Owning a dream car is one thing that is probably on everyone’s checklist. While it is just a mode of transportation for many people, having a unique car that stands out in the crowd is a status symbol for others. There are people who consider cars as a personality-defining factor as well. Moreover, the entire process of buying a high-end car is different. From the test drive, to inspecting the interiors, to the sales executive describing the unique features, to getting the delivery, everything has a royal feel to it. Despite the luxury car market blooming in recent years, it does not take away from the fact that a majority of the car market thrives on the money pooled in by the middle-class working population.
Maruti Suzuki India is one such company that has been a trusted name for the Indian middle class. Popular Vehicles & Services, a Maruti Suzuki India dealer, has come up with an interesting innovation – the introduction of India’s first Virtual Reality Auto Showroom.
The Popular VR Experience is designed to give prospective customers a three-dimensional look, feel and feature of their dream car that will give them a glimpse of the futuristic journey. It allows customers to virtually experience any car from within the showroom or from the comfort of their home or office. Customers can inspect vehicles, choose from different models or check out the different colors and understand the new features. The high-resolution 360-degree video will make the customer feel that he/she is sitting in the car.
It offers a user-controlled 360-degree view of the car both from inside as well as outside and even lets the customer take a virtual test drive. By bringing forward this concept, the company aims to provide an opportunity to customers at remote locations to virtually view showrooms and cars, which are otherwise available only in the main cities.
“This is an effort in bringing technology at a cost-effective stand point to our customers.We have chosen four cars and are giving them an experience to view different colour options, while getting a description of the cars features. The viewer can navigate to the interior and even go for a test drive at a scenic spot in Kerala,” says Paul K. John, MD of Popular Vehicles and Services.
This project has been initiated by Mr. John and is developed by VRnxt, founded by Varun Priyan of virtual reality or augmented reality (VR/AR). The product that works on a mobile application was first launched at Lulu Mall in Kochi. The organisers say they are getting a good response from the public since then as this is the first-of-its-kind in the automotive sector.
