With Americans spending more time car shopping online and less in-person, Toyota and its Lexus luxury marque have reimagined the car buying experience. Their new systems offer a “comprehensive retail program to offer customers the opportunity to lease, finance or purchase their new vehicle without the need to physically visit the dealership.”
“Our goal is to create greater transparency with our guests and efficiency for our dealers – whether that’s in the showroom or online,” says Andrew Gilleland, group vice president, and general manager, Lexus Division.
Pilot tests of the new systems were in place before the COVID-19 pandemic radically changed the way Americans shop. But these tools work as a good response to the crisis. They allow buyers to begin their shopping process online with the option of completing the entire process digitally. They can save their progress in a “digital garage,” and pick up where they left-off in person at a dealership.
Called SmartPath at Toyota dealerships, and Lexus Monogram at Lexus dealerships, the system integrates corporate websites and local dealership sites, letting customers see dealer inventory and prices, get the value of any trade-in vehicles (using Kelley Blue Book’s own valuation data). Users can also apply for financing, and even complete the sale and arrange delivery of the vehicle without ever going into a dealership.
Both experiences are available in select markets today, with plans to roll out nationally beginning in spring.
