Have you ever walking through the mall and saw new vehicles on display? With the popularity of the new car shows, it is becoming a more common occurrence to see vehicles being displayed in public, in addition to classic or collector vehicles.
How do they get cars into the mall, and why would you want to? In this guide, I describe how these vehicles get into the mall. I also describe why people put cars on display in the mall.
How Do They Get Cars into the Mall?
Dealers bring cars into the mall by driving them in, but cars do not use the doors where you enter. There are larger doors for bulky, large items (such as cars) that can be opened for this purpose.
In some instances, they can also use the normal doors, given they can be opened wide using special hinges.
Upon first glance, you may not identify the doors with the special hinges, which allow the door to open wider.
Only a few select people in the mall have the authorization to open the doors to allow the cars to enter. Once they are in, the doors are closed and locked up.
Once they are inside, the car can drive slowly down the aisles until it reaches the proper location. The person driving the car does not normally work for the mall – the dealership will send an employee or staff to perform this service.
This is only done when the mall is closed. With this in mind, on one day, you could visit the mall and not see any cars, and then return the following morning and see an entire new display.
Why are Cars on Display at Malls?
#1. Share New Models.
People generally wait patiently for the newest releases of vehicles but few travel to see the release at their local dealership.
To help people see what’s available, the automobile manufacturers will place some of their top vehicles in local malls, so people can see and sit in them.
Automakers want to get people in the newest vehicles as soon as they get into dealerships, so placing some in the mall is a no-brainer.
The only issue with seeing a car in this manner is you will not be able to test drive the vehicle. If you are interested in the vehicle, you will have to travel to one of the local dealerships.
Automakers will place some futuristic or concept models in the mall, to get a sense of what the public thinks about the new design.
There might even be a spokesperson there getting feedback based on the model before they really decide whether or not they want to build it.
#2. Highlight Latest Features.
Even if the design of the vehicle is unchanged for the model year, the specs in the vehicle may have changed. When this happens, the dealer wants to get your attention about the specs, and the best way to do that is to let you look at it and handle it.
The vehicle may not just be at the mall; there may also be displays of the latest tech capabilities and safety improvements, along with a related demonstration to help understand how they work.
If a dealership representative is at the mall, you may even get an opportunity to ask additional questions about the tech. The goal at the end of the day is that you see these awesome features, and then want to have the newest model and run over to your dealership.
#3. Encourage a No-Stress Shopping Environment.
Shopping for a car from a dealership can be tough to do by yourself. Salespeople are paid on commission and will be competing against one another to make the sale. Most people try to avoid that kind of shopping situation whenever possible.
To counter that, dealerships will allow you to look the car over at the mall, where there’s no pressure. If you want to sit and look at the car for thirty minutes, then no one will bother you.
You can also sit inside the car and enjoy the view for as long as you want. From this point, you may go to a dealership if you want to look at a few more things, but you are not obliged to do so and may simply walk away.
#4. Special Partnerships/Contests.
The mall will team up with car dealerships to run special events where you may see a vehicle on display for the event.
The dealership will ask if you would like to enter a contest for a chance to win something from the dealership, and in exchange the dealership now has your contact information to follow up.
It is up to you to think through this as you enter the contest. If it is a nationwide contest, your chances of winning drop quickly, so please make sure to read the fine print before entering.
You next will have to determine for yourself if the prize is worth the calls and emails you will receive from the dealership, with many calls being high pressure.
#5. Car Shows.
Occasionally, malls have special car events. Sold through local clubs, or even the event event coordinator.
At these events, you’ll see a certain car, a Jeep event for example with a local group, or a broader event classic car show.
Sometimes at a car show you can find a vendor set up in the mall selling stuff for the event. Also, when there are private vehicle are in the mall the owners are usually there.
With the owner there you may even be able to ask any questions you have about it. For example, you may wonder an engine upgrade was made.
Always take a camera or your phone, so it’s ready and you can take pictures quickly. Sometimes there will also be some famous people or performances.