Honda brings showroom to the home

Honda dealers can now take the car showroom to the customer using cutting-edge technology, removing the need to visit a dealership in person. The system is already benefiting used and new car sales for dealers trialling the technology.

By using a camcorder coupled with a broadband internet connection, 'C It Now' (CIN) creates a live video broadcast allowing dealer salespeople to present cars in extraordinary detail. This gives customers an opportunity to see any part of the car and ask any questions just as they would face-to-face. It also enables dealers to continue offering Honda’s renowned customer service via video.

Buying trends
CIN provides a simple to use tool for dealer and consumer that helps with the decision making process. In some cases the car is purchased and delivered without ever visiting the dealership.

The internet has revolutionised the way in which consumers research and purchase cars. Research by Simpson Carpenter shows that some consumers tend not to enjoy the typical car purchasing experience, whereas being able to view a live video of a car from home on the PC is much more appealing.

Janice Kennedy, Head of Sales - Cars for Honda (UK) said: "We know people are researching and buying cars in different ways and we’re trying to meet this demand. CIN allows people to shop for cars at their leisure, from the comfort of the home, which is a real bonus for those who don’t want to make the trip to a showroom or feel more relaxed and able to ask questions openly when they are not face to face with the salesperson."

Used car sales
CIN is especially beneficial for used car sales, which are growing in popularity with the current market conditions, as it eliminates the geographical barriers to buying for both dealer and customer. For instance, if a couple in London find a CR-V offered for sale by a dealer in Stoke, they can see it in detail online before making the decision to travel to view the car in the metal.