LNL

Sunday 25 September 2011

Online car customization embraced by Porsche, Ford

Porsche and Ford have become the latest brands to offer customers the chance to pick their dream cars via online configurators.
Brands are increasingly tapping the internet to let customers design their perfect model without even leaving the house.
The trend was originally started by Bentley, which has allowed customers to design their own hand-built luxury models for some time now at bentleyconfigurator.com.

The practice is now becoming commonplace among even everyday brands — Ford announced September 16 that customers could log on to design a Mustang.
Using 3D animation, the Porsche’s tool allows customers to design their cars and view them from an all-round perspective, before ordering directly from a dealer.

Customers can view the exterior and interior from every angle, changing the finishes and adding new equipment before taking a panoramic tour of the model created.
The Mustang site, meanwhile, adds an element of gaming, allowing fans to connect to the site via Facebook and ask people to vote for their designs above others.
Available models include the Mustang V6, GT, Boss 302 and Shelby GT500 — and for those that aren’t purchasing, the result can be downloaded as a desktop wallpaper.
Last year, Ferrari had launched an online configurator for the 599 GTO, ahead of the car’s unveiling at the Beijing Motor Show.
Ford’s Mustang Configurator - Porsche’s Configurator.