Patent Publication Number: US-2022230214-A1

Title: Used car selling system and used car selling method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-007113 filed on Jan. 20, 2021, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a used car selling system and a used car selling method for use in used car sales. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-13453 (JP 2004-13453 A) discloses a method of selling in-vehicle equipment that is applicable to a method of selling car audio systems, car navigation systems, and the like, at the time of used car sales. Specifically, the selling method supports arrangement of the equipment to be equipped on used cars in response to accesses from dealer terminals installed at used car dealers to allow the equipment to be arranged in the same way as in the sales of new cars (see JP 2004-13453 A). 
     SUMMARY 
     Means for promoting used cars sales may include enhancing the appeal of used cars as a product. The method disclosed in JP 2004-13453 A is convenient for users since the method saves the users the labor of going to car shops to arrange purchase of car audio systems and other equipment after purchasing used cars. On the other hand, the method may not necessarily contribute to the enhancement of the appeal of used cars as a product, because the users may possibly be able to select the car audio systems and other equipment suitable for their tastes from wider options by going to car shops. 
     The present disclosure has been made in order to solve such an issue, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a used car sales system and a used car sales method capable of enhancing the appeal of used cars as a product. 
     A used car sales system in the present disclosure is a used car selling system for use in used car sales. The used car selling system includes a storage device and a controller. The storage device is configured to store information on vehicles that are retrofittable with a travel safety system relating to travel safety performance of the vehicles. The controller is configured to acquire information on target used cars as sales targets and determine, based on the information stored in the storage device, whether or not the target used cars are vehicles fittable with the travel safety system. The controller is configured to execute first processing to arrange the travel safety system for the target used cars fittable with the travel safety system, and execute second processing to sell the target used cars fitted with the travel safety system. 
     A used car selling method in the present disclosure is a used car selling method for use in used car sales. The used car selling method includes: a step of acquiring first information including information on target used cars as sales targets; a step of acquiring second information including information on vehicles retrofittable with a travel safety system relating to travel safety performance of the vehicles; a step of determining based on the second information whether or not the target used cars are vehicles fittable with the travel safety system; a step of arranging the travel safety system for the target used cars that are determined to be fittable with the travel safety system; and a step of selling the target used cars fitted with the travel safety system. 
     In the used car selling system and the used car selling method, it is possible to sell used cars fitted with the travel safety system relating to the travel safety performance of vehicles at the time of used car sales. The demands for mounting such a travel safety system are growing in recent years. Selling the used cars fitted with the travel safety system can greatly contribute to enhancing the appeal of the used cars as a product at the time of used car sales. The travel safety system is also not a kind of systems that users go to car shops and select to suit their tastes after purchase of used cars. Hence, travel safety system contributes to enhancing the appeal of used cars as a product at the time of used car sales. Therefore, according to the used car selling system and the used car selling method, it is possible to enhance the appeal of used cars as a product. 
     The travel safety system may include a pedal misapplication acceleration control system configured to reduce acceleration of the vehicles caused by pedal misapplication between an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. 
     The demands for the pedal misapplication acceleration control system are growing more and more in recent years. Selling the used cars fitted with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system can largely enhance the appeal of the used cars as a product at the time of used car sales. 
     The first processing may include processing to sort out, from the target used cars fittable with the travel safety system, target used cars to be fitted with the travel safety system in accordance with a prescribed parameter, and processing to arrange the travel safety system for the sorted-out target used cars. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to collectively arrange the travel safety system and fit the travel safety system on the target used cars sorted out as the target used cars to be fitted with the travel safety system according to the prescribed parameter. This makes it possible to enhance the efficiency of an operation of selling the used cars with the travel safety system fitted thereto. 
     The first processing may further include processing to determine the travel safety system fittable for each of the target used cars in accordance with the parameter. 
     Accordingly, it is possible to collectively arrange the travel safety system and fit the travel safety system to the target used cars that are sorted out for each of the fittable travel safety systems. This makes it possible to further enhance the efficiency of the operation. 
     The prescribed parameter may include at least one of a model type, a model year, and a sales region of the vehicles. Accordingly, the target used cars to be fitted with the travel safety system can appropriately be sorted out according to the parameter such as the model type, the model year, the sales region of the vehicles. Therefore, it is possible to collectively arrange the travel safety system for the target used cars sorted out by the model type, model year, and sales region of the vehicles, and sell desired target used cars with the travel safety system or systems fitted thereto. 
     The controller may be configured to receive fitting of the travel safety system from a prospective buyer of the target used car. The first processing may include processing to arrange the travel safety system, received from the prospective buyer, for the target used car fittable with the travel safety system. The second processing may include selling the target used car fitted with the travel safety system arranged by the first processing to the prospective buyer. 
     According to the configuration, the travel safety system can be arranged and fitted on a used car for sale in response to a request from the prospective buyer of the target used car. This makes it possible to enhance the appeal of the used car as a produced to reflect the user&#39;s request. 
     According to the used car selling system and the used car selling method, it is possible to enhance the appeal of used cars as a product. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like signs denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  schematically shows the overall configuration of a used car selling system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows an example of a flow until target used cars are posted on an online sales site; 
         FIG. 3  shows the configuration of a management server shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a configuration example of data stored in a sales vehicle information DB in the management server; 
         FIG. 5  shows a configuration example of data stored in a rework information DB in the management server; 
         FIG. 6  shows a configuration example of data stored in the rework information DB in the management server; 
         FIG. 7  shows a configuration example of data stored in the rework information DB in the management server; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing an example flow of processing executed in the management server; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart for illustrating an example of travel safety system arrangement processing executed in step S 50  in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing an example flow of processing executed in the management server in a second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart for illustrating an example of travel safety system arrangement processing executed in step S 250  in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or like component members are designated by identical reference numerals to omit the description thereof. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  schematically shows the overall configuration of a used car selling system according to a first embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a used car selling system  10  includes a plurality of dealer servers  20 , a management server  30 , and an online sales site  40 . The dealer servers  20 , the management server  30 , and the online sales site  40  are configured to be communicable with each other via a communication network  50  such as the Internet. 
     The dealer servers  20  are computers installed at used car dealers. The dealer servers  20  have various information (vehicle names, model types, model years, etc.) on used cars owned by their corresponding dealers. In the first embodiment, the used cars owned by the corresponding dealers are divided into vehicles directly sold at each of the dealers and vehicles sold on the online sales site  40  instead of at the dealers. On the online sales site  40 , used cars owned by a plurality of dealers in an appropriately segmented region are pooled and collectively sold. The used car selling system  10  deals with used cars for sale on the online sales site  40 . Hereinafter, the used cars for sale on the online sales site  40  may be referred to as “target used cars.” Each of the dealer servers  20  transmits information on the target used cars for sale on the online sales site  40  to the management server  30  through the communication network  50 . 
     The management server  30  is a computer that collects and manages the target used cars owned by the dealers to sell them on the online sales site  40 . The management server  30  communicates with the dealer servers  20  and the online sales site  40  through the communication network  50  to exchange various information with the dealer servers  20  and the online sales site  40 . 
     In the first embodiment, the management server  30  acquires information on the target used cars from each of the dealer servers  20  through the communication network  50 . The management server  30  then sorts the target used cars into used cars that are put on sale after prescribed rework (function addition) is performed, and used cars that are put on sale without rework (without function addition). The management server  30  arranges rework for the target used cars to be reworked. 
     More specifically, the means for promoting used cars sales may include enhancing the appeal of used cars as a product. In order to enhance the appeal of the used cars, the used car selling system  10  according to the first embodiment fits a travel safety system relating to vehicle travel safety performance (i.e., applies rework) on the used cars that satisfy a prescribed condition (described later), and sells them on the online sales site  40 . The demands for mounting the travel safety system are growing in recent years. Selling the used cars fitted with the travel safety system greatly enhances the appeal of the used cars as a product. 
