COVID-19 speeds up auto sales evolution

The COVID-19 virus has certainly changed the way we shop and how retailers react. But what changes will stay, evolve or simply go away? If one thing’s becoming increasingly clear, it’s that the evolution auto sales is speeding up.

Even before the coronavirus, online auto dealers were sprouting up, whether it’s Vroom or Carvana. You’ve seen the ads, which have been ramping up even more during this now semi-quarantine.

However, the evolution of auto sales hit light speed with the unveiling of Audi at Your Door.

“Auto sales have needed an upgrade for years now. The idea of going to car lot and getting swarmed by the bees of dealer reps seems antiquated. It’s too often a long, painful and demeaning process, often worse than going to the DMV.”

Other auto manufacturers are sure to offer something similar. But Audi plants its flag on the moon by expanding its service beyond just selling cars. As the ad says, Audi brings cars to your door even for service pickup. Not just test drives and online shopping.

Auto sales will change forever, and for the better

Auto sales have needed an upgrade for years now. The idea of going to car lot and getting swarmed by the bees of dealer reps seems antiquated. It’s too often a long, painful and demeaning process, often worse than going to the DMV.

But even that government regulator has caught on to the changing times, with most actions being done on your laptop or phone.

When were auto sales going to catch up? The rise of Vroom and Carvana signaled a change, so you knew it was only a matter of time until the brick and mortar dealers did the same.

COVID-19 simply kickstarted what was already inevitable. The gut-wrenching feeling of driving onto the lot and seeing the horde of reps smoking outside the office is going away. Bringing cars to your door to test drive is the only way to compete today. Otherwise, you might as well be selling Model T’s.

I can even see this extend to used cars, which account for most auto sales in the US by a ratio of about two to one over new cars. There will still be auto lots just like there are still DMVs. But no one can compete anymore without the home service like Audi at Your Door.