Looking for technology that gives you the power to access a world of information at your fingertips? Look no further than Quick Response (QR) Codes.
Information sharing has never been as seamless as it is today, thanks to the ingenious technology of QR Codes and the simplicity of a scan.
These codes transcend far beyond what their creators imagined. While originally developed for automotive manufacturing, QR Codes for small businesses and major enterprises have become prevalent across multiple industries, including healthcare, hospitality, retail, marketing, and education.
Within the automotive industry, they’ve also become popular beyond manufacturing, with car manufacturers now using them to enhance customers’ experiences.
Read on as we explore how QR Codes revolutionize the automotive industry.
How have QR Codes emerged in the automotive field?
QR Codes were originally developed for the automotive field. Denso Wave, an auto parts manufacturer linked with Toyota, developed QR Codes in 1995 to improve the company’s inventory management.
Toyota originally used one-dimensional (1D) codes, which proved to be inefficient, causing backups in their system. QR Codes boosted efficiency, as they could be read up to 10 times faster than 1D barcodes and contained more information. This allowed the company to manage complex automotive logistics seamlessly.
Because of their success in the automotive field, other industries, like food and pharmaceutical, adopted them to enhance product traceability. The invention of the smartphone saw them become popular in advertising and marketing campaigns, as people could use their cameras to access a wealth of information.
Since their invention, QR Codes have moved from simply being tracking tools in manufacturing centers to being convenience-enhancing tools. Today, you can find them everywhere, from service centers to car dealerships.
Benefits of QR Codes for automotive customer experience
QR Codes improve customer experiences in the automobile industry by making it easier for buyers to access vehicle features, reviews, prices, and other details through their mobile phones. Gone are the days when you needed to read lengthy car manuals or endlessly consult dealership staff to get the information you need to buy a vehicle.
Let’s take a closer look at how QR Codes improve the automotive customer experience.
Easy-to-read vehicle information
QR Codes provide instant access to vital vehicle information like make, model, year, warranty, maintenance schedule, and features. You only need to scan a vehicle’s embedded code with your smartphone camera to access such data. This eliminates the need for bulky manuals and endless page-flipping.
Car manufacturers prove that you can use these codes for virtually anything. Mercedes-Benz uses them to direct customers to web pages containing their product reviews, while Cadillac uses them to offer detailed product information.
Streamlined service check-ins
QR Codes improve service check-ins by allowing clients to book appointments seamlessly online. Vehicle owners can scan the codes to access booking pages and choose their desired appointment times. The information reaches vehicle service teams in real-time, allowing them to make the necessary plans to accommodate car owners.
QR Codes also provide information on vehicles’ service histories. Accessing these records allows owners to schedule maintenance appointments appropriately.
Virtual tours, pricing details, and vehicle features
Some car manufacturers and dealerships do more than just link QR Codes to written content. QR Codes can connect to virtually anything, including social media pages and videos.
This allows manufacturers to provide virtual tours, detailed vehicle descriptions, and pricing information in video form. Potential customers who enjoy visual content can fully immerse themselves in the vehicles they show interest in.
More personalized services or content
You can include QR Codes as part of a targeted marketing strategy to give potential customers access to limited-time promotions or discounts. They can also provide potential buyers with financing plans and enroll them in loyalty programs that provide discounts for future purchases. This is convenient for vehicle buyers and sellers.
Easier access to roadside assistance
Some roadside assistance service providers use QR Code stickers to make it easy for drivers to reach them in emergencies. You can call or message your service provider, even when you don’t have their contact information, by scanning the designated code.
Manufacturers like Cadillac have also integrated voice assistants like Amazon Alexa into their vehicles through QR Codes. To activate your voice assistant, you only need to scan the QR Code displayed on your vehicle. Integration with voice assistant technology can provide peace of mind in emergencies as you can easily call for help.
Using QR Codes for automotive sales and marketing: 5 use cases
Most manufacturers and car dealerships today run QR Code campaigns to improve their operations. These campaigns can boost sales and marketing by streamlining inventory management and improving customer experiences.
