Swedish car manufacturer Volvo is working on a new digital ecosystem that focuses on bringing car services to customers through third-party service providers. Volvo's new platform will allow car owners to remotely request for fuel, car wash, and other car services. Simply called as the Volvo Concierge Services, it aims to help Volvo cars owners request for typical services easily.
The key component of the Volvo Concierge Services is a digital key which is one-time-use, location- and time-specific that allows third-party services to access a specific vehicle. This is a revolutionary new feature as it allows third-party service providers to easily access the car without compromising the security of the car. It also helps owners with the ability to set up certain services without the need to spend time with mechanics.
In an interview with The Verge, Volvo Cars USA chief executive officer Lex Kerssemakers said, "It's all about convenience. It's all under the heading 'make life less complicated.' That's our mission. We won't talk about the business model yet, we'll talk about that later. But does it work? We'll see."
Volvo will be launching its digital concierge program in the Bay Area. According to TechnoBuffalo, it will be a limited launch as it supports only 300 owners of the Volvo XC90 and Volvo S90 cars. Volvo is optimistic about this trial run and promises that the service will be expanded if it is successful.
All these digital third-party service providers are already existing. What Volvo did is merge all the different services together into a single app. This means that rather than downloading a different app for fueling, car wash, and valet parking, Volvo made it easier by making all these services accessible in a single app. Moreover, Volvo will be handling all the billing and payment to service providers, which means that customers will be getting a streamlined digital experience.