If you’re a Hyundai dealer, now is a great time to take advantage of the Hyundai co-op program, which helps you promote your dealership while getting reimbursed for eligible campaigns. In this article, we’ll discuss how this works, why it’s worth doing, and how Dealer Stream’s automotive advertising co-op solutions make it easy for you to use your co-op funds effectively.
What Is the Hyundai Co-Op Program?
When you join the Hyundai co-op program, Hyundai sets aside funds that you can use toward approved dealership marketing campaigns. This means that when you run automotive advertising that follows Hyundai’s brand guidelines and qualifies for the program, you can submit your expenses for dealer advertising reimbursement.
One of the benefits of the program is that you’re not limited to one type of ad. You can use co-op funds for digital advertising campaigns, including search, social media, OTT advertising, display advertising and more. You can also use the funds for more traditional ads like TV and radio, events, sponsorships, and to cover the production costs of your marketing. Finally, in some cases, Hyundai will cover additional costs like website upgrades or tools needed for digital retailing. Hyundai does this because they want to make sure their dealers have a strong brand presence while at the same time helping you market locally.
Why Should You Take Advantage of the Hyundai Co-Op Program?
Automotive marketing isn’t easy, especially since every dealership is vying for people’s attention. The Hyundai co-op program helps you save money and keeps your automotive marketing consistent with national campaigns, all while still letting you highlight what makes your store unique.
Cost Savings
If your campaign qualifies, you could get up to 50 percent or more of your advertising costs reimbursed by Hyundai.
Better Brand Alignment
Hyundai’s brand guidelines help you keep your messaging professional and recognizable, which can impact sales.
Better Reach
Since your budget will stretch further with the boost from Hyundai, you can run larger or longer campaigns.
Flexibility
As long as you’re following their brand guidelines, there’s still a lot of room to get creative with your ads.
How Can You Make the Most of Your Hyundai Co-Op Funds?
If you want to get the most value out of the Hyundai co-op program, you’ll want to plan your automotive advertising so it meets Hyundai’s rules while at the same time still speaking to your local audience.
Think About Your Strategy
We don’t suggest just throwing together a few Facebook ads and hoping they qualify. Before you get started, put together a plan that connects Hyundai’s national brand messaging with marketing ideas that are relevant to you. For example, if your dealership is in a college town, you can highlight Hyundai’s affordability. Or if you’re near the mountains, you can emphasize Hyundai’s AWDs and SUVs. By paying attention to both branding and your local market, you’ll be able to attract more relevant buyers.
Choose Your Marketing Channels
Hyundai co-op funds cover both traditional and digital media, but we generally suggest prioritizing streaming platforms and digital media due to their ability to target specific audiences. Instead of wasting money showing your car commercial to everyone, you can zero in on more specific groups of people. For example, you might target people with income levels that match your ideal buyers, people who have been recently researching cars online, or families in your area that might be looking for deals.
Follow the Guidelines
Hyundai will only reimburse campaigns that follow its rules, which includes approved logos, colors, model images and disclaimers. If you’re not sure whether your ad qualifies, we suggest working with an agency that’s already familiar with Hyundai’s co-op requirements.
Keep Records
In order to be reimbursed, Hyundai requires proof. Save all invoices, screenshots, airchecks and performance reports for every campaign you submit.
Submit on Time
Most Hyundai co-op programs have a submission window. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to get reimbursed. You can set reminders or assign someone on your team to manage submissions.
The Benefits of Hyundai Co-Op Advertising
In addition to financial reimbursement, there are a few other great benefits to using the Hyundai co-op program for your dealership marketing.
Higher Quality Ads
Because you’re working within Hyundai’s professional guidelines, your ads will look more polished and credible.
Better Ad Performance
Consistent branding tends to build trust with people, meaning customers may respond better to your campaigns.
Shared Learning
Hyundai often shares their best practices and performance tips with dealers, which can give you ideas you might not get otherwise.
Room To Experiment
With reimbursement offsetting your costs, you can test new automotive marketing ideas without as much risk.
Dealer Stream Offers Automotive Advertising Co-Op Solutions for Hyundai
Here at Dealer Stream, we help our clients spend their Hyundai co-op dollars by taking the most confusing, time consuming parts of the process off your plate and making sure every campaign is both OEM-compliant and driven by results. We do this in a few steps.
Navigate Hyundai’s Rules
Hyundai has specific co-op guidelines that include things like logos, taglines, legal lines and more. We keep track of these rules for you to make sure your campaigns pass approval quickly.
Build Creatives
We produce OTT and streaming radio ads that already use the approved brand assets, voiceovers and layouts Hyundai wants, saving you from last minute revisions or rejected claims.
Choose the Right Streaming Platforms
At Dealer Stream, we only work with platforms that meet Hyundai’s co-op eligibility, so you’re not wasting money on placements that won’t be reimbursed.
Manage Campaigns
We handle media buying, audience targeting, ad trafficking and reporting so you don’t have to coordinate multiple platforms yourself.
Faster Reimbursements
Because everything’s compliant and documented upfront, your claims will be approved and paid faster.
Learn More About Automotive Advertising with Dealer Stream
Ready to get started? At Dealer Stream, we help dealerships manage their co-op advertising dollars by taking over the process, making sure your campaigns are compliant and driven by results. If you’re interested in learning more about our car dealership marketing services, contact us today.