Prompted by a surge in smartphone usage, auto buying serviceCUSO Autoland Inc. said it has launched a mobile website to meetthe research and shopping needs of car buyers.

The Chatsworth, Calif.-based CUSOsaid it has seen a 67% jump in mobile traffic to its website in thelast year.

Autoland President Jeffry Martin said unlike a mobileapplication that requires users to download software to theirmobile device, the CUSO's website is automatically presentedthrough the phone's Web browser.

(At left, the build-your-carscreen.)

The site was designed to deliver a pleasing user experience withkey features online shoppers are looking for such as a streamlinedmobile interface and full chat capability with Autolandrepresentatives, according to the CUSO.

With nearly four out of five new vehicle buyers conductingonline research during the shopping process and 23% of thoseshoppers using a smart phone to access this information,implementing a mobile strategy has been a priority this year,Martin said.

“We know that mobile shoppers have specific service expectationsand our optimized site makes it easy for them to research newvehicles, search pre-owned cars, calculate monthly payments and getcredit union financing information,” he noted.

Autoland serves more than 200 credit unions nationwide,representing more than eight million credit union members. The CUSOsaid it has delivered more than $1.8 billion in direct auto loans to credit union partners over the past 10 years.