Method of selling vehicles having a plurality of suspension options

#This invention generally relates to a system and method for vehicle sales. More particularly, this invention relates to a system and method for presenting customers with a plurality of options for vehicle suspensions when purchasing a vehicle.

#There are increasing numbers of types of vehicles available. Passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and other light duty vehicles are sold in wide varieties. Not only are there many vehicle types available, but there are also many packages or options available with many of the vehicle types.

#An example situation is where a light duty vehicle such as a truck is available with several suspension options such as a standard package, a tow package, an off road package, etc. While some customers know the specific package they want, many others are not capable of making a completely informed decision on which option is best for them.

#FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the system designed according to this invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates, in flow chart form, a method of selling vehicles according to this invention.

#A system 20 for selling vehicles 22 having a plurality of suspension options includes an adjustable suspension module 24. The suspension module 24 includes a plurality of components 26, 28 that have adjustable responses to road conditions such that the performance of the suspension module 24 simulates a variety of different suspension packages. Example suspension options include a tow package, an off road package or a standard package.

#Adjustable suspensions are known. They are typically used on vehicles in a manner that the suspension dynamically adjusts to road conditions to ensure a certain type of ride as desired. The term “active suspension system” is used in this document to refer to active, semi-active, adaptive or adjustable suspensions. For purposes of this discussion, those terms may be considered interchangeable. This invention utilizes such a suspension module in a substantially different way. In one example, the suspension module 24 associated with this invention is preadjusted prior to driving the vehicle and the performance characteristics (such as stiffness, for example) are selected to simulate a specific type of suspension package. In another example, the vehicle includes a controller 50 that is capable of causing changes in the suspension module performance responsive to a user's input or at programmed intervals, for example.

#In the preferred arrangement, the vehicle seller or dealer utilizes a communication interface 30, which includes remote communications over the internet or a dealer network intranet, for example. A communications module 32 facilitates retrieval of information from a data base 34 regarding specifications or details on available passive suspension packages for a particular vehicle. The communications module 32 preferably also facilitates communication with an ordering center 36 for placing an order of a vehicle with a chosen suspension package. The communication interface 30 also optionally provides access to a controller interface 52 for controlling controller 50 to effect the desired adjustments.