According to a recent report, Volkswagen Australia has sold almost 500 vehicles online, a shopping habit largely influenced by the pandemic. Expanding from its online successes this year, the brand is launching a massive shift to its traditional car dealerships by creating "the world's smallest car dealership." The structure is 28cm tall and features an expansive Augmented Reality experience, bringing the online showroom digitally to consumers. The dealership also allows customers to "try on" and customize a car without having to leave their home.
Jason Bradshaw, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer for Volkswagen Australia, said, “Many people wouldn’t think that Aussies are prepared to buy a car online, but they actually are, and the success of our online store is a testament to that. The launch of Volkswagen’s smallest dealership and AR experience is all about making buying a car online easier and more convenient so Aussies can find, test out, and then customize the perfect car for them.”
Image Credit: Volkswagen Australia
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Online Vehicle Sales
- The rise in online vehicle sales due to the pandemic can lead to more digital car buying experiences and opportunities for digital showrooms.
- Augmented Reality Showrooms
- The use of AR in car showrooms can provide a unique and interactive buying experience, as well as the opportunity to customize and visualize a vehicle without leaving the home.
- Miniature Dealerships
- Creating miniaturized dealerships can offer a more accessible and convenient experience for car buyers.
Where This Applies
- Automotive
- Automotive brands can incorporate AR technology to enhance their showrooms and enable digital car buying experiences.
- Retail
- Retailers can apply the concept of miniature showrooms to provide more accessible and compact in-store experiences.
- Real Estate
- The concept of miniature showrooms can also be applied in the real estate industry to provide more compact and easily transportable display models of properties.
