Luca, what kind of interest are you currently seeing from customers in electric cars?
We’ve seen a very large increase in general interest in our company over the last few months. Especially since the VW ID.3 has been available, customers are asking more and more questions about electric mobility. And this trend has increased even further with the launch of the VW ID.4. We’re currently getting a lot of enquiries about the VW ID.4 GTX because of its four-wheel drive. But lots of people just come by to take a test drive and have their first experience of an electric car.
What proportion of customers come to you with the intention of buying an electric car?
Some 15 per cent of the cars we’ve sold this year have been fully electric. Most of the customers who buy an electric car came to us having already decided on electric. They’re convinced about electric mobility and have just been waiting for a model that suits them, like the VW ID.4. Many of our customers are able to make the switch because they own a house and have no problem charging their car at home. This is definitely a big advantage when it comes to buying an electric car.
Do the customers who come to you already have the information they need, or do they still need a lot of advice?
People who want to buy an electric car are generally already very well prepared, and have spent time studying the information in advance. The conversation always comes back around to the topics of range and charging situation, however. These are the two issues that concern everyone who buys an electric car. It’s especially important to clarify the charging situation, and here we recommend consulting the Elli web shop or an electrician who’s already familiar with the situation in the building. But customers are also concerned about servicing and electricity costs, or about planning in the charging stops needed on a long trip, to southern Italy for example.
What are customers’ biggest reservations when it comes to electric mobility?
Many are extremely interested in electric cars but say it’s still too early for them to actually buy one. Or they’re not yet quite convinced by the technology. Others are put off by the shorter range or the higher price compared with a car with a combustion engine. Business customers have fewer reservations, as they are also able to advertise and make a statement with an electric car.
Is there actually an electric car for every customer?
Basically, yes. But of course, those who park their car on the street at home and have no charging facilities at work – or don’t travel to the office by car at all – these really do need to think twice. We then carry out a needs assessment and analyse the driving profile. After all, we want to sell the customer the car they need, and which makes sense for them.
What does it mean for a garage business like Küry Automobile AG when more and more electric cars are sold?
We need to train employees in electric mobility, and we also have to invest in new equipment for doing the servicing work. There’s less work in the workshop because electric cars are easier to maintain. We’ll definitely gain new customers who come to us because they’re convinced about Volkswagen products.
