The pandemic has changed not only how we interact with one another but also how we buy products, vehicles included. Over the past several months, automakers have launched new online platforms dedicated to making the virtual shopping experience easier than ever. Car buyers can select features and trims, and arrange test drives, financing, trade-ins, and, ultimately, vehicle delivery without having to set foot in a dealership.

Porsche and Nissan are two brands with such platforms and now Chevrolet has launched its own. Chevy MyWay, though currently only in test mode, launched this week with the ability to provide customers special access to the brand's lineup and live tours with dedicated product specialists. It can even offer a virtual auto show experience. An expanded rollout will happen over the coming months.

"The pandemic is gonna cause fundamental sea change but you know there's something very powerful about that visceral reaction to an actual physical property," said Steve Majoros, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "While we have done very unique things recently with the GMC Hummer and Cadillac Lyriq, what you'll see from us from Chevrolet with EV and EUV will largely be rooted in digital applications. We certainly see a role for that physical experience and engagement with the vehicle."

Chevy MyWay's ability to help the automaker bring the auto show experience to customers virtually is a huge draw following the cancellation of last year's auto shows.

Although some will probably return later this year, auto shows have always enabled the public to see new vehicles in-person, a major benefit before buying. Chevy MyWay aims to help fill that missing and often critical experience. Coincidentally, Cadillac LIVE launched not long before the pandemic struck and like Chevy MyWay, provides customers the virtual Cadillac tour experience. Cadillac dealers found this to be an extremely beneficial tool during lockdown periods.

These platforms will be ideal as GM continues to reveal new EVs, such as next week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas where Chevy is expected to reveal new products, possibly a plug-in Silverado.