     In the used car selling system according to the first embodiment, it is possible to sell the target used cars on the online sales site  40  by additionally fitting such travel safety systems as a pedal misapplication acceleration control system, a pre-crash safety (PCS), and a cruise control. The pedal misapplication acceleration control system is configured to reduce acceleration of the vehicle caused by pedal misapplication between an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. The PCS is a system that automatically applies the brakes when there is a risk of collision. The cruise control is a system that allows travel at a preset constant speed, without the need to press the accelerator pedal at the time of traveling on highways, for example. 
     The travel safety systems fittable at the time of used car sales are not limited to these systems. Other travel safety systems may also be fittable. In the first embodiment, the above three systems are described as typical travel safety systems fittable at the time of used car sales. In the following description, the “travel safety system” refers to at least one of the pedal misapplication acceleration control system, the pre-crash safety (hereinafter referred to as “PCS”), and the cruise control. 
     The management server  30  determines whether or not the target used cars included in the information received from the dealer servers  20  are vehicles fittable with the travel safety system. The management server  30  further sorts out vehicles to be reworked from the vehicles fittable with the driving safety system. Specifically, the management server  30  sorts out, from the target used cars fittable with the travel safety system, the vehicles to be fitted with the travel safety system according to a prescribed parameter (prescribed condition). 
     The parameter may be, for example, a model type (vehicle model) or a model year (younger model). Alternatively, the parameter may be a combination of the model type and the model year (younger vehicles with prescribed model types). When vehicles are graded according to the model type, the model year, or the like, the parameter may be such a grade. The parameter may further include a sales region of the target used cars. In some sales regions, for example, used cars are mainly purchased by export dealers. In such regions, low-cost used cars are popular. Hence, the used cars for sales in such regions may be excluded from rework targets. 
     The management server  30  then executes processing to make an arrangement with a vehicle manufacturer to provide the travel safety system fittable on the target used cars that are sorted out as the rework targets. Specifically, the management server  30  executes processing to order parts relating to the target travel safety system to the manufacturer, and also executes processing to arrange fitting operators, operation date and time, operation location, and the like. 
     The management server  30  also transmits information on the target used cars (including information on presence or absence of rework) to the online sales site  40  through the communication network  50 , and posts the information on the target used cars on the online sales site  40 . The management server  30  also executes processing (settlement processing or the like) to sell the target used cars to which a purchase request is made on the online sales site  40 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of a flow until the target used cars are posted on the online sales site  40 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the used cars owned by the dealers  100  are sorted into vehicles to be sold directly at the dealers  100  and vehicles to be sold on the online sales site  40 . The vehicles to be sold on the online sales site  40  are brought together in a prescribed pool yard  110 . The pool yard  110  is shared by two or more dealers  100  in each region of an appropriate range. The information about the target used cars brought together in the pool yard  110  is transmitted from the dealer servers  20  of the dealers  100  to the management server  30  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     The target used cars brought together in the pool yard  110  are sorted into the vehicles to be reworked, i.e., the vehicles to be additionally fitted with the travel safety system, and the vehicles without rework, according to the parameter (condition). For the used cars to be reworked, arrangement and equipping of the necessary travel safety system are collectively performed, and then the used cars are posted on the online sales site  40 . Thus, the target used cars are collectively managed, and the travel safety system is arranged and equipped accordingly. This makes it possible to enhance the efficiency of an operation of selling the used cars with the travel safety system fitted thereto. On the other hand, the used cars without rework are posted on the online sales site  40  as they are. 
       FIG. 3  shows the configuration of the management server  30  shown in  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , the management server  30  includes a communication device  310 , a storage device  320 , and a processing device  330 . The communication device  310  is configured to be bidirectionally communicable with the dealer servers  20  and the online sales site  40  via the communication network  50 . 
     The storage device  320  includes a dealer information database (DB)  321 , sales vehicle information DB  322 , and a rework information DB  323 . The dealer information DB  321  stores information on the dealers  100 . For example, the dealer information DB  321  stores various information such as the identification number, location, and contact information of each of the dealers  100 , and the location or identification number, or the like, of the pool yard  110 . 
