There are soft drinks vending machines, snacks vending machines, even crab vending machines and many more, but have you heard of a car vending machine?
This is not a joke because China now has got the first ever car vending machine in the world!
China is known as the powerhouse economy for the world as most of the top companies and businesses open branches in China.
According to SAYS, e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba Group and US car maker Ford have teamed up to open a cat-themed car vending machine in Guangzhou, China.
The two companies launched this massive machine after they signing a partnership deal in December, 2017.
Image via CNET
Alibaba’s news site, Alizila explained that the Super Test-Drive Centre offers test drive experiences for potential buyers in a period of three days and allow them to choose over 100 Ford cars, including the Explorer SUV, Mustang, Edge and Everest models.
The car vending machine does not have any staff working in it and it is about five-storey tall which houses up to 42 cars and only works with the Tmall app.
Image via China Daily Blog
Alibaba’s Tmall explained that the concept of this vending machine is to make “buying cars as easy as buying a can of Coke”.
So, here comes the part where most of the readers would be interested in; how to set up a test drive.
Firstly, users select a car model through Tmall app, schedule a test drive, and snap a selfie which is used for verification of identity.
Image via SAYS.com
Then, after the users arrive at the centre, they can pick up the car for a test drive after verifying their identity through a facial-recognition machine.
Users are allowed to keep the vehicle for a three-day test drive. If they like the car, they can buy it with a 10 percent down payment and financing through Alibaba affiliates.
Image via SAYS.com
If you are an Alibaba Super Member or has a Zhima credit score of 700 score and above, then congratulations to you as you will get the 3 days test drive for FREE!
If you are not a fan of Ford, worries not as Alibaba recently announced partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, BMW, Audi, and Volvo too.
So, you will get to test drive all these cars and ultimately purchase them soon.
To everyone in China, we are super jealous of you right now for that amazing vending machine.
This is definitely the dopest thing ever! Imagine test driving and buying cars without hassle.
Written by: Chan Suet Yee
