How the first dealership to sell its cars in the metaverse works

the tv series “The one in charge”starring Guillermo Francella and released a few months ago on Netflix, had an unexpected impact due to the controversy generated with many building porters who considered it offensive to them and their role, but it also revealed to many people the existence of the virtual goalkeeperssomething that is seen every day with greater frequency in large cities with tall tower blocks.

Although the development of these applications began much earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged isolations that have occurred in different forms and intensity throughout the world, caused the parallel world to have an exponential growth between 2020 and today.

In many cases it was circumstantial, and activities that need face-to-face to function as they have been conceived, resumed the traditional format of a lifetime, but there is still a virtuality rate very high, because it has also been proven that certain tasks can be done in the same way or even better, without wasting time due to transfers and without requiring facilities from employers. It’s a moment of paradigm shift that seems to run through almost every company, organization, and private and public agency.

Until a while ago, buy a car It required going to a sales location, getting advice on the qualities and options of the models, testing them statically and dynamically, and ending up agreeing on sales methods and possible financing.

With the internet, most shoppers come to a official dealer or private agent with much more information, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each model and even knowing the opinion of those who already have them, then the visit was limited to seeing and touching the vehicle, eventually trying it out and agreeing on the price, which is even already known in advance. .

But metaversethe completely virtual parallel universe, has even changed that scenario too, and Fiat has decided to take the first step in the industry, launching its first fully digital dealership, which does not require the customer to leave their home to view, test drive and purchase their car.

The Fiat Metaverse Store and was developed in collaboration with Touchcast and Microsoft, who designed this experience specifically for Fiat, and it has first gone live in Italy. Touchcast’s Metaverse-as-a-Service platform is based on Microsoft Cloud and gives customers access to the Metaverse without the need for any additional equipment other than a computer. No need for VR glasses, avatars, or specialized hardware for immersive experiences.

A human sales advisor, specialized in the chosen model, accompanies the potential buyer at all times, conversing with him, answering questions or explaining how each device in the car works, in the same way that a salesperson would do at a dealership.

The system works with Advance reservation, so that the client sends an email from the brand’s website asking for an appointment. The response includes the consultation time and a direct link to connect without having to open any virtual communication platform like Teams, Skype, Meet or Zoom, but once the interview starts, the format in which everything happens is the same, that is, a big screen with the dealership including the seller and a small window in a corner where the user sees himself.

Then start a detailed description of the model, accompanied by a video showing each aspect mentioned. Then there is a tour of each part except the engine. The hood does not rise on this platform, perhaps designed for electric cars, where the engine does not matter and it does nothing to get to it to see it. Indeed, this first experience is made to buy a Fiat e500 “Bocelli”although in a few weeks it will be extended to more models, all of them electric.

Once the explanation of details is finished and any doubts that may arise have been removed, you enter the cockpit to configure material and color options everything, from the bodywork to the upholstery and details that can be customized. The dashboard is easy to use, but with a personal assistant it’s even easier.

Then it’s time to drive it down the Fiat circular track on the roof of the Lingotto in Turin, a classic of the brand since the ’50s, although now converted into a space for events and not to test all the cars that came out of production as at the time of its construction. The dynamic test allows to appreciate the operation of all the systems of ADAS driving assistance and the car in general at low speed. If, once the test is finished, the client wishes to physically test the car, an appointment is scheduled at the moment at a dealership close to his home to then continue the sale operation.

It will only remain to buy it or leave the operation on pause until it is decided. The purchase can be made with a reserve of 500 eurosafter which, via email, the operation forms arrive at the client’s personal computer, and once they are sent back with all the necessary data, the delivery is agreed in a actual dealer at buyer’s choice.

It seems simple, effective and above all very practical. In addition, with time and the development of technology, there will be more realism in a short time, and what seems unreal today will become something almost as tangible as the car itself. Then will surely come home deliveryand finally the user will leave his house, but to enjoy his newly arrived car.

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