Some auto dealerships in Billings are making it easier for customers to purchase vehicles by eliminating the first few months of payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Austin Saylor, general manager of Lithia Dodge in Billings, says that the company has taken an approach aimed at convenience for customers, while also avoiding them coming into the dealership to buy cars.
The dealer has videos posted online where customers can take a virtual tour of vehicles. Customers can also schedule remote test drives where a vehicle is dropped off at the customer's location and completely sanitized before being driven.
“I would say the majority of the whole transaction, the customer hasn’t even come into the dealership,” says Saylor.
Lithia Dodge has implemented new payment programs that push payments back for up to six months on new vehicles, allowing buyers to avoid that initial hit to their wallets during the pandemic.
“The best thing that has come out of this, is the dealer, the manufacturer, and the banks coming together to push those payments,” says Saylor.
If any families who need vehicles have been affected financially by COVID-19, they should ask their local dealers about payment plans and options, along with their lenders.
