Integrating Your Automotive Dealership into Alexa and Google Assistant
In the automotive industry, there is a raging war. The battle for voice-guided devices is heating up. The top players, Amazon and Google, reported breakthroughs with their voice-controlled infotainment and navigation systems. These leaps and advances in technology prompt dealerships to keep up with the changing needs of the consumer.
Voice-First Technological Advances in the Automotive Industry
a. Amazon Launches Echo Auto
For around $50, car owners can add Alexa to their cars. It is not a complicated process; just plug in a small device to the auxiliary jacks. This device is the Echo Auto.
Echo Auto is Amazon’s answer to Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay in-car information systems. Both systems feature voice-activated commands for functions like listening to music, phone calls, and navigation. With Echo Auto, Drivers can use Alexa to listen to their favorite Ebooks, navigate, stream music, and make calls.
b. Google Expands Relationships
Google’s Android Auto is not new to the market. The device has been around since 2015. At this point, they are only expanding their existing relationships with automotive manufacturers. On September 18, 2018, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi coalition agreed to integrate Android Auto into their cars’ media displays. Drivers of these vehicles will rely on Google Assistant to manage their in-car experience. Later in the same year, Toyota entered into an agreement that will see their vehicles power their displays with Google Assistant.
What Can We Learn from These Developments?
- Your automobile is an essential element in a broader voice-based ecosystem. Your vehicle can integrate into other aspects of your personal life, including your smartphone, personal computer, and smart home. An article by the Wall Street Journal suggested that Google’s ultimate goal is to create a broad ecosystem for its customers. Through the platform, users can effortlessly move their digital lives across different devices. You can say the same about Amazon and Alexa. Amazon’s vice president of Alexa Voice Service, Steve Rabuchin, says, If Voice is going to be everywhere, you want to see it transition from the moment you leave your home when you get into your car, and at your workplace.”
- Your dealership’s sales team need to answer its customers’ queries concerning voice-based systems. You should be able to answer your customers when they ask which voice-first experience options are available to them for select vehicles. You should also be able to explain the features of different systems.
- Your dealership also needs to adapt its digital presence to the voice-first world. One way you can make the transition is by optimizing your website content and apps so that your audience can navigate and discover with voice commands. Another approach is to embed into your website voice-based searches.
Keep Up, Integrate Alexa and Google Assistant into Your Operations
Voice-guided systems will continue to be an integral part of your customer’s lives. According to a study by Pew Research, about half of Americans use digital voice assistants at some point in their daily routine. A substantial number of people operate their devices (phones, home appliances, and computers) through voice commands. Your automotive dealership should be ready to speak the voice of the masses, integrate Alexa and Google Assistant into your operations.
