The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has already impacted our way of life and things are likely going to continue to get worse before they get better. Many car buyers will be putting their purchases on hold, or dropping out of the market all together.  Dealers wanting to get through this may have to make short-term or permanent changes to their business in order to close deals and are asking themselves, how can we survive during COVID-19? It is time to bring car buying into the 21^st century.

Protected by franchise laws, many car dealers fall behind other sectors in embracing online selling. Manufacturers may have the option to Build Your Own, but you still do not have the ability to purchase a car online the same way you can with TVs and other various consumer goods. Car dealerships are going to need to adapt in a few key ways to survive this crisis.

– Follow in the footsteps of luxury brands and begin conducting remote transactions. This should not just be reserved for higher-end car sales. Industry options for remote transactions exist for everyone.

– Build a strong internet presence. Do not let laziness kill sales. Autogenerated messages can be tailored to each customer, don’t let online transactions become impersonal. Your website can be imbedded with credit applications and your DMS can be fed that information. cyclCRM can tailor each message specifically for each customer. DocuSign can be used to sign contracts online.

– Consider offering vehicle delivery or encourage the use of a delivery company if your customer is not in your area. Companies like Vroom and Carvana already offer delivery options, but that comes with their inventory at a higher price.

– Allow online payments. Many DMS programs, like Deal Pack Pro, offer online payment websites. Where customers can register based on their vehicle information and make their car payments right online.

If you are still in the office, taking sanitary precautions is always a good idea during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. No handshakes, distancing yourselves, and thorough cleaning does help during these times. But to really succeed, consider your online options. Deal Pack Pro has integrations to streamline the online process for any dealer. Call us at 1-800-526-5832 to learn more.