Many recent college graduates are stepping into a new chapter of life — starting their first jobs, moving to new cities, and embracing independence. For many, that journey begins with finding a reliable, affordable, and efficient car. Whether you’re commuting to your first post-college job or building credit with your first auto loan, the right vehicle can make all the difference.
To make the search easier, SimpSocial has compiled a list of the 10 best cars for graduates. Each model offers outstanding value, fuel efficiency, and reliability — ideal for young professionals ready to hit the road with confidence.
Buying your first new car after college is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Between financing, maintenance, and rising fuel costs, graduates need to make informed decisions that balance style, practicality, and budget.
According to SimpSocial, “Purchasing your first new car doesn’t have to be stressful. With proper research and patience, you can find a great option that fits your lifestyle and financial goals.”
SimpSocial advises new graduates to avoid rushing into their dream car immediately after their first paycheck. Instead, focus on affordable cars for graduates that combine dependability, safety, and efficiency — features that make everyday driving easier and long-term ownership more rewarding.
Each vehicle on SimpSocial’s list is priced under $30,000, delivering the perfect mix of value and modern technology. They all score high in reliability, safety, and fuel economy — with most achieving more than 40 miles per gallon. These models prove that cars for graduates don’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability.
(Listed alphabetically, not ranked)
The Ford Maverick is a compact pickup that’s perfect for graduates who want something practical and versatile. With seating for up to five and a durable bed for gear or weekend projects, it’s one of the most unique cars for graduates on the market. Its hybrid powertrain delivers an impressive 37 mpg combined, making it an eco-friendly option without the typical truck price tag.
The Honda Accord Hybrid blends comfort, technology, and efficiency. Offering nearly 47 mpg combined, it’s a favorite among cars for graduates who want a sleek, sophisticated sedan without overspending. With excellent safety ratings and refined handling, the Accord feels premium yet practical — ideal for daily commuting or weekend trips.
For those who appreciate minimalist style and hybrid efficiency, the Honda Insight delivers both. Its interior rivals luxury cars, and its hybrid engine achieves up to 52 mpg. Among cars for graduates, the Insight stands out for its quiet drive, elegant design, and long-term dependability.
Stylish, compact, and remarkably efficient, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid earns up to 54 mpg in its Blue trim. For graduates looking to cut fuel costs, this is one of the most economical options. It comes with plenty of tech features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and advanced safety systems — making it one of the smartest cars for graduates available today.
If fuel economy is your top priority, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is tough to beat. It delivers up to 59 mpg combined and comes with Hyundai’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Affordable, durable, and stylish, it’s one of the most budget-friendly cars for graduates who value efficiency and peace of mind.
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offers a touch of sophistication for graduates who need more space. With roomy seating, an upscale design, and fuel economy as high as 52 mpg, it’s a well-rounded sedan that provides comfort and class. Among cars for graduates, the Sonata is perfect for young professionals who want refinement without luxury-brand pricing.
The Kia Niro bridges the gap between a compact SUV and a hybrid hatchback, offering the practicality of both. With up to 50 mpg combined, it’s efficient and fun to drive. Available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric versions, it’s one of the most flexible cars for graduates who want room for adventure — and sustainability.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid proves that reliable doesn’t have to mean boring. With sleek styling, a comfortable cabin, and an impressive 52 mpg combined, it’s one of the most popular cars for graduates and professionals alike. Its strong resale value and low ownership costs make it an intelligent long-term investment.
The Toyota Corolla has been a student and graduate favorite for decades. The hybrid version elevates this legacy with modern design and outstanding fuel economy — up to 52 mpg combined. Known for reliability and affordability, it’s one of the easiest cars for graduates to own and maintain.
The Toyota Prius remains a pioneer in hybrid technology and continues to set the standard for efficiency. With up to 56 mpg combined and a price tag well below $26,000, it’s a smart choice for graduates who value sustainability and long-term savings. Among cars for graduates, few models match its reputation for dependability and innovation.
As a new graduate, your car should support your lifestyle — not strain your budget. When shopping for cars for graduates, consider the following:
Each of these cars for graduates offers a mix of practicality, affordability, and fun — making them ideal for anyone starting their professional journey.
Buying your first car after graduation is more than a purchase — it’s a milestone. With so many options available, it’s important to focus on value, dependability, and efficiency rather than impulse.
SimpSocial’s list of the 10 best cars for graduates showcases vehicles that deliver comfort, safety, and style at prices that make sense for first-time buyers. Whether you lean toward a sporty sedan, a compact SUV, or an efficient hybrid, you’ll find the perfect companion to match your ambitions and budget.
As SimpSocial reminds drivers: “The key to finding your perfect car is patience, research, and flexibility. With the right mindset, every graduate can drive away in a vehicle that supports their dreams — without compromising financial freedom.”
For a vehicle lover, owning their own auto dealership can be a great way to make a living. After all, it enables them to interact with the cars they adore and match clients with the vehicles they want. This kind of business has the potential to be very successful when done properly.
Knowledge of inventory management is a crucial component for success in this industry. In order to meet clients’ demands as they emerge and to build a solid reputation among potential consumers, you will need to have up-to-date information on exactly what you have in stock at any one time.
With the data and figures you need to keep consumers satisfied and experience long-term success, stock and inventory management software for car dealers can be a terrific method to help you grow your business. Want to know more? To learn everything you need, continue reading!|
What Is Software for Car Dealerships?
As its name suggests, car dealership software is a potent instrument that aids in streamlining the inventory process and ensuring the smooth operation of your company.
This kind of platform can assist in managing the inventory of vehicles, keeping track of customer information, pricing, and even the number of vehicles that have been sold. This kind of software offers a structured inventory system that keeps data current, allowing you to know exactly what you have on hand. Additionally, it makes it simpler for clients to browse the selection and buy what they want.
How Can Automotive Dealership Software Benefit Your Company?
The advantages that car dealership software may provide for your company are numerous, and some of the most important ones are as follows:
Improved Organization
In order to stay organized and on top of your inventory, car dealership software may be quite helpful. Not only will you always know exactly what is in stock, but your customers will also have quick access to what is available, which will make their search less difficult.
This can result in increased sales because satisfied customers are more inclined to purchase from you and recommend you to other potential customers.
Enhanced Effectiveness
A wonderful way to make sure your company is operating as smoothly as possible is to invest in car dealership software; you won’t need to manually update or check stock levels all the time. This might help you save money and time while ensuring that the company works smoothly for the finest outcomes.
Accurate Records And Data
Software for auto dealerships can assist in keeping track of all the information related to each vehicle so that you have a better picture of what is available and what has already been sold. This can assist you in making knowledgeable judgments about pricing and inventory levels and be very helpful for long-term planning and managing your organization.
This may involve analyzing data to determine pricing fluctuations; are there some price ranges that frequently sell well while others remain unsold for weeks or months at a time? Are there any brands that sell out quickly while others seem to wither away in the showroom? Making long-term goals and future-proofing your company are made much easier when you have access to inventory and sales data.
How To Select The Appropriate Software
The product you choose will likely depend on a few variables if you decide to invest in auto dealership software, including the following:
Cost
Software alternatives are offered in a range of bundles and at varying costs. Therefore, it’s crucial to perform your research and choose a cost-effective choice, meaning one that enables you to generate consistent and significant earnings in comparison to the price you paid for the software.
Scale
You should also think about how big your company is. In the same way that a dealership with thousands of cars needs a solution to manage this, choosing software that can manage thousands of cars makes little sense for a small organization.
Users in Number
The organizational structure and employee levels of your company will also influence your decision. Do you require a product that is appropriate for multiple users, or do you only need one user to be able to manage and analyze inventory? Which product or bundle is best for your needs will depend on this factor.
Corporate Needs
Last but not least, make sure the product you’ve picked can meet your company’s demands. Verify that it can carry out the necessary tasks and that you and your staff will find using it simple.
components of your marketing plan.
It’s what potential consumers see first when they search for you online, which means it’s frequently where they form their initial opinions of you. In other words, they will judge whether they want to do business with you based on what they see online, just as if they were meeting you for the first time.
While your website can do a lot to draw in new clients by informing them of your company and the benefits of doing business with you, certain website designs may have the opposite impact. Customers may leave your website if it is difficult to locate, has a confusing layout, or is plainly out of date.
SimpSocial can provide you with a solution if you’re worried that your website might be hurting your sales. We provide a variety of designs for your auto dealer website, all geared at improving its aesthetic appeal and usability.
How do you tell if your car dealer website needs to be redesigned, then? We have compiled a list of warning flags. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if any of these apply to your website so that we can assist in getting you back on course.
Your website is challenging to use.
First-time visitors to your website usually do so because they’re seeking a car dealer and believe you might be the best option.
But of course, they will want to learn more about you before they take any action. The issue is that if consumers find your website challenging to use, they might conclude it’s not worth the hassle.
Many visitors will give up and search elsewhere if links to other sites are not arranged into an immediately visible menu, which means you lose out on a customer.
You haven’t changed the look of your website in a while.
Trends in website design alter and develop over time. Even though your website may have been really contemporary and up-to-date when it was first created, things have undoubtedly changed since then. Consider how different websites seemed 10 or 15 years ago versus how they do now.
If you don’t update the look of your website, people may assume that you don’t care about the little things, which may be really unattractive. They can even worry if your company is still operating if your design is particularly archaic.
Your revenue is dropping.
The amount of money you make can be significantly impacted by an old or unclear website design. When choosing a car dealer, convenience is a top concern for many individuals.
This implies that if your website is challenging to use, visitors won’t stick around to spend time finding it out. In order to discover a vehicle dealer with a functional website, customers are far more likely to close the page and go back to the search results. Your sales will consequently decline as a result.
