With many parts of the United States still battling the coronavirus pandemic, online car shopping has jumped in popularity.
As reported by CNN, both used and new vehicle dealerships are having to think up ways to retain sales while their showrooms are closed. For Karen Murphy of Elgin, Illinois, the coronavirus meant she had to start shopping for a car online, and ultimately purchased one from South Oak Jeep Dodge Chrysler Ram over the phone and through email. Later in the day, the SUV was delivered to her home.
This is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon throughout the country.
Auto manufacturers such as General Motors, FCA, Ford, and Toyota all offer online buying and home delivery options for customers. As dealerships operate as independent businesses, they must sign up to participate in an automaker’s online ordering program. GM has been operating its ‘Shop. Click. Drive’ service since 2013 and in recent months, user traffic to the site has increased two to four times. The move to online car shopping has prompted Cadillac to launch the ‘Cadillac Live’ website that allows customers to watch live presentations of the brand’s vehicles.
It’s not just big automakers turning their attention online. Those in the market for a used car also have options. Companies such as Carvana allow you to search through used car listings and view vehicles through 360-degree images. Shoppers can buy the car they want and have it quickly delivered to their home.
Some dealerships have introduced their own systems. New York City’s Paragon Honda has started offering deliveries of new cars alongside its existing service of home pickup and delivery of cars for service appointments. Shifting online has allowed dealerships like this to survive and avoid having to close due to stay-at-home orders.
Many people in the industry believe the shift in the way people purchase new and used cars will be permanent.