Motors joins forces with Sun Motors and Sunday Times Driving

Manheim’s Motors.co.uk and News UK’s Sun Motors and Sunday Times Driving, are joining forces to create a joint classified and display advertising network.

The move will mean there will be 300,000 vehicles on each site to give a “very strong ” second positon to the market leader Auto Trader.

Motors.co.uk will add Sun Motors and Sunday Times Driving classified sites to its network.

The partnership will boost overall stock volumes and create new ways for advertisers to target car buying audiences.

Motors.co.uk will be responsible for dealer classified advertising, adding both of News UK’s sites to their existing network, which includes Parkers, HonestJohn, Carsite, Autovillage, Desperate Seller, Drive24 and Carvillage.

News UK will sell Motors.co.uk as part of its display network, creating targeted digital and print advertising across The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Both companies will also work together to build a new car advertising network, combining Motors.co.uk’s Smart Search technology to provide shoppers with both new and used car purchase options.

Motors.co.uk will incorporate its Smart Search classified platform on Sun Motors and Sunday Times Driving, enabling car buyers to explore options by lifestyle need or more directly on a make and model basis.

Andy Coulthurst, managing director of Motors.co.uk, said: “The addition of these powerful brands to our network provides Motors.co.uk dealers with access to an even wider selection of automotive classified sites via a single commercial relationship.

“We know that consumers research multiple sites in their car search. The Motors.co.uk Network seeks to give visibility throughout the process.”

Jim Murray Jones, general manager of Sun Motors and Sunday Times Driving, said: “This is great news for the loyal readers of our world-famous brands. They will now have access to an even greater range of vehicles to choose from while still being able to rely on the trusted advice of our expert motoring journalists to ensure they get value for their money in a complicated market.”