[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

iPads Speed Up BMW Lease Return Process, Making Happier Customers

11
COMMENTS

Tweet

In yet another example of how the Apple iPad is changing the world of business and retail, Autonews has an interesting article on how the iPad has and will soon likely speed up the lease return process at BMW dealerships throughout the country - something which will make the experience more pleasant for customers and more efficient for dealers.

The iPad lease return pilot program is currently in place at sixteen dealerships. According to BMWFS, the results so far have been encouraging and makes it more likely that the program will be expanded. What are the main benefits? "We're seeing certainly a quicker process, and we're also seeing a much more transparent process," said Shaun Bugbee, vice president of sales and marketing for BMW Financial Services.

Norm McLeod, lease-end director for one of the pilot dealerships which sees very heavy lease volumes, South Bay BMW in Torrance, Calif., said customers like the iPad program because they can walk around the vehicle at the same time it's being inspected and because they can see what information is being entered.

"We love it," McLeod said. Of course they would, as South Bay BMW takes in 125 to 130 off-lease vehicles in a slow month, says McLeod, and 215 to 220 in the busy summer months. Especially at month-end, any improvement in the lease return process is a big deal in terms of time, efficiency and customer satisfaction, he said.

According to a recent internal survey by BMW Financial of off-lease customers, customer satisfaction scores with the lease-end process improved on average for all U.S. BMW dealerships, but the original five pilot stores improved twice as much as the average.

Why is this important for BMW? Leases accounted for 44% of BMW's retail volume in February, compared with an industry average of 26 percent, according to the data. For a company whose sales consists of such a high proportion of leases, any improvement to the process will drive up customer satisfaction, which in turn will keep the same happy customers leasing BMW vehicles.

[CarForHire]

I just got an Ipad 2 too!

[Jason]

Originally Posted by CarForHire

I just got an Ipad 2 too!

These are iPads that the dealerships already have in place. The customer does not need to bring their own.

[powermanphil]

Yeah I don't see the big deal. I'm reading this from my iPad 2. I love my iPad and my Bimmer.
But this seems pretty weak for news, hopefully others find it interesting, personally I didn't.

[Coni]

Anyone care to explain exactly HOW the iPad is making returns quicker? Or how the customer's can walk around the car with the iPad? Either i'm having a large brain fart, or this article has a massive hole where the explanation part should be.

[Diver]

When can I use th iPad to tune my N55?

[bmwdinamo]

Originally Posted by Coni

Anyone care to explain exactly HOW the iPad is making returns quicker? Or how the customer's can walk around the car with the iPad? Either i'm having a large brain fart, or this article has a massive hole where the explanation part should be.

I'm with u on that... Doesn't mention at all how the process works with am iPad

[MCMLXXXIX]

yea I dont get it either...

[CarForHire]

Originally Posted by Jason

These are iPads that the dealerships already have in place. The customer does not need to bring their own.

Oh I see. I should of read it all from the beginning. Thank you.

[djr]

I'd be interested to see how well the app is designed. Since I create iPad apps all day long.

[powermanphil]

Originally Posted by fingoware

I'd be interested to see how well the app is designed. Since I create iPad apps all day long.

Care to share what iPad apps you've developed? I'm interested in anything related to iOS development!

[BruceJ]

Originally Posted by Diver

When can I use th iPad to tune my N55?

I want an App that turns my Si into an M!!!!!!