Automobile dealerships are working hard to serve their customers despite the challenges of the Coronavirus. On the sales side, some dealers may be open, and others may not, depending on local government guidelines. If you’re shopping for a new or used vehicle, it’s best to check your local dealer’s website to find out if they’re open or not.
On the other hand, authorities may consider vehicle repair and maintenance are essential services. As a result, many dealers are keeping their service doors open. Rest assured, dealers say they are making every effort to minimize the spread of virus-carrying germs. Here’s a roundup of what’s being done by dealers to make your visit as stress-free as possible.
For more advice and daily updates on buying, owning, selling – and cleaning – a vehicle during the coronavirus outbreak, click here.
Keeping stores clean
Dealerships around the country are taking care to follow new safety protocols as issued by the CDC. The Ed Napleton Auto Group has dealerships in eight states, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and are using these preventative measures and along with requiring the cleaning and disinfecting in all high-touch areas of the dealerships. They include:
- Showroom vehicles, including door handles, window sills, steering wheels, center consoles, and touchscreens.
- Dealership doorknobs
- Computers
- Counter and desktops
Employees must clean their hands frequently, especially after being in a public place or following coughing, nose-blowing, or sneezing. They have also requested employees to use hand sanitizer with at least 60-percent alcohol and will also make hand sanitizer available to customers. Finally, sick employees are not to report to work under any circumstances.
Digital tools to the rescue
Some dealerships, even if closed, offer digital tools to conduct business as usual, virtually. In fact, many of these online approaches have been adopted way long before Coronavirus became a concern.
Paragon Honda in Woodside, N.Y., has found a way to make the whole buying and servicing process online. According to their website, you can select a new or used vehicle, fill out the paperwork, submit documentation, choose your color, any options and more, without ever having to visit the dealership. The same goes for servicing your vehicle. The dealership offers complimentary home delivery within a 20 miles radius. In fact, Paragon Honda is one of the thousands of dealerships at which you can schedule service right here at KBB.com.
The only thing missing is a test-drive. Even that’s possible via a valet that delivers the car to you so you can take it for a spin.
These kinds of services are becoming increasingly common at dealerships. If you’re interested in researching or buying a vehicle from a local dealer go on their website or call to see what kind of online services are offered. It’s surprising how much of the process is possible from the comfort of your home.
Operating with “Social Distancing”
When the Center for Disease Control (CDC.gov) was planning guidelines for “Social Distancing,” they probably weren’t considering automotive sales. But some dealerships boast crafty personnel who are good at workarounds that just happen to dovetail nicely with the realities of commerce in this new age.
One such example is Chuck Olson Kia in Shoreline, Wash. The dealership is operating with what could be considered a skeleton crew at this point, but they have installed “tape lines” to separate customers according to social distancing guidelines.
Many of the services they offer that apply to buyers hesitant to come to the dealership were developed beforehand in response to slow traffic on the weekends. These services include selecting the vehicle, executing the paperwork, and having a salesman deliver the car to the customer’s front door.
Delivering the paperwork with the vehicle
Using phone apps and email, there’s no need for the final paperwork to be reviewed and signed until the vehicle is officially dropped off at the customer’s home or workplace.
“We’ve gotten some good feedback for this,” said Clint Westmoreland, general sales manager at the dealership located near Seattle. “We’ve had three ‘full-meal-deals’ within the first week of the new CDC guidelines going into place,” he continued.
This rapidly changing scenario is causing dealerships and customers to continually play on a field with moving goalposts. It’s not exactly business as usual. But, some clever thought by dealerships provides customers with the service they need and the vehicles they want. To find the vehicles you want at a location near you, continue to search it’s easy to use the Kelley Blue Book Cars for Sale feature on KBB.com.