You’ve received unfavorable client comments.
Customers may occasionally tell you directly if they have an issue with your website, but you’ll likely find that they communicate it in other ways.
For instance, if you conduct a search for your company on review websites, you can come across unfavorable comments and low ratings that the reviewer defends by claiming they failed to comprehend your website. If you start to hear comments like these, it’s important to have a makeover as quickly as you can because it can really harm your reputation.
Search engines have a hard time finding your website
In a perfect world, when someone searches for a vehicle dealer online, your website would come up first. However, an out-of-date website design may imply that your site is no longer optimized for search engines, which will decrease the amount of traffic to your website. Your position in the search results can be improved with a fresh design and updated copy.
You have a high bounce rate.
Your website’s bounce rate is the proportion of visitors who land there but don’t browse past the home page. In other words, they’ve already made a judgment about you and concluded you don’t have anything to give, so they don’t see the benefit of learning more.
It’s crucial to make sure that the first-page visitor’s view is both useful and interesting because a high bounce rate frequently leads to fewer sales. You must offer consumers a reason to stay on your website.
You take care to keep your car looking good as a car owner. But even with extreme caution, oxidation and scratches are still possible. These flaws don’t just detract from the appearance of Nevertheless, if they are not addressed, they might do more harm to your car.
Thankfully, there are several substances that can efficiently remove them, restoring the luster and safeguarding the finish of your car surface. In this blog, we will examine many sorts of compounds and offer advice on how to choose the ideal one for your particular requirements.
For cleaning severe scratches and oxidation, there are three primary types of chemicals and each type has a particular function in the restoration process.
The most aggressive sort of compound is rubbing compound, and it’s intended to eliminate paint flaws, severe oxidation, and deep scratches. Larger abrasive particles are present in them. They can leave behind slight scratches, but they also swiftly level the surface. These substances are Usually used as the first stage of restoration.
Polishing compounds are used to improve the surface and are less harsh than rubbing compounds after using a rubbing substance. They have tiny abrasive particles that help to remove the paint even more. Before usage, remove rust and scratches from a paint surface to increase its smoothness.
The least abrasive of the three are finishing compounds, sometimes referred to as glazes. They’re employed as a last step to improve the shine and add a layer of protection to the surface. Finishing compounds are particularly good in bringing back the shine to older cars with oxidized and drab paint.
You must take the degree of scratch and oxidation into account when cleaning them. The type of paint on your car, any scratches and oxidation, and the tools you have at your disposal. For minor to severe oxidation and scratches, a mild abrasive compound, such as finishing polishing products, which contain fine abrasives that softly erase blemishes, are typically sufficient without creating further harm, or flaws.
They work best for more recent vehicles with clear coatings and hardly any surface flaws. On the other side, if your vehicle has significant rust and deep scratches, you will require a more potent substance that can efficiently level the surface and eliminate difficulty imperfections.
It’s also crucial to keep in mind that the efficacy of substances can vary based on the brand and formula applied. Almost always, investing in high-quality car polishing products is preferable to universal ones. Additionally, think about performing a small test patch on a hidden part of you to evaluate the compound’s efficacy and any potential negative effects.
To protect yourself and others while working with compounds, exercise caution and follow all safety instructions your automobile. Here are some safety advice and precautions to remember:
While cleaning severe oxidation and scratches can be an enjoyable DIY effort, there are several situations where sometimes it is ideal to consult a specialist. Following are some scenarios where it is wise to seek professional assistance:
Maintaining the value of your luxury or antique car is essential. Competent scratch and Services for oxidation removal can assist in maintaining the authenticity and integrity of your vehicle’s ensuring the paintwork’s long-term worth.
Keep in mind that asking for expert help does not signify a lack of competence, but rather a desire. For the greatest outcome for both you and your vehicle, It’s preferable to evaluate your own abilities and resources.
Considering the state of your vehicle to determine if expert assistance is required for scratch and elimination of oxidation.
If you find this information useful, please spread the word to other auto enthusiasts and share your experiences with us in the comments below to eliminate severe scratches and oxidation.
With an increased emphasis on electric cars (EVs) as a sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation choice, the automotive industry is undergoing a substantial transition. Ford Motor Company, one of the biggest manufacturers in the world, has been making investments in battery technology to power its line-up of electric vehicles. This article examines the vital function batteries play in Ford’s electric vehicles and how they are influencing the direction of the auto industry.
Modernization of the Battery Industry
Every electric car relies on battery technology, and Ford has been at the forefront of adopting the most recent developments in this area. One of the most important advancements, according to The Verge, is the switch from conventional lead-acid batteries to more sophisticated lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are the best option for contemporary electric vehicles since they have a higher energy density, longer driving ranges, and quicker charging
The short driving range of electric vehicles in comparison to those powered by conventional internal combustion engines has been one of their major problems. In order to increase the driving range of its electric vehicles, Ford has been aggressively addressing this issue by installing larger battery packs and improving the battery management system.
Quick-charging capacities
Fast charging capabilities are a crucial component of the battery technology used in Ford’s electric vehicles. The adoption of electric vehicles is significantly influenced by the charging infrastructure and charging times. Ford has concentrated on creating quick-charging options to increase market attractiveness for electric vehicles.
Impact on the environment and sustainability
Battery technology is essential for increasing the sustainability and minimizing the environmental impact of the new Ford EVs. Ford is dedicated to using materials from ethical sources for its batteries, and it is looking into alternatives for recycling and reusing batteries after their useful lives have passed.
Additionally, the overall environmental advantages of electric vehicles are increased by including renewable energy sources into the infrastructure for charging them. Ford is thinking about methods to reduce the environmental impact of battery manufacture and disposal while it continues to invest in battery technology.
Vehicle Power and Performance
The driving range of electric vehicles is mostly determined by battery technology, which also has a big impact on their performance and power. Thanks to developments in battery technology, Ford’s electric vehicles have displayed excellent acceleration and power delivery.
Ford’s electric vehicles offer a thrilling driving experience thanks to their electric drivetrain and high-performance battery packs, which can produce rapid torque and smooth acceleration. Electric vehicles are becoming competitive with their gasoline-powered equivalents in terms of performance and power delivery as battery technology advances.
Future Initiatives and Collaborations
Ford is still dedicated to the advancement of battery and electric car technology. In the upcoming years, the firm will increase its EV offerings, introduce new electric vehicles, and electrify its whole lineup. Ford says that in addition to internal advancements, they are looking into joint ventures with battery and technology businesses to quicken the speed of innovation in battery technology. Ford can continue to lead the market for electric vehicles by collaborating with industry experts to stay on the cutting edge of battery development.
In conclusion, battery technology will have a significant impact on how Ford’s electric vehicles develop in the future. The automotive industry’s transition to electrification is being driven by improvements in battery chemistry, fast charging technology, and sustainability measures. In the upcoming years, we may anticipate seeing Ford produce more avant-garde and environmentally friendly electric vehicles as the business continues to invest in battery technology and establish strategic alliances. Ford is delivering excellent driving experiences to its consumers while simultaneously advancing a cleaner, greener transportation future by utilizing the potential of battery technology.
The invention of the Global Positioning System (GPS) has completely changed how we travel. Finding the closest coffee shop or receiving driving instructions to a friend’s house isn’t enough anymore. Today, GPS technology is a vital element for maintaining vehicle security and safety. You can keep your automobile and its occupants secure by using a GPS tracker to deliver real-time information on your vehicle’s whereabouts.
Small gadgets known as GPS trackers for cars employ satellite technology to offer regular or real-time tracking information. They can be covertly installed in a variety of places in the vehicle, including the dashboard, behind the seat, or even underneath the vehicle.
In addition to private car owners, businesses that manage vehicle fleets, parents who want to keep an eye on their young drivers, and anybody else who wants to know where their automobile is at all times can benefit from using these devices.
We’ll examine the list of GPS trackers for cars in this blog post. We’ll go at the top 10 GPS trackers for 2025, explain why you need one, and describe how they operate.
A GPS tracker for your car is not only a useful tool, but also a requirement. It offers mental tranquility. A GPS tracker can provide you with real-time information on the whereabouts of your automobile, whether you’re concerned about auto theft or you just want to keep tabs on where your car is.
GPS Trackers, according to GPSTrackers247, can save lives in an emergency. The ‘panic’ button function on some GPS tracking devices for automobiles enables the driver or passenger to send an emergency alert with their precise location to a predetermined contact. The elderly or people who have certain medical conditions can particularly benefit from this.
Last but not least, having a GPS in your car is a great tool for keeping track of your driving patterns. This is especially helpful for fleet managers, parents of teenage drivers, and anybody else looking to improve their driving habits for better efficiency and safety.
The signals from a system of satellites orbiting the planet are what a GPS tracker for a car uses to operate. This data is used by the device to determine the precise location of the car. The tracker then utilizes a cellular network to communicate this information to a server. Depending on the characteristics of your tracker, you can retrieve this information through a smartphone app or a web-based platform.
Some GPS trackers for automobiles also have other functionality. Some have geofencing, which notifies you if your automobile enters or exits a particular area. Others include information on driving habits, such as speed, abrupt braking, or quick acceleration.
You can even monitor the condition of your engine with some trackers, which can help you identify potential mechanical faults before they become significant concerns.
In summary, GPS car trackers offer a variety of data that can help you manage your automobile more effectively, increase safety, and give you piece of mind.
As 2025 draws near, the market is overrun with numerous GPS trackers for automobiles, each with its own special characteristics and advantages. The best 10 GPS trackers for automobiles will be discussed in this part, with an emphasis on their salient characteristics, simplicity of use, and convenience of installation.
