Touchless has taken on a new meaning in a post-pandemic world, and for automotive dealerships, offering touchless services can be a profitable option. Many of your customers have full schedules, whether working from home, caring for children, or attending to other appointments, leaving little time for vehicle service.

If any of your potential or current customers are searching for “pickup and drop-off car service near me,” will they encounter your dealership’s website—or your competitors’? As customer needs continue to evolve, it’s crucial for your store to stay ahead by offering the touchless service options customers want, including vehicle pickup and delivery services. By revamping your fixed ops processes and technologies, you can attract and retain more service customers, boost satisfaction, and increase efficiency in your service lane.

8 Reasons to Skip the Shuttle and Offer Car Pickup Service to Your Customers

While complimentary loaner vehicle options are still preferred by service customers, according to our recent National Consumer Survey, demand is increasing for car dealership pickup and delivery services. Thirty percent of survey respondents opted for a car service pickup option from their home or place of work, with delivery upon service completion.

1. Convenience Is King
Customers today value their time immensely. Vehicle pickup and delivery service eliminates the hassle of scheduling rides, waiting at the dealership, and picking their car back up. A dealership that demonstrates the understanding that the car service process is not always quick or convenient—and works to save customers as much time as possible—can go a long way toward building long-term relationships. Adding this transportation option can significantly improve customer satisfaction and retention.

2. Increased Service Revenue
By offering a more convenient service option, you can attract customers who might otherwise avoid routine maintenance due to scheduling difficulties. In addition, keeping the service process simple and streamlined (rather than time-consuming or complex) may encourage customers to service their vehicles more frequently, or even opt for higher-ticket repair order items. This translates to increased service department revenue as well as more steady business.

3. Improved Customer Experience
Between dropping kids off to school or arriving to work on time, adding a stop to the route can be a hassle. Vehicle pickup and delivery services create a smoother and more positive experience for customers. It demonstrates that your dealership prioritizes their needs and makes car care less disruptive to their busy lives. This can go a long way in building trust and satisfaction, leading to positive customer reviews and recommendations.

4. Better Loaner Car Management
Adding car pickup service to your toolkit can help reduce the pressure on your loaner car inventory. As you schedule and manage vehicle pickups and deliveries, you’ll be able to more effectively monitor your loaner vehicles and other alternative customer transportation options. With fewer customers needing loaners, you can free up resources and streamline service processes. 

5. Reach a Wider Customer Base
While you can’t relocate your dealership overnight, you can extend your reach to new customers. Vehicle pickup and delivery services can be especially helpful for customers farther away from your store as well as those with limited mobility, busy work schedules, or young children. Busy schedules and extra distance can prevent people from getting their cars serviced, and a car service pickup can help remove the barriers. This expands your dealership’s reach to cater to—and capture—a broader audience. 

6. Competitive Advantage
The tools and technologies available to automotive dealerships is constantly adapting and improving. And in today’s competitive market, offering vehicle pickup and delivery can be a major differentiator. It not only allows your dealership to stand out from competitors who still rely on traditional service models, but it also helps supercharge your effectiveness and profitability. 

7. Positive Brand Reputation
A convenient and positive service experience often translates to glowing online reviews. A car pickup and delivery service option can help dealerships build a strong online reputation and attract new customers. As you work to manage and boost your dealership’s brand reputation, be sure to promote your convenient transportation options in your service marketing communications and on your social media pages.

8. Boost Service Efficiency
Streamlining the service process through vehicle pickup and delivery services can free up your staff to focus on other tasks. Fewer in-store service customers can help you reduce payroll costs, or free those staff members for different tasks to improve efficiency. Service-to-sales team members may even have the added ability to focus on the service customers who are waiting in your service lane and speak to them about vehicle upgrade options or other opportunities.

Essentials of the Right Mobile Mechanic Solution

To make the most of your vehicle pickup and delivery services, you need an advanced valet management software to efficiently organize each vehicle pickup and delivery process. Some of the activity features might include:

• Automating trip scheduling
• Assigning available drivers
• Conveying trip status to customers
• Tracking critical KPIs

A tailored mobile mechanic software will allow you to manage and optimize these activities, plus you’ll be able to control the necessary steps for mobile servicing. These steps require:

• Central command dispatching
• A mobile app for your drivers that tracks pickup locations
• A customer-facing mobile app that tracks driver locations
• Online bill pay capabilities across service, sales, and parts departments

Take Your Touchless Transportation Options Further

From Amazon to Zillow, shoppers have more online options than ever, and the expectation continues to grow in the automotive industry as well. Your dealership has the opportunity to stay ahead of customer demands to not only improve the customer experience, but also increase your service lane productivity and revenue.

Powered by Quickride, Affinitiv Transport gives you the ability to provide touchless vehicle pickup and delivery services that prioritizes safety while driving business to your service lane. Our automated concierge solution features an easy-to-use interface so your drivers can schedule and manage rides, while also allowing your customers to track their vehicle location and time of return.

If you’re ready to find out more, contact us today and discover how Transport can help your dealership offer customers more convenient pickup, delivery, and mobile mechanic services.

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