FCA UK has launched Car@Home, a new service that allows its dealers to communicate with customers remotely and sell vehicles.

The system creates a link between a customer or prospect and a retailer through the use of video conferencing. 

Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Jeep dealers can offer the service.

While virtual face-to-face meetings can be set-up to discuss a customer’s needs, the system also allows retailers to help a customer to configure their car, send in videos and images for a trade-in evaluation and even send through finance offers.

FCA UK has also introduced a chat function across all of its brand and retailer websites.  Just like visiting a showroom, this new service will allow customers on the website to engage with their retailer in real time, offering engaging, relevant information when they need it.

"While the health and safety of our employees and customers will always remain our primary concern, we have listened to our retailers and put in place this unique solution,” said Arnaud Leclerc, managing director of FCA UK.

“These tools will allow our retailers to communicate with their customers, while still observing all current regulatory requirements, and help everyone make a faster return to normal once this is all over.”

Volkswagen Group is providing a similar service to customers utilising its in-house product experts. Seat and Skoda customers with enquiries about a vehicle can talk to an agent via live video chat and received live demonstrations from a car at the agent’s home.