Carwow is highlighting car retailers offering a remote buying service for consumers preferring not to visit showrooms during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak as part of a new 'Delivered & Disinfected' initiative.

Dealers can now promote on Carwow that they will offer ‘delivery & disinfection’, facilitate home test drives, vehicle video tours and the ability to purchase 100% remotely as part of the move, which has been launched today (March 19).

Delivery drivers will also drop documents through a customer’s letter box, leading to a zero contact buying experience, as part of the carwow-promoted scheme.

Carwow decided to introduce the new service following a study that revealed that despite the coronavirus, a strong appetite from motorists to change their cars still exists, with 54% still intending to change their car in the not too distance future. That figure jumps to 70% in Greater London.

Social interaction and exposure fears are a still barrier however, so dealers need to be quick to adapt their sales processes to make it easier for consumers to buy with confidence. 

Nearly 30% of people surveyed called for home delivered test drives and 28% would like a home delivery service for their purchased car.

“Speaking to dealerships over recent days it’s evident that there is, understandably, social interaction concern among consumers. That’s reinforced by our survey which highlights that almost a third of consumers would now welcome a home delivered test drive vehicle with sanitised touch points,” comments James Hind, carwow's chief executive.  

“It’s our job to address these concerns and help facilitate dealers and the automotive industry as a whole to keep the economic wheels turning at this unprecedented time. 

"That’s why we’ve worked quickly to add functionality to our website so buyers can now easily identify which dealers are remotely supporting the search-to-purchase journey, helping them buy with confidence from the security of their own home, if they choose.”