SKODA is driving forward the future of small fleet management with Skoda Live Tour.

That’s nothing to do with the brand’s sponsorship of cycling, in case you were wondering, rather it’s Skoda’s first digital showroom. Business customers now have access to Skoda’s virtual showroom to view new models in 360 degree high-res detail before they decide to lease or purchase.

Skoda believes that Skoda Live Tour offers a real alternative for directors involved in the leasing or acquisition of company cars: it’s an easy to access online experience for both the company car manager and the user chooser company car driver to traditional, time-consuming brochure-led research methods.

Accessed via Skoda’s website the Skoda Live Tour offers a one-way live video stream to an experienced Skoda fleet product host who uses a mix of smartphone and static cameras to showcase Skoda’s model range in detail and answer questions in real-time around important factors such as company car tax and p11d values.

Skoda Live Tour customers first to see new Karoq

In a first for the brand, Skoda will use the Live Tour to exclusively unveil the all-new Karoq SUV to business customers during November – some two months ahead of the SUV arriving in showrooms in January – allowing businesses a real-time tour of the vehicle online.

Skoda’s seven-seat Kodiaq SUV and the Octavia vRS are currently available alongside Karoq to view in the Live Tour digital showroom. Vehicles in the Live Tour are regularly rotated so there’s an opportunity to see the latest Skoda models to consider for business car leasing.

Head of fleet Henry Williams said:

“Unveiling a newly launched vehicle through a digital showroom is not only a first for Skoda but a first in the UK fleet industry.

“Karoq will be Skoda’s most connected car to date, perfect for company car drivers, and we are excited to give customers a first-look at the stylish new vehicle ahead of its official launch.

“It will be an ideal opportunity for interested parties to view the car, find out the information they need, and place orders to be among the first to have the vehicle in the new year.”

The compact SUV is set to be an attractive option for small businesses and SME small fleets to lease. It is well equipped and packed with safety and comfort features. There are four engine options – two TSI petrol engines and two TDI diesel both with outputs of 115PS and 150PS with prices starting from £20,660.

Henry Williams adds: “In order to keep pace in the fleet sector it’s essential that we adapt to match people’s buying habits with more and more people turning to online research before deciding to purchase.

“The ability to tour a newly launched vehicle online with an expert product host to support you will help potential business customers save precious time, whilst still conveying all the product and finance information they need to know.”

Skoda Karoq will be placed in the Live Tour until Wednesday, November 29. Company car managers at SME small fleets can request a one-to-one tour appointment by contacting the fleet sales team directly at www.skoda.co.uk/fleet or watch the Live Tour in action on the Skoda UK Facebook page between 10am – 10pm.