GPS Tracker | Features | Pros | Cons |
Family1st Portable Tracker | – Real-time tracking – Geofence alerts – Historical playback | – Accurate location updates – User-friendly interface | – Subscription required |
SpyTec STI GL300 | – Real-time tracking – Geofence alerts – 2-week battery life | – Long battery life – Compact design | – Monthly fee |
Optimus 2.0 | – Real-time tracking – Email & text alerts – 2-week battery life | – Easy to use – Good battery life | – Requires subscription |
Vyncs Link | – Real-time tracking – Driver report cards – No monthly fee | – Comprehensive reports – No subscription needed | – Initial cost is high |
MOTOsafety OBD | – Real-time tracking – Geofence alerts – Driving report cards | – Easy installation – Good for teen drivers | – Monthly fee required |
Bouncie | – Real-time tracking – Vehicle diagnostics – Driving habits monitoring | – Detailed insights – Affordable subscription | – Limited international use |
CarLock | – Real-time tracking – Anti-theft alerts – Vehicle health monitoring | – Advanced security features – Easy setup | – Subscription needed |
MasTrack OBD | – Real-time tracking – Maintenance reminders – Geofence alerts | – Comprehensive features – Easy plug & play | – Monthly fee |
Linxup OBD | – Real-time tracking – Maintenance alerts – Geofence alerts | – Detailed reports – Affordable | – Subscription required |
TKSTAR Tracker | – Real-time tracking – Strong magnet for attachment – 3-month battery life | – Long battery life – Versatile placement | – Occasional signal drop |
There are a number of important elements to think about when choosing the finest GPS tracker for your vehicle. These include the device’s power supply, size, extra functionality like driver behavior tracking or geofencing, and price.
The ideal GPS tracker for your vehicle should deliver real-time tracking updates, have a dependable power source, be simple to install and cover up, and have extra functions that meet your particular requirements. It’s crucial to take into account the price of the gadget as well as any monthly payments or subscriptions needed for data access.
The method of installing a GPS tracker in your car is typically simple. The majority of devices come with comprehensive instructions, and some even provide customer service to assist you with installation.
Typically, you’ll need to set up the tracking system on your phone or computer, connect the device to your car’s power source, and then install the tracker in a safe, covert area. To properly track your vehicle without being discovered or removed, the tracker must be installed, but it must also be secured and hidden.
Utilizing all of a GPS tracker’s functionality is essential for maximizing car safety. Create geofencing warnings for important sites, track driving behavior data to spot and change risky driving patterns, and, if available, use the emergency alert tool.
Keep in mind that a GPS tracker is only a tool. The degree to which this technology can increase the safety of your car will ultimately depend on how you utilize it.
Given the abundance of alternatives, choose the finest GPS tracker for your automobile can seem difficult. But you may select the ideal tracker for you by concentrating on your unique requirements, taking into account the salient characteristics of each gadget, and accounting for the price.
Keep in mind that the objective is to improve the safety and security of your car, not only to track its whereabouts. A GPS tracker for your automobile can provide you peace of mind and promote safer driving conditions, whether you’re a fleet manager, a worried parent, or a private car owner.
One of the biggest expenditures you’ll ever make is a car, second only to a home. You probably want it to last as long as possible as a result.
And fortunately, an automobile can be kept operating for a lot longer than you might think. According to information provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the typical UK car lasts more than 8 years.
However, what would you need to do to make sure your car’s final age lands on the tail end of the bell curve if you wanted it to last longer than average?
In this little post, we set out to address that query. Discover the most crucial steps you can take to properly take care of your car in the next few paragraphs.
Driving with consideration for your car’s internal mechanisms can greatly improve its condition. Your repair costs are likely to increase the more aggressively you use the gearbox, pedals, and steering wheel.
In order to preserve the parts of your car in good condition, strive to drive as smoothly as you can. By avoiding any unneeded excursions to the mechanic and, in addition, saving money on gasoline, you’ll be able to maintain control over your budget. It makes no sense.
keep the battery charged
The battery in your car will deteriorate over time. This is bad news for anyone attempting to avoid paying record UK gasoline prices, especially if you don’t use it for extended periods of time.
Of course, having to jump-start your car is really inconvenient. And perhaps more crucially, it can harm delicate electronic components like the engine management system and the automobile battery.
By driving at least once a week and even twice a week during the winter, you can maintain the health of your battery. If, for whatever reason, you are unable to do this, you can top off your battery by using a trickle charger or a conditioner.
Your car requires sufficient fluids to operate properly, just like you do. If you don’t refresh them, you can anticipate a considerably higher rate of breakdowns for your vehicle. You can use the following checklist every two weeks:
Analyze and correct the engine oil levels.
Changing the coolant reservoir
Refill the windshield washer container
Do you think we’ve overlooked a crucial aspect of car maintenance? Please describe it in the comments area, along with why.
Your vehicle is more than just transportation — it’s part of your family. It travels with you, needs care, and deserves regular attention. Understanding car maintenance based on how you use your vehicle — whether daily driving, long road trips, or extended storage — helps keep it performing smoothly for years.
This guide explores expert maintenance tips tailored to every driving situation.
If you drive your car every day for work or errands, routine car maintenance is essential to avoid breakdowns and prolong its lifespan.
Always park in a shaded or covered area to protect your car from harsh sunlight, rain, or snow. Extreme weather can damage paint, overheat interiors, and weaken internal systems.
Neglecting regular servicing is a common cause of breakdowns. Make sure your wipers, indicators, lights, and tire pressure are checked regularly. Keep an eye on oil and coolant levels and top them up when necessary to ensure optimal performance.
Car batteries drain faster with frequent use. Inspect them every 3–4 months and replace them when necessary. This simple car maintenance step prevents inconvenient breakdowns and ensures smooth starts.
Planning a long journey? Proper car maintenance beforehand can prevent mid-trip breakdowns and ensure a smooth, safe drive.
Before hitting the road, have a professional inspect your transmission, clutch pedals, and brakes. These systems are vital for safety and comfort during extended drives.
A malfunctioning air conditioner or poor suspension can make a long drive uncomfortable. Test these systems before your trip to avoid surprises.
Ensure your car insurance is active and consider installing a GPS tracker for safety. If your car gets stolen or you need assistance in an unfamiliar area, tracking tools provide peace of mind.
If you’re storing your vehicle for an extended period, proper car maintenance ensures it stays in excellent condition while idle.
Never store your car with an empty fuel tank. Partial filling (about 75%) prevents rust and moisture buildup inside the tank.
Old oil can damage engine parts. Change the oil before parking your car and again before taking it out of storage (if stored for several months).
Wrap wiper blades in foil or place a sponge between the blades and windshield to prevent sticking. Cover the exhaust pipe with cloth or cardboard to keep rodents and debris out.
Leaving your car stationary for months can flatten the tires. Use jack stands or a platform to lift the vehicle slightly and relieve pressure on the tires.
Covering your car protects the paint and prevents dust buildup. Avoid engaging the parking brake during long storage to prevent mechanical strain on the braking system.
Even in a locked garage, installing a GPS tracker provides added security. Set up a geo-fence to receive instant alerts if your car moves unexpectedly.
Consistent car maintenance ensures safety, boosts performance, and protects your investment. Whether you drive daily, travel long distances, or keep your car in storage, following these maintenance practices minimizes repair costs and extends your vehicle’s lifespan.
Taking the time for regular inspections, oil changes, and preventive measures today will keep your car running smoothly for years to come.
A new car purchase is thrilling and enjoyable, but it can also be rather stressful. If you’ve ever entered a car dealership, you may have observed how the salespeople prowl about like a school of sharks searching for their next meal. Looking for a car can be a little frightening, especially when the salespeople attempt to pressure you into buying everything. Keep reading to learn some useful suggestions to help you get into a new automobile with confidence if you’re ready to buy a new car but are anxious about the entire car dealership experience.
conceal content
1. Conduct research
2 Be aware of your financial constraints
3 Understand the Trade-In Value
4 Choosing to leave is an option
Conduct research
Never enter a dealership without having some sort of idea of what you want. You should have a clear idea of the automobile you want—or at the very least, what kind of car you want—before you even enter the store. According to Forbes, you may learn more about the prices of various vehicles by visiting website like Kelley Blue Book. These websites enable you to locate the precise vehicle you desire and provide you with information regarding possible price reductions. In addition to visiting those websites, give your local dealerships a call to learn more about the discounts and programs they have available. Before leaving the house, it’s important to know where you’re heading!
Knowing your budget is essential.
Make careful to factor in how much you can afford to pay when you investigate car prices. It’s crucial to note that there are solutions available for people from various walks of life, so don’t worry if you don’t have $10,000 to put down on the automobile. You can always go to a buy here, pay here car lot if you don’t have much cash to put down. In particular, if you don’t have much of a down payment, you should check out their deals if you’re wondering “why buy here, pay here” before going somewhere else.
The Value of Your Trade-In
When determining the worth of your trade-in, Kelley Blue Book is another excellent source of information. If you want to trade in a car as part of the deal and it is in outstanding condition, you can use the trade-in as negotiating leverage. Sell the automobile before you visit the dealership and use the proceeds as a down payment if the salesperson offers you less than you would accept.
Moving on IS an option.
