With digital marketing evolving at an unprecedented pace, automotive dealerships need to stay ahead of the curve to capture customers where they spend their time. TikTok, the fastest-growing social media platform, has just launched TikTok Automotive Ads, a new service designed to help dealerships and automotive brands reach in-market buyers more effectively.
What Are TikTok Automotive Ads?
TikTok Automotive Ads is a new ad solution specifically tailored for the automotive industry. The platform allows car dealers and manufacturers to showcase their vehicles in a dynamic and engaging way, using TikTok’s signature short-form video format combined with advanced audience targeting.
These ads leverage TikTok’s powerful algorithm to connect dealerships with users who are actively searching for cars, helping to drive leads, website traffic, and ultimately, sales.
Why Should Car Dealers Care?
While Facebook and Instagram have been present in automotive digital marketing, TikTok’s fresh approach brings new opportunities for dealerships looking to engage with modern car buyers and offers several advantages:
Reaching a Younger Audience
TikTok has a large young audience, making it a prime platform for engaging first-time buyers and younger demographics who may not be as active on Facebook.
Higher Engagement Rates
Compared to traditional display or search ads, TikTok content tends to see significantly more interaction, with users engaging with and sharing content in a way that feels organic rather than sales-driven.
Personalised Targeting
With its advanced AI, TikTok Automotive Ads can target users based on their browsing behavior, interests, and engagement patterns, helping dealers reach the right audience at the right time.
Creative, Not Corporate
Unlike the more polished, professional ads typically seen on platforms like Facebook, TikTok’s culture thrives on authenticity. This means dealers can produce more engaging, behind-the-scenes, or customer-focused content that feels less like an ad and more like an experience.
How Does It Compare to Facebook Automotive Ads?
For years, Facebook’s Automotive Inventory Ads have been a go-to for dealerships, allowing them to promote their vehicle listings dynamically. However, TikTok brings a fresh alternative with a more engaging and interactive ad experience.
While Facebook excels at retargeting and lead generation, TikTok shines in brand awareness, engagement, and viral reach. This makes it a great complement to existing Facebook campaigns, rather than a direct replacement. Forward-thinking dealerships should likely consider using both platforms together to maximise their digital presence.
How Can Dealerships Get Started?
Dealers can set up campaigns through TikTok Ads Manager, choosing objectives like lead generation, website traffic, or customer engagement. The key is to create short, compelling videos that resonate with TikTok users while highlighting the dealership’s inventory and unique selling points.
Final Thoughts
TikTok’s Automotive Ads are a game-changer for car dealerships looking to modernise their marketing and engage the next generation of buyers. With its unique blend of high engagement, advanced targeting, and creative storytelling, this new ad format offers a fresh and exciting way to showcase inventory and drive real business results.
For dealerships that have primarily relied on Facebook or Google Ads, now may be the time to experiment with TikTok and see how it can help future sales and brand awareness in 2025 and beyond?
Register your interest for TikTok Automotive Ads by emailing [email protected]