Automotive LED Lights | Dealership Lighting

The impact of lighting on the purchase of a vehicle

Buying a car is for most people the second most expensive transaction after their homes. How can a dealership make the car purchase experience comfortable and memorable for all the right reasons?

Luxury, freedom, safety, speed… those are just some of the describers we associate with the car industry. Car dealership lighting design has an important role to play in making the experience as delightful as the vehicles on display. It eases up the customer’s journey by making it more enjoyable.

 

The showroom  

As the name itself states, this is the place where cars are exhibited to the public. Showrooms are usually the first place you encounter when you walk in. This is probably the most important area within the dealership as this is where the magic happens.

The showroom’s entrance will have some high-quality decorative luminaires with a color temperature of around 4000K. This will help obtain a neutral yet welcoming space for customers.

 

Walking a little further, we will finally be immersed in the showroom where the cars are being displayed.

A great lighting system needs to be powerful with even distribution to avoid strong shadows. It needs to pull the visitor’s attention to details such as colors, body lines, and in some cases, higher-end models. Through the interaction of general and accent lights, output, and orientation, we create not only an atmosphere but a hierarchy. The car dealership lighting levels need to be organized and animated.

Using different types of lighting in a room helps to draw the customer’s focus to specific points of interest, without overcoming the general brightness.

To learn more about the different types of lighting, read our article: What are the 4 types of lighting?

Accent lighting is used to enhance each vehicle’s special features, ranging from the painting finishes to the interiors. The goal is to engage and stimulate the senses as much as possible.

Staging is a selling technique in which customers will be able to see the best of the vehicles being sold. The right lighting solutions allow the colors to be perceived as pure as possible by the human eye. It also highlights the best features each vehicle has to offer.

The customer has to be emotionally invested in the purchase, with all other parameters equal, the heart ultimately makes the decision.

Car dealerships need to make the whole space feel inviting so customers spend the necessary time to ultimately seal the deal. A neutral to warm white light is a must since it has been proven to be the sweet spot for most people. That color temperature ranges between 3000K and 4000K.

The car dealership’s latest interior design trend is to move towards “giant glass boxes”. This trend allows for natural light to be very present requiring the lighting system to offer a lot of flexibility. This is not only important to the available output orientation but a variable CCT provided by the latest LED technologies too. Allowing the system to match or compensate for present and missing wavelengths provided by natural light.

 

Salesroom and offices  

The next step after customers have visited the showroom, is to switch gears into a different kind of vibe.

The negotiation process usually takes place in office rooms designed with light focusing on a desk surface and the salesperson. The lighting system has usually a warmer kelvin temperature so it doesn’t feel clinical. It is important that the client doesn’t feel put under the spotlight and pressured to act.

Car Dealership negotiation room lighting design

Task and accent lighting is recommended in both the salesroom and office areas. This type of light aids in maintaining high brightness levels while keeping the general lighting a little more subtle. This is meant to keep the focus on the deal and not the client itself.

The office areas usually feature a decorative pendant or a table lamp to complement the ambient lighting. The design will generally match the brand identity, whether minimalist and functional, extravagant and luxurious.

The ideal lighting level of 300-700lux at task height and levels between 250-350 at ground level over the office space.

 

Service areas  

Service areas may be overlooked as they play a secondary role. However, these areas are equally important as the rest to the overall function and perception of a dealership.

Here are some things to focus on and take into account when planning the lighting design.

  • Waiting room:

The waiting room needs to inspire calm, coziness, and warmth, almost like a living room. A soft and warm light source is recommended. If possible indirect lighting fixtures like wall washers and downlights should be considered and prioritized.

  • Garage (service area, car wash, warehouse…):

These areas are usually reserved for specific tasks the mechanics need to perform. Although sometimes customers may be required to check something with the staff.

We usually recommend using perimeter lighting instead of overhead to reduce shadows cast by the vehicles. It is also recommended to use quantity over output so that the light levels are high but above all uniform.

Task lights are required over workbenches. This will make the surface easy to use and comfortable as it offers adequate visibility to parts and tools. A neutral or daylight color temperature is recommended (4000K-5000K).

In short, customers should leave the dealership with a good impression, having peace of mind about their purchase and the brand. The goal being for the client to come back and/or recommend the dealership to a friend or family member.

Mazda Chambly

There is never a single right way, these recommendations are based on experience and offer general guidelines. Most brands have their own variants but generally stick to these core principles.

Richporter has been working along with major car dealerships in the industry. To learn more about them, visit our Car Dealerships’ projects or look for some lighting ideas with our car dealership starter.

Related Posts

Lighting basics you should know to jumpstart your project

Lighting basics you should know to jumpstart your project Light as we understand it is radiation with a wavelength between […]

+

Supermarket Lighting Design Guide

Customer Centric Lighting Design What makes Supermarket lighting a crucial element of the store’s overall design, and ultimately – its success? We should […]

+

Restaurant Lighting that feeds the soul

Restaurant lighting is one of the most important features when creating the perfect ambiance for your customers.  It can highlight the architectural elements of the space.  An aesthetically […]

+
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments