Buying a car is an expensive undertaking. Car dealerships nowadays are essential in helping customers make this purchase. As is the case with many establishments, the design of the dealership is crucial to help the business. The perfect auto dealership design is a critical component in boosting sales and strengthening your image.
Auto dealership design questions
Modern interior design trends may change over time, but their significance stays the same as does their functionality. The average dealer understands that how a dealership works is just as important as how the dealership looks. Ask yourself the following when planning out your design:
- In what way do my staff and customers use my dealership for daily activities?
- Are there clear routes for my customers to reach the workshop/service area?
- Is there anything obstructing my sales team’s view of the lot?
- How large will the showroom need to be to accommodate the number of cars we are displaying?
- Where is the guest bathroom?
- Taking our planning volume and service growth goals into account, how many service bays should be in the body shop? Additionally, how many technicians should there be?
Comfort is key
The most innovative and lucrative car dealerships of the modern era bear very little resemblance to dealerships from the past. It is akin to how the more patient-centric doctor’s offices of today are different from the hostile spaces of yesteryear.
Put simply, car dealerships with exceptional designs focus primarily on customer comfort and style. This is regardless of whether the cars the dealership is selling are entry-level or premium. For instance, patrons can relax and mingle inside the dealership. This way, they won’t have to go to their car, wait to go home or look for a coffee shop nearby.
Successful car dealerships know the importance of keeping customers on-site for as long as they can. Additionally, they know it is imperative to have them associate positive feelings with their experience in a dealership. A fully-featured café and lounge for patrons is a good way to achieve this mental connection. Admittedly, this means that there will be less space to feature vehicles in the showroom. However, the trade-off will be worth it if it means a surplus of happy consumers. Plus, an increase in sales.
Technology integration
In contrast to other retail experiences, a lot of consumers do not want to shop online. Moreover, they don’t want to shop in a car dealership that’s of the brick-and-mortar variety. They would rather start searching online before actually going to a dealership for a test drive. Additionally, they will learn about other features and products and visit the service department, among other things.
The connection between online and offline experiences is growing. Because of this, profitable car dealerships nowadays are incorporating more technology into their auto dealership design. This includes speedy WiFi and an abundance of space for patrons to use their tablets and laptops. This is valuable because many dealerships do not offer print brochures and product sheets. Instead, they are sending digital copies to customers.
Another technological element to consider is digital signage and flat-video screens. The latter can provide handy information while at the same time helping dealerships build a standardized brand identity.
Suggestions for the showroom
Design is a key factor for an auto showroom as it can make or break your sales operation. They need to reside in highly visible areas with access to main transport routes. Moreover, there needs to be a striking frontage. Putting your car range on display is obviously crucial. Likewise, both the layout and orientation of sites and display areas will impact sales.
These suggestions will influence environmental control tactics since not all buildings are able to alleviate solar gain. Furthermore, heavily tinted solar control glass is not usually part of the main front area. The hot style now is a double-height display area with a full-height glazing main frontage. This establishes a design statement and offers new vehicles high visibility.
To control solar gains in highly glazed areas, comfort cooling should be added to customer areas. The lighting is also useful for sales. It emphasizes brand identity and gives the cars on display the finest light. Plus, it sets the right mood.
One last reminder about auto dealership design
There is no one way to design a car dealership. Your ideal design will ultimately boil down to the needs of yourself, your dealership, and your expansion plan. If you would like some assistance in designing your auto dealership, contact the Toronto construction location. If you want to learn more about the construction of this type of establishment, check out our Guide to Automotive Dealership Construction.