- Customers can search every new vehicle in dealer stock
- $500 reserves the customer's preferred vehicle
- Entire transaction can take place from home, including test drive
Zetland, May 6, 2020 – Audi has launched an innovative online reservation tool across the full model range, the first premium brand in Australia to do so. Customers can search via dealer, vehicle or features to select their preferred Audi, securing it with a $500 refundable reservation fee. From there, the entire sales transaction can be carried out without a single visit to an Audi showroom.
"At a time like this, where many Australians would rather make their purchases from the security of their own home, we wanted to create a tailored online solution that allows Audi customers to do just that," said Nikki Warburton, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer at Audi Australia.
"It's important that this solution feels very premium, in line with our brand promise, and that customers have the flexibility within the platform to satisfy their individual tastes. We're delighted to have achieved this, allowing customers to choose their Audi based on what's important to them, and then secure it before finalising the purchase with a dealer.
"It's a fast, flexible and easy solution that is seamlessly integrated into our sales process, providing customers with an entirely new way to begin an Audi purchase: from the comfort and security of their home," said Warburton.
Customers can quickly find their preferred Audi from the audi.com.au homepage, then refine their search by location, price, engine, feature or colour; each vehicle displaying a Manufacturer's Recommended Driveaway Price (MRDP) correct for their state of purchase. Customers can secure their preferred vehicle by paying a refundable $500 reservation fee via credit card, which generates a receipt for their exact vehicle as peace-of-mind. At the same time, customers are provided with options for trade-in and finance.
The dealer that holds the vehicle in their stock will contact the customer within two working hours to answer any questions, arrange a 'virtual walkaround' or test drive if required, or to finalise the sale (including finance). If desired, the customer's new Audi can be delivered to them at home, allowing the full transaction to take place without a single visit to an Audi showroom.
Equally, customers can choose to take the process 'offline' at any point during their enquiry or purchase. The choice is driven by the customer's wishes at every step.
If a customer chooses not to go ahead with their purchase, they are entitled to a full refund from the dealer.
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The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 17 locations in 12 countries. 100 percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include Audi Sport GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy).
In 2019, the Audi Group delivered to customers about 1.846 million automobiles of the Audi brand, 8,205 sports cars of the Lamborghini brand and 53,183 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. In the 2018 fiscal year, AUDI AG achieved total revenue of €59.2 billion and an operating profit before special items of €4.7 billion. At present, approximately 90,000 people work for the company all over the world, more than 60,000 of them in Germany. Audi focuses on sustainable products and technologies for the future of mobility.