Being in a salesperson’s presence can be nerve-wracking, particularly if you don’t like the offer they’re making. Some people experience pressure to accept terms they don’t desire as a result of the stressful nature of car purchases. You must always keep in mind that you have the option of leaving. Nothing requires your agreement or your signature, and neither does anything. If the transaction does not make you feel completely comfortable, you stand up and go. Remember, you should never feel compelled to buy a car. Getting a new car is an exciting experience, especially if you worked hard to pay for it. Although visiting a car showroom might be stressful, it doesn’t have to be so stressful that you end up purchasing something you don’t truly need or desire. Take these helpful hints with you if you’re prepared to purchase a new vehicle; after all, tax season is just around the corner. Do your homework, be aware of your budget, know the value of your trade-in, and always keep in mind that it’s acceptable to walk away. You should be able to drive off the lot in the car of your choice very quickly if you stick to these easy instructions.
Many people are taking a close look at their current position and questioning whether it really delivers the kind of security that they are looking for in light of how tumultuous the job market and economy have been over the past couple of years. Everyone is concerned about having enough money to support themselves and their family during this prolonged period of turmoil due to the growing cost of living.
Many diverse factors contribute to the large number of persons considering careers as delivery drivers. The employment market has undoubtedly experienced one of its biggest booms in recent years, and internet sales skyrocketed in 2020 for obvious reasons. However, there is no indication that the trend of online shopping is going away anytime soon, so now might be a wonderful time to consider changing careers. Here are a few things to think about if you’re thinking about becoming a delivery driver.
The idea that a driver’s license is the only requirement for working as a delivery driver is among the most widespread myths. It is unquestionably one of the most crucial possessions, but you must also make sure that your driver’s license is valid. You’ll need a van driver’s license to perform the majority of delivery jobs. Consider earning a truck driver’s license, which enables you to transport significantly higher weights, if you want to drive anything heavier.
The Job Market Is Tough
Given how many people shop online at the time, there is a big need for deliveries. The peak in demand used to be around the holidays, but these days there is a much more constant need, even though it may still be high. If you are considering starting this business, there is a lot of competition out there. The fact that many people have already changed careers was noted, thus finding the job you desire will require you to remain vigilant. This is when specialists like Adzuna can be useful. With filters and listings to help you locate the best fit, they make the job search simple. You should make use of a variety of web resources because the employment market is competitive.
You Will Need Flexibility
Speaking about competitiveness, you should be aware that you will need to be adaptable in terms of your working hours if you hope to establish a reputation as a dependable delivery driver. Many businesses will give their customers delivery options that may be more affordable or convenient for them, so you might be delivering in the early morning or late at night. You won’t follow the schedule of a postal worker; instead, you will follow the one that your employer establishes. Will you be able to fit that in with your other obligations? Some delivery drivers appreciate having the flexibility to fit their schedules around other part-time employment.
You Must Have A Clear Driving Record
Any firm considering hiring delivery drivers will base a significant portion of their decision on your character and sense of responsibility. One of the first things they will be able to check if you have never performed a job similar to this is the history of your driver’s license. If you are thinking about working in this field, it is crucial that you have a clear driving record. Additionally, you should make sure that you drive defensively because any employer that considers hiring you will be responsible for you and your safety record, and you will be required to inform them of any violations. It is usually preferable to be transparent and honest upfront since if anything is found to be hidden, it could severely damage business ties.
Be aware of what you’re looking for.
What do you desire from this line of work? is one of the most crucial questions to ask yourself because there are so many different delivery companies and delivery services available. Do you prefer dependability and a longer working relationship with a smaller company, or do you prefer the possible freedom to accept or reject employment when you are employed by a larger organization? You will need to spend extended periods of time away from home if you work as a full-time delivery driver, so be sure you’re prepared for that.
We have to go through many options while making purchases as consumers. It’s time to do our homework so we can make the greatest decision when we need to make a purchase or choose the best business or service for the task. We gain from making sensible decisions in a number of ways. We will feel more at ease if we know we are doing business with a reputable organization or individual. We also want to feel cared for and that the folks we are doing business with value our security.
Additionally, picking the correct business is essential if we want to protect our hard-earned money and get the most out of the money we do spend. Fly-by-night businesses are only too willing to take your money and provide you with subpar services or goods. You will receive what you paid for from a reputable business, and they will support any products or services they provide. The best car rental company should be chosen using the same guidelines. You want to feel confident that your driving experience will be enjoyable and safe.
You should narrow down your selections for the kind of car you wish to hire before starting your search for the ideal provider and price. There are numerous possibilities, including various makes, models, and car categories.
Perhaps you desire a little automobile since fuel efficiency is so important. Another option is to spend more money and select a larger car that will provide greater comfort for your passengers and space for your bags as well. Additionally, you can select between electric, gasoline-powered, and diesel automobiles as well as manual or automatic transmissions.
Study the online evaluations
One of your first actions should be to go online and search for reviews from customers who are similar to you if you’re trying to find a reliable vehicle rental service in Bray. You may get a decent idea of the company’s philosophies and whether or not their clients were happy with their automobile rental experience by reading the testimonials and reviews.
Additionally, you can learn about the company’s professionalism and whether customers thought the pricing was honest and reasonable. This internet research will help you find the best company for your automobile rental needs.
Conduct some research to find the best deal.
Peak seasons, supply and demand, and company-specific pricing for automobile rentals can all have an impact. Spending time conducting your research can help you find the best bargain and leave with a price that is affordable for you.
You’ll be able to drill down and check what pricing and promotions they are offering after you know the kind of automobile you want and you’ve found one or two good automotive companies. You should make sure that everything is included in the price provided and that there are no additional fees for VAT, insurance, or other unmentioned costs.
The findings of annual 2022 Car Buyer Journey Study made it abundantly clear that not only were current consumers feeling the effects of digitalization, but that dealerships and OEMs should reevaluate and reinvent how they conduct online business.
Some of the findings from the study of more than 10,000 potential auto buyers came as a surprise, while others confirmed what our industry had anticipated would be a continuing trend. However, the underlying mood of today’s consumers’ desires, requirements, and preferences all pointed to three particular things, whether it was a surprise or a given.
Together, let’s take a fresh look at your business and marketing tactics and think about the three ways profitable auto dealers are redefining their present and future digital strategies to remain profitable and differentiate themselves from the competition in the eyes of their ideal customers.
#1: Online research provides a chance to record and recapture information.
It certainly comes as no surprise that auto customers had to spend more time online researching when it came to buying their automobile as inventory constraints were a hot topic in our business last year.
Thankfully, the inventory issues are beginning to alleviate, however there are still fluctuations. Some auto businesses still have little to no inventory, while others suddenly had a full lot at the end of the previous year. However, many dealers continue to struggle to maintain a steady supply of vehicles with the options and equipment that customers genuinely desire.
Another crucial point to keep in mind is that there are still significantly fewer vehicles on the market than there were just a few years ago, especially when it comes to new cars. Cross-shopping activity has increased over the past year as a result, and brand loyalty is declining at higher rates.
This gives a chance to attract and distinguish oneself from new clients, particularly if other businesses aren’t making the necessary efforts and investments to keep clients.
In comparison to 2021, 64% of purchasers examined both new and used automobiles, a substantial increase.
With rising loan rates and decreasing manufacturer incentives, the goal of today’s car shopping is less to locate the ideal vehicle and more to find any car that checks some boxes and meets a consumer’s budget.
You should reset your CRM now.
Given that consumers, particularly those who purchased new vehicles, exhibited reduced loyalty to dealerships and brands in 2022, moving forward, this will be a crucial group of car buyers that dealers should concentrate on and win-back. Over the following few years, staying alongside and in ahead of them will become even more crucial at the dealership.
Traditional vs. necessary cadence: Take the time to carefully examine the cadence and automations you currently have set up in your CRM system. Timelines have changed as a result of shifting inventory, changing interest rates, and more transactions taking place online; therefore, the traditional methods of outlining events over periods of seven, ten, thirty, sixty, and ninety days may no longer be useful.
Depending on the circumstances of the buyer or prior customer, you’ll need to set alternative deadlines and funnels. You should also expedite and inform those who are actively engaging with you about their options.
Customers who are leasing: Don’t just rely on the OEMs’ automated lease alerts to your customers in your CRM. It’s critical to shine a brighter light on these customers. If your company doesn’t actually offer compelling leasing incentives or if you anticipate having some inventory issues when the consumer ends their lease, they can require a different communication schedule and interval. Remember that attractive pricing or the convenience of getting a new automobile every few years attracted many lease consumers in the beginning.
Reach out to them far in advance of the typical, say nine months beforehand, educate them on the current situation and the challenges they’d likely experience, and remind them of the benefits your dealership and brand can provide. This will activate your CRM. So, if they choose to renew their lease, excellent! You can reserve a car for them or make sure one is available. Or, if they want to buy but need assistance figuring out financing possibilities, you may assist and make sure you keep them as a client with lifetime value.
If you can be proactive with your CRM and stay alongside and in front of those clients, keep in mind that they have a high financial worth and that you don’t want to lose their loyalty or have them cross-shop.
Content affects the choice of vehicle
Let’s face it, clients often have to hunt for alternatives because they are less likely to find the vehicle of their choice. Consumers are more dependent on content to assist them choose a vehicle as cross-shopping increases.
Content was rated as the most crucial element by 69% of new car customers who altered their minds while looking for information about other manufacturers and automobiles.
For instance, a fan of Honda might be looking for a Honda Accord. A Honda customer may need to cross-shop if Honda has a low inventory level right now. Let’s imagine that while they are researching, web material for a Hyundai Sonata arrives. They would need to become more familiar with the competing brand, manufacture, and model in order to decide whether a Sonata is the best option.
This is why cross-shopping depends on content. You should regularly assess how you present yourself to consumers who are not just your current clients or those who are aware of your brand, but also to those who are clients of your rivals. Make sure you are aware of the desires, requirements, and preferences of today’s auto buyers and adjust your content as necessary.
