process could be as easy as cruising across town and picking up the keys. Many dealers also offer a delivery service, giving drivers the opportunity to land a lucrative deal that might not be available in their local market.

While some dealers will charge an additional fee, delivery is often complimentary within a few hundred miles. Those looking to source a new vehicle from across the country will likely face an additional charge, but even a higher delivery fee can be a money-saving proposition in the long run. Wet winter weather and the road salt that comes with it can easily wreak havoc on a vehicle by accelerating corrosion. If you want a ride that’s enjoyed a relatively rust-free life, CarBravo is here to help, allowing drivers to source vehicles from drier climates where corrosion is less of a concern.

Advantages of CarBravo

CarBravo provides drivers with a quick, seamless way to find a pre-owned vehicle, but that’s just one part of the program’s appeal. When you work with CarBravo, you’ll be able to enjoy a number of money-saving benefits that few used auto dealers can match.

Standard Limited Warranty

Peace of mind comes standard when you work with CarBravo. The program includes some of the most generous warranty coverage you’ll find on the used market, with GM offering two different policies based on the vehicle’s age and mileage. CarBravo models that are less than ten years old and have less than 100,000 miles on the odometer include a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper policy. Older models between 10 and 15 years old with 100,000 to 150,000 miles qualify for a 30-day/1,000 limited powertrain policy that protects some of the vehicle’s most vital components.

BravoCare

CarBravo lets buyers extend their coverage with a suite of optional protection plans called BravoCare. From a Protection Plan that includes roadside assistance and rental car coverage to a Pre-Paid Maintenance policy that covers scheduled tire rotations and oil and filter changes, to GAP Coverage and additional Tire & Wheel Protection, it’s easy to keep your pre-owned vehicle humming along and looking its best when you work with CarBravo.

Certified Service Centers

Being backed by one of America’s largest automakers has its advantages, especially when it comes time for maintenance and repair work. Buy your next vehicle from CarBravo, and you’ll gain access to over 4,000 certified service centers spread all throughout the country. These services include oil and filter changes, tire inspection, brake inspection, engine and transmission work, body and collision services, wheel alignment, AC service, infotainment system repair, and more.

Buy Better With CarBravo 

CarBravo represents an important evolution in the car-buying experience that could quickly become the norm in our digitally driven world. Today’s consumers expect the car-buying process to be just as easy as any other online transaction. GM is at the forefront of this trend, with CarBravo showcasing the many advantages of the web-based approach.

From transparent pricing and easy financing tools to the site’s wide selection and generous exchange policies, CarBravo gives buyers the control they’ve long been waiting for. CarBravo allows drivers to experience the best of both worlds by combining the convenience and transparency of online shopping with the personalized support of a traditional dealership. The program is backed by GM’s expansive service network and offers warranty coverage that can make a difference in long-term confidence and satisfaction. If you’re looking for a convenient, low-pressure alternative to the traditional dealership shuffle, your next car, truck, or SUV could be just a click away with CarBravo.

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