How the digital age has changed the registration and title processes – Kait Gavin & Sarah Hunsicker, Dealertrack

On today’s show we’re discussing registration, title trends, and DMV changes across the U.S. We’re pleased to welcome Sarah Hunsicker, Director of Government Affairs at Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions and we’re also joined by Kait Gavin, Vice President of Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions.

Gavin begins the conversation by talking about the state of the car-buying process. She says the process in which cars are purchased has fared very well over the last year. A recent study by Cox Automotive found that customer satisfaction hit its highest mark in the history of the study. 72% of consumers said that they were satisfied with the car-buying process. With customizable options in car buying, such as online retailing and deliveries, customers were able to find the process that was best suited to their lifestyles.

Hunsicker adds her perspective on the most recent trends being seen in registrations and titles. As digitalization has grown in the industry, state legislation has had to implement new laws concerning the registration and title process. Since the 1950s and 60s, the electronic process for registration and title documents hasn’t changed. However, new technologies have forced the hand of state lawmakers to adjust legislation to allow these new processes. Hunsicker says the pandemic was a major component of accelerating the adoption of state laws. In order to continue serving citizens, DMVs had to make necessary updates to their policies.

Hunsicker and Gavin then make two exciting announcements. The first being that Dealertrack is partnering with the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association. The partnership will provide dealers in the state of Ohio with advanced registration and titling solutions. The second announcement is that the company is launching a new product to market in the state of Minnesota called Reg&Title 360TM. This product will allow dealers to centralize the process of in-state and out-of-state transactions in one solution.