What does Google Wave mean for the Auto Business?

I’m really, really, really, trying to wrap my head around this as the future. Email, Instant Messaging, real time (character by character) transparent conversation, file sharing. How can car dealers harness this to do business in the future?

The first thought is immediate contact with potential leads. Instead of receiving an email lead, putting together a proposal or form letter, you get a Wave. The Wave “hits” you, for lack of a better term. You are typing as instantly as a phone conversation, but the end user still can retain that “I’m really not talking to a salesperson” feeling they like about the internet.

Your Wave avatar means they already have associated you with a real live human. You can go through the sales process, what are their needs, drag and drop pictures and videos of various vehicles you have available. Drag and Drop pictures of the shiny new showroom or the amazing 8 Million Bay Service Department. Drag and Drop PDF’s of the Invoices if your dealership is into that thing.

The Internet Manager is going to have to have some power though. No running back and forth to the Desk Manager, this is all in real time. I think this will lead to more Internet Deals being made online and certainly drive more traffic to the dealership if handled correctly.

On the more creative side, dealers could create conferences with past customers, “Chat Room” experiences with training for your customers. Imagine a Jeep dealer that got its Wrangler Owners together online once a month to share video, pictures and good conversation about their outdoor experiences in their Jeeps. That’s a dealer that creates be back business in the service department, body shop and very likely vehicle purchase.

I’m curious to know anyone else’s thoughts on this new and innovative technology that most of us haven’t really seen in use yet….