Vehicle sales targets slashed in wake of virus outbreak

Automakers and dealers are also trying innovative marketing strategies including online shopping to boost sales and improve after-sales service.

Starting from Monday, BMW is offering live streaming sessions on its Tmall and JD stores where sales people will promote various models.

Mercedes-Benz said on Saturday that its customers can choose cars, pay deposits and have inquiries answered online. Both carmakers are extending service warranties for its customers.

Companies including GAC Motor, WM Motor, BYD and Baojun, have launched online viewings of on-sale vehicles using virtual reality technology.

Customers can view the appearance, color, interior space and power system of their favored models, without stepping out of their homes.

Automakers, joining hands with e-commerce platforms such as Tmall, JD and Suning, are enabling customers to purchase a car at home and enjoy a doorstep delivery service.

Zhejiang Hozon New Energy Automobile Co has launched an exchange and no questions asked return service for seven days from the date of purchase, so as to remove any online customer's doubts or concerns.

Baojun, a marque of China's SAICGM-Wuling Automobile, is using live streaming, virtual reality and augmented reality to allow its products to be showcased to more potential buyers.

Some automakers are also improving manufacturing technologies in a bid to produce more "healthy" vehicles.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group said it will develop vehicles that will have health-related functions. It has made an initial investment of 370 million yuan ($53 million) for the project.

The "all-round healthy vehicles "will be capable of identifying harmful substances from the air outside and cleaning the air inside the car quickly and efficiently, according to the automaker. Chinese electric car startup WM Motor said cars with air purification functions are garnering more customer attention, including its models, the EX5 and the EX6 Plus.

Meanwhile, the epidemic has reminded industry insiders and customers of the development of autonomous driving technology.

To avoid cross-infection, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital is using two robots in epidemic prevention, according to media reports.

Integrated with autonomous driving technology, the robots can independently identify and read maps and working environments, build information bases, plan routes and complete point-to-point delivery of materials. Looking ahead, automakers, tech companies and the government are expected to invest more human and financial resources to develop autonomous driving technology, insiders said.