Many industries are slowly experiencing the benefits of the metaverse, with one of them being the automobiles sector. Leveraging VR in automobile will allow companies to market their cars in a much more immersive and exciting way.
Metaverse has become the prime topic of discussion in technology and business circles. All industries are using it as a platform to position themselves on the top of the grid to their competitors; automobiles is one of the industries banking on Metaverse technology. The use of the metaverse has started, which is why the automotive market in the metaverse is projected to grow from $1.9 billion in 2022 to $16.5 billion by 2030. One of the primary reasons for automobile makers to go virtual is so that they can cater to the millennials and Gen Z audience. Appealing to this segment requires automobile makers to market their products innovatively. They need to create hype around it, and what’s better than using VR in automobile marketing?
Use of Metaverse in Automobile Marketing
Marketing of a product needs to be such that it is distinguishable from the mainstream form of content. Building brand awareness, reaching out to more customers, and driving sales is also imperative for automakers. This is where VR in automobiles can be utilized for marketing.
1.   Interaction
Potential customers like to explore the cars physically before purchasing them. They research the brand or the vehicle that suits them and test-drive the vehicle before buying it. If they had the power to test-drive it without visiting the dealership, they would not only save time but also get an immersive driving experience without leaving their house. Such applications of VR in automobiles will add to the brand value and novelty, attracting more customers. One such automaker that is leveraging Metaverse in automobiles is MG Motors. They have created a virtual platform called MGverse for customers to test-drive cars and explore their products. This is an innovative way to market themselves and attract potential customers.
2.   Personalization
Personalization is a significant component of making a customer loyal and attached to the brand. The entire experience, from browsing through the different models to asking questions and staying till the shopper makes a purchase, can be personalized. Another aspect that is important is for the customer to decide how much personalization they want in the virtual dealership. Brands integrating their showroom with chatbots will enable potential customers to get their doubts answered beforehand and also offer personalized solutions.
3.   Entertainment
Automakers can also market themselves innovatively by entertaining their customers and prospective customers. They can do this by creating an immersive journey in VR using navigational and car data. One such automaker integrating entertainment and virtual reality is Audi. They are collaborating with Holoride, which converts vehicles into a moving car theme park. Backseat riders can be immersed in a moving theme park, allowing them to break away from the monotonous reality by adding fun elements through VR.
Metaverse is not just a concept now but a reality. Many industries are rushing to utilize the benefits of having a presence in Metaverse. The automotive sector is one such industry. Incorporating VR in automobiles and leveraging the metaverse to market themselves can help to drive sales, and increase brand recall and conversion rate. Through VR in automobiles, customers will be provided with information and knowledge in an immersive and entertaining way. This will enable brands to differentiate themselves from their competitors. The world is advancing, and companies need to adapt to the dynamic nature of the business world. By getting a first-mover advantage and leveraging the metaverse and VR technologies, an organization can place itself in a higher position and enjoy the benefits that come along with it.
