Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) vs. TrueCar

Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) is a purpose-built vehicle sourcing platform that enables car dealerships to acquire high-margin, fast-turning used vehicles directly from private sellers—bypassing auctions, reducing acquisition costs, and accelerating inventory turn. Today’s automotive market is more competitive than ever. Wholesale prices are climbing, auction fees are rising, and reconditioning delays eat into profitability. VAN solves this by giving dealers the tools and talent they need to target, engage, and acquire for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) vehicles in their local market with speed and efficiency. With VAN, dealers can: Access thousands of local private-party listings in real time Use AI-powered filters to find the most profitable cars Automate personalized outreach and follow-up with sellers Track communications, tasks, and acquisition progress in one unified CRM Eliminate auction fees, transport delays, and wholesale surprises For stores that lack time or staff to do this work in-house, VAN also offers a Managed Buyer program—a turnkey service where VAN’s expert acquisition team works on your behalf to find, contact, and negotiate with private sellers. It’s like hiring a full-time buyer without the overhead. Whether you're a single rooftop looking for more control or a large group scaling a private-party acquisition strategy, VAN adapts to your dealership's workflow and goals. Dealers using VAN regularly see faster turn times, higher front-end grosses, and more predictable inventory pipelines. Trusted by over 250 rooftops across the U.S. and Canada, VAN is how modern dealers compete with Carvana, CarMax, and other direct-to-consumer disruptors—by sourcing smarter, not just spending more.

TrueCar provides a robust digital platform designed to help certified dealers effectively oversee their operations and online visibility in the TrueCar automotive marketplace, streamlining processes such as managing vehicle listings, adjusting prices, engaging with prospects, and handling critical administrative tasks. Within this integrated portal, dealers have the capability to adjust vehicle pricing using tools like the VIN Pricing Manager, while also overseeing their lead delivery preferences, email accounts, and tracking the history of bounced communications. Moreover, the platform facilitates the configuration of user roles and access rights for various team members, including personnel from sales, accounting, and administration. Dealers can easily access, download, and submit vital financial documents, including invoices, statements, and co-op paperwork, in addition to submitting credit requests and reviewing payment histories, all while avoiding the burdens of manual paperwork. The platform also incorporates features that enhance the TrueCar+ digital retailing experience, allowing dealers to engage in the online car buying process, track delivery orders, and tailor the presentation of their inventory to attract potential buyers more effectively. This all-encompassing system not only simplifies operational tasks for dealers but also significantly improves the overall car buying journey for consumers, fostering a more efficient marketplace. As a result, both parties benefit from a streamlined approach that enhances satisfaction and promotes better sales outcomes.