Polestar UK has abandoned the pure agency model and is giving its retail partners more ability to deal with car buyers at their 'Polestar Space' showrooms.
The e-commerce giant Amazon has announced that its USA operation will begin online sales of new cars in 2024.
Stellantis has launched online direct sales of used cars in the UK today through its Spoticar division.
Skoda intends to open order books for the new electric compact SUV, Elroq, by the end of 2024. According to Nick O'Neill, Skoda's head of direct sales, Elroq is expected to be a high-volume car.
Experience of the process of selling new cars direct to fleets is hoped to help Audi UK as it prepares for direct-to-consumer sales and dealers operating under agency agreements.
Volvo Car UK is informing consumers of its switch to direct-to-consumer sales in June with a reminder that this doesn't mean Volvo dealerships are closing down.
A software enhancement for the moDel logistics platform has gone live with Toyota and Lexus GB to support their dealers with handovers to buyers using the brands' direct-to-consumer online sales channel.
Audi UK is searching for an influential performance driver to fill a new role of direct sales operations and performance manager as the Volkswagen Group brand prepares to expand its agency contracts for retailers.
Polestar has been highlighted as best-positioned car brand for online sales as part of a new industry scorecard which rates 30 vehicle manufacturers on their e-commerce capabilities.
Offering a no quibble money back guarantee would help UK car buyers feel more comfortable buying online, according to new research from What Car?
Car manufacturers and their retail partners should use COVID-19 as a catalyst to a new model for automotive retail, according to a new report by McKinsey Automotive.
Imagine with Uber that once you had selected your destination on the app, you were then presented with an indicative price as high as a black cab price and the contact details of the three nearest drivers, and that you were then directed to call them individually to negotiate the best price prior to your journey. Uber would not be the $100bn business it is today with such an approach, but that is effectively the current approach of most automotive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) when it comes to selling new cars online.
Volvo Cars has introduced a direct consumer business arm as part of an executive restructure designed reshape “what a car is, how people expect to be transported and how they interact with a car”.
Manufacturers are struggling with the direct new car sales web sites they have established over the last year, says iVendi.
Mercedes-Benz chief executive Gary Savage believes direct manufacturer sales are inevitable, but the new business model presents opportunities for dealers.
