Volkswagen has partnered with courier firm Hermes to trial a service allowing delivery drivers to unlock customers' cars using a mobile phone and leave parcels in the boot. The pilot is underway in Milton Keynes, with plans for a nationwide rollout later this year if successful.
Under the scheme, customers receive a text or email when a parcel arrives at the Hermes depot and can opt to have it delivered to their car. After authenticating via a unique Volkswagen ID, the courier is given a single-use, time-specific digital access code and GPS coordinates to locate the vehicle. The courier then opens the car, leaves the parcel, takes a photo as proof, and locks the boot.
Volkswagen says the service offers a 'new level of convenience', but the announcement on Twitter sparked a fierce backlash. Many users criticised Hermes' reliability, with one customer, Steve Bousfield, tweeting: 'So not only will they damage your goods but also your car. Hopeless.' Another, Craig Russell, said: 'Chances of Hermes finding a car in a car park are even less remote than them finding a safe and secure place at your home address!'
Others raised safety concerns. Cameron Heyes wrote: 'I wouldn't trust Hermes leaving a parcel with my neighbour never mind giving them access to my car.' A further user joked: 'Will they still put the parcel in my wheelie bin (even on bin day) and now put both in my car boot?'
Volkswagen has sought to reassure customers, emphasising that the digital access code is single-use and time-specific, and that couriers must provide photo evidence of delivery and confirm the boot is locked. The firm hopes the service will be available nationwide later this year.