Videos: Over the past two years, there have been major changes. Online videos reaching to the top 3 of the rankings is also not surprising. We discovered that expert test drive films posted online had substantially more influence in particular. Customers may participate in immersive digital experiences thanks to content like test drive videos, especially as more purchases are being made online.
Testimonials: Customer feedback and reviews continue to dominate the list. Buyers in Generation Z and Millennials enjoy seeing and hearing what others believe, which influences their interests and opinions. Since we live in a “Amazon” world where we regularly base our decisions on the experiences of other customers after a purchase, you should frequently highlight this in your digital material.
#2 – Online shopping is preferred by car buyers because of the alternatives
It also probably doesn’t come as a surprise that consumers’ preference for finishing the majority, or all, of the auto buying experience online with the dealer or retailer continues to expand in today’s digital age.
68% declare that they will carry out the majority of the work.
in the future of their vehicle buying process online
80% believe it is a wise or excellent concept.
you buy everything online
Where consumers are compared to where they want to be: Consumers are still enthusiastic about doing more of their shopping online and are saying that they want to do even more in the future.
More consumers than ever before—68%—say they would make most, if not all, of their purchases online in the future. What’s more crucial to remember is that 4 out of 5 consumers believe doing all of their purchases online is a good or excellent idea. It’s time for our industry and you to get ready to meet customers online, where they are now and where they want to be in the future.
Analyze your current digital retailing capabilities and make a plan for the ones you will need to implement over the next years. And keep in mind that just because you create a “Field of Dreams” doesn’t mean that customers will appear of their own volition. You must make sure that part of your marketing plan involves informing and proving to the customer that you have the skills they need and are ready to teach them how to use them.
Point out the advantages of buying a car online: The good news is that doing business online benefits both buyers and sellers. Consumers mostly value the savings in time and money when buying an automobile as a whole.
The process of internet retailing is still relatively new to consumers, despite the fact that they perceive time saved at the dealership and overall efficiency as its top advantages. In their minds, purchasing a $25 item online is very different than purchasing a $40,000 automobile.
Therefore, be sure to emphasize that the differences aren’t as significant as people believe they are and that buying a car online offers the same advantages they want in other digital interactions: seamlessness, fewer friction, time savings, and improved price transparency.
Higher customer happiness and a better car-buying experience may be attributed to digital retailing, and you should make sure your customers are aware of this through both your marketing strategy and in-store interactions.
A recent SimpSocial survey contrasted “Mostly Digital” and “Light Digital” consumers, defined as those who spent at least 50% of their time online throughout the purchasing process. The findings showed that purchasers who shop “Mostly Digital” are more likely to be pleased with the cost, the amount of time spent, and the entire experience.
Most crucially, it revealed that “Mostly Digital” customers are more likely to be brand and dealership loyalists. As a result, given that this market segment will only grow, be sure that your strategy contains options and optimizations for these customers.
A strategy should be in place to link the online and offline worlds of your dealership, but it should also be a constant pillar of attention going forward. Make sure that the online and offline experiences are seamlessly integrated and that everyone can take up the offer from wherever it was left online.
#3: Reimagine the digital retailing potential of your business by connecting to it.
It’s reasonable to say that retailers understand the advantages of digital selling just as much as consumers do.
In the yearly Car Buyer Journey study, we asked dealers how they had been using their digital retailing solutions since 2020. The majority of them are still pleased with their purchases, with 87% claiming that digital retailing has positively impacted at least one aspect of their operations, including sales, profit, and relationships with customers.
A closer look and self-audit: All dealers assess how they would rank the most frequently reported positive impacts seen on the chart above, paying particular attention to the benefits for both consumers and dealers in the areas of time spent on deals, ease of closing deals, staff productivity, and customer relationships.
How would they rate time spent, ease of use, efficiency, and the relationship / experience as a whole if you asked your new sales staff or some of the other newer staff to conduct a 360-degree audit for you, going through all the steps of the online purchase your dealership offers using the digital retailing tools you have?
How to examine the online car-buying procedure at your dealership:
Ask your sales team to start a purchase process, and then time how long it takes to complete.
Ask them to list the difficult and simple tasks they were able to complete online.
If you have such capabilities enabled, make sure to ask them if they were ever retargeted when visiting other websites.
Ask them to evaluate the simplicity of the procedure or identify any obstacles you might not be aware of during the entire buying process, including financing, scheduling a test drive, and other steps.
Ask them to do part of it online and see if one of your existing sales staff knew exactly where to pick up in-store – rate congruency and if the experiences matched.
Remember, the advantage of having newer employees complete this audit is they still have a bit of a zoomed-out lens and will spot things that the older staff are just “used to” as a way of doing business. Count on them for advice and to provide examples from other websites that function.
By consistently doing this 360-degree online audit monthly, or quarterly, and looking at your competitors in these same categories, you’ll have a proactive strategy to capture more of your ideal customers’ attention online. You’ll also be able to funnel them faster through the deal increasing satisfaction and improving your odds of gaining or retaining the sale.
Additionally, you’ll be able to form a blueprint of the capabilities of your current online digital retailing tools and strategize the tools you’ll need to add in order to provide the full eCommerce experience in the future. According to our research, when it comes to deal-making capabilities, consumers have high expectations of what they can accomplish on dealer websites in terms of digital retailing milestones. So make sure yours are mapped out and easy to find.
Know what your customer wants, needs and prefers digitally: In today’s times, you need to know your customer, know your business, know the experience you offer your customer, and make sure that your digital retailing tools are working for you!
The objectives of your company and the region should be in line with this. For example, a dealership in rural Iowa will have different consumers than that of Laguna Beach, California. Take a deeper look at what your customers and consumers want when it comes to an omnichannel and an ecommerce experience. Then make sure you build and work around what their preferences are today, as well as plan to build it for the future when it comes to your digital retailing and online capabilities.
New car pre-order: Dealers and OEMs should also be focused on a consumer’s interest in, and increasing appetite for, new car pre-order. By reevaluating how your brand and dealership not only handle it but promote and educate around it online during the entire car buyer journey, you can reinvent your marketing strategy to include this growing capability and demand.
With today’s continued fluctuating inventory, coupled with the rise in consumers saying they want to and are willing to complete new car pre-order now, and in the future, it should be a larger focus of your online and digital retailing strategy for years to come. But remember, this is still “new” to many consumers, and you must educate and assure them of the benefits, as well as show them how it’s successfully done online.
For the future’s path
By understanding what today’s car shoppers’ wants, needs and prefers are, you’ll be able to strategize and capitalize on the digital opportunity for growth. It’s time for dealerships to re-examine their marketing and business strategy to connect and extend their capabilities to attract in-market auto shoppers as well as retain their existing customers.
By implementing the 3 ways listed above into your strategy, you will not only have reimagined a more profitable way to run and operate your business, but you will be aligned with where consumers are headed currently and in the future.
SimpSocial provides you with qualified leads for people that want cars. We have the data, and we have the shoppers. We wish to match their needs with those of our dealer partners in order to generate high-quality leads and, on average, produce gross profits that are 35% greater. We electronically connect you with clients in order to attract them to you, allowing you to concentrate on developing and letting your brand stand out.
SimpSocial offers unrivaled data and insights into consumer behavior, automotive trends, and operational best practices. SimpSocial has the most connected and comprehensive picture of the automotive industry. Whatever your goals, we can help you get there faster and to stay a step ahead and successful in today’s marketplace.
Every auto dealer today needs to have both a digital presence and online skills in order to conduct business. It’s not only a case as in Field of Dreams, though; if you construct it, they will come. customers of today have certain requirements, wants, and preferences when it comes to how they might buy automobiles, and this is changing the process for both customers and dealers as well as the industry as a whole.
Successful dealers understand that the middle of the year is the ideal time to evaluate their present business and marketing plans and to lay out how they want to enter and bridge into the eCommerce future that is now at their front door.
To do this, it’s critical to comprehend where consumers are today, where they’re going in the future, and what direction your company should be travelling in.
The buying process is changing as a result of consumer needs and preferences.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that consumers’ methods for researching, shopping for, and buying cars have changed through time while considering the modern customer. particularly in the recent years. As a result, you must have new and different ways of strategizing and managing your business than you did in the past. In-market vehicle shoppers have new and distinct considerations during the shopping process.
The core of any effective strategy should be to meet customers where they are. Consumers no longer follow the purchase path in a linear fashion; instead, they do so in a variety of ways, at various times, and in a variety of ways.
However, you can still achieve your ultimate aim of closing the deal and providing your consumer with the experience they want by focusing on personalisation and providing a frictionless buying route that both matches with their goals and simultaneously removes their pain points. Whatever stage of the process they are in, it’s important to stay in front of them. Given the wide variety of online shoppers your dealership encounters, it’s crucial to step back and take a closer look at who these customers are, what their problems are, and how you can provide solutions to grab their attention, their trust, and their business.
Five (5) customer segments were identified in the most recent Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey Study, along with the two (2) market categories—one diminishing and one growing—in which they fit.
Growing Segments: The growing category is made up of the two segments Efficient Independents and Guided Innovators. Approximately 18% of the market now is made up of efficient independents, who are primarily from generations X (1965–1980) and millennial (1981–1996). The Guided Innovator sector is the largest. They represent 25% of in-market auto buyers. They are the youngest group, primarily made up of Millennials and Gen Z (1997–2012).
Both rapidly expanding segments prefer to make purchases online; 75% of them say they will make all of their purchases online over the next five years, and they now complete 10 of the 13 steps of the purchasing process online.
