How is coronavirus breakout affecting online car sales?

Updated Mar 24, 2020 | Same topic: COVID-19 Updates

The coronavirus breakout indeed affected a lot of industries in the world. But how did it affect online car sales specifically?

Here is a simple take

Even if the service is online and no contacts are occurring, there are still people behind the screens who can be affected by the Coronavirus. Every worker plays a vital role in a company.

President Duterte orders lockdown of Philippine capital Manila to fight coronavirus outbreak

This worker may be; a sales representative who front lines in the buying and selling of cars, a digital marketer who helps increase the sales, and of course the supplier of cars.

This being said, there may be inefficiency with the workers. What's worse is workers have to be skip work and admit themselves to the local health representatives.

>>> Related: A collection of latest COVID-19 news and updates

A person typing on a laptop

Every worker in the industry is affected, not only the people working in the factory

The buyers of the cars online affect the online car sales big time because rather than looking for what cars they should buy or try out next, they focus on health and safety.

Staying out of home these days is a risk already, how much more interacting with people in the auto industry.

>>> Check out: Metro Manila community quarantine and what it means for travelers

Crisis in the world’s factory

If you haven’t heard it yet, China is known as the world’s factory due to low labor costs, a strong business ecosystem, and many more.

Since China is the ground zero of the coronavirus, the world’s largest manufacturer is affected the most. In short, the supply chain shortage can be felt all over the world.

Workers with the Chinese flag

China plays a big role in the global industry

Imagine buying a deck of cards but is missing one card. In the auto industry, even if you have 99% of the parts but are missing one, then it can’t be declared a roadworthy car – meaning, manufacturers cannot release the cars for mainly safety reasons.

If the epidemic continues to grow, it will cause more impact in the auto industry because many of the parts are made from China.

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Lack of online feed

Have you ever had an episode where you are not hungry but because of a food ad you saw online, you suddenly crave and bought the food? In every ad posted online, there is a good chance that in ten people, one might be interested.

As long as the virus keeps on spreading, more people will see ads or articles related to the coronavirus rather than car ads.

Not everyone who buys cars online intentionally searched for the cars they bought. Some are persuaded by the marketing strategy of an online car company.

>>> Recommended for you: Covid-19 outbreak: How it can affect car buyers and the car industry

MIAS sign in Manila

We have to wait for further announcements

Here in the Philippines, the cancellation of the Manila International Auto Show definitely took a toll on the auto industry. A lot of new cars are introduced and sold on this show.

Since the virus is around, MIAS has to postpone. Cars displayed on the show are marketed unintentionally by approximately 130,000 people posting with the car, creating contents, gaining insights, and even by vlogging.

Without all these things playing in the auto industry, expect more decline in the sales of the industry. Surely, most people will buy cars after the epidemic is over. For now, it really is a compromise.

To stay updated with the lastest car news, visit Philkotse.com

Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rexsanchez09

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