What is it? Volvo Concierge Services is an experimental — it will be tested on 300 XC90 and S90 customers in San Francisco — connected car technology app that Volvo contends could put an end “time-consuming trips to the gas station, car wash, service and more.”
Why does it matter? Well, firstly, the battle amongst automakers – besides for electric cars and autonomous driving – is to offer as much connectivity as possible, literally rendering the car as the ultimate mobile phone; anything that smacks of electronic mobility is a priority. Furthermore, one of the advantages of the expected electric car revolution is the elimination of remote re-fueling — i.e. the gas station.
Essentially, Volvo’s concierge service emulates that convenience as well as the ability of the future’s self-driving cars to drive themselves to the car wash. During the pilot program, owners will have be able to coordinate remote fuel delivery, dealer-schedule maintenance and valet car cleaning of their vehicle, all via the convenience of a smartphone app. Optimizing the convenience, the car can be returned to where the customer left it or delivered to a completely new location of the customer’s choosing.
When is it coming? Those chosen 300 XC90 and S90 drivers are already experiencing convenient fill-ups and car washes. Once the pilot program is over, Volvo will determine whether it should expand the service to more markets, including Canada.
Should you buy it? If this isn’t a no-brainer then nothing is. Of course, you should buy it. Or, more accurately, buy a top-of-the-line Volvo. You’d never have to drive to a gas station, car wash or service appointment again. As Lex Kerssemakers, president and CEO of Volvo Car USA, says “Volvo Concierge Services will mean that you never have to stand out in the rain to fill your car again.” Who wouldn’t want that?