Shrinking Segments: It’s also vital to keep in mind that the three (3) other segments included in the category are more likely to make in-person purchases even though they still complete some elements of the process online. The Researchers, Traditionalists, and Resisters like a method that they are familiar with, has previously worked for them, and is easy to understand. These customers typically only finish 4 out of 13 online purchase actions.
What opportunities exist for you here, then? Although it’s clear that consumers desire to conduct business online, we must keep in mind that this is still a novel concept for them. Put your efforts into educating them and guiding them toward a buy. You should target those expanding segments with your business and marketing strategies. They are online, and in our “Amazon world,” they are open to or on the verge of purchasing expensive goods like cars primarily online in the near future.
Benefits of integrating your digital retailing solutions with eCommerce gradually
Although different in-market auto buyers have different expectations for their online experiences, they all want options. Consumers don’t want to adhere to a predetermined sales procedure, according to our research. In actuality, 90% of customers want a flexible, unique car-buying experience.
You can provide consumers with exactly that if you use a full-service linked digital retailing experience, like the one offered by Cox Automotive.
eCommerce directs customers to complete the transaction through an online store, in contrast to digital retailing.
There are a variety of tactics that businesses can employ to promote and market digital retailing and eCommerce.
Digital retailing strategy: When it comes to digital retailing, it’s critical to concentrate on providing clients with a user-friendly experience. This includes making sure that your customer service is excellent, optimizing your website or mobile app for search engines, and employing targeted advertising to attract potential customers. Additionally, you want to make it simple for customers to move and bridge the process to the dealership when they’re ready by providing them with the resources to explore the information they feel comfortable investigating or calculating on their own (inventory, trade-in values, financing terms/payments, F&I items). Making it simple for them to start up where they left off can boost their trust in you, pleasure with your response, and desire to conduct business with you.
eCommerce Strategy: As businesses transition to the full eCommerce experience, they should concentrate on building a visually appealing and intuitive online store. Using social media to reach clients, running targeted adverts, and SEO-optimizing content are some more approaches to think about. Businesses should also think about storing customer information and monitoring customer activity using customer relationship management (CRM) software. Everything should be connected and flow into one another naturally, starting with the car and continuing with accessories, financing, delivery, and so forth.
Overall, eCommerce and digital retailing are two quite different types of retailing. Both can succeed, though, if dealerships take the time to properly sell, advertise, and inform consumers about them and how their operations integrate them. Dealerships can increase their chances of success in both digital retailing and eCommerce by utilizing tactics like SEO optimization, targeted advertising, and active use of the various features of CRM software.
Is eCommerce for the automobile industry the future?
Because convenience is key, automotive eCommerce is growing in popularity as a method of retailing. Customers can choose from a considerably larger variety of automobiles and gain access to new markets thanks to eCommerce. In addition, customers can look over various models and features at their own time and decide after doing their research.
Consumers of today demand and anticipate a flexible, tailored car-buying experience that fits their schedule. And that is precisely what eCommerce offers.
What can you do right away to get ready for the change in automotive eCommerce?
It’s crucial to have a strong online presence in the beginning as you move gradually from having a few digital retailing solutions toward being completely eCommerce equipped. Although it may seem simple, it involves more than you might imagine and is constructed brick by brick, step by step.
Sure, this strategy calls for building strategies around incorporating eCommerce technology into your business plan and timeline as it is adopted within your business and how you’ll market it. It also calls for setting up a high functioning, simple-to-navigate website, developing a social media presence, and using SEO and PPC. Making it feasible for your clients to browse and purchase vehicles straight from your website will make it simpler for you to track customer preferences and trends when you are making plans for the changeover.
For the future’s path
The automobile sector is about to undergo a revolution, and the first phase in this transformation is to gradually transition from digital retailing to eCommerce. You can make sure you’re ready for the future of the automobile industry by developing an online presence, incorporating eCommerce technology into your company model, and supporting it with a well-thought-out marketing and consumer education plan.
The procedure of buying an automobile is currently changing and will do so in the future. Additionally, your business plans and strategies must change as the times and consumer preferences do. You can increase client reach, optimize processes, and unleash the potential for your company’s long-term success by combining, blending, and updating your digital retailing in order to achieve complete eCommerce capabilities.
You may get qualified leads for automobile buyers through SimpSocial. We have the shoppers as well as the data that links and activates your data. We wish to match their needs with those of our dealer partners in order to generate high-quality leads and, on average, produce gross profits that are 35% greater. We electronically connect you with clients in order to attract them to you, allowing you to concentrate on developing and letting your brand stand out.
Cox Automotive offers unrivaled data and insights into consumer behavior, automotive trends, and operational best practices. Cox Automotive has the most connected and comprehensive picture of the automotive industry. Whatever your objectives are, we can assist you in achieving them more quickly so you can stay competitive and successful in today’s market.
There is little doubt that the effects of digitalization, economic difficulties, and industry pressures are being felt. You might be as surprised by the findings of the poll of over 10,000 car buyers as our research team was.
Not all the news is negative… To win and keep an auto shopper’s business in the upcoming year, our industry should reconsider its business and marketing strategies in light of the trending data and diminishing satisfaction levels.
In order to successfully overcome these challenges and shape auto consumers’ desires, requirements, and preferences for the future, let’s analyze some of the key insights on how economic and industry changes affected consumer happiness.
The findings of the yearly Car Buyer Journey Study
Over 10,000 people who would be interested in purchasing a vehicle in 2022 were polled for the study – ooh. The majority of the research was carried out in the second half of 2022, and dealers were also surveyed as part of the process.
Since 2009, SimpSocial has conducted an annual Car Buyer Journey Study to provide an in-depth analysis of the whole car purchasing process in the United States with a focus on customer satisfaction. The study’s objective is to give prospective purchasers of both new and used vehicles a comprehensive picture of the entire process, including the research, shopping, and several buying processes necessary to close the deal.
It was evident from this comprehensive viewpoint that industrial and economic issues were to blame for the decline in customer satisfaction.
It goes without saying that the automotive industry has had a particularly difficult couple of years. The majority of customers and our business began to recognize the chip scarcity as a serious issue at the end of Q1 2021. Gains in consumer satisfaction with the overall car-buying experience were severely hampered by the issues of low inventory and increased vehicle costs that would follow in 2022.
Consumer satisfaction scores have once more decreased and are now at pre-pandemic levels. Today, 61% of customers said they are extremely satisfied, despite the fact that customer satisfaction drastically declined for the second year in a row.
Only 31% of customers said they had a better experience buying a car recently than they had in the past. A decrease from 43% in 2020. At the same time, an increasing number of customers claim that the experience was or is negative. Many people blame the difficulty in obtaining adequate inventory and rising automobile prices for this deteriorating sentiment.
New Car – Percentage of buyers who were extremely pleased with their complete purchasing experience:
2022: 70% (down)
2021: 71%
2020: 74%
Used Car – Percentage of customers who were extremely pleased with their complete purchasing experience:
2022: 58% (down)
2021: 65%
2020: 71%
Pricing impacted the experience and happiness of car buyers.
Let’s look more closely at how price impacted all the many components of the consumer’s car-buying process and journey to better understand how pricing has contributed to the diminishing satisfaction scores from consumers and shoppers alike.
According to the report, in just the last two years alone, the average list price of both new and used cars increased by about $8,000.
In response to these price hikes, customers informed us that they had noticed greater prices than anticipated and had spent more money than they had planned. This subsequently affected the relationship between the buyer and their dealer or store because it made them feel worse about their deal. According to the poll, they expressed less faith in both their retailer and the bargain as a whole.
The decision to acquire an automobile was also influenced by macroeconomic circumstances.
Let’s now examine the macroeconomic aspects that also contributed to the altered purchasing behaviors and decisions as well as the satisfaction levels of automobile buyers.
Last year, inflation was a significant economic factor that had an impact on every US citizen, not only the auto industry. It was not just a blip on the radar. In fact, it was the highest it had been in forty years, according to records. Consumers claimed they were very conscious of inflation and that it had a direct impact on both the cost of their purchases and the value of their cars.
Interest Rates: As interest rates soared, buyers and sellers of automobiles faced significant financial obstacles. At the end of 2022, customers saw prime rates for used vehicles rise to above 10% in some circumstances, signaling the end of the days of 0% or cheap interest financing and significant financial incentives. Many sub-prime customers experienced rates twice that high and were priced out of the market because they could not afford the monthly auto payment under the lender-imposed debt-to-income ratio. The highest interest rates in the past 20 years were reached.
Gas prices: At an all-time high in many regions of the nation in 2022, gas prices primarily had an impact on the make and model of the car that potential buyers considered before deciding to buy. EVs and hybrids gained more and more traction, and OEMs moved forward with plans to introduce more electric and fuel-efficient car models in the upcoming year.
For auto buyers, the purchasing process grew less effective.
The length of time customers are spending in the buying process is by far the most notable difference in the car-buying process this year. And they didn’t like it at all.
The length of time it took a buyer to complete their purchase in 2021 was at an all-time low. Buyers today spend slightly under 15 hours studying and shopping for their next vehicle, which is almost an all-time high in time spent.
Why is that important? That’s two hours more than the previous year.
Buyers are also spending more time at the dealership, as shown in the chart above, which has led to a decline in customer satisfaction with the dealership experience. The biggest change is that purchasers are spending more time online investigating because there is less available.
The good news is that digital solutions improved the car-buying process, which is acknowledged by buyers, sellers, and dealers.
87% of car dealers say that using digital retailing solutions has improved at least one aspect of their company, saving time, increasing productivity, and boosting revenue, profits, and customer connections.
Most significantly, 81% of consumers in 2022 said
The overall shopping experience was improved through internet activities.
Customers claim that shopping online saves them time. They also claim that an eCommerce strategy offers greater pricing transparency and lets them deal with fewer dealership salespeople, which they perceive as a traditional pain point being removed.
