Toyota has incorporated a comprehensive online car retail function within its toyota.co.uk website. The end-to-end offering allows customers to choose the exact new car model, specification, powertrain and colour, as well as value a trade-in for inclusion in a purchase and arrange a finance package – all completely remotely, whether at home or on the move.
The move follows a pilot at the end of 2019, which allowed buyers of new Aygo and Yaris to complete the whole purchase process online. The service, involving a select number of Toyota retailers, has been expanded to cover the entire UK network and now includes the vast majority of the Toyota range, including all of its self-charging hybrid models, the GT86 and GR Supra sports coupes, right through to the go-anywhere Land Cruiser.
Conveniently for car buyers, the whole transaction – from model, trim and accessories selection through to finance application – can be facilitated from within the Toyota website, with customers not required to visit a retailer until their car is ready for collection. At that point, adding an extra layer of convenience at collection – contactless at present – Toyota provides a free, three-day drive-home insurance policy with every online purchase.
In addition to Toyota’s inclusive online experience, as Paula Cooper, director of Toyota GB’s customer insights division ConsumerOne explains, the traditional retailer network is still there to support buyers as and when they need it: “The feedback about the experience from our pilot Aygo and Yaris customers, combined with the research undertaken alongside our network partners, made it clear that people hugely value the any-time accessibility of being able to conduct the whole car-buying process online, while knowing that a local retailer is available to answer detailed questions as and when required. In fact, the feedback from that first wave of customers has praised the seamless transition from engaging with the online process to the handover experience with our retailers”
The holistic approach to selling cars online taken by Toyota has been the culmination of many months’ work, encompassing its finance, insurance and retail arms, as Cooper continues: “With the Covid-19 crisis impacting the entire retail landscape, of course, the importance of offering a safe and convenient means of buying a car is vital. Toyota customers can be reassured that our online service, all facilitated from within our own website, encompasses everything from choosing your next car to agreeing the right finance package.”
The Toyota range of passenger cars is available to purchase online at toyota.co.uk. Buyers of Aygo and Yaris models will enjoy a free two-year service package between now and the end of September 2020.
