For most Canadians, shopping for a vehicle involves several steps, including finding the right vehicle, deciding on options, and selecting a payment plan.
But, with more and more consumers now choosing to browse for vehicles online, some Canadian companies have responded to this demand by making the experience even better.
One example of this is Easy Shop Video Chat, a new tool Toyota Canada is adding to Toyota.ca.
The feature allows customers who are shopping online for a new vehicle to speak face-to-face with a product advisor at the Toyota Dealer of their choice, making it easier for them to control exactly how and where they shop for a new Toyota.
Over the past few years, Toyota Canada has introduced many online tools to serve a steadily increasing number of Canadians interested in building and pricing their new vehicle via the company’s websites (Toyota.ca and ShopToyota.ca).
One of its more recent innovative service offerings is Toyota Easy Shop – a new platform of tools launched on its websites in March with the help of Rapid RTC, a Canadian tech company based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Toyota has expanded the Easy Shop offering several times since then, but the new video chat feature takes the online experience to a whole new level.
Easy Shop Video Chat lets a customer turn a text chat into a one-way or two-way video chat with a product advisor at any time.
With the video component active, a product advisor can share their screen with a shopper. Together, they can build and price a vehicle, fill out forms, and submit a request for financing.
The product advisor can also transfer the Easy Shop Video Chat from their desktop computer to their phone to take the customer on a virtual tour of the showroom or vehicle lot.
The advisor can even offer a live, interactive walk-around to allow the customer to explore vehicles and ask questions about their features and specifications.
Salespeople are trained experts. They’re the most qualified to answer shoppers’ product and pricing related questions and deliver a positive buying experience – both in the showroom and online.
—Glen Demetrioff, President & CEO, RAPID RTC
“Part of supporting our partners in meeting ever-evolving buyer expectations is creating the best possible customer experience online, where most buyers are conducting research and narrowing their choices.
Nothing compares to the physical showroom experience, but when footfall traffic is low or when a salesperson is between appointments, their next best lead is that engaged online shopper.
With RAPID RTC Live Dealer’s [Easy Shop Video Chat’s] integrated capabilities, a salesperson can walk customers through the entire purchase journey online – and deliver nearly the same experience digitally as they do in person,” added Demetrioff.
As online shopping continues to grow in popularity, Canadians can now shop for their new Toyota coupe, sedan, hatch, crossover, SUV, minivan, or pick-up truck from the comfort of their computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.
“There are many reasons a person may prefer to shop for a vehicle online, and the better we can make that experience, the happier our customers will be,” said Martin Gilbert, Director of Corporate Strategy and Innovation at Toyota Canada.
“We’re excited that we’re able to enhance our virtual showrooms with this important new feature. Our dealers are the best in the industry, and our product advisors at those dealers are the people best able to help our customers decide which Toyota is right for them.
Tools like Toyota Easy Shop Video Chat allow us to better connect our customers with those product experts, wherever they happen to be.”
