Volvo is looking to take some of the stress out of Christmas shopping with its new in-car delivery service.
Before you get too excited, the service is only available in Sweden. Even more specific, it's only available to residents in Gothenburg, Sweden who subscribe to the Volvo On Call service. But the service could be rolled out elsewhere in Sweden and in different countries later.
The delivery service could speak to how cars will come with an ever-increasing amount of perks to compete at a time where automation may result in a decline in car ownership.
Here's how it works: The automaker teamed up with postal service PostNord; Lekmer.com, an online toys and baby goods store; and Mat.se, an online grocery retailer.
Those utilizing the service can buy toys, gifts, food, and drinks from any of those online retailers. From there, a PostNord representative will be given a one-time digital access key so they can load your Volvo with what you ordered.
A Volvo spokesperson said the person using the service selects where the car will be parked at the time of delivery.
A text message will alert you that the goods have been delivered so you can be merrily on your way. The digital access key will disappear once the delivery is complete.
"Owners simply order the goods online, receive a notification that the goods have been delivered and then just drive home with them," the press release reads.
Still, it's hard to see why that's more convenient than having something delivered directly to your house.
If the representative comes to wherever your car is, why is that different than any normal delivery service? Why load up a parked car at work or at home when you can have packages delivered to either of those locations?
And then there's the issue on why give a stranger access to your car when packages could be dropped off on your front step?
