ATLANTA — Cox Automotive announced plans to integrate Lyft’s ride-sharing service with Cox’s Xtime integrated software platform for retail automotive service departments. Executives said the Lyft option, which will be available in the second half of 2019, will provide dealership customers with a convenient option for getting to and from service appointments while enabling dealers to easily tap into the latest mobility solutions.

“The Xtime and Lyft integration is another step towards helping transform automotive dealerships from sales centers into full-fledged transportation hubs,” said Tracy Fred, vice president and general manager for Xtime at Cox Automotive. “The new solution will help dealers give service customers an excellent experience that will keep them coming back to the dealership.”

The Lyft option will be available in the second-half of 2019 to all Xtime customers through its consumer Schedule product and offered with the Engage service advisor check-in tablet solution. Customers will be able to select Lyft as a transportation option during the service appointment scheduling process and enable their advisor to arrange pick-ups and drop-offs through the check-in tablet application. This will reduce or eliminate wait times by providing flexible, on-demand transportation, all according to the announcement.

“Our success as a dealership is built on ensuring a positive service experience after a customer purchases a vehicle from us,” said Tully Williams, parts and service director for The Niello Company, an Xtime customer. “The Lyft integration with Xtime will provide another way for us to elevate the total ownership experience for our customers and ensure their transportation needs are met while their vehicle is being serviced. As a business, this also helps simplify the management of alternative transportation options, which can reduce our operating expenses.”