Carmakers are finding innovative ways to reach customers and spur demand. With coronavirus impacting mobility of customers, carmakers are taking the online route to increase sales. Car dealers have introduced virtual reality (VR) showroom where customers can take a closer look at different models.
These virtual showrooms give customers a chance to have a look and select their favourite car from their home. After entering virtual showroom, customers can have a 360-degree view of car models, take a look at them in different colours, and read about their unique features. Going a step further, car dealers have also begun home delivery of cars, doing away with the need of going to showroom for customers.
According to a survey, most buyers in GCC are now willing to purchase a vehicle online. As per the finding of the latest report by YallaMotor on the ‘COVID-19 Effects on Car Buyers’ Purchasing Decision’, 6 out of 10 car buyers in the GCC now considering to purchase a car online.
The report, which surveyed more than 1,200 car buyers across the GCC, highlights the perspective of car buyers in the region towards purchasing a vehicle, and aims to help guide the automotive sector towards their next plan of action amid the pandemic. Car delivery services are on the rise, the report said. It also revealed that about 82 percent of GCC car buyers are now open to test driving a car at home, as long as vehicles have been sanitised, they have a sales consultant with them, and they can book the vehicle online. Only 18 percent of the respondents were not willing to test drive a car at home.
Also, about 56 percent of the car buyers said they are not willing to go to the showroom now to check the vehicle; which is a stark contrast to the previous survey conducted in 2019, which showed that 50 percent of the car buyers were willing to visit the showroom twice before purchasing a vehicle.
Auto Class Cars, the authorised general distributor of MG in Qatar, recently launched a new comprehensive package of services that allow the customer to explore MG cars at the new virtual showroom, book a test drive and buy the car online without the need to leave his home. The virtual showroom for MG vehicles in Qatar allows customers to peruse a wide range of MG vehicles while they are at home.
Customers can explore the showroom to view the cars in an experience that exactly simulates the real one. The showroom highlights a wide range of vehicle specifications, where customers can view the interior or exterior details by clicking on the icon associated with it, to get more information, and even book a test drive. In addition, customers can now buy their next MG online without the need to personally come to the showroom.
The buyers can reserve or purchase the car Virtual showrooms boost car demand simply by choosing the model, trim and colour, click on reserve or pay option and an MG team member will send the buyer a link to make the payment and deliver the car to his doorsteps. “In light of the current situation and within our effort to support the social distancing, we are pleased to launch MG virtual showroom in Qatar to give customers flexible options to peruse MG vehicles without the need to come to the actual showroom.
Customers can also now buy their MG car and compete all paperwork online,” said Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf Al Thani, Operations Director of Automotive sector at NBK Group. The website is enhanced to accommodate test drive requests, even to customer’s homes. Similarly, Qatar Automobiles Company (QAC), the authorised general distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Qatar, has also launched a virtual showroom for Mitsubishi vehicles in Qatar.
A replica of the actual showroom on Salwa Road, the virtual showroom is part of QAC’s effort to provide an innovative experience allowing customers to peruse a wide range of Mitsubishi vehicles while they are at home.
The move also indicates the company’s endeavour to implement social distancing and support the government’s efforts to limit any potential spread of coronavirus. Customers can access the virtual showroom on the QAC website and explore the showroom to view the cars in an experience that exactly simulates the real one. The showroom highlights the full range of vehicle specs, where customers can view the interior or exterior details by clicking on the icon associated with it, to get more information, and even book a test drive.
“Fully committed to offering the utmost to our valued customers, we have launched this unique experience to our customers in Qatar to explore our new vehicles without the need to leave their homes. Customer service and health remain our priority, and we will continue enhancing technology to add more offerings to the virtual experience”. Through the virtual showroom, customers can explore three Mitsubishi vehicles including Eclipse Cross, ASX, and Montero Sport, and more vehicles to be added soon. The website is enhanced to accommodate test drive requests, even to customer’s homes. Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. (AAB) has started a special safety campaign to support those customers who wish to purchase their favourite Toyota models.
Any customer or organization wishing to purchase Toyota vehicle can call AAB’s sales team on 50099188 to answer all customer enquiries as well as provide customized services to their door step. AAB team will ensure that all documentation and payment options for the vehicle purchase is finalized and delivered directly to the customer’s home or preferred location. AAB ensures that all employees wear protective gear at all time to safeguard customer health and wellbeing.
AAB is also making sure that all showrooms are sanitized regularly including the vehicle exterior and interior touch points. In line with the Government directive, all sales executives do maintain a safety distance from customers while interacting and do wear protective masks and gloves to ensure customer health is prioritized and maintained at all time. Toyota has a large line-up of vehicles which includes the popular Corolla, New Era Sedan – Camry, Flagship – Avalon, Car of the future Prius, Fun-gineered RAV4, reliable Prado, King of 4-wheel – Land Cruiser. Toyota vehicles, which are well known for their Quality, Durability and Reliability, are well supported by AAB’s after sales facilities which include a network of 10 service centers set up in various parts of the country. The coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll on the global auto industry.
IHS Markit lowered its global auto sales forecast, saying it expects worldwide vehicle sales to decline 22 percent this year to 70.3 million units, led by a 26.6 percent fall in the US to 12.5 million units, compared with a year ago. To overcome the challenges created by coronavirus pandemic, carmakers across the world are trying to find innovate ways to increase the sales of vehicles.
