FCA Enhances Online Retailing Experience

Rhea-AI Summary

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has enhanced its online vehicle purchasing platform, now called E-Shop, facilitating a more streamlined customer experience. Since the launch of E-Shop, online sales inquiries have risen significantly, with 45% of monthly sales originating from internet leads. New features include real-time online chats, test drive appointments, and the ability to reserve vehicles via PayPal, expanding the purchasing process's convenience. FCA aims to keep improving E-Shop with ongoing technological advancements, making it a competitive tool in the automotive market.

Positive

• E-Shop generates 45% of monthly sales from internet leads, up from 25% last year.
• Online shopping traffic across the dealer network has increased by over 65% since launching E-Shop.
• New features like online chats, test drive appointments, and PayPal reservations are being introduced to enhance customer experience.

Negative

• None.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

• Online Retailing Experience to now be called E-Shop
• Test drive appointments, online chats and other features to be added to E-Shop

FCA is enhancing consumer capability to buy a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, Fiat or Alfa Romeo vehicle over the internet by offering several new features to the Online Retailing Experience, which will now be known as E-Shop.

"Six months ago, we pulled ahead the launch of E-Shop to help our dealers who were attempting to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic," U.S. Head of Sales Jeff Kommor said. "Little did we know what a powerful tool E-Shop would become. About 45 percent of FCA's monthly sales originated from an internet lead; last year it was about 25 percent. Consumers say E-Shop gives them more transparency, while dealers say the entire process, including home delivery, allows them to create a strong bond with the shopper."

E-Shop is a premium one-stop platform that allows customers extensive choice and the ability to complete the entire vehicle purchasing process online, including pricing information, trade-in value of the current vehicle, financial lending options, e-signature to complete final paperwork and, in most cases, scheduling home delivery. E-Shop is accessible through the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat and Alfa Romeo websites, participating dealer sites and a variety of social media applications.

Online shopping traffic across the dealer network has increased more than 65 percent since the launch of E-Shop. Customers who complete the process online are spending less time in the dealership and more time learning about the new features of their vehicles, making the purchase process more enjoyable.

"We had always envisioned E-Shop as a digital backbone onto which we could bolt new, cutting-edge elements that put the customer first," said Marissa Hunter, Head of Marketing, FCA - North America. "Ecommerce continues to be an integral tool in our marketing suite, providing audiences the ability to experience and shop our brands from the comfort of their homes. We're only getting started. Internal intelligence, early customer and dealer feedback, are shaping the next phase of E-Shop, giving our brands and dealer body a sophisticated online tool to drive more excitement, affinity and trust in the shopping process."

Other features will include:

• Online Chats – Launching today, consumers can have their questions answered in real time via online chatting
• Test Drive Appointments – Shoppers can schedule a time to test drive a vehicle before entering a showroom, reducing the wait time for time-constrained consumers. This feature will be available by December
• Reservations – In a service integrated with PayPal, shoppers who see a vehicle online can access their PayPal accounts to put down a refundable reservation. This feature will be available by November
• Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles / Used Vehicle Sales – Dealers will have the opportunity to list their entire certified pre-owned vehicle and used vehicle inventories on E-Shop. This feature will be available by December

FCA and its dealers are committed to make E-Shop one of the most competitive tools in the automotive industry. New technologies, designed to improve customer convenience, will be added to E-Shop on an ongoing basis.

Chrysler E-Shop

Dodge E-Shop

Jeep E-Shop

Ram E-Shop

FIAT E-Shop

Alfa Romeo E-Shop

FCA
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is a global automaker that designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles in a portfolio of exciting brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep®, Lancia, Ram and Maserati. It also sells parts and services under the Mopar name and operates in the components and production systems sectors under the Comau and Teksid brands. FCA employs nearly 200,000 people around the globe. For more details regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit www.fcagroup.com.   

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SOURCE FCA

FAQ

What is the E-Shop feature launched by FCA?

E-Shop is FCA's enhanced online vehicle purchasing platform, enabling customers to buy vehicles online and providing features like pricing information, trade-in options, and home delivery.

What percentage of FCA's sales comes from online leads?

Currently, about 45% of FCA's monthly sales originate from internet leads, significantly up from 25% last year.

When will new features for E-Shop be available?

Online chats are available now, test drive appointments will launch in December, and PayPal reservations will be available by November.

How has FCA's online retailing experience changed?

FCA has renamed its online retailing platform to E-Shop and added features to improve consumer convenience, making the entire vehicle purchasing process more accessible.

What is the purpose of E-Shop for FCA dealers?

E-Shop is intended to help FCA dealers navigate the online sales environment, facilitating customer interactions and improving sales efficiency.