“Mostly Digital” purchasers, or those who make more than
50% of the buying process is done online.
were the buyers who were happiest overall.
The findings showed that 67% of mostly digital purchasers and 49% of light digital customers, who complete less than 20% of the steps online, respectively, were happy with their purchasing experiences. Mostly Digital purchasers are likewise more likely to believe they received a good bargain from the dealership than Light Digital buyers. Additionally, they expressed greater satisfaction with how much time was spent at the dealership and during the buying process.
SimpSocial predicts that in the upcoming year, half of all vehicle purchasers will interact with at least one digital tool during the purchasing process, and eighty percent of consumers said they would be willing to conduct all of their business online within the following five years.
For the future’s path
Despite a decline in overall satisfaction with the car-buying process in 2022, you can overcome some of the obstacles caused by macroeconomic and industry issues by understanding what today’s car buyers want, need, and prefer. There is room for growth for the dealers in the upcoming year to lessen the arduousness of the procedure for in-market auto shoppers as long as buyers continue to demonstrate need and supply is growing.
You can not only attract a car shopper’s attention, but also win (or keep!) their business by paying closer attention to the experience you provide car buyers online and how that translates into in-person interactions, enhancing efficiency and transparency, and showcasing how your brand’s experience stands out as the one a consumer should choose.
SimpSocial offers you pre-qualified leads for automobile buyers. Both the data and the customers are available to us. We wish to match their needs with those of our dealer partners in order to generate high-quality leads and, on average, produce gross profits that are 35% greater. We electronically connect you with clients in order to attract them to you, allowing you to concentrate on developing and letting your brand stand out.
Auto dealers need to learn how to sell the car they may or may not have on their lot more than ever because of ongoing inventory shortages, rising loan rates, and a persistent consumer demand. How can they accomplish that effectively? By putting an emphasis on improving their experiences and brand.
Changing consumer purchasing habits have created new marketing opportunities for your dealership. Most significantly, these chances allow you to emphasize why a potential client should buy or service their vehicle from you. The capacity to conduct the majority, if not all, of the purchasing process online is currently at the forefront of how our industry functions.
Manufacturers and dealers of all sizes have had to adapt to several waves of changes in consumer behavior, demands, and expectations over the past few years. In order to give the customer who was actively looking and purchasing what they needed and preferred, they found themselves having to immediately devise a plan.
However, they then found themselves needing to swiftly devise a new approach.
This time, the focus of the strategy was on how to strengthen their brand so that they could effectively market the extraordinary experiences they provide, especially after it became evident that inventory constraints weren’t just a blip on the radar.
There are several advantages for you and your dealership when you sell your brand and experiences rather than just the automobile you need and want to sell. The customer will leave your dealership with more than just a car; they will have a greater understanding of who you are, what you stand for, the entire transaction, and will have a positive experience.
It’s time to promote and market your experiences and brand.
You’ll find new ways to not only stand out to your ideal client, but also to assist them in finding the automobile and experience they’re seeking, which will result in greater revenue, by taking a closer look at how your dealership markets and sells its brand and the distinctive experiences offered.
The best techniques to improve your dealership brand marketing and experiences to increase sales and stand out to your target market are listed below.
It’s no secret that the last several years, particularly with inventory shortages, have shifted attention from the particular car to the brand rather than the individual vehicle. Many people are probably also not surprised to learn that, along with changing consumer behaviors, there has been an increase in the number of consumers abandoning previously favored brands.
Consumers are trying to buy a car they can actually get and in the timeframe they desire, even if it may not contain everything they first searched for, as more and more of the purchasing process is being done online.
The dealership and brand that is most notable to them is more frequently and is catering to their needs and wants.
When it comes to your brand, be sure to respond to the following inquiries and include your answers into your dealership’s marketing plan:
You will win the client if you sell an experience. You might make one sale when you sell the car. It’s time to change and align with what both the manufacturer and the consumer want.
If you’re still unclear, how does my brand distinguish itself? How can I make a consumer desire more from me than just a car? You achieve this through delivering and offering experiences.
Exceptional experiences:
When faced with inventory problems at one of the nation’s busiest Toyota dealers, they made the decision to become inventive. They bought the vacant property adjacent to the dealership, built some dirt mounds on it, and now they let customers test drive their vehicles there.
The buyer, or potential customer, is hooked on the experience once they test drive the demo vehicle on the mounds. They are drawn to its originality and desire the truck.
Most importantly, they will not only tell everyone about it (including your dealership!), but they will also be prepared to wait and place a pre-purchase in order to receive exactly what they want because they had such an amazing and unique experience.
Brand takeaways that contribute to an experience, as examples:
How are you appealing to the customer’s senses when you don’t actually have the car for them to see, smell, feel, or touch?
Some OEMs offer attractive pamphlets to help with this experience, but an SimpSocial dealer partner went above and beyond by customizing their dealership marketing brand booklet.
They had it constructed entirely out of leather, down to the stitching, using the leather options available for new car pre-ordering. Even if the consumer couldn’t see them in a car on your lot, they still gave them a sensory experience that they could take home with them.
More sales are likely to be made if you can maintain a connection with the consumer and offer sensory experiences that they can continue to see, smell, feel, and touch.
These instances keep a customer interested and make them want you and your business more than just the car. Therefore, keep an eye on the experiences you are giving customers both in-person and online because those are the things that will earn you the earnings that only a loyal consumer can bring you.
It’s crucial to mention educational marketing when discussing how to ensure that your dealership is promoting your brand and experiences, especially when it comes to new car pre-orders. Why does that matter? It implies that you must clearly explain to the customer how a new car pre-order works.
Remember that for the majority of car buyers, pre-ordering a new vehicle is a relatively new concept. When thinking about pre-ordering in the past, you basically only had to consider extreme luxury or extremely specialized car needs.
But now that things have changed, it’s important to remind your customers how to pre-order and what to do, with a focus on how it’s done at your dealership and with your brand.
Find a few suggestions that are now assisting dealers in educating their current and potential clients while also boosting sales and profitability below:
It’s time to consider or reconsider how you’re educating a customer who likely has to go through this procedure with your dealership for the first time. In addition to going above and beyond, be sure to stand out as a dealer that cares about their comfort and is prepared to guide them through the process.
Last but not least, pay particular attention to your service center when you concentrate on marketing your brand and experiences, especially when it comes to the chance to turn your service center into a profit center. Over 50% of a dealership’s income, according to a recent SimpSocial research, come from its service department.
That’s a lot of money in sales! Ironically, your service center receives only 10% of the marketing dollars spent on your dealership’s brand.
It’s time to assess your stationary operations in service for their significant income and profit potential. Refer to the tips listed below for things you can do right away to demonstrate how your brand and experiences distinguish themselves from those of your rivals in your service center:
Remember that you can acquire inventory through your service department in addition to the numerous items you should review in your service center above. It does, however, take a procedure and alignment between every department and every member of your team for your service center to become a profit center.
Do your dealership a favor and consider the client’s full lifetime value, which generally exceeds the profit from the first transaction and includes the revenue you generate from the client in your service center.
Make sure to give your fixed ops department more attention because your service center is a dependable strategy to improve your brand and customer experiences.
We invite you to get in touch with us so we can look more closely at how to draw a buyer’s attention online and help you make the most of how your brand and experiences stand out to increase sales and create profitability. As your dependable partner at SimpSocial, we offer you the solutions you need to manage your dealership more successfully while generating high-quality leads.
However, we also want to share with you our observations of what we think is effective. You can also benefit from our success, data, audiences, and destinations.
In the past year, new car pre-ordering has become more common at dealerships, regardless of whether you’re just starting to learn how to properly and successfully sell it or you’ve been doing it rather successfully for a while.
As we all know, new car pre-order is now a reality and a way of doing business as a result of macroeconomic difficulties, changes in consumer purchasing habits, and persistent inventory shortages in our industry. Over the past year, dealers and brands have included pre-order into their routine business operations, new car sales focus, and lead strategy.
However, it’s crucial to consider what your present pre-order plan is for new cars. Does that approach genuinely increase sales? Are you using your ordering process to inform and reach the correct customers? Are you advertising and selling to those who would benefit from placing a new car pre-order with your dealership as opposed to one from a competitor? Now that you know your new car pre-order plan is here to stay, it’s time to review and redefine it.
It’s time to revise your pre-order approach for a new car.
The good news first… Consumers are willing to continue paying MSRP without hesitation, according to statistics from SimpSocial, and are also willing to wait for a new car pre-order if the expectations are clear. Your clients are aware of the inventory deficit our business is experiencing as a result of the chip scarcity. But many are unaware of the pre-order procedure, including how to go about it and what to anticipate.
You’ll learn new approaches to not only successfully develop and implement a revenue-driving pre-order strategy, but also to capture the attention of your ideal customer, increase leads, and maintain the loyalty of current customers to you and your brand by taking a closer look at how your dealership markets, sells, and runs new car pre-order.
Promote the person, not the vehicle.
In the past, marketing to the exact car that was parked on your lot was everything. You might draw attention to a particular car and possibly provide it extra incentives both internally and externally if it had been sitting for a longer period of time than another. It was okay when there was enough of inventory since you concentrated on that car rather than the individual who would eventually purchase it.
But in the modern era, especially when it comes to pre-ordering a new car, it’s crucial that you advertise to the individual rather than the car you may or may not have on your lot.
You can appeal to a person’s goals, needs, and preferences by marketing to them. Additionally, since the majority of purchases are now made online, you’ll be able to target clients and work with them throughout the process.
