Traditionally automotive dealers have been using OEM provided/approved CRM and ERP software in the name of digitalization of retail process. Off late, few dealers have also developed in-house CRM and other performance enhancement tools. This eco system has been doing well in the pre COVID era. The new normal of post COVID era that limits customer visits, outdoor activities, frequent face to face interactions, and at the same time puts cost pressures requires new tools and technology not only to grow but to survive.
The standard SAP or MS ERPs and CRMs used by dealers are tweaked to automotive industry, where design is led by OEM and data is stored either at local server or OEM server.
When automotive industry is going through one major disruptions (EVs, leasing vs ownership, Battery subscription) since its inception, the retail channel can not remain traditional and silent. For example - Tesla has challenged the ownership model and has been selling on leasing, rental and subscription models.
“Salesforce” is a CRM tool for the hour but entry and exit costs remain hinderance for many dealers to opt for it individually and its implementation is largely driven by OEMs. In such a scenario, proactive and future looking dealers are left to explore on their own.
Here comes the disruption. Digitalization of Automotive retailers’ retail process, workflow and management. Be it basics such as sales funnel management, inventory management or forward-looking features such as selling and servicing connected cars. New Automotive specific digital startups are selling DMS as SaaS. Tekion, MIX, MAX digital, etc.
Why purchase and ownership experience for a car or a two -wheeler shall be less than that of a smart watch? In the post COVID era, customers will be least interested to visit a showroom or a service center, rather they would want faceless interaction for their purchase, service, and exchange needs. Digital transformation will support automotive retailers to generate more leads for new and exchange enquiries, follow-up without leakage and enhance conversion, provide customers with new age end to end experience, and at the same time add to the bottom line of dealers.
It is time for automotive retailers to think big and take the leap forward and adapt to the new digital normal.CTA: The post-COVID era demands seamless, digital-first solutions for buying, servicing, and exchanging vehicles. Join nicheBrains to share insights and shape the future of automotive retail! Contact us at (support@nichebrains.ai)
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