Google Android Auto: What It Means For Your Dealership

Yesterday Google revealed “Android Auto ” its latest play in the connected car game. The new android-based screen-casting feature connects your smartphone directly to your in-car infotainment system creating a unified in-car experience.

Smartphones are proving to be the center point from which in-car connected experience will emerge, by utilizing the technology and software on our digital devices many consumer and automotive advantage are created.

Up to Date and Constantly Connected:

With Android Auto residing on the users smartphone, app updates made on the phone will automatically correlate to the in-car system. This means the consumer will have the exact same experience with “Spotify” on their phone as they have in their car. The days of buying upgraded maps for your navigation system and choosing which music is good enough to make it on your in-car audio storage system are all but gone. The ability to update apps is also a plus for developers. Third parties are able to hook into the Android Auto SDK and update apps and integration allowing them to create custom car app experiences as well.

Seamless, Simple:

Creating a seamless experience between devices is an essential part of the digital ecosystem. The consumer now expects their mobile experience to flow seamlessly between devices and Google has definitely taken notice. Google’s takeover of the digital dashboard is gaining speed now having over 40 partners and counting lined up for its “Open Automotive Alliance.” Having a similar infotainment system in a wide range of vehicles poses many questions for the future of automotive branding and diff... but one thing is for sure, in-car connectivity is here and its evolving fast.

What This Means For My Dealership

Dealership apps are becoming more and more widespread in the market with each passing week. With the addition of Android Auto, providing a seamless connection between your dealership and your customers becomes even simpler.

Having a mobile app present on a customers phone will provide you with a direct link to their in-car infotainment system, giving you a limitless amount of opportunities to connect with them.

On Screen Marketing

A consumers digital dashboard is yet another screen you can now use to advertise, market and provide dealership value.

Sales, special offers and more are now able to be shown to the consumer in a format they are familiar with as well as a medium which requires very little cost on your end.

Suggestion Marketing

Using technologies including Location Targeting will allow dealerships to interact with customers at precise moments utilizing in-car mediums to influence decision making.

- Ex. A customer’s oil needs to be changed. Your dealership will be able to notify the customer via their in car screen as well as use the cars steering wheel vibration functionality to warm them, even automatically load Google maps to direct them back to you.

Voice Commands:

Service scheduling, inventory updates and more are now just a voice command away

Dealership search takes a new turn:
- Voice search means the way in which your dealership comes up on mobile search will be more influential to creating in-vehicle driver actions moving forward.