Lists

Earlier, the software was designed to manage the purchase and sale of cars only. However, starting from version 1.0.9363, the system has been enhanced to support a wide range of vehicle types including commercial trucks, trailers, and heavy equipment like JCBs etc.

What is a Vehicle Category?

A Vehicle Category defines the classification of a vehicle based on its type, size, or intended use, for example, car, truck, trailer, or JCB. This categorization is critical as it allows the system to:

• Dynamically adjust features and feature groups depending on the vehicle type.
• Display the correct vehicle layout and specifications on the front-end website.

The Vehicle Category section acts as the configuration hub to customize how the software handles various vehicle types. Dealers dealing with more than just cars can now seamlessly adapt the platform to their exact business model.

Each Vehicle Category has its own relevant set of features that reflect its design, usage, and buyer expectations. For example, a car may have features like Airbags categorized under Safety, while a pickup truck may include a manual gear system under the Performance group.

What is a Feature Group?

A Feature Group is a labeled section that organizes related features under one category for better readability and management. In following examples Convenience, Premium and Safety are feature groups:

• Convenience: Android Auto, Cup Holder, Mobile Phone Rack
• Premium: Auto Pilot, Leather Seats, Heated Steering Wheel
• Safety: Airbags, Traction Control, Reverse Parking Sensors

Creating a New Feature Group

To add a new feature group:

1. Select a vehicle category from the list in the left-hand pane (e.g., Cars, Trucks).
2. Click on the Create New Feature Group link under "Manage Features".
3. Enter the name for the group in the popup window and save.

Editing or Deleting a Feature Group

When you hover your mouse over an existing group, Edit and Delete options will appear. Click:

• Edit to rename the feature group.
• Delete to remove the group (only if it has no child features).

Each group allows the addition of individual features specific to the selected category. This structure ensures that every vehicle type, be it a car, truck, or any equipment, is described accurately in listings and on the front-facing website.

Features are the individual items grouped under a Feature Group. They describe specific attributes of a vehicle. For example, within the Convenience group, items like Android Auto, Cup Holder, and Mobile Phone Rack are individual features.

Adding a New Feature

To add a new feature:

• Hover your mouse over a feature group name (e.g., Convenience).
• An Add New Feature link will appear under that group.
• Click the link to open the Add Feature window.
• Enter the feature name and any additional required details.
• Click Save to add the feature.

Editing a Feature

All features are displayed as clickable links. To edit a feature:

• Click on the feature name you want to modify.
• This will open the Edit Feature window. It is the same window that was used for adding a feature.
• Update the desired fields and click Save.

Deleting a Feature

A feature can be deleted only if it is not currently assigned to any trim or variant. To delete a feature:

• Click on the feature name (same as for editing).
• In the Edit Feature window, click the Delete button located at the bottom left.

Availability Scope defines how a feature is treated when adding new trims or variants. It helps the system determine whether a feature should be pre-selected or remain optional, based on industry norms or vehicle-specific variations.

• Available in All Models: These are features that are industry standard or legally mandated. For example, in Canada, all drive-assist features such as adaptive cruise control are legally required. These features are considered present by default and are automatically selected when a new vehicle trim or variant is added.
• Available in Selected Models: These features are not universally present across all trims or variants. When a new variant is added, such features are left unchecked by default. The user can select them manually if they are available in the specific variant.

By properly setting the availability scope for each feature, the system can streamline the trim creation process while maintaining accurate feature representation for each vehicle.

Adding a vehicle category requires careful consideration. Selecting the wrong category or entering incorrect information can significantly affect the search engine ranking of your front portal.

Ensure that both the singular and plural values of the category are spelled correctly. Accurate spelling helps maintain professional presentation and improves the chances of your listings appearing in relevant search results.

The Category Name as Singular field is used to define the singular term for a vehicle category. This value is important because the system uses it to automatically generate content across the portal.

For example, if the singular category name is set to Car, the system will generate phrases such as Used Car For Sale. Here, the word Car comes directly from the Category Name as Singular field.

The Category Name as Plural field is used to define the plural term for a vehicle category. This value is essential because the system relies on it to generate content that references multiple vehicles within the same category.

For example, if the plural category name is set to Cars, the system will generate phrases such as Browse Used Cars For Sale. In this case, the word Cars comes directly from the Category Name as Plural field.

The Type field indicates to search engines the nature of the vehicle being listed. This is a critical input for your portal because it is directly used in schema markups. Selecting the wrong value can significantly impact your search engine ranking, as search engines rely on this field to identify the type of vehicles displayed on the front portal.

This field does not provide options for every possible vehicle category. Instead, you must select from the following allowed types:

• Vehicle – Generic base type for all vehicles, including heavy equipment such as JCBs.
• Car – Passenger automobiles, including sedans, SUVs, and vans.
• Truck – Cargo or commercial vehicles, including pickup trucks.
• Motorcycle – Motorbikes and scooters.
• MotorizedBicycle – Electric or gas-powered bicycles.
• BusOrCoach – Buses and coaches.
• Boat – Watercraft of all types.
• Bicycle – Pedal-powered two-wheeled vehicles.

Vehicle is the fail-safe type. If your category does not fall into any of the specific listed types, select Vehicle as the default.