     The sales vehicle information DB  322  stores information on target used cars to be posted on the online sales site  40 . In other words, the sales vehicle information DB  322  stores information on the target used cars acquired from the dealer servers  20 . A data configuration of the sales vehicle information DB  322  will be described later. 
     The rework information DB  323  stores information about reworkable vehicles, i.e., vehicles additionally fittable with the travel safety system. Specifically, the rework information DB  323  stores information about vehicles fittable with each of the systems: the pedal misapplication acceleration control system, the PCS, and the cruise control. A data configuration of the rework information DB  323  will also be described later. 
     The processing device  330  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  21 , memories (a read-only memory (ROM) and a random-access memory (RAM)), and an input-output buffer, which are not illustrated. The CPU expands and executes programs stored in the ROM in the RAM. The programs stored in the ROM describe various processing executed by the processing device  330 . 
     The processing device  330  acquires information on the target used cars to be posted on the online sales site  40  through the communication device  310 , and registers the acquired information on the target used cars in the sales vehicle information DB  322 . The processing device  330  then determines whether or not each of the target used cars registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322  is a vehicle to be reworked. Specifically, the processing device  330  determines with reference to the rework information DB  323  whether or not each of the target used cars registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322  is fittable with each of the travel safety systems (pedal misapplication acceleration control system, PCS, and cruise control). 
     When any fittable travel safety system is present for each of the target used cars, the processing device  330  executes processing to arrange the travel safety system. For example, in the case of fitting the pedal misapplication acceleration control system, the processing device  330  executes processing to order parts of the system (such as bumpers equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, wiring from the ultrasonic sensor to an in-vehicle electronic control unit (ECU), and ECU software) to manufacturers. The processing device  330  further executes processing to order a fitting operation to a prescribed process management server (not illustrated) that manages operators to perform fitting operations, operation date and time, operation locations, and the like. Once the parts are fitted to the target used cars, the processing device  330  updates the rework information on the target used cars in the sales vehicle information DB  322 , and also transmits the information on the target used cars to the online sales site  40  through the communication network  50 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a configuration example of data stored in the sales vehicle information DB  322  in the management server  30 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the vehicle ID is an identification number used to identify a used car sold on the online sales site  40 . Various data, including a vehicle name, a model type, a model year, a grade, a dealer, presence or absence of travel safety systems, and rework information, of the used car, is associated with the vehicle ID. 
     The model year indicates the year and month of manufacture or the year and month of registration of the vehicle. The grade is basically determined according to the model year, and expressed by A to E, for example. Vehicles closer to grade A have younger model year (newer vehicles). Vehicles closer to grade E have older model year (older vehicles). The grade may be determined in consideration of travel distance, equipment, and the like, in addition to the model year. 
     The column of the travel safety system indicates the status of each of the travel safety systems equipped on the corresponding used car. Specifically, travel safety systems S 1  to S 3  indicate the pedal misapplication acceleration control system, the PCS, and the cruise control, respectively. A circle indicates that the corresponding travel safety system is already equipped. 
     The column of the rework information indicates the presence or absence of rework applied to the corresponding used car. Specifically, the rework information Si indicates that the corresponding used car is put on sale on the online sales site  40  after fitting (rework) of the pedal misapplication acceleration control is performed. The rework information S 2  indicates that PCS rework is performed when the corresponding used car is put on sale on the online sales site  40 . In the first embodiment, the PCS rework indicates that ECU software of the PCS is reprogrammed (upgraded). The rework information S 3  indicates that the corresponding used car is put on sale on the online sales site  40  after equipping (rework) of the cruise control is performed. The rework information may be written when the corresponding system is arranged, or when the rework is actually performed. 
       FIGS. 5 to 7  show configuration examples of data stored in the rework information DB  323  in the management server  30 . The rework information DB  323  stores information about vehicles fittable with each of the systems, i.e., the pedal misapplication acceleration control system, the PCS, and the cruise control. 
