GM Dealer FAQ
eVN AutoGraph is offered as a monthly subscription service with tiered costs based on your annual sales volume. To learn more about how AutoGraph can save your GM dealership time and money, visit this page! Enroll in the AutoGraph vehicle image service at GM Digital Dealer.
The Product : CGI Vehicle Image Service
Q. What is photo-real / photorealistic CGI?
Photorealistic computer-generated imagery of vehicles is deliberately life-like, not post produced ‘beauty shots’ or re-worked to create a stylized image. They are designed to accurately reflect actual conditions (lighting, reflections, etc.) at each dealership to replicate how a vehicle would look if parked and photographed at that dealership.
Q. What is VIN-specific CGI?
GM VIN level build information (i.e. factory installed RPO/LPO codes) is used to compile the relevant visual parts of a vehicle and return a set of images that is product accurate to each VIN. Note, VIN codes do not include any after-market features or anything installed by the dealer sold over the counter, so these things will not show in the images.
Q. What are the advantages of VIN-specific CGI?
Being able to create the image of a vehicle down to the VIN level means these images can be used to showcase a dealer’s inventory fast, cost-efficiently, and accurately. When merged with photographs of the dealership, you have the ability to display photorealistic images that engage customers with images of your entire stock, custom to your local brand.
Q. What are the benefits of using CGI vehicle image services?
• Stand out from the competition. Don’t settle for reused stock images. eVN AutoGraph creates unique CGI images for your digital merchandising needs — 100% product correct, delivered automatically to your site.
• Showcase ALL your inventory. Make sure your entire new vehicle inventory is online. With AutoGraph you can guarantee 100% of your stock is online 100% of the time — not only on delivery but also while in-transit.
• Improved speed to market. Merchandise every vehicle from the moment of invoice 4150 — as soon as the vehicle is serialized, the vehicle images are created and delivered directly to your website.
• Customize your brand image. Our DIY Photography program can capture your unique Dealership brand — reinforcing that the vehicle your customers are shopping for is at your store now.
• Save money vs. traditional photography. All-In Costs for Traditional Photography can run upwards of $40/vehicle. AutoGraph eliminates the vendor fees and logistical constraints and costs of on-site vehicle photography.
• Syndication. Through your Dealer’s Inventory Provider, images can be syndicated to social media, local marketing campaigns, Tier-2 interactions, etc., in any way that adds value. There is no additional license fee to reuse the images.
HOW DO I ENROLL?
A link to an enrollment page is available through gmdealerdigital.com that outlines all options, pricing, product details, and terms and conditions.
ARE ALL DEALERSHIPS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Yes. CGI image services are available for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Dealerships.
CAN THE CGI VEHICLE IMAGES BE SYNDICATED?
Yes. A Dealer is free to syndicate the images using their current website provider and with the coordination of eVN and/or their website support team.
HOW MANY IMAGES ARE INCLUDED FOR EACH VIN AND WHAT ARE THEY?
Your site receives 24 vehicle images:
• Exterior views: front, driver side, driver side rear ¾, rear, passenger side, front passenger side ¾, front passenger side ¾ cropped, front uncropped, wheel detail, headlight detail, taillight detail, driver side door and mirror, grill detail, tow bumper detail.
• Interior views: driver view, full view, rear seats, driver information center, steering wheel, radio detail, seating detail, door and light buttons, HVAC, sunroof
WILL I BE ABLE TO GET IMAGES FOR ALL MY DEALERSHIP’S INVENTORY?
All your new vehicle images are included with the exception of fleet/commercial vehicles.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING eVN CGI VEHICLE IMAGE SERVICES?
Service Delivery
HOW SOON WILL CGI VEHICLE IMAGES APPEAR ON MY WEBSITE?
As soon as 24 to 48 hours from enrollment.
WILL EVERY ELIGIBLE VEHICLE IN MY INVENTORY RECEIVE AN IMAGE?
Yes. As long as the following criteria are met:
• The VIN data sent to the image provider, using DMS data as one source, is complete
• All GM-provided build data is complete for every VIN
WILL ALL VISIBLE VEHICLE OPTIONS BE DISPLAYED ON THE IMAGES?
Yes. As long as there is a factory-installed RPO/LPO code within the extended VIN information received from GM, and the RPO/LPO is orderable within the GM Vehicle Order Guide.
Anything that is aftermarket or sold over the counter (lift kits, running boards, etc.), will NOT show in the image set (GM does not have math data or a way to know what was put on the vehicle post-factory). A Dealer may want to photograph this vehicle, and/or those components, to showcase the additional equipment.
