DHL Parcel has partnered with car manufacturer Audi and online marketplace Amazon to trial an innovative new service where customers can have parcels delivered directly to the trunk of their car.
The trial will take place in Munich over several months starting in May 2015. During that time, selected customers will have the chance to test the new delivery solution, from placing the order on Amazon through to the delivery of the parcel by DHL into the trunk of their Audi.
“As an innovation leader in the parcel industry, we continually work with our partners to develop innovative solutions for the ever-growing number of parcel customers, and to set new trends,” said Jürgen Gerdes, board member, post – e-commerce – parcel division, Deutsche Post DHL.
“This pilot project for car trunk delivery for private customers is unique in the German parcel industry. It demonstrates once again our market and innovation leadership as well as our commitment to parcel delivery services tailored more and more to the individual needs of our customers.”
According to DHL, the system utilizes Audi’s mobile online services to allow delivery access to the vehicle. The courier does not receive a key on a handheld device, but rather submits a request to a centralized Audi system via an app that then either provides the access information or controls the vehicle remotely.
These queries must be legitimated using access numbers linked to the individual shipping orders and confirmed by the customer during the order process. These encrypted codes are not generated until the delivery person is in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle and they expire as soon as the delivery is completed meaning the trunk lid is closed. The app also provides the courier with the vehicles location via GPS.
DHL say they have developed the service in response to customer needs as many workplaces are now banning the delivery of private packages, and that the solution represents a plausible alternative for many customers, especially commuters. The service will be available to customers as either a monthly flat-rate payment for frequent users or a one-off fee for a single delivery.
April 29, 2015