       FIG. 5  shows information on vehicles fittable with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the vehicle names, model types, and model years of the vehicles fittable with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system are stored as a list. As shown in the drawing, the vehicle models of the vehicles fittable with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system are predetermined. Moreover, the model years of the vehicle having the same predetermined vehicle models fittable with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system are also predetermined. The processing device  330  of the management server  30  determines based on the information stored in the rework information DB  323  whether or not each of the target used cars registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322  ( FIG. 4 ) is fittable with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system. 
       FIG. 6  shows information on vehicles that allows PCS reprogramming. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the vehicle names, model types, and model years of the vehicles that allow reprogramming of the ECU software of the PCS are stored as a list. As shown in the drawing, the vehicle models of the vehicles that allow reprogramming of the ECU software of the PCS are predetermined. Moreover, the model years of the vehicles having the same predetermined vehicle models that allow the reprogramming are also predetermined. The processing device  330  of the management server  30  determines based on the information stored in the rework information DB  323  whether or not each of the target used cars registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322  allows reprogramming of the ECU software of the PCS. 
       FIG. 7  shows information on vehicles equippable with the cruise control. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the vehicle names, model types, and model years of the vehicles equippable with the cruise control are stored as a list. As shown in the drawing, the vehicle models of the vehicles equippable with the cruise control are predetermined. Moreover, the model years of the vehicles having the same predetermined vehicle models equippable with the cruise control are also predetermined. The processing device  330  of the management server  30  determines based on the information stored in the rework information DB  323  whether or not each of the target used cars registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322  is equippable with the cruise control. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing an example flow of processing executed in the management server  30 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3  as well as  FIG. 8 , the management server  30  collects information on the target used cars to be sold on the online sales site  40  from each of the dealer servers  20 , and registers the collected information on the target used cars in the sales vehicle information DB  322  in the storage device  320  (step S 10 ). 
     The management server  30  then determines whether or not each of the used cars registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322  is a vehicle to be reworked for the travel safety system rework (Step S 20 ). Specifically, the management server  30  first refers to the rework information DB  323  of the storage device  320  to determine whether or not each of the target used cars registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322  is fittable with travel safety systems. More specifically, the management server  30  determines whether each of the target used cars is fittable with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system, allows reprogramming of the PCS software, and is equippable with the cruise control. Then, the management server  30  determines with reference to the sales vehicle information DB  322  of the storage device  320  whether or not to set the target used cars fittable with the travel safety systems as a rework target. 
     Whether or not to set the target used cars as a rework target may be determined according to the model type (vehicle model) of the target used cars, determined according to the model year, determined according to a combination of the model type and the model year, or determined according to the grade. For example, the management server  30  may set vehicles of younger models with grades A to C as the vehicles to be reworked, and may exclude vehicles of older models with grades D, E from the vehicles to be reworked even when the vehicles are reworkable. 
     Each piece of processing from step S 20  to step S 40  described later is executed for each vehicle registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322 . When it is determined in step S 20  that the target used car is not the vehicle to be reworked (No in step S 20 ), the processing shifts to step S 70  (described later). 
     When it is determined in step S 20  that the target used car is the vehicle to be reworked for the travel safety system (YES in step S 20 ), the management server  30  checks whether there is any travel safety system fittable to the target used car (step S 30 ). In other words, the management server  30  checks the status of equipping any travel safety system on the target used car with reference to the sales vehicle information DB  322  of the storage device  320 , and determines whether there is any travel safety system that is not yet equipped but fittable to the pertinent target used car. When it is determined in step S 30  that there is no travel safety system to be fitted on the target used car (NO in step S 30 ), the processing shifts to step S 70  (described later). 
     When there is a travel safety system to fit on the target used car in step S 30  (YES in step S 30 ), the management server  30  determines whether or not the sales region of the target used car is a rework target region (step S 40 ). As described above, depending on sales regions, low-price used cars without rework may be popular. Hence, the processing makes it possible to exclude such regions from the rework target. When it is determined in step S 40  that the sales region of the target used car is not the rework target region (NO in step S 40 ), the processing shifts to step S 70  described later. Note that step S 40  is not essential processing. When, there is no need to distinguish the rework target region from other regions, the processing of step S 40  may be omitted. 