ARE USED VEHICLE IMAGES PART OF VEHICLE IMAGE SERVICE?
At this time, used vehicles are not part of the Program.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PHOTOS THAT ARE ALREADY UP ON THE SITE?
None of your Dealer photos will be changed — they will remain the #1 positioned image that is displayed during a customer’s inventory search. If you choose not to upload photos to your website, the CGI vehicle images will AUTOMATICALLY be displayed in the first position on your site.
SINCE I SIGNED UP FOR THE SELF-SHOOT BACKGROUND OPTION, CAN I SEND
IN A PHOTO I HAVE TAKEN PREVIOUSLY?
No, The CGI vehicle images are rendered with specific angles, lighting, reflections and shadows defined in advance, to match the specs of the backplates. The photography manual we send you provides instructions on how to capture the building with the same specs as were used for the vehicle. Together it results in the best composition and most accurate representation of your brand and inventory.
I SIGNED UP FOR A SELF-SHOOT (DIY) BACKGROUND. NOW WHAT?
Once enrolled, you will receive a brief instruction manual on how to take the photos that will result in the best placement.
You will also receive a “site survey” of your Dealership we have reviewed for any possible complications and indicate where
you will need to remove any parked cars in the way, etc. Once the image(s) is returned to us, our professional team will individually edit the image; removing blemishes, adjusting lighting, and balancing colors so your brand is best represented.
The team is also available for any help you may need during the process.
HOW WAS PRICING DETERMINED FOR THE CGI VEHICLE IMAGE SERVICE?
Through Dealer feedback and existing industry offerings, General Motors established a competitively tiered monthly pricing approach based on last year’s New Vehicle Retail Sales Volume from Dealerships. Dealer volumes will be reviewed and adjusted annually to help ensure the appropriate base is applied.
Backgrounds
WHAT BACKGROUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALER?
Dealers can choose from three background options:
Standard Image Service. Comes standard with the service. Vehicles are displayed in front of a replicated building utilizing the brand’s facility standards. No extra charge.
Enhanced Dealership Background. This option allows a dealer to choose from three backplate perspectives of their storefront (left, center, right) with the ability to add their Dealership name and/or brand logos to the facility. Note for Cadillac Dealers: Multi-line facility images remain against Pinnacle guidelines. Therefore, multi-line Cadillac Dealers wishing to utilize the Enhanced Background options may only do so on their C/B/G website as it will fall out of compliance for the Cadillac website.
Dealer-Taken Background. eVN will provide instructions, a custom site survey and all the guidance needed to take your own background photo for the solution. Once returned to eVN our professional team will individually edit the image; removing blemishes, adjusting lighting, and color balancing. Dealers will also be sent a copy of their background in a 4K resolution that they can use if desired, in other forms of their marketing.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR VEHICLE IMAGES WITH A DEALER-TAKEN BACKGROUND TO BE DISPLAYED ON A SITE?
Once your dealership photography is complete, it will take approximately 8 weeks before new images will appear with the new background. For the Enhanced Background option, the timing is approximately 2 weeks. Until then, images will be delivered on a universal background. Once ready, all images currently on the site and added going forward will be on the new background.
CAN I PHOTOGRAPH OTHER AREAS WITHIN THE DEALERSHIP (e.g. THE SERVICE BAY)?
Only exterior photograph of the dealership may be used in order to match the vehicle which is lit for an outside location.
CAN I SHOOT AT ANOTHER LOCATION NEAR MY DEALERSHIP (e.g. A LOCAL AREA FAVORITE SPOT)?
Currently, no.
Pricing
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE CGI VEHICLE IMAGE SERVICE?
Monthly fees are established based on your Dealership’s previous year’s New Vehicle Retail Sales Volume. For that reason, fees will vary from one Dealer to the next based on your sales volume. For the “standard” CGI vehicle image service, your monthly fee will be the same throughout each calendar year and adjusted annually on the first of February if necessary. A matrix detailing current monthly rates is posted on the Dealer Digital Solution website.
Note: A one-time GM setup fee of $249 will be assessed at the time of enrollment.
Additional costs may also be incurred if the Enhanced or Self-Shoot background option is selected.
CAN I USE IMR FUNDS ON CGI VEHICLE IMAGE SERVICES? ARE THEY ELIGIBLE FOR GM MATCH?
Yes. All Dealer Digital Solution products, including the Vehicle Image Program services, are eligible for IMR funds with
GM match. This means the competitive monthly rates presented may be significantly less when you factor in your GM
match contribution.