SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING PERSONALIZED DEALERSHIP SERVICE

• US 20150032640A1
• Filed: 07/23/2013
• Published: 01/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Esselink, Chad Evert, Hentschel, Jeffrey Lee, Boes, Chad Christopher, Shaffer, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US13/948,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20150032640A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/304
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales

Abstract

A method includes managing a customer database for an automobile dealership, identifying a customer in the database when a vehicle of the customer enters in proximity of the automobile dealership, and providing information to the customer that is personalized to the customer.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

managing a customer database for an automobile dealership;

identifying a customer in the database when a vehicle of the customer enters in proximity of the automobile dealership; and

providing information to the customer that is personalized to the customer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity of the vehicle is determined with respect to the dealership via the steps of:

establishing communication between the vehicle and a computer located at the dealership; and

obtaining a position of the vehicle via a global positioning system (GPS) that is positioned in the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of establishing communication further comprises establishing communication via at least one of a WiFi system, an embedded modem in the vehicle, a cell phone in the vehicle, and a dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, when the vehicle is identified as within the proximity of the dealership, the method further comprises sending a notification to at least one of a service representative and a sales representative of the dealership.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the information to the customer further comprises providing the information via at least one of:

an audio message on a sound system within the vehicle;

an audio message on a cell phone within the vehicle;

text to a visual system within the vehicle; and

text to the cell phone.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the personalized information sent to the customer comprises at least one of:

a welcome back message;

information related to a past vehicle purchase; and

information related to a past service experience.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the personalized information sent to the customer comprises information related to a previously scheduled appointment.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the previously scheduled appointment is a sales appointment.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the previously scheduled appointment is a service appointment, and wherein the personalized information sent to the customer comprises at least one of:

details of the scheduled service appointment;

instructions where to park the vehicle;

instructions where to drop keys;

instructions where a replacement vehicle is positioned; and

access information for the replacement vehicle.

10. A system for managing an automobile dealership customer relationship, comprising:

a customer database; and

a computer programmed to;

identify a vehicle when the vehicle enters in proximity to a dealership;

access the database and identify a customer that is affiliated with the identified vehicle; and

send information to a computer within the vehicle that is personalized to the customer.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the computer is further programmed to:

establish communication with the vehicle via at least one of a WiFi system, an embedded modem in the vehicle, a cell phone in the vehicle, and a dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) system; and

obtain a position of the vehicle via a global positioning system (GPS) that is positioned in the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein, once the computer identifies the vehicle in proximity to the dealership, the computer is further programmed to send a notification to at least one of a service representative and a sales representative of the dealership.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the computer is further programmed to send the information to include at least one of:

a welcome back message;

information related to a past vehicle purchase; and

information related to a past service experience.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the information personalized to the customer is related to a previously scheduled appointment that is one of a sales appointment and a service appointment.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein, when the previously scheduled appointment is a service appointment, the computer is further programmed to provide at least one of:

details of the scheduled service appointment;

instructions where to park the vehicle;

instructions where to drop keys;

instructions where a replacement vehicle is positioned; and

access information for the replacement vehicle.

16. An automobile dealership comprising:

a facility that provides automobile dealership services;

a customer database; and

a computer programmed to;

identify a vehicle when it enters in proximity to the facility;

access the database and identify a customer that is affiliated with the vehicle; and

send information to a computer within the vehicle that is personalized to the customer.

17. The dealership of claim 16, wherein the proximity of the automobile is defined as a fixed distance from the dealership that is delineated by a boundary that surrounds the dealership.

18. The dealership of claim 16, wherein the computer is further programmed to:

establish communication between the vehicle and the computer; and

determine a position of the vehicle via a global positioning system (GPS) that is positioned in the vehicle and via a computer within the vehicle.

19. The dealership of claim 18, wherein the information personalized to the customer is related to a previously scheduled appointment that is one of a sales appointment and a service appointment.

20. The dealership of claim 19, wherein, when the previously scheduled appointment is a service appointment, the computer is further programmed to provide at least one of:

details of the scheduled service appointment;

instructions where to park the vehicle;

instructions where to drop keys;

instructions where a replacement vehicle is positioned; and

access information for the replacement vehicle.