     Next, the management server  30  executes processing to arrange the travel safety system to be equipped on the target used car (Step S 50 ). The processing of step S 50  is executed in a certain lot-unit (as a group) for the target used cars belonging to the sales region that is determined to be the rework target region in step S 40 . For example, the lot may be a period of time (e.g., one week), or may be the number of travel safety systems to be arranged (the number of vehicles to be reworked). The processing executed in step S 50  will be described later in detail. 
     Once the arrangement of the travel safety system is completed, the management server  30  instructs to fit (equip) the arranged travel safety system on the target used cars (step S 60 ). The processing of step S 60  is also executed in a certain lot-unit (as a group) for the vehicles for which the travel safety system is arranged in step S 50 . 
     When fitting the travel safety system on the vehicles to be reworked is completed, or when NO is determined in any one of steps S 20  to S 40 , the management server  30  transmits the information on the target used cars and an instruction to post on the online sales site  40  to the online sales site  40  through the communication network  50 . As a result, the information on the target used cars are posted on the online sales site  40  (step S 70 ). 
     When there is a purchase request for any one of the posted used cars on the online sales site  40  (YES in step S 80 ), the management server  30  executes selling processing (settlement, etc.) to sell the used car to which the purchase request is made, based on prescribed procedures not illustrated (step S 90 ). 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart for illustrating an example of travel safety system arrangement processing executed in step S 50  in  FIG. 8 . With reference to  FIG. 9 , the management server  30  determines whether or not the used cars to be reworked are vehicles to be fitted with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system (Step S 110 ). Specifically, the management server  30  refers to the sales vehicle information DB  323  of the storage device  320  to determine the target used cars not equipped with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system as the vehicles to be fitted with the system. 
     When it is determined in step S 110  that the target used cars are vehicles to be fitted with the pedal misapplication acceleration control system (YES in step S 110 ), the management server  30  arranges the pedal misapplication acceleration control system to be fitted on the target used cars (step S 120 ). Specifically, the management server  30  executes processing to order parts relating to the pedal misapplication acceleration control system (such as bumpers equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, wiring from the ultrasonic sensor to an in-vehicle ECU, and ECU software) to manufacturers. The management server  30  also executes processing to order a fitting operation to the process management server that manages operators, operation date and time, operation locations, and the like. 
     Next, the management server  30  determines whether or not the used cars to be reworked are PCS reprogramming target vehicles (Step S 130 ). Specifically, the management server  30  refers to the sales vehicle information DB  323  of the storage device  320  to determine the target used cars without a PCS reprogramming history as PCS reprogramming target vehicles. 
     When it is determined in step S 130  that the target used cars are PCS reprogramming target vehicles (YES in step S 130 ), the management server  30  arranges the PCS reprogramming for the target used cars (step S 140 ). Specifically, the management server  30  executes processing to order PCS programming software to a manufacturer, and also executes processing to order a PCS reprogramming operation to the process management server that manages operators, operation date and time, operation locations, and the like. 
     The management server  30  further determines whether or not the used cars to be reworked are vehicles to be equipped with the cruise control (Step S 150 ). Specifically, the management server  30  refers to the sales vehicle information DB  323  of the storage device  320  to determine the target used cars not equipped with the cruise control as the vehicles to be equipped with the cruise control. 
     When it is determined in step S 150  that the target used cars are vehicles to be equipped with the cruise control (YES in step S 150 ), the management server  30  arranges to equip the cruise control on the target used cars (step S 160 ). Specifically, the management server  30  executes processing to order parts relating to the cruise control (such as bumpers equipped with a sensor, wiring from the sensor to an in-vehicle ECU, and ECU software) to manufacturers. The management server  30  also executes processing to order a fitting operation to the process management server that manages operators, operation date and time, operation locations, and the like. 
