The government has confirmed that car dealers will be able to offer a ‘click-and-collect’ service as a way for buyers to pick up their new cars.
While dealers have been able to deliver cars to people’s homes during the coronavirus crisis, many were limited with the number that they could be delivered in this way, with some large groups not offering such services.
However, with the latest government guidance released overnight, it means that you’ll be able to go to your dealer to collect a car – perhaps one that was either bought before the lockdown, or during it. However, the guidance says that showrooms themselves must remain closed to the public.
The guidance says “click and collect services can also operate, though customers must not enter premises listed in the left-hand column” which include car showrooms, outdoor markets and auction houses.
While the government has not issued an official date that showrooms will be allowed to open their doors again, it’s widely thought that this will be on June 1, when other retail outlets are set to reopen.
The news that click-and-collect has been welcomed by dealers, and it means many will begin to ramp up operations ahead of showrooms reopen. Many dealers are already taking precautions to make buying a car as safe as possible – including offering PPE and implementing strict social distancing measures for both staff and customers.
