Cars and Coronavirus: What You Need to Know
Cars and Coronavirus: What You Need to Know
Posted on April 15, 2020
COVID-19 is wreaking havoc across all areas of business, and the auto sales industry is no exception. But when a car is essential for your daily life, buying a new one isn't necessarily something you can delay until the situation gets back to normal.
Here's what you need to know to buy a new car safely and effectively during the coronavirus crisis.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
There's no doubt that stay-at-home orders and social distancing make buying a car less convenient than in more usual times. Nonetheless, online tools and dealership websites mean there's plenty of information available to help you through the research process while staying safely at home.
And of course, with auto sales under severe pressure, many dealerships are offering some highly lucrative discounts, 0% financing deals, and other incentives to make buying now an attractive option.
Observing Social Distancing with Online Research
In these times of social distancing, it's important to do as much of the buying process online as possible. Start by researching models through dealership's online showrooms, independent review sites, and valuation services such as Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.
Dealership Precautions
However, you can only do so much online. At some point you'll have to connect with a dealership, and this needs to be done with safety in mind. When you first make contact, make it clear that you expect COVID-19 precautions to be a priority. Ask that all vehicles you look at are disinfected before your viewing, and that any sales staff you deal with respect physical distancing rules.
And if you're planning on taking a test drive, ask that the vehicle is delivered to your home or office rather than you needing to visit the dealership. At Denham Ford we can deliver all our test drive vehicles to your door, free of charge, including the brand new 2020 Ford Escape and the 2020 Ford Expedition.
Sealing the Deal
In simpler times, the actual purchase of a vehicle was finalized in the dealership sales office, where paperwork was signed followed by the traditional handshake. In the current situation, there's no need for an in-person visit to complete the deal. Ask that all necessary documents are emailed to you, or if a physical copy is essential, that they're delivered to your home by courier with a contactless handover.
And once the deal is complete, make sure the retailer offers home delivery rather than requiring you to visit the sales lot to receive your car. At Denham Ford we can take your vehicle purchase as far as you want remotely, including delivery and collection of all necessary paperwork for your convenience and safety.
The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 seems set to last for months, and social distancing is now a fact of life. But you don't need to put buying a new or used car on hold. If you're considering the 2020 Ford Explorer or Expedition, we have the full range in stock and we'll help you through the buying process with coronavirus safety as a priority.