A group of automobile manufacturers will deliver cars straight to the buyer’s doorstep, during the ongoing Tesla, and others have expanded vehicle delivery options so people can complete the purchasing process from home.
Many businesses have been subjected to a temporary closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. In many places, the only businesses that are able to remain open are what governments call “essential services,” which, universally, includes stores and locations that provide medical supplies, delivery services, grocery stores, and restaurants.
Of the manufacturers offering vehicle delivery, Audi, Ford, General Motors, Subaru, and Chrysler have allowed buyers to order a car on their websites prior to the outbreak, according to CNET. Others, like Porche, and Toyota allow their individual dealerships to offer delivery services based on local regulations. Tesla doesn’t hold a network of dealerships and has always provided vehicle delivery through its “Tesla Direct Drop” program, which has increased productivity during the coronavirus crisis. Other manufacturers have expanded their remote options to keep up with their client's needs. For example, Toyota and Lexus have begun sending technicians to people's homes to provide them with oil changes. These options may not be available to everyone, in all regions, due to the ongoing quarantine regulations that vary from place to place.
Vehicle Deliveries Here To Stay?
The prominence of online shopping services like Amazon and eBay shows a stark shift in the way people do their shopping, a change that automobiles have largely been resilient towards. A significant portion of the vehicle shopping process can be done online, like houses, many sites offer virtual tours of available vehicles with in-depth descriptions of their parts. The online purchasing option hasn’t been universalized yet and the experience someone encounters when buying online from Audi will be different compared to shopping with Tesla. With services and the experience differing between brands, there’s an extra hurdle of trust that online car shopping needs to overcome. Normally, trust can be gained when a person sees the car they want in-person, and negotiates with someone. In comparison, that rapport isn’t built online.
While the effects of the ongoing pandemic and economic crises will likely be felt for years, it doesn’t seem like the type of event to suddenly make people take their vehicle shopping online. If online shopping were more universalized, there might be a wave of people who prefer it to the in-person experience, but a large shift looks unlikely anytime soon. Still, if you are in need of a new car during the coronavirus outbreak, it's good to have options available.
Source: CNET