Bobby Nitro has been waiting for this, the day when car marketing goes seriously online.
Sure, there have been sorties into this area for a long while now, but now with the lockdown vibes we are seeing some definite moves in this department.
Car sales have taken a leap forward with Nissan rapidly transforming customer experience to effectively bring the showroom to your easy chair. And Land Rover is promising us a new normal launch with a 110-minute online streaming event open to all.
With regard to Nissan’s new offering, all the most popular services and bookings you would normally do in person can now be done online, including interactive video calls with dealers nationwide. Customers get to virtually connect with skilled salespeople and even get a real-time demonstration of the vehicle.
COMFORT: Nissan launches its virtual showroom
You might think this can never replace the actual feel of the leather, but think about the time that can be saved by making all your initial enquiries as to make and model online, and keeping yourself safe in the process.
Of course, when you whittle it down to the models you’re interested in, actual test drives will soon be able to be booked.
This facility is available under the Shop@Home tab in the car maker’s website. The buying process can also be done online with the help of a finance calculator, as can the service and warranty information. No more waiting around to fill out papers when all you want to do is climb in and drive your new cabbie off.
Next up is a 360° virtual tour of showrooms from the comfort of your living room.
Time to get a bigger screen.
Nissan AMI Regional Vice President, Joni Paiva, says: “The pandemic has had a profound impact on businesses and people. We are adapting to a ‘new normal’ by providing the functionality needed around buying and owning a vehicle, with the safety, flexibility, and ease of doing so from home or place of work. It is all about convenience for our customers.”
Land Rover is bringing us the arrival of its new Defender in a special streaming event taking place at 4pm on 16 July, and you’re all invited, not just the motoring journos.
Well-known sports presenter Xola Ntshinga will take us on an historical journey through the evolution of this iconic model, as well as its rebirth as an adventure vehicle for the digital generation.
Look forward to notable Land Rover ambassadors, such as Bryan Habana who fell for the new Defender when he witnessed it cross the field after the Bokke took the world Cup in Japan last year, joining the discussion.
Then there’s Kingsley and Ross Holgate, intrepid adventurers, who swear by Land Rover.
The father and son team will weigh in on the New Defender’s capabilities, share some first impressions and tell some fascinating stories about their experiences with previous Defenders on many incredible expeditions.
The screening will cover heritage, design, new tech, capability and purpose, offering interview, short films and inserts to give a complete picture of the new Defender. It’s quite possible that the digital version may well exceed the capabilities of the in-person launch , minus all the free dop of course. However, there are prizes.