As New Zealand moves into level 3 of lockdown, our car dealerships will be looking at ways to safely open their business with some great ideas coming from round the world.

During level 4, all car brands had to close their dealerships but level 3 could see a lift of this measure but with restrictions.

In the UK, an automotive online marketing platform, CarGurus, has some ideas for car companies – from buying in person, to contactless purchases.

They recommend social distancing appointments where a potential customer can schedule a specific time to visit the dealerships to ensure social distancing.

Another idea is consumers can schedule a virtual meeting with a dealership to conduct a virtual walk-around of the vehicle. This is a similar approach that SEAT UK has taken with walk rounds in driveways by its experts.

Contactless purchase could see buyers either paying for or financing a vehicle remotely, by either phone or email, and any paperwork will be delivered to them.

Another step is free test drives where a dealer will deliver the vehicle to the potential buyer’s home (within a certain radius) or the bought vehicle can be dropped off at the new customer’s home with associated paperwork in the car.

There are similar schemes in the USA, where Tesla has introduced touch-less deliveries at many locations where customers can unlock their new Tesla via an app, sign the necessary paperwork that is placed in the car and lodge the paperwork at a designated drop off site.

In China, Geely has taken it a step further with a drone delivering the keys to new car buyers.

Geely has allowed orders for its vehicles online since February, with the car delivered to customer’s home or office but the drone added a new approach.

The drone would drop the keys “directly to their door or balcony furthering the distance between staff and consumer and creating a truly contactless process” Geely said on its website.