Its business leaders say digital expertise is critical to maintaining close relationships with customers as buying habits change in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, particularly when it comes to meeting growing demand for online sales.

Peter Brown (pictured), chief executive officer of drivvn, said: “I am delighted to be leading a new era in automotive retailing with the launch of drivvn.

“Our expertise in creating platforms that provide a seamless link between the digital and the retailer experience will accelerate the revolution in car retailing to deliver customer journeys that generate sales.

“By enabling close working relationships and rapid communication between automotive manufacturers and their retail networks, we create a hub that delivers success based on customer satisfaction.”

The team behind drivvn already has a wealth of experience in the launch of ground-breaking digital programmes; the business is a sister company to Summit, the global changemaker in online retailing that has spent two decades delivering innovation for leading brands including Argos, Joules and Reckitt Benckiser.

drivvn has been created from Summit’s automotive division to establish a market-leading stand-alone business that specialises in transforming digital journeys in the multi-billion-pound automotive market.

The new business retains an impressive array of Summit’s global automotive clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, Inchcape, PSA Group and Toyota.

Its services have also powered the digital sales journey for the radical Citroen AMI, which won global acclaim when it was launched this year.

Brown has a wealth of experience in the development of ‘invisible journeys’, where customers are guided through the sales process without experiencing any barriers or having to repeat key stages, such as re-entering their details or setting out their preferences.

He added: “We are empowering our clients to embrace e-commerce, as customers now expect and demand a great digital experience when sourcing a new car, as well as exceptional personal service.

“This means avoiding any barriers and keeping retailers informed, so they can continue a customer’s online journey in the showroom or quickly respond if clients become stuck at any point in the buying process.
“We’re passionate about innovation, so that manufacturers can meet emerging consumer demands, for example by integrating mobility services or vehicle subscription programmes.”

drivvn uses its digital retail platform to power the customer journey across five key phases:

• Know – creating engaging online showrooms where customers can quickly find what they need
• Choose – delivering dynamic product configurators and innovative mobility services
• Buy – providing secure and flexible purchase options including finance and subscription services
• Use – maintaining customer relationships through the customer lifecycle
• Repeat – delivering customer lifetime loyalty with relevant and timely communication to guide future purchase decisions

The new brand is part of tcc global, a leading global retail marketing company founded in 1991.

It runs campaigns in more than 70 countries, operating from offices throughout the world. As one of the biggest players in the loyalty marketing field, it is a global leader in creating campaigns that deliver sustainable sales growth and enhanced brand equity for its clients, including many leading international retailers.

As an international supplier, tcc global works with a diverse range of partners to bring its campaigns to life, including global brands and major FMCG suppliers.