New online shopping system launched by Peugeot

Peugeot has launched a new online ordering system where you can view, configure, buy and have your car delivered from the comfort of your own sofa.

The fully-integrated Order Online by Peugeot platform has been three years in development and follows the likes of Hyundai, which also offers a buy-online option.

Peugeot hopes it will bridge the gap between potentially daunting traditional showrooms and the relaxed atmosphere of home online shopping to create a "connected dealership".

Customers using the Peugeot setup will be able to tailor personalised real-time finance quotes on their chosen model, guarantee a part-ex price on their existing car and have it delivered to their driveway without ever visiting a dealer.

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There's also the option to start the process online, then visit a dealer to continue the transaction using details stored in your My Peugeot account. There's also a click and collect service at any participating dealer which claims to have 98 per cent UK coverage.

Peugeot doesn't expect huge swathes of customers to use the new system from start to finish; initial estimates are arount just 100 cars beind sold through the service a month. However, bosses hope that those numbers will improve in future.

Andrew Baird, head of digital and e-commerce for PSA Peugeot-Citroen UK, said: "Buying hasn't changed for 50 years and it's obvious it will come and everybody will participate. I really think there's going to be a big shift this year and next.

"We think 0.1 per cent might go all the way through but it gives 99 per cent of customers a better experience."

To ensure buyers aren't just ordering cars without realising the implications, they'll have to pay a £250 refundable reservation fee at the final stage when finance documents are sent out. Once these are signed, customers are then protected by the 14-day cooling off period.

Baird added: "There's a big opportunity to connect dealers and take away the barrier between what is there data and our data for the benefit of the customer."

Peugeot is also currently seeing how sister brand DS fares with its customer experience store in Westfield London, as it plans how the future of its own buying process and whether it'll follow suit with high street stores as opposed to out of town forecourts.

Baird added: "We're waiting with baited breath to see how DS performs. Peugeot and Citroen are looking to see how it works."