More than 142 F&I product providers are integrated into Darwin Online, and the widget connects with dealerships' websites without integration into the dealer management system, according to a company statement. Darwin Online relies on a proprietary 50-state tax database and a nationwide database of incentives with lease and finance rates to accurately quote customers.
The dealership inputs pricing information so that the platform provides accurate payments that "match the dealership's DMS to the penny," the statement said.
Dealerships "have total control over our applications, which is the thing that dealers were missing and afraid of [losing]," Battista said.
Most customers say if they were educated on F&I products before visiting the dealership, they'd be more likely to buy the products, Battista said.
"Why wouldn't you educate your customers upfront so that when they come in you're protecting that profitability?" Battista said.
Dealers can choose whether to provide only F&I product information online or allow customers to add F&I products to their shopping carts. Transactions are completed in-store, Battista said.