- New complimentary valet service from Volvo
- Smartphone-based app scheduling
- Expands on previous pilot program
- Builds on Service by Volvo
Volvo touts a new free service that allows its customers to have their cars serviced without leaving their homes or offices. Called Volvo Valet, the new service employs a smartphone app to schedule pickup and delivery of customer cars for servicing.
The new service fits neatly in the current environment of shelter- and work-at-home directives. However, the Swedish car company says the program is a new service in the works for some time. The proprietary smartphone app from Volvo works on iOS or Android operating systems. Volvo also offers the valet service to customers to prefer to call their local dealers directly to schedule appoints and pickup and drop-off times.
Loaner vehicles included
According to Volvo, the valet service uses franchise dealer employees to pick up the vehicle. They leave a loaner vehicle for customer use. And similar to a feature most ride-hailing apps employ, the vehicle owners see when drivers should arrive. They also can monitor when the vehicle arrives at the dealership and receive a notification when the work is done.
The customer then uses the app to schedule the delivery of their vehicle and the pickup of the loaner. Retailer employees photograph customers’ cars at pickup to ensure that the car’s condition is the same on return.
“Volvo Valet gives owners the flexibility to service and maintain their vehicles in a way that works best for them,” said Anders Gustafsson, president, and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “Volvo Valet has been very successful in pilot testing over the last year and it is now ready to serve our customers and retailers in this unprecedented time.”
In-house program
Volvo purchased the software from Luxe in 2017 and operated a pilot program for several months. The technology to schedule pickup and delivery of vehicles operates in-house. Unlike other programs, Volvo doesn’t rely on third party concierge services.
Customers can contact their local dealers to see if they are participating in the program. Any Volvo vehicle, regardless of year, may be eligible at the discretion of the individual dealer. Volvo Valet dovetails with Service By Volvo that offers buyers additional coverage including free towing to Volvo retailers within 25 miles if the work is performed there. The program also has a lifetime replacement parts and warranty labor coverage that covers genuine factory parts for as long as they own the car.
Volvo says it looks to expand the valet service later this year to also include overnight test drives, lease, and purchase deliveries as well as lease returns.
