Virtual reality (VR) is changing the way consumers buy cars by adding an element of digital innovation to the traditional bricks-and-mortar dealership.
Asif Hoosen, head of marketing and product at Audi South Africa, will be presenting a case study on ‘How virtual reality is changing the face of car buying’, at the ITWeb CX Summit 2019, to be held on 15 October at The Forum in Bryanston.
To meet the demands of an increasingly informed and tech-savvy customer, Audi decided to create a digital experience and integrate it within a traditional retail environment, he says.
“As a first for the South African automotive industry, Audi has launched a virtual reality-enabled Audi Customer Private Lounge (CPL) at Audi Centre Centurion in Gauteng, bringing the brand in South Africa in line with global digital trends."
The Audi CPL offers a one-to-one engagement between a customer and a sales consultant in a digital environment, allowing a prospective buyer to customise the Audi of their choice in virtual reality, explains Hoosen.
Digital technologies like the VR headset, 75-inch screen and excellent sound system, enable the Audi sales consultant to present the entire Audi model range, including all equipment options, colour combinations, packages and specifications during the customer/sales dialogue.
“More than 400 Audi CLPs or digitalised consulting suites are already in use in Audi dealerships around the world,” he adds.
“The configured Audi is experienced in three dimensions and 360 degrees, with light and sound effects. Various environments, times of day and light conditions also contribute to the true-to-life virtual experience of sitting in the car. With the Audi VR headset, prospective buyers can configure their individual dream car and explore even the smallest details from an extremely realistic perspective, selecting from several hundred million possible model and equipment variants,” says Hoosen.
Customers also have the chance to experience 'special Audi moments', such as immersing themselves virtually in the atmosphere of the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race.
He says delegates attending his talk will learn more about the Audi CPL – how a small yet significant innovation of this kind transforms the car buying experience and what the Audi dealership of tomorrow will look like.
ITWeb CX Summit 2019
Join us at the ITWeb CX Summit 2019, to be held at the Forum in Bryanston on 15 October, and enjoy a plethora of end-user case studies from South Africa’s leading businesses. Register your seat today!
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