To some, virtual reality technology is an immersive way to experience games, films, and not much else. But as the headsets become more advanced and the programming grows more capable, virtual reality could have endless applications, ranging from sports to medicine and even forensics. Now, Cadillac is exploring how it could change the way it sells cars.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the American luxury brand is devising a new strategy for its U.S. dealership network, one that involves replacing a portion of its conventional stores with virtual reality showrooms. The new dealers won’t actually have any inventory on hand; instead they’ll feature VR headsets where customers can learn about Cadillac products while their vehicle is being serviced. Anyone up for a digital test drive in a CTS-V?
The new strategy is part of “Project Pinnacle,” a new retail approach put forth by Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen, and it makes sense given the carmaker’s recent struggles. Cadillac currently has 925 stores in the U.S., and despite the fact that brands like Lexus and BMW have far fewer (BMW has 339), Caddy’s competition sells far more units per month. A virtual showroom would have far less overhead and lower operating costs than a traditional car lot, so clearly, saving money is a big priority.
Believe it or not, integrating VR into the car buying process is not a new concept. Both Audi and Ferrari have explored the technology’s potential for vehicle configuration and educational purposes in the past, and even Tesla has used it to give the public a closer look at its products.
Read more: The 2017 XT5 is a crossover back to luxury for Cadillac
This month, de Nysschen will travel to about a half-dozen U.S. cities to meet with dealers and discuss the possibilities of virtual automotive retail.
Related Posts
Tesla Model 3 got outsold by an EV from a Chinese smartphone brand
The Chinese smartphone maker delivered 258,164 units of its first EV. Meanwhile, Tesla sold only 200,361 Model 3s, marking the first time since Tesla's Chinese launch that another brand has overtaken it in the world's largest EV market.
Your future BMW electric M3 will still sound like a real M car
Instead of trying to invent a new "sound of the future" filled with abstract spaceship hums and digital warbles, BMW’s Motorsport division is digging into its own history books. New videos from the development team reveal that the upcoming electric M3 will feature a synthetic audio system built from high-fidelity recordings of the brand’s most iconic internal combustion engines. We aren't talking about generic engine noises here; BMW is literally sampling the legends.
This is the tech that makes Volvo’s latest EV a major step forward
The 2027 Volvo EX60 boasts engineering improvements in a package that’s likely to have mass appeal. It’s based on a new architecture that offers improved range and charging performance, backed by software with now-obligatory AI integration. And as a five-seat SUV similar in size to the current Volvo XC60 — the automaker’s bestselling model — it’s exactly the type of car most people are looking for.