The other day I registered with Second Life, the 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents. The reason why I joined is primarily because of Ask Patty which recently established itself in the 3-D virtual world by launching a store on Pontiac Morati Island. I did not find my way there last night during my first plunge because I spent my time learning to move around and communicate, and FLYING!

The system brings to mind things like Ai-Dealer which produced a virtual buying assistant for auto dealers (see previous post for more information about that). In some ways, especially for those not savvy on the Net, a 3-D world like Second Life might seem juvenile and useless. But I suspect that as our society continues on the paths of deeper and richer virtual experiences, Second Life will become a player, if not a major player, in the automotive marketplace. With businesses, such as GM, Toyota, and Ask Patty, establishing storefronts in the 3-D world, other businesses are sure to follow suit and before you know it an entire industry is suddenly a force to be reckoned with.

Read more about this on the original post on my blog.

See you in the Second Life.

I've heard the new Scion vehicles are available to purchase on second life also.

__________________
"What a dealer needs is a web site that can convert traffic into leads" Jeff Kershner, Internet Sales Manager, Mercedes Benz of Hagerstown. Digital Dealer May 2007.

How long before we see car dealers setting up shop? haha

I thin the first major step will be for the manufacturers to provide OEM-spec virtual vehicles for user avatars to actually drive. Imagine having the ability to test drive vehicles built to spec (virtually). That would be something actually fun and useful in SL.

As Ryan pointed out, my company Ai-Dealer has built a shopping cart system for a car dealer to power its online sales efforts.

As we delve deeper into the whole Web 2.0, virtual worlds and even our own Artificial Intelligence, we are considering:

• A virtual online car dealership stocking every major brand of automobile.
• An Artificially Intelligent avatar able to answer any and all questions that a consumer may have without resorting to the much maligned "If I could, would you?" or "What would it take to earn your business today?"
• Virtual test drives
• And then of course we already have the shopping cart system to allow the avatars to help their human masters buy what they want.

Who knows, maybe the dealers would even have a two for one special?

Buy one car in Second Life, get one in the real world for free?

Or maybe that should be the other way around since my guess is that it will be a while until dealerships take Linden Dollars as currency.

Funny you should say that because I have considered that too. Picture this...

Shopper has been doing his homework for a used car and determines that 2004-2006 BMW 325i is the object of his affection. He locates 3 dealers within 100 miles of his proximity that have them in stock. He has never driven one, but one of the dealer is offering virtual test drives of this vehicle in Second Life. The dealer's site provides a registration process so that if the shopper is not a registered SL user he can enter the virtual world with little hassle. Shopper goes on SL and test drives a few cars. Decides he still wants the BMW 325i in that year range. Shopper shuts down computer and goes out to dinner.

During dinner, shopper receives text message thanking him for the test drive and suggesting he check his email later. He does so when he returns home that evening.

The email includes a special offer, assigns him a "dealer concierge", and urges him to make an appointment to visit the dealership. Email also includes links to high-definition displays of 3 BMW 3-Series in his price range. He looks at them and notices he can purchase one online right this instant and apply his $500 discount coupon too. Plus, he has a 10 day no questions asked money back guarantee on the car if he changes his mind.

Shopper reasons that he knows what he wants, he established emotional connection in SL, has an incentive to purchase and no risk. Plus he is impressed with the automated sales process of the dealership.

Shopper becomes buyer.

Now I realize this a fairy-tale depiction, but we have to start somewhere.

Ryan from AutoConversion.net