All Volkswagen retail partners agree new sales model for ID. family
The agency model lays the contractual foundation for integrating online business and showroom-based business.
From sales launch, customers can order vehicles from the ID. family direct from Volkswagen. At the same time, they select their preferred dealer for personalized customer care and local services.
Under the new model, dealers assume the role of agent for selling cars to private customers and small commercial enterprises. They look after acquisition, sales consultation, organizing test drives, transaction processing and vehicle handover in coordination with Volkswagen. The preferred dealer chosen by the customer at the beginning of the sales process receives the same commission and bonus as in showroom business, even if the vehicle is purchased online direct from Volkswagen. Volkswagen decides on the vehicle price, thus dispensing with complicated price negotiations. Dealers can therefore count on calculable compensation regardless of whether the customer buys their vehicle online or in the showroom.
Holger B. Santel, Head of Sales and Marketing Germany, commented: “All our partners are now 100% on board. Broad approval from our retail partners for the agency model is a strong signal for the future. From the customer's perspective, Volkswagen and retail become one unit with the agency model. And this seamless, coordinated shopping experience at all touchpoints is exactly what our customers want.”
Volkswagen also takes responsibility for vehicle financing and bears the returns and residual value risk. As Santel explains: “The dealer no longer has to finance vehicles in advance. We also bear inventory cost and the costs associated with showroom vehicles. We are offering dealers an extremely attractive leasing concept for demonstration vehicles.”
Dirk Weddigen von Knapp, Chairperson of the Volkswagen and Audi partner association, said: “The agency model brings significant financial relief for dealers, and that is particularly important at the present time. Our partners can therefore focus on what makes retail so indispensable: personal, competent customer care. I am delighted that all partners have signed the jointly drafted agreement. That is confirmation of the great trust in the agency model and our association.”
The agency model also responds to growing customer demand to switch seamlessly between online and offline channels during the entire buying process. Subject to the customer's consent, available data on the customer and their vehicle is used to communicate with them individually and consistently across all touchpoints. “Thunder”, the new IT system, is being developed and will debut at dealers with the launch of the ID. family. The configuration process is being simplified, too: It will only take ten clicks to configure the entire vehicle.
Under the new model, dealers assume the role of agent for selling cars to private customers and small commercial enterprises. They look after acquisition, sales consultation, organizing test drives, transaction processing and vehicle handover in coordination with Volkswagen. The preferred dealer chosen by the customer at the beginning of the sales process receives the same commission and bonus as in showroom business, even if the vehicle is purchased online direct from Volkswagen. Volkswagen decides on the vehicle price, thus dispensing with complicated price negotiations. Dealers can therefore count on calculable compensation regardless of whether the customer buys their vehicle online or in the showroom.
Holger B. Santel, Head of Sales and Marketing Germany, commented: “All our partners are now 100% on board. Broad approval from our retail partners for the agency model is a strong signal for the future. From the customer's perspective, Volkswagen and retail become one unit with the agency model. And this seamless, coordinated shopping experience at all touchpoints is exactly what our customers want.”
Volkswagen also takes responsibility for vehicle financing and bears the returns and residual value risk. As Santel explains: “The dealer no longer has to finance vehicles in advance. We also bear inventory cost and the costs associated with showroom vehicles. We are offering dealers an extremely attractive leasing concept for demonstration vehicles.”
Dirk Weddigen von Knapp, Chairperson of the Volkswagen and Audi partner association, said: “The agency model brings significant financial relief for dealers, and that is particularly important at the present time. Our partners can therefore focus on what makes retail so indispensable: personal, competent customer care. I am delighted that all partners have signed the jointly drafted agreement. That is confirmation of the great trust in the agency model and our association.”
The agency model also responds to growing customer demand to switch seamlessly between online and offline channels during the entire buying process. Subject to the customer's consent, available data on the customer and their vehicle is used to communicate with them individually and consistently across all touchpoints. “Thunder”, the new IT system, is being developed and will debut at dealers with the launch of the ID. family. The configuration process is being simplified, too: It will only take ten clicks to configure the entire vehicle.
The Latest News, Brought To You By TaaS News
All Volkswagen retail partners agree new sales model for ID. family
Modified on Wednesday 20th May 2020
Find all articles related to:
All Volkswagen retail partners agree new sales model for ID. family
All Volkswagen retail partners agree new sales model for ID. family
Modified on Wednesday 20th May 2020
Find all articles related to:
All Volkswagen retail partners agree new sales model for ID. family
TaaS Technology Magazine