Scion asks dealers to consider offering online purchasing

[Hachiroku]

This isn't FR-S / FT-86 specific, but online purchasing may be in development for Scion branded autos in the future.

From Autoblog:

Scion is urging its dealers to ratchet up a new online buying system, according to Automotive News. The program borrows elements from the Amazon retail experience to allow car buyers to configure their vehicle as they see fit, find it at local dealership, secure financing and make the buy at a no-haggle price. Scion even wants the cars to be able to be delivered to the consumer's home, though that doesn't mean that physical dealerships are going anywhere any time soon. The report says that Scion won't force its dealers to operate exclusively online. Right now, the projects is merely in its concept phase.

According to Jack Hollis, Scion vice president, the idea sprung from the fact that consumers already shop and purchase everything from homes to boats online. The VP says that cars are simply the next logical step, especially given the brand's "Gen Y" demographic. That's despite the fact that most studies indicate that the large majority of car shoppers aren't into electronically interacting with dealers. Automotive News reports that 65-70 percent of car shoppers never contact the dealer they purchase from before walking through the doors

[bofa]

Interesting... and its another way to reduce costs for them (or the dealer... or both, depending on how they set it up).

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by bofa

Interesting... and its another way to reduce costs for them (or the dealer... or both, depending on how they set it up).

Yet no price reduction for the customer I am guessing.

[bofa]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Yet no price reduction for the customer I am guessing.

Not likely They mentioned buying at the no haggle price, which I assume to mean the regular pure price. After all, if they offer it online at even $300 less, the savy shopper will know they can walk into a dealership and squeeze that out of them.

Many dealerships already offer savings if you inquire online through their "internet sales" department and its supposed to reduce the in-dealership haggling efforts. I lined up my Civic Si that way but had to walk away after the test drive.

[Dragonitti]

Yay! No Salesman is A-Ok with me..

Originally Posted by bofa

I lined up my Civic Si that way but had to walk away after the test drive.

Did you find it boring to drive like I did (from a daily driver stand point)?

[Matador]

While this is a good idea in a lot of ways actually, this "appliance mentality" is part of the reason why I'm still not comfortable with the fact that the FT-86 is being made a scion.

Now if one could order a test drive online and have a car meet you at your domicile........

[bofa]

Originally Posted by Dragonitti

Did you find it boring to drive like I did (from a daily driver stand point)?

Yeah it was awful. Maybe I psyched myself up too much for it I really wanted a cheap DD that was fun to drive. I got there, the salesman had it ready to go. We took it down the road and onto the highway. He told me to feel free to gun it, so I did and it honestly felt like my wife's old Saturn, except the Si was quieter, which made it even less interesting. The handing felt somewhat nimble but the acceleration was boring. I was so disappointed. I called my better half and told her what happened and we planned to meet for dinner 2 hours later when she got off work. I pulled up in my new 350Z. (I know, I know, no comparison and it was about 7k more expensive... but that car feels like a driver's car should imo). Funny thing though... she now goes with me when I car shop.

[bofa]

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

While this is a good idea in a lot of ways actually, this "appliance mentality" is part of the reason why I'm still not comfortable with the fact that the FT-86 is being made a scion.

Now if one could order a test drive online and have a car meet you at your domicile........

I think this would eat into costs. How many people would schedule this just for a bit of fun? Really, even their proposal could end up this way. How many people would get to the delivery part of the transaction and decide to walk away from the deal? I imagine not many people would agree to the contract until they inspect, test drive, and take delivery.

I believe there used to be a car buying service that did this... don't know if they are still in business but I haven't seen any commercials in the past couple of years. I'm sure these are the kinks they are trying to work out.

[Giccin]

Need test drive before buy. :l

[82mm 4g63]

Originally Posted by Dragonitti

Yay! No Salesman is A-Ok with me..

I'd love to order my car the same way I order my pizza. Exactly what I want with none of that "well we don't have a black on black with option x and z, but we have a black on grey with option x, or a grey on black with option z" bullcrap. Place your order, sign the papers, ship me the car I built.

[tranzformer]

Next all they need is a Priceline negotiator type option. lol Too bad Scion would never do that with their Pure Pricing.

[ft86cbx]

Originally Posted by Giccin

Need test drive before buy. :l

This.

They might be able to reduce the number of showrooms, but people are always going to want to see one in the flesh and get behind the wheel before buying.

[RRnold]

When I bought my Tacoma, I dealt directly with the internet sales personal. She let me test drive an X-Runner and an access cab since they didn't have the dbl cabs yet.

She was very professional, let me build my truck w/everything I wanted, showed me the invoice for each item and we negotiate from there. After an hour we finally came to an agreement and my truck was on route to arrive a week later.

I do like the online purchase concept, Costco's old program was great and very effective but I still "buy" the no-haggle idea that Scion has.

With Costco's online buying program, you build your car, they'll locate it and deliver it the dealership of your choice and you'll get the car at invoice or a hundred above. Costco seemed to have changed their program but it was a reallly good experience.

[madfast]

this is only possible with scion's pure price. but having the ability to test drive a demo at your local dealer, go home and think about it, order one online to your exact specifications, and then have it shipped to your doorstep? nice!

for most people the dealership experience is stressful. pure price helps a lot with that, but there is still the dreaded finance office. if you can do all this stuff at home, with a level head and no one breathing down your back.... brilliant!