As the world has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two-plus months, auto service and repair centers have been considered essential since the start of the stay-at-home orders across the United States. As of mid-April 2020, auto sales were deemed essential as well by the Department of Homeland Security. Many car dealerships had temporarily closed their sales branches in mid-to-late March as the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up and non-essential businesses closed, but began to reopen these branches throughout April. Here are 5 ways car dealerships keep customers safe amid COVID-19.

There is no doubt that many major automakers have reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic in big ways. Efforts that some major automakers have taken include offering flexible financing options to customers and even mobilizing their manufacturing forces to produce personal protective equipment for healthcare workers on the front lines of the novel coronavirus crisis. 

However, what does the reaction to COVID-19 look like for car dealerships on a local level? In order to keep their businesses afloat and uphold their promises to take care of their customers and put them first, local car dealerships have had to adapt to the novel coronavirus pandemic in major ways as well. Whether you’re considering visiting your local car dealership to buy a car in the near future or are just curious as to how car dealerships in your area are taking steps to protect the public from the spread of COVID-19 as more businesses begin to reopen, here are 5 ways local car dealerships are working hard to keep customers safe as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the globe. 

  1. Home Delivery Options 

One of the most surprising responses of local car dealerships to the coronavirus pandemic has been the introduction and expansion of home delivery options. These options have made the process of buying a car so much easier and more convenient for drivers everywhere. 

Many local car dealerships are now offering customers the opportunity to complete the entire process of buying a car completely online. At applicable dealerships, you can choose the car you want online, complete the entire financing process online, and schedule a delivery date for a car dealership team member to deliver your brand-new car straight to your driveway. 

  1. Expanded Online Inventory 

In addition to home delivery options, many local car dealerships have expanded their online shopping as a result of COVID-19. 

If you want to shop for a car from the comfort of your living room, check out the websites of the local car dealerships in your area. There’s a good chance they’ve expanded their online inventory or included more detailed information and pictures about the cars in their inventory. 

  1. Online Appraisals 

As a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, many car dealerships have begun to offer online appraisals. 

If you’re interested in trading in your current vehicle for an updated or upgraded model, you might not have to actually set foot in your local dealership to find out how much money you can get back for it with the online appraisal options many local dealerships are currently offering. 

  1. Off-Site Demos 

If you’re worried about heading to your local car dealership’s showroom to check out the potential car of your dreams, the good news is that you might not have to thanks to many local dealerships’ current off-site demo options. 

Many local dealerships are offering drivers the opportunity to “demo” a car online, or schedule a no-contact test drive to avoid setting foot in a dealership facility and coming into contact with other customers and employees there. 

  1. Social Distancing Requirements 

The vast majority of local car dealerships are following strict social distancing requirements in order to keep their customers and team members who set foot in their dealership facilities safe. 

Some examples of common social distancing and sanitization requirements of many local car dealerships include regular disinfecting of all surfaces, daily deep sanitization of the entire facility, requirements of a six-foot distance between all customers and team members at all times, requirements of all team members to wear gloves and masks at all times, etc. 

All businesses that offer auto sales, service, or repairs are allowed to remain open and operational—even under the strictest stay-at-home orders in the United States and especially now as much of the U.S. begins to reopen in phases. Local car dealerships are committed to keeping their customers and employees safe amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. 

Contact the local dealerships in your area if you are interested in learning more details about the specifics of the measures they are taking to keep their customers and team members safe through the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope these 5 Ways Car Dealerships Keep Customers Safe Amid COVID-19 were helpful and hope to see you soon!