When you make sure they receive the appropriate messaging at the appropriate time and enter your dealership as a result of your showing that you understood their requirements and wants, you have seized an opportunity. In the end, you gave them more than just a car by giving them something else—an experience—instead of just the car.
Additionally, even if you don’t have the automobile in stock, which is a reality for the majority of dealers today, they will still be interested in you and want to do business with you. You’ll make a sale if you give them the correct experience and demonstrate that you know what they want and are looking for.
the dangers you can prevent
Let’s discuss some of the advantages your dealership will experience as we add more layers to the potential of new car pre-order and lead techniques. or, more specifically, may avoid in this instance!
The typical risk of floor planning is one expense you can avoid by concentrating on new car lead methods like pre-ordering. Most dealers are no longer concerned about the new vehicles remaining on their lots for 120 days. Many people have really reduced that time in half by using effective pre-order techniques.
As a result, dealers will be able to increase their profit margins because they won’t need to plan as much for and spend as many floor planning expenses as they did previously. This could help you save thousands (and thousands!) in addition to boosting your profitability and the cash flow of the dealership.
Insurance Risk Costs: Some of the insurance risks you generally carry by just having inventory on your lot are additional dangers you’ll avoid by concentrating on a new car pre-order lead approach. Once more, your dealership bears this cost and risk in addition to fees that reduce your revenues. Pre-ordering new cars and using leads can enhance your profit margins while lowering your insurance risk expenses.
Consumers can obtain what they want while saving money.
Now, some more encouraging news based on surveys and information gathered by SimpSocial about consumers’ behavior and general expectations versus actual results… Customers adore the fact that when they pre-order, they receive exactly what they want and can spend or save money depending on the qualities that are important to them.
Implement informative advertising on the pre-order process for new cars.
It’s crucial to remember to use instructional marketing while creating your new automobile pre-order plan. You should explain exactly how new automobile pre-ordering works to the customer and also demonstrate it for them. Additionally, you should preferably educate your entire staff on the benefits of this procedure and how your dealership handles it in order to stand out from the competition.
Remember that for the majority of car buyers, pre-ordering a new vehicle is a relatively new concept. To ensure a successful and easy transaction, it’s critical and crucial to inform your consumer on how and what to do when thinking about pre-ordering, more specifically on how that is done at your dealership with your brand.
In reviewing your new car pre-order strategy, consider how your dealership is informing customers by asking yourself the following questions:
What methods do you currently use to inform your present, past, and potential consumers about new car pre-orders?
Do you expressly promote the fact that you provide new car pre-orders, and how do you highlight how your dealership differs from those of your rivals?
Do you have a video or series of films that are simple for your consumers to view that outline the delivery procedure as well as the steps one by one so they can continue to refer to it whenever they need to?
Do you have any marketing materials that compare and contrast typical new car purchases with pre-orders for new cars overall? What are the benefits and differences?
Does your sales staff describe the processes involved in placing an order, including what the customer will do online and in person, so they are aware of how and when to proceed to the next step?
Do you use pre-scheduled automated emails, retargeting online, or calendar touch points to stay in front of your customer at every stage of the ordering and waiting processes?
Make sure you go above and beyond when it comes to explaining what to anticipate. You should also stand out as a dealer who cares about making customers feel at ease and is prepared to inform and assist them during the full pre-order process.
a more lucrative approach to conduct business
New car pre-orders and the leads they can create for you should be the focus of your investment and strategy right away because, if you don’t, one of your rivals will develop a top-down plan for their dealership around them. Get in front of your prospective client and show that you can help them through a process that is probably new to them.
New automobile pre-orders, in the opinion of our analysts and others, are here to stay. Sure, some dealers may occasionally flood the market with inventory based on allocations, but over the long run, pre-ordering can be a much more effective tactic. Overall, it’s a more lucrative way for manufacturers and dealerships to conduct business.
Everyone in the auto industry is aware that the previous year provided auto dealers with a series of obstacles to overcome. Inventory was low, consumer habits and our sector were still undergoing fast change, and the global macroeconomic environment still faced some pretty significant difficulties.
Today’s successful dealers have discovered that it’s time to leverage the brand you’ve already worked hard to build, the traffic you already have, and the reputation you’ve created in your community, state, and possibly nationwide, in order to continue to drive profits and growth, even with all of the recent twists and turns.
How can you adopt a novel strategy to fully realize all that you’ve toiled over, not just in the recent years but during the entire existence of your company? Reverting to the fundamental components will help you grow your company and increase sales in the upcoming year. We’ve listed 4 ways to do this below.
build on the power of your current brand
Many dealers believe that they need to establish or create a fresh brand, particularly when it comes to eCommerce, in order to stand out to their ideal customer, especially in a predominantly online digital environment.
They don’t, though And you’re not required to!
the more you can use strength as leverage
of what you have been doing for a long time –
the greater your chances of connecting are
with your ideal client while boosting revenue.
Did you know that, according to Forbes, it typically takes 2 to 5 years to develop a business and its brand? The price might range from $40,000 to $500,000 depending on your brand and the upfront fees you will incur. And the first year’s sticker price is simply what is normally charged.
Therefore, why not use that money on enhancing your current brand rather than creating a “new” one?
These include Disney + and Discovery +, as examples. Both maintained their names, brands, recognition, and strengths while also providing an ecommerce product. Your brand has strength since you’ve invested a lot of time and money in it; the trick is to modernize it.
Build on the audience you attract as a result of the entire experience.
Let’s now examine the traffic that you already produce.
Website traffic: There is no need to throw out your current website and create a brand-new one when you already have one. Making it more durable is the secret to updating it!
Things like SEO optimization, CRM / database integrations and solutions, chat bots or AI assistant automations, easy-to-search and-find inventory with current, thorough, and transparent vehicle listings, and UI and UX design for ease of use and user functionality… The list goes on and on!
Take a comprehensive look at how to modernize and maximize the traffic to your current website to get the year off to a great start.
Local traffic: You have invested in advertising over the years to drive customers to your company and establish a name for yourself in the neighborhood. It’s critical to take advantage of that traffic whether your company has been around for a short period of time or for many years.
As the “local” dealership, you most likely have a good reputation in your neighborhood and surrounding area. Over the years, you’ve contributed to and sponsored a variety of things in your community, including radio advertising, little league teams, fundraisers, print and web advertisements, and more. Additionally, the recognition you already enjoy may increase traffic.
Consider how you can position yourself as the go-to resource for the neighborhood both online and in your showroom and service center by optimizing and developing a contemporary strategy around your local traffic.
You’ve already created the road for delivering the customer the whole experience by expanding on the website and local traffic you’ve built since your dealership first used its website to drive business.
What do we mean when we say that an experience is complete? We mean that potential customers know what your brand stands for and what kind of experience they may anticipate from working with you even before they set foot in your dealership. This will boost customer satisfaction while also boosting traffic and sales.
Asking yourself the following questions and making sure your dealership is on the same page with your plan for each vehicle buyer you interact with will help you increase traffic and provide a smooth experience for customers both online and in person.
Did you make it simple for them to conduct business online?
Were your current new and/or used product options, as well as any discounts or incentives for sales and services, transparent?
Did you continue to present them with content that was tailored to their interests and preferences as they had indicated to you online?
Did you make it simple for people to locate you, get in touch with you, and understand what to do next?
Did you make it apparent why they should do business with you or keep doing so?
Did you demonstrate that you were aware of their preferences once they arrived based on information gleaned from their online research or exchanges that were recorded?
Do you provide them with a unique offering, and is that differentiator obvious to them?
Did you save them time, genuinely comprehend their needs, and tailor the purchasing process to suit them?
Do you elevate the experience you provide such that customers want to not only buy or service a car from you but to exclusively do business with you in the future as well?
As you can see, in order to grow sales, it’s critical to reexamine the traffic you’re presently generating and build on those fundamental components. Find innovative ways to provide customers with a service both online and in person. Additionally, by enhancing and modernizing what you have already worked hard to create, you guarantee a more seamless overall experience, which we know is what today’s automobile buyer wants.
Develop and uphold the reputation you’ve worked so hard to create.
Most dealerships spend a lot of time building a reputation and even more time maintaining it. Additionally, having a well-thought-out digital retailing and eCommerce plan in place will help you strengthen, safeguard, and maintain your reputation.
You can keep in front of and with your ideal customer as well as current customers by using digital retailing solutions. You can demonstrate to them the benefits of doing business with you or the reasons they should continue doing so. To provide superior service and put your customers’ needs first, you can highlight the unique qualities that make your auto dealership stand out. You can demonstrate to them your reputation’s merits.
Your brand reputation will be able to shine through online in your eCommerce marketing and digital retailing efforts if your operations are in order and you create a strategy from the top down on what it stands for. When you do this, you’ve just used a proven method for leveraging your carefully acquired and maintained reputation.
Particularly if customers receive unified messaging and a consistent experience when they enter your lot for the first time. When they are the same, the pre-existing or perceived reputation, along with their online and in-person experience, enhances and strengthens your reputation and increases your earnings.
Create a brand that spans operations, sales, and service.
Your sales, service, and operations will be able to coordinate their efforts in order to achieve a common objective if you concentrate on bringing your dealership into alignment from the top down.
What your brand stands for and how each department collaborates with the others to promote sales and repeat business should be included in that goal. Although it may seem obvious, this is frequently ignored. There is a significant difference between addressing it only when something happens that could harm your brand and taking proactive steps to build.
You’ll also have the chance to maximize your current digital retailing and eCommerce capabilities, online paperwork, test drives, and delivery when you link all of the departments on overarching goals. everything involved in making a sale, attracting new customers, keeping existing ones, or bringing back defections. These connections assist your brand stand