Online reservations

The advent of COVID-19 and the subsequent social distancing and isolation measures have significantly changed the way we do some things, and looking for a new car is no exception.

Audi Australia has responded to the situation and given customers the flexibility and convenience of looking for their next new car in a new way by launching the country’s first premium online reservation platform.

Although interested in buying a new car, many customers don’t feel comfortable visiting a dealership at the moment or may just prefer the convenience of finding and arranging their new Audi without leaving their home.

“At a time like this, where many Australians would rather make their purchases from the security of their own home, we wanted to create a tailored online solution that allows Audi customers to do just that,” says Nikki Warburton, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer at Audi Australia.

To that end, Audi Australia has developed a way for customers to find their perfect Audi, arrange a test drive and even complete the entire purchase process from the comfort and security of their home, should they wish.

The new Audi Australia platform allows customers to find the exact Audi they are after, using the online tool to search across the full model range – searching via dealer, vehicle or features to select their preferred Audi and then securing it with a $500 refundable reservation fee.

From there, the entire sales transaction can even be carried out without a single visit to an Audi showroom. 

“It’s important that this solution feels very premium, in line with our brand promise and that customers have the flexibility within the platform to satisfy their individual tastes,” says Warburton.

“We’re delighted to have achieved this, allowing customers to choose their Audi based on what’s important to them and then secure it before finalising the purchase with a dealer.”

The process is as simple as visiting the Audi Australia homepage and then searching for the desired Audi model, refining the search by location, price, engine, feature or colour – with each vehicle displaying a Manufacturer’s Recommended Driveaway Price (MRDP) correct for their state of purchase.

Once the right car has been located, it’s simply a matter of securing the car with a refundable $500 reservation fee via credit card, and at the same time the customer is provided with options for trade-in and finance.

The dealer that holds the actual vehicle in their stock will contact the customer within two working hours to answer any questions, arrange a ‘virtual walk around’ or even a test drive as required. What’s more, they and can even finalise the sale, including finance, if the customer is happy to proceed.

“It’s a fast, flexible and easy solution that is seamlessly integrated into our sales process, providing customers with an entirely new way to begin an Audi purchase from the comfort and security of their home,” says Warburton.

It’s entirely up to the customer if they would like to complete the entire transaction online or take the process ‘offline’ at any point that suits them. Versatility and the customer’s convenience is of paramount importance as always.

That also includes a situation where the customer decides not to go ahead with the purchase, at which point they are entitled to a full refund of their reservation deposit from the dealer.

But, if all is well and the customer is happy to proceed, they can elect whether to head in to the dealership to collect their new car in the time honoured tradition, or even have it delivered right to their home.

The new system offers unparalleled convince and flexibility, with the Audi customer electing the way the works best for them with the purchase of their new Audi. 

To see it for yourself, click here.