Car dealerships are dramatically shifting how they engage customers, introducing humanoid robots like AiMOGA to replicate the role of traditional sales reps. Debuted at a major auto show, AiMOGA combines flashy appearance and artificial intelligence to welcome visitors, dance, and engage in simple interactive games. But behind the spectacle lies a pressing question: Is this the future of automotive retail or a revival of outdated gimmicks in a new shell?
In a carefully staged demo, AiMOGA guided potential buyers around a new vehicle, using phrases like elegant design and comfortable seating before ending with a dramatic Isn’t it impressive? The scene felt more like a throwback than an advancement, echoing outdated sales tactics that modern customers typically avoid. With most car buyers now researching extensively online before stepping into a showroom, the need for robotic small talk seems questionable at best.
The 2025 car buyer expects tailored, informative experiences, not recycled phrases from a robot in sunglasses. While AiMOGA does leverage sophisticated AI such as DeepSeek for language comprehension, its deployment in mimicking tired sales pitches risks undermining the very potential of emerging tech in the automotive space. Instead of simplifying decisions, it may end up adding artificial barriers.
AiMOGA is set to roll out across select dealerships, sparking debate about the direction of retail innovation in the automotive industry. Some see these humanoid assistants as tools to streamline visits and reduce sales pressure. On the other hand, skeptics argue that using AI to recreate superficial persuasion tactics represents a waste of technological promise.
With car sales increasingly shifting online and buyers seeking more transparent and efficient experiences, inserting robots into showrooms might distract more than assist. Rather than replicating 1950s sales clichés, brands could focus on digital tools that respond to today’s customers, prioritizing personalization, clarity, and value. Aim to move past the performance and into meaningful support if it is truly useful in automotive retail.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.