Esplanade sales executive Richard Cutler, right, shows a customer a car using the new iPad digital showroom technology. It can demonstrate features not obvious on an ordinary test drive.
EXCITING digital technology is revolutionising the sales process at Esplanade Volkswagen, in Medina Avenue, Newport.
For one month, the dealership has been using five state-of-the-art iPads, which form virtual showrooms for the potential 1,800 derivatives of Volkswagen models available.
The new VW digital showroom enables customers to choose their perfect Volkswagen using touch-screen technology. The car configurator application allows you to specify your ideal model, engine size, colour and any optional extra you can think of, while you watch it materialise on-screen before your eyes. The on-the-road price is displayed alongside and you can change options and compare prices as often as you like.
The innovative software has been very well received by customers and removes a lot of the sales pressure associated with buying a new car.
Neil Doble, sales manager at Esplanade, said: "The new technology allows us to work alongside the customer through the whole buying experience. We can even show how certain features work that we wouldn’t necessarily be able to on a normal test-drive situation."
As well as helping you choose your ideal car, the digital showroom thoroughly showcases the latest safety features through visual demonstrations. For example, the benefit of the city emergency braking technology is clearly shown in an informative simulation.
If you prefer to browse for your perfect Volkswagen from the comfort of your own home, you can access the virtual showroom and car configurator via the VW website.
Simply select your perfect car — new or used — then retrieve your saved choice when you visit the showroom. You can even book a test drive while you are online. All you need to visit the showroom for is to take the test drive, check your chosen car is in stock and discuss your finance options with one of the friendly team.
For more information call into Esplanade Volkswagen or visit the website at www.esplanade.co.uk.