[volkman10]

How about actually buying a car online, paying it with your credit card and then have it delivered to an address somewhere . That is exactly what VW wants to achieve.

Essentially, customers will be able to choose a car and complete the purchase with the selected dealer online, with the only thing left to do is pick up the car once it arrives.


It is not new, rival car maker Tesla already offer direct online sales and over-the-air updates. Volkswagen is targeting 2020 so as to be ready in time for its electric “ID” family which will debut.

Volkswagen will develop a joint Internet platform which will handle the entire purchasing process through to contract conclusion, including financing, payment and even used car trade-ins,” and the new sales outlet would work in partnership with its existing dealer organization

Link

[Nikhilb2008]

This would be extremely good for them in India. Given their current sales and product line up, dealers could finally make money by closing down their dealerships and continuing to sell the 1-2 cars per month they sell! :

[varunsangal]

Originally Posted by volkman10

How about actually buying a car online, paying it with your credit card and then have it delivered to an address somewhere

Attachment 1809015

Would be interesting to see online ordering launched in India as well. Most importantly from the point of view of customizing the cars. In India some times that is a huge constraint and makes people go for 'fully loaded' model rather than a custom built one. E.g. A Honda City buyer may want a touchscreen multimedia/navigation system but not the sunroof, may want a enhanced noise deadening windscreen but not leather seats.

Though referring to the visual in the post, cars can never really be free of brick and mortar institutions, people will still want 'see and feel'. Also, servicing/repairs can't be done online.

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

dealers could finally make money by closing down their dealerships and continuing to sell the 1-2 cars per month they sell!

Don't think there would be room for dealers in such a setup. manufacturers could be looking at a 'Just in time' delivery model. Roll from factory to doorstep.

[Chethan B G]

This will be good as in future it can open up a lot of possibilities like literally building the product according to customers choices.

I don’t see any role for the present sales dealers in a long run. It would end up with service centers with minimal added space for sales / delivery activity.

Great for customers in my opinion. 👍

[sgiitk]

As service requirements of EVs are far lower, so the dealer is no longer going to be that relevant. An EV will need far lower maintenance. One can expect savvy firms to have service facilities far divorced from sales outlets.

[AutoSphere]

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

This will be good as in future it can open up a lot of possibilities like literally building the product according to customers choices.

I don’t see any role for the present sales dealers in a long run. It would end up with service centers with minimal added space for sales / delivery activity.

Great for customers in my opinion. 👍

+1 and exactly my thoughts

Even in the current brick and mortar type of sales dealership model, I have always wondering why it was not possible to have the financial transaction/payment directly with the manufacturer ?? The internal billing systems can be made capable of taking care of specific local tax-related components and insurance. If the dealer is offering some accessories, those could be paid under a separate invoice directly to the dealer.

Recently there was a case regarding an Isuzu dealer in Pune (??) where after taking an advance from the customer he did not deliver the vehicle. So such instances can be avoided.