gleeson brendan3

Toyota and Lexus retailers in the UK are introducing a new web-based electronic point-of-sale system for finance which is powered by White Clarke Group’s CALMS software.

NGage from Lexus and Toyota Financial Services provides a range of features designed to help customers choose the right finance package. They then use an electronic signature to confirm the finance deal.

Quotations can be compared side-by-side with appropriate interest rates (quoted as APR) and finance approval can be obtained almost immediately.

The process eliminates the need for paper documents at the quotation and agreement stage and avoids the delays that can occur when documents have to be physically signed and returned.

The aim is to provide the clarity and ease of use that customers experience in other retail areas.

NGage uses CALMS software designed by White Clarke Group, which provides connections with credit bureaus and vehicle data services. It is highly flexible and can be accessed using a wide range of devices, from desktop computers to tablets and smartphones.

Fran Kenny, director of operations at Toyota Financial Services, said: “We have sought to produce a best-in-class front-end system that will help strengthen our performance in fleet, retail and direct customer sales.

“We have had positive feedback from our dealers and we see great potential in the business agility that NGage can provide. Auto finance is a dynamic, fast-growing marketplace, so it’s important for us to be agile and contain costs while delivering business change that benefits us, our dealers and our customers.”

NGage has been developed and extensively tested prior to a national roll-out through Toyota and Lexus’s 234 centres over a six-week period, with full implementation completed by end of the year. 

At the same time, an e-training programme has been used for all dealer and internal staff to learn how the system works and the benefits it can deliver.

Brendan Gleeson, group CEO at White Clarke Group, said: “We are delighted that Toyota Financial Services, having completed a thorough market assessment, has chosen to extend its partnership with White Clarke Group through the implementation of the new CALMS3 product.

“CALMS3 has undergone a complete technical upgrade utilizing the latest UX technology and design techniques to deliver greater agility and transform the customer experience, including the implementation of the CALMS3 digital processing and e-Signature/e-ID functionality. It’s fantastic to have had such a smooth and well-received go-live."