Volvo Cars launches virtual ‘Stay Home Store’ in Europe

Cars can also be bought from the living room. Volvo has opened a new virtual store for this.

Volvo has opened a new virtual store for this. Due to the movement restrictions caused by the corona pandemic in many European markets, the Swedish premium car manufacturer is launching a new online offering that will initially be available as a “Stay Home Store” in seven European countries.


While most car dealerships in Germany are currently allowed to reopen, there are still restrictions in many other countries. The purchase of a new Volvo from the local partner company is therefore not possible or only possible to a limited extent.

In the course of social distancing, customers are also increasingly foregoing a visit to the car dealership: wherever a visit is possible again, there is often still great uncertainty. That is why Volvo offers the new comfortable and safe alternative. If requested, the vehicle can also be delivered directly to the front door, Volvo says.

In addition to Germany, the online offering will initially be launched in France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Great Britain and the Netherlands. Other countries are expected to follow.

Volvo Cars today launches a new concept of online sales which will be available in various European markets subject to quarantine and restrictive measures and which will allow customers to buy or rent a new Volvo comfortably and in absolute safety from home, despite the restrictions imposed to counteract the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Worldwide, car sales are heavily affected by the effects of the pandemic and the “lockdowns” imposed in many European countries prevent customers from buying or renting new cars by going to dealerships, as they would normally do, due to the strict directives issued on the distance social or even mandatory quarantine measures taken by governments.

The brand new Safe Buying Experience Stay Home Store commercial concept, designed for those who want to acquire a car in a totally safe way, will allow customers in European countries where the “lockdown” currently exists – for example, Germany, France and Italy – to search, choose and buy or rent a new Volvo online easily.


The Stay Home Store concept takes advantage of Volvo Cars’ existing online sales tools to provide customers and dealers with a new transparent and easy-to-use platform that allows them to interact without having to meet in person.

Customers have the opportunity to search and choose from a range of attractive pre-negotiated rental prices and fees for the new Volvo. In line with the current economic climate, in some markets the Stay Home Store concept also offers those who purchase additional flexibility conditions such as purchase without any advance or free car rental periods.

“We want to offer our customers the opportunity to find a new Volvo that fits their needs without having to wait for the end of the ongoing emergency,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Global Sales Manager. “Our online sales team has developed an excellent tool and precisely because we understand that acquiring a car can represent a significant commitment at this particular moment, we offer our customers additional financing solutions.”

Beyond the common concept of Safe Buying Experience, the Stay Home Store offer will be carried out according to the conditions of the individual market, with appropriate adaptations. After an initial period in which the platform will be available in countries that represent 60% of Volvo Cars’ European sales volumes, the commercial concept is expected to be extended to other markets.

The launch of the Stay Home Store initiative follows the introduction of the Volvo Valet service in the United States earlier this month, another example of how Volvo Cars is helping its customers overcome the effects of the ongoing pandemic.

With the Volvo Valet service, a premium assistance service with pick up and drop off of the car at the customer that some dealers are starting to give, owners of a Volvo residing in the USA can do maintenance of their car without leaving their home or ‘office.

In China, a premium service for the maintenance of the similar car is offered through WeChat, the widespread mobile platform used by Chinese consumers for a variety of services of various kinds.

Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



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