HANGZHOU: Geely Auto adds a new twist to social distancing in using drones for contactless home delivery of car keys to customers.
Only select locations in China will benefit from this service for now.
All confirmed orders and confirmed leads are sent to local dealers who process orders and begin the home delivery process for those who choose the option.
Geely Auto said each vehicle is disinfected by the dealership before it is delivered to the customer on a flatbed carrier. A drone then passes the key to the customer at his home or workplace.
Geely Auto launched its own proprietary online sales system on Feb 10, which offered consumers a one-stop solution for ordering online that included the modification of vehicle specifications, online financing and insurance as well as the option for contactless home delivery.
Since the platform was launched, over 10,000 consumers have ordered and paid for vehicles on Geely’s online mall with a further 110,000 users registering their interest to buy a Geely vehicle in the short term.
“Geely Auto’s ability to adapt to market requirements and consumer concerns is the driving force behind its continued success in the Chinese market," said Geely Auto's sales vice-president Victor Yang.
For your information, the compact SUV shown in the video is the Geely ICON, which was launched only last month. It's also built to fight bacteria and viruses, as it is equipped with N95-certified smart air purifying system that works in tandem with the ICON’s air conditioner to isolate and eliminate harmful elements in the cabin air including bacteria and viruses.
It is the first in its segment to make use of 48V mild hybrid technology that bring fuel consumption down to new lows of 5.7 litres per 100km. The 48V system is paired with Geely Auto’s leading 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that offers 174hp of power and 255Nm of torque in base form. The addition of the 48V system provides a further 13hp of power and 45Nm of torque giving a total of 188hp and 300Nm of torque. The Icon also uses a 7-speed dual clutch transmission to enable it to sprint from 0-100kph in 7.9 seconds.