Here are just a few of the common QR Code use cases for the auto sales and marketing industries.
1. Optimize inventory management and parts tracking
This is one of the main reasons QR Codes were invented. They facilitate efficient parts tracking, allowing manufacturers to keep an eye on their inventory.
Warehouse employees use their smartphones or tablets to scan parts that come in and leave their premises. This helps prevent unexpected stockouts, allowing them to meet customer demands.
2. Enhance operations and maintenance processes
QR Codes also enhance manufacturing processes. Manufacturers embed distinct codes on vehicle components to facilitate efficient assembly—employees scan components’ codes to determine their intended vehicles, limiting the risk of errors.
QR Codes also improve maintenance processes by enabling service providers to identify and order the right components for their clients’ vehicles. They also provide digital manuals, allowing maintenance teams to diagnose and fix issues more effectively.
3. Provide detailed vehicle information in showrooms
QR Codes provide vital vehicle information in showrooms to improve the sale process. Showrooms can embed information like a vehicle’s engine type, fuel efficiency, safety features, warranty details, and recommended maintenance schedule into their QR Codes.
Providing this information through vehicle QR Codes allows potential buyers to browse showroom collections at their convenience. It also limits the need to explain every single detail to customers, which reduces the risk of making mistakes that could affect a showroom’s image or cause buyers to invest in cars that don’t meet their expectations.
4. Simplify automotive service check-ins
Convenience is at the core of QR Codes. When scanned, they allow customers to book service appointments online and view vital information, like the items they’re required to carry on their scheduled date.
They also facilitate contactless check-ins—rather than fill out physical paperwork, customers can scan check-in codes when they arrive at their service centers to speed up the process. Providing this level of convenience can boost client loyalty and secure future sales.
QR Codes also streamline service check-ins by making it easy for service centers to access vehicle information. Employees can get details on a vehicle’s warranty and maintenance history by scanning its QR Code, eliminating the need to ask clients too many questions.
5. Create interactive marketing materials
QR Codes make it easy for customers to access interactive marketing materials like car configurators. Car configurators are popular for potential buyers to build their own vehicles. When customers scan the designated QR Code, they can choose the features, colors, and accessories of their dream cars.
Creating such personalized experiences can boost sales. It can also allow manufacturers to collect vital information, like the most popular vehicle features, to help make well-informed manufacturing decisions.
How Bitly can help your automotive business generate QR Codes
At Bitly, we help businesses of all sizes, from large companies to small retailers, create reliable QR Codes. You can use QR Codes to create personalized offerings, boost customer engagement, and provide vital business and personal information like your vehicle inventory and business phone number. The possibilities are limitless.
Here’s how you can make QR Codes with Bitly.
Customizable QR Codes for branding
Bitly’s QR Code generator allows you to customize your QR Code to align with your business. Your codes can match your business’s colors, include your logo, and feature unique frames and patterns to make it easy for customers to differentiate your QR Codes from competitors in promotional materials.
Creating custom QR Codes can also enhance your vehicles’ and showroom’s visual appeal, improving your brand image.
Trackable QR Codes for marketing insights
At Bitly, we do more than just allow you to create custom QR Codes. We support our clients throughout their QR Code campaigns by providing insights into the number of scans they receive. This can help you determine your marketing campaign’s effectiveness and inform future decisions.
Easy integration with marketing campaigns
Our QR Codes can integrate with digital and physical advertising strategies. You can add your QR Codes to digital displays or print them on business cards, flyers, and billboards, depending on your preferences. We provide a unified platform that allows you to assess each channel’s performance. This can help you identify the most effective marketing campaign.
Driving forward with Bitly’s QR Code solutions
QR Codes have undoubtedly revolutionized automotive services. They streamline all processes, from manufacturing to sale, by allowing manufacturers to easily track their products and helping customers access vital vehicle information using their smartphones.
At Bitly, we’re committed to making your processes more efficient and helping you get closer to your customers. Our platform’s intuitive design allows you to customize QR Codes with relative ease.
Ready to create QR Codes for your automotive business? Find the right solution for your business and get started for free!