Mitsubishi and Toyota going contactless

Mitsubishi and Toyota have announced they will be providing contactless sales and servicing at dealerships from April 28, when the country moves to Covid-19 alert level three.

The marques are eager to get back to work after what will have been more than a month of lockdown and have detailed how they will safely interact with customers during the pandemic.

Sales, servicing and test drives will all be provided in a contactless way, and the brands are emphasising that vehicles will be subject to stringent cleaning measures that target key touchpoints.

Reece Congdon, head of marketing and corporate affairs at Mitsubishi Motors NZ (MMNZ), says it is pleased to re-open sales and servicing options for customers and is “taking all necessary measures to ensure we can do so in a safe manner”.

MMNZ says for customers able to travel to and from the dealership, vehicles can be dropped off at a pre-arranged time and left with the keys inside. The same process will be followed when vehicles are collected. For customers who would prefer not to leave their home, pick-up and drop-off servicing will be available.

Sales consultants will be available to offer product information over the phone to people interested in buying a car and will also offer virtual product demonstrations through FaceTime or Zoom.

Test drives can also be arranged and will be conducted in the same way as servicing. 

“Our dealerships around the country are locally owned and operated, so we are very relieved to see them able to re-open for business,” Congdon says. “Many local businesses have been hit hard during this time, and our dealers are no different.

“Dealerships are taking all necessary precautions to ensure their communities are kept safe during this time. We believe many customers will welcome this news and show their support.”

Toyota is also moving to a contactless sales and servicing model during alert level three because “it remains committed to supporting the local communities that we operate in”.

The marque’s website says it will follow the Ministry of Health’s guidelines, to make sure customers and employees are safe during any interactions.

“Rest assured when you take a car for a test drive, or drop one off for a service, all vehicles will be thoroughly sanitised for your protection with our 30-point cleaning process, after any contact with a Toyota team member or another member of the public.”

The company will be digitally collecting contact details from visitors to its stores to comply with contact tracing guidelines. Team members will also continue to maintain correct social distancing and asks consumers to do the same when visiting dealerships.

Toyota adds it continues to order and arrange supply of vehicles from overseas as freight ships are still able to enter the country. It says domestic delivery will commence from April 28 or when local Toyota stores are able to receive vehicles under the different alert levels.