ORLANDO, Fla. — Online marketing solutions provider ActivEngage has announced the launch of ActivTestDrive, a new Web feature that combines virtual test drives with live chat.

ActivEngage partnered with Cinemotion Studios to provide AutoMotion video technology, which takes potential buyers on a short, engaging virtual test drive. That, combined with live chat, will offer shoppers a dynamic, thorough experience of vehicles. Shoppers can ask questions as they learn about vehicles and request more detailed information, all with instant response from chat agents.

"Consumers increasingly rely on videos to aid in purchase making decisions," said Todd Smith, co-founder of ActivEngage. "Combining video and live chat creates a rich media event at the dealership website, and lets dealers offer a dynamic, two-way conversation and experience. This increases customer excitement and offers the instant gratification that more and more shoppers expect, resulting in increased lead generation. ... Combining video and chat gives dealers the best of both worlds, creating a dynamic, interactive experience that moves consumers further through the buying cycle."

Chat agents can move customers from videos on to rebates and incentive for vehicles viewed, and then move to current available inventory at the dealership, using ActivEngage’s Shop With Me technology. ActivTestDrive lets the dealership experience the virtual test drive with the shopper, co-browse pages together, and move site visitors further along the sales process, all without picking up the phone, or sending email, right at the dealership website with real-time interaction, according to the manufacturer.