More numbers that spell CARS
Local matches first, then toll-free.
Dealers advertise where people can't write
Car dealerships spend heavily on radio, TV and billboards, which are places where nobody can write a number down. A listener hears the ad on the drive home and has to remember how to reach you. A number that spells a word survives that trip. A string of digits usually doesn't.
CARS works for any lot. Franchise dealers often want their brand in the number.
Brand names and letter count
Short brand names are much easier to get. Three-letter brands such as KIA, RAM, GMC and BMW leave the most numbers per area code, and four-letter brands such as FORD, JEEP and AUDI are usually available in larger metros. Five-letter brands are rare, and in our searches brands such as CHEVY and HONDA turned up no local numbers in the metros we checked. Franchise dealers should check their manufacturer's brand guidelines before using the brand name in advertising.
Where to put it
- Radio and TV spots, where a word is far easier to say and remember than digits.
- Window stickers, license-plate frames and service reminders.
- The service department. A separate number that spells something helps bring repeat service visits.
Calls and texts
Calls ring the phone you choose, such as the sales desk or BDC, and missed calls go to its voicemail. Texts arrive as email, which your internet sales team can work from.
Which of these words you can get
The shorter the word, the more numbers can spell it. Toll-free is one national pool, so a word that is taken in your area code can still be free there.
| Word | Letters | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| CARS | 4 | Usually available. Up to 1,000 per area code, though popular trade words go first. The live results above show what is free today. |
| KIA | 3 | Easy to find. Up to 10,000 local numbers per area code can spell it. |
| FORD | 4 | Usually available. Up to 1,000 per area code, though popular trade words go first. The live results above show what is free today. |
| JEEP | 4 | Usually available. Up to 1,000 per area code, though popular trade words go first. The live results above show what is free today. |
| AUDI | 4 | Usually available. Up to 1,000 per area code, though popular trade words go first. The live results above show what is free today. |
Why car dealerships pick a number that spells something
The same three things every business gets, in the words your customers use.
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