Client
Fiat
Industry
Automotive
Services
UX/UI Design
Web-service for Fiat: Making Car Buying Possible During a Pandemic
The global pandemic posed challenges no one could have anticipated, disrupting industries and forcing businesses to rethink how they connect with customers. Fiat, a leader in automotive innovation, was no exception. With retail outlets shut down and an urgent need to clear unsold inventory, the task was clear: adapt or risk stagnation.
Challenge
During the pandemic, Fiat faced a critical challenge: their retail outlets were closed, leaving large stocks of unsold vehicles. The company needed an innovative way to enable safe and seamless purchases during a time when in-person interactions were impossible. And yes, Fiat aimed for sales recovery and a way to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.
For our team, the challenge was equally significant. Working remotely, with a tight deadline and scattered resources, we needed to build a solution that was not only functional but also reflected Fiat’s brand identity and customer-centric values.
Approach
We were asked to find a solution that considered tight resource allocation and the hurdles imposed by the pandemic. We proposed designing and developing a web-based stock locator system. This allowed customers to browse Fiat’s inventory in real-time, view specifications for each vehicle, and receive the car from the safety of their homes
To create a user-friendly experience, we streamlined complex backend systems into a cohesive, intuitive interface. The platform was designed for flexibility, offering customers various ways to finalize purchases—whether through contactless delivery, online reservations, or dealership pickup.
What made this project unique was the collaborative effort across multiple teams in a fully remote environment. Using tools like Figma and Agile frameworks, we stayed closely aligned despite being geographically dispersed. Additionally, we worked in constant communication with Fiat’s marketing and logistics teams, ensuring the solution addressed operational realities while keeping a strong focus on user needs.
To reinforce Fiat’s branding, we incorporated visuals and messaging that emphasized trust, safety, and innovation—key attributes during uncertain times. The interface was designed not just to sell cars but to provide a reassuring and seamless customer journey.
Impact
We developed a cost-effective solution in a remarkably short period – approximately 16 weeks. Following the product launch and promo, sales immediately surged by 300%. We integrated the database with the warehouse accounting software and enabled order management through the adapted CMS. This allowed users to select a specific car from the comfort and safety of their home and make their purchase online from any dealership across the country. To ensure cost-efficiency, we built our product using an open-source, MySQL-based content management system.