     As described in the foregoing, in the first embodiment, it is possible to sell used cars fitted with the travel safety system or systems at the time of used car sales. The demands for equipping such a travel safety system are growing more and more in recent years. Selling the used cars fitted with the travel safety system can greatly contribute to enhancing the appeal of the used cars as a product at the time of used car sales. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to enhance the appeal of used cars as a product. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the first embodiment, the management server  30  determines whether or not to fit the travel safety system or systems (whether or not to perform rework) on each of the used cars brought from the dealers  100  according to the model type, the model year, or the like of the vehicles. In a second embodiment, prospective buyers can optionally select the presence or absence of rework of the reworkable used cars on the online sales site  40 . 
     The overall configuration of a used car selling system according to the second embodiment is similar to the used car selling system according to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing an example flow of processing executed in the management server  30  in the second embodiment. Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3  as well as  FIG. 10 , the management server  30  collects information on the target used cars to be sold on the online sales site  40  from each of the dealer servers  20 , and registers the collected information on the target used cars in the sales vehicle information DB  322  in the storage device  320  (step S 210 ). 
     In the second embodiment, the management server  30  transmits the information on the used cars registered in the sales vehicle information DB  322  and an instruction to post the information on the online sales site  40  to the online sales site  40  through the communication network  50 . Consequently, the information on the target used cars are posted on the online sales site  40  (step S 220 ). 
     In the second embodiment, the management server  30  determines with reference to the rework information DB  323  of the storage device  320  whether or not the target used cars are fittable with each of the travel safety systems (pedal misapplication acceleration control system, PCS, and cruise control). When the travel safety systems are fittable, the information thereon is also transmitted to the online sales site  40 . The fact that the travel safety systems are fittable is posted, together with the target used cars, on the online sales site  40  as an option offered at the time of purchasing the target used cars. 
     When there is a request to purchase a used car on the online sales site  40  (YES in step S 230 ), the management server  30  checks whether or not there is an entry to an option for fitting any travel safety system for the used car to which the purchase request is made on the online sales site  40  (step S 240 ). When there is no entry to the option (NO in step S 240 ), the processing shifts to step S 270  described later. 
     When it is determined in step S 240  that there is an entry to the option for fitting any travel safety system (YES in step S 240 ), the management server  30  executes processing to arrange the travel safety system that is selected as an option (step S 250 ). The processing executed in step S 250  will be described later in detail. Once the arrangement of the travel safety system is completed, the management server  30  instructs to fit (equip) the arranged travel safety system on the target used car (step S 260 ). 
     When fitting the travel safety system in response to the entry to the option is completed, or when NO is determined in step S 240 , the management server  30  executes selling processing (settlement, etc.) to sell the used car to which the purchase request is made based on prescribed procedures not illustrated (step S 270 ). 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart for illustrating an example of travel safety system arrangement processing executed in step S 250  in  FIG. 10 . As it is disclosed on  FIG. 11 , when there is an entry to the option for the pedal misapplication acceleration control system at the time of making a purchase request on the online sales site  40  (YES in step S 310 ), the management server  30  arranges the pedal misapplication acceleration control system to be fitted on the target used car (step S 320 ). The processing is similar to step S 120  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     When where is an entry to the option for the PCS reprogramming at the time of making a purchase request on the online sales site  40  (YES in step S 330 ), the management server  30  arranges the PCS reprogramming for the target used car (step S 340 ). The processing is also similar to step S 140  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     When there is an entry to the option for mounting the cruise control at the time of making a purchase request on the online sales site  40  (YES in step S 350 ), the management server  30  arranges to mount the cruise control on the target used car (step S 360 ). The processing is similar to step S 160  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     As described in the foregoing, in the second embodiment, the travel safety system can be arranged and fitted on the used car for sale in response to a request from the prospective buyer of the used car on the online sales site  40 . This makes it possible to enhance the appeal of the used car as a produced to reflect the user&#39;s request. 
     It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are in all respects illustrative and are not considered as the basis for restrictive interpretation. The technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure is not defined by the foregoing description of the embodiments. Rather, it is defined by the range of appended claims. All changes which come within the range of the claims and meaning and the range of equivalency thereof are therefore intended to be embraced therein.