DRIVEN.co.nz launches “Shopper Connect” – New Zealand’s first virtual forecourt

At AutoPlay we are always keen to share new initiatives from other companies in the automotive space.  This month we wanted to share some information about Driven Shopper Connect and Concierge service.  Check out the full press release below.

As New Zealand moves down the various levels of lockdown many businesses are asking themselves how they can hold on to the lessons learned from being forced into new ways of working. 

It’s this adaptability which has been on the minds of many as more retail shopping shifts online and businesses now find themselves with the ability to embrace more flexible working. Many have incorporated a suite of new technology tools into business practices and now an enhanced concierge service being offered by DRIVEN.co.nz means dealers can also innovate the way they operate, expanding the number of shoppers they engage with each day and growing sales in the process. 

DRIVEN Shopper Connect is an industry leading innovation which brings dealers knowledge and skills to the party and replicates the forecourt conversation in both a virtual sense and at scale.  

“Choice is a great thing and at DRIVEN.co.nz we have over 46,000 vehicles currently available for sale. But we also recognise so much choice can be daunting, especially for time-poor car buyers. Over 160,000* Kiwis head to DRIVEN.co.nz every week looking for advice on their car purchases,” says NZME’s Head of Automotive and DRIVEN Natasha Callister. 

For these consumers DRIVEN.co.nz Concierge service offers an easy alternative, assisting buyers by capturing a ‘buying brief’ to establish what they are looking for in their next car purchase. 

A summary detailing everything from make, model, budget, colour, finance or trade-in requirements, is then made available to dealers who’ve subscribed to DRIVEN’s “Shopper Connect” platform. Dealers receive an email notification and if they have a vehicle on the yard that matches what the buyer is looking for SUCCESS! They can access the Shopper Connect platform to connect with the buyer. Even if a dealer doesn’t have an exact vehicle, they can contact the shopper and initiate a worthwhile discussion, armed with the knowledge of what their buying brief entails, to potentially sell them a comparable vehicle available on the yard.  

“Put simply, DRIVEN Shopper Connect matches buyers in the market right now, with the stock dealers have on hand. It enables dealerships to challenge the traditional model of a showroom or forecourt where every vehicle must be on display. Instead consumers are more open to 360 video viewings and enjoy the convenience of test drives being delivered to their home or work. The opportunity to reduce overheads is there,” said Callister. 

“The DRIVEN Shopper Connect initiative is another product from our continuous improvement focus to ensure we grow connections between consumers and our valued commercial partners,” said Callister. 

*Nielson online ratings April 2020

For further information please contact: 
Cliff Joiner, GM Communications 
New Zealand Media and Entertainment 
+64212709995, cliff.joiner@nzme.co.nz   
 
For enquiries on how to access the platform:
Deon Van Elst, Senior Media Specialist
New Zealand Media and Entertainment
+64 27 201 1504, deon.vanelst@nzme.co.nz