Subaru Ireland launches new online sales website

Subaru Ireland has launched a new website that allows customers to complete the entire sales process online without the need to visit a dealership.

The website, available at Subaru.ie, allows customers to configure their new vehicle, organise a part exchange or trade-in valuation, apply for finance and organise collection or delivery of their new Subaru all from the comfort of their own home.

This new website, which has been in development for the past two years, integrates finance applications and trade-in valuations to ensure a seamless customer journey from start to finish. Subaru says this sales process is estimated to take just 30 minutes to complete.

Like most industries, the Automotive sector has experienced decreased dealership footfall this year due to increased Covid restrictions and an overall declining market.

Pat Ryan, managing director of Subaru Ireland commented: “Our new Subaru website revolutionises the online sales process. Just five years ago, customers visited a dealership on average three times before completing a purchase, this is now down to a single visit. Customers are increasingly researching their next vehicle online, but the sales journey can become fragmented and distorted by finance applications and trade-in negotiations that take place offline.

“At present, over 75 per cent of new vehicle sales in Ireland are associated with a trade-in vehicle. We are delighted to be the first brand in Ireland to integrate online trade-in valuations with the sales and finance application to determine the true cost of change for the customer without the need for them to leave their home.

“The new Subaru digital sales journey brings together all stages of the buying journey under one trusted umbrella and is no doubt the future of online and contactless purchases in the motor industry.”

Commenting on the importance of physical dealerships in this digital process Mr. Ryan continued: “The physical dealership still plays an integral part in the sales process to many people, however, we must also accept that for others it is seen as an unnecessary journey. Our new digital sales channel enables customers to visit their dealership as much or as little as required, this decision is down to the individual customer.

“Even for customers that complete the sales journey online, the vehicle handover will be conducted by the local dealer either at the dealership or via home delivery and the dealer will also follow up with the customer for all aftersales and service requirements.”

To celebrate the launch of this new website, Subaru Ireland also announced it is offering customers an online discount voucher of €2,000 or a reduced PCP/HP finance APR rate of just 2.9 per cent to encourage online custom.

Subaru customers can still contact their local dealer for assistance and sales support but the brand has confirmed that it expects 80 per cent of its future sales to come from this digital platform in 2021.