Most Americans buy their cars by going to a showroom, test driving a vehicle, then working out a deal and securing the financing and insurance on-site.
But automakers and dealers have been exploring ways to sell and deliver vehicles to customers without requiring them to leave home. The pandemic is likely to accelerate that process.
GM is offering this option to customers, but it's on a dealer-by-dealer basis, so a prospective buyer has to reach out to the brand they're interested in — Chevy, GMC, Buick, Cadillac — and be referred to a dealer from there.
Chevy's Shop.Click.Drive. program allows consumers to investigate inventories, arrange for a test drive, manage paperwork, and schedule a vehicle pickup without making a showroom visit.
FCA also unveiled a shop-from-home program, call the Online Retail Experience.
It allows consumers to purchase vehicles from the comfort of their homes via the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Truck, Fiat and Alfa Romeo brand websites and participating dealer websites, the company said.
Porsche also announced that customers could reach out to dealers to explore digital shopping and home-delivery options.