Virtual Showroom

A virtual showroom is an online, interactive experience that allows customers to explore vehicles much like they would in a physical showroom. This can include 360-degree interior and exterior views of vehicles, videos, and detailed images that can be rotated or zoomed. Some advanced virtual showrooms use augmented or virtual reality to let customers “walk around” a car or see how a colour or trim would look. Canadian dealerships use virtual showrooms to extend reach beyond the physical location – someone in a remote area can still thoroughly check out a car – and to cater to the increasing number of consumers doing extensive research online before visiting. Especially during times of restricted physical interaction (like during COVID-19 lockdowns), virtual showrooms help maintain customer engagement. They are often integrated with real inventory, meaning if a car is sold or reserved, the virtual showroom reflects that availability. Additionally, for new models or custom orders, a virtual showroom might allow a customer to visualize different configurations that the dealer doesn’t have on the lot (for example, a different interior colour or accessory package). By providing a rich, visual online shopping experience, dealerships aim to spark interest and confidence in buyers, which translates to more serious leads and a smoother sales process once the customer connects with a salesperson.