Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Buys Into Contact-Free Car Sales With Online Retail Experience
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced today that more than one-third of its U.S. dealerships — covering the Fiat (duh), Chrysler (also duh), Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands — have adopted FCA’s Online Retail Experience, enabling shoppers to complete the purchase process — including things like financing and trade-in — entirely online and contact free.
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Shop the 2020 RAM 1500 near you
Once shoppers have narrowed down the car they want to a model from one of those brands — say, after they’ve used our handy and informative research section to learn more about the various models — they can head to that particular marque’s website.
Finding Your Ride
From there, selecting the desired model allows shoppers to configure the vehicle as they like and then search dealer inventory at a distance of up to 150 miles from a specified ZIP code. For my trial search, I used an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifogilo in Alfa Rosso red with options including the performance carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber and driver assistance packages and Sparco-brand seats, with an MSRP of a cool $94,595 that I absolutely can’t afford in real life (I have champagne tastes, but a Hamm’s budget). Unfortunately for Hypothetically Well-Off Me, there were no exact matches within 150 miles of my home, but I was able to view numerous partial matches.
Online Everything
From there, a buyer can select a vehicle at a particular dealership and begin the purchase process. Everything from a final price and monthly payment amounts to financing and trade-in valuation can be done online, and even the sale can be finalized online. All paperwork is completed using an electronic signature system. Once the sale is complete, a dealership representative will then deliver the car to the buyer and drive away in the traded-in vehicle (if there is one).
Deals to Be Had
If you need to shop for a car right now and are interested in any of FCA’s vehicles, there are a number of deals currently available for qualified buyers — we’ve made some recommendations of our own already. And if FCA dealerships near you aren’t participating in the online retail experience, you may have more luck checking out listings here on Cars.com, which now indicate whether a dealership offers virtual appointments and/or home delivery.
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