Mahindra introduces VR showrooms

This initiative is part of a series of initiatives under Mahindra’s digital transformation strategy.

Mahindra has announced an industry first initiative in the automotive retail space with the launch of its ‘Bring the Showroom Home’ programme, which is a portable, mobile based, interactive virtual reality (VR) experience.

This is an initiative wherein customers would get a 360-degree, all-encompassing and immersive virtual showroom experience. Through VR, the customer can co-create and identify their Mahindra vehicle with any specification in the comfort of their home. This would also allow them to involve their family in the decision-making process.

According to Mahindra, the ‘Bring the Showroom Home’ platform will have three salient features – virtual showroom, self-explore and make my SUV. Furthermore, it will involve three stages of experience:

• Pre-purchase stage: The user will get dealer stock availability information. They will be able to involve their family to spec the SUV, talk to an expert through chat/call and book the car or request for a test drive. Furthermore, car comparisons and insurance quotes will also be available.
• Purchase stage: The company has tied up with various automotive portals to help customers book their vehicle anytime they want. Under the digital initiatives for enabling sales, Mahindra has also installed tablets and kiosks across most of its dealer network. Meant to assist customers in making suitable buying decisions, these gadgets offer realistic visual depictions of Mahindra vehicles with various options related to accessories, colours, etc.
• Post-purchase stage: This will help the owners to book their service time and pay online, instantly chat with customer care for queries, use an SOS button for raising assistance request with location capturing facility, get notifications on service reminders, etc.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Veejay Nakra, Chief of Sales & Marketing, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, ‘In India, where vehicle purchase decision is mostly influenced by the family, ‘Bring the Showroom Home’ will get the showroom closer to our customers and their families. After all, we want to take customer experience to the next level through convenient, transparent and personalised services at every step.’