Why your customers expect the white glove treatment
If you’re on our website, chances are you work for a dealer. And if that’s the case, then you, more than anyone, are acutely aware of the steady rise in new car prices over the last decade or so. There’s no getting past it: cars are really expensive.
Okay, so maybe cars have never not been expensive; it’s not like most anyone is paying for a used Civic with the change they found in their couch. But as cars offer more technology and more size as standard, the balance has shifted away from affordability. And with higher prices come higher customer expectations.
What makes a true luxury experience?
Luxury customers have always expected more of their dealerships: customers at Mercedes-Benz Burlington have a golf simulator to upgrade their waiting room experience. Parkview BMW has a customer lounge and free coffee. But it’s not just about the amenities.
Now that even mid-range models verge on what we recently considered luxury car pricing, nearly all of your customers expect the white glove experience once reserved for a select few. The good news is that you don’t need a golf simulator or a $10 thousand espresso machine to meet your customers’ expectations.
When Don Valley North Hyundai opened their Genesis Markham storefront, they needed a way to differentiate their new luxury dealership. Fortunately, Genesis Canada partnered with Motoinsight to bring a cohesive digital retailing platform to all their dealers. Here’s what Chris Han, a GXM at Genesis Markham, thinks of the result:
That’s the essence of digital retailing. It’s not just a way to generate more leads or close more deals — although those are certainly benefits — it’s also a way to create a better customer experience to match the increased prices and increased consumer expectations. You can learn more about those specific expectations here!
How much have prices really increased?
Even before the inventory shortages of 2021/2022, prices had already skyrocketed. In an interview with Auto Remarketing, Cox Automotive’s senior economist identified some dramatic statistics:
Let that sink in for a moment. Not long ago, only six per cent of new vehicles cost over $50 thousand. Now, that price bracket accounts for a quarter of all vehicles manufactured.
The wholesale takeover of the sedan segment by more expensive SUVs and crossovers explains part of this price hike, as does the influx of costly extras like infotainment, driver aids, and enhanced connectivity. But irrespective of the reason, the impact on your dealership is the same: your customers expect to feel special.
We believe that buying a car should always feel special — after all, it’s a big moment, whether your customer is buying a sports car or a subcompact. Now that the best digital retailing platforms offer buying tools that unite online and in-store shopping into one seamless experience, it’s surprisingly easy to build a customer journey that mirrors the cutting-edge Genesis platform.
Spending more money is frustrating when you can’t see a good reason for the heavy price tag. That’s why a great, digitally enhanced purchase experience is the difference between a hesitant customer and one who’s thoroughly enthusiastic.
Ready to sell more cars? See how your dealership can thrive online today.
