How Automation Transformed My Car Buying Experience

From Hours to Minutes

Have you ever had the grueling experience of picking up a new car where you have been forced to sit in a showroom for hours on end while they finish detailing your car, getting all the paperwork signed, and ensuring that you have all the proper licensing and insurance details at the ready?

The last time I did this, we spent two hours at the dealership.

Then, on Monday, it took 7 minutes.

7 minutes to pick up a new car.

Why, you might ask, is this such a drastic difference?

Simple, in one word—automation.

Building a Car Online

We built our new Tesla online. We applied for a credit check online and received approval within minutes.

Next, we were instructed to download the Tesla app, and over the last month, that app has facilitated our entire buying process. From uploading our personal details to our driver’s licenses and insurance and making our final payment, we didn’t speak to a person until the day we picked up the car.

A 7-Minute Pickup

When we picked up the car, from start to finish, including pairing our phones with the vehicle (you don’t need a key) to driving the car from inside the dealership to the parking lot, it took 7 minutes.

Our appointment was at 10:00 am, and they brought us back 5 minutes early, and by 10:02 am, we had our new vehicle.

Automation’s Potential

Automation doesn’t always work this way, but when it does, it’s a beautiful thing. It got me thinking about our business and how we may be implementing a process that could be made easier and even automated for our clients.

In fact, I have to admit, last week, I skipped a book that I planned on reading and instead started reading a book about how teams can leverage systems and tools to stop drowning in work called Come Up For Air.

The universe has a funny way of showing you exactly what you need to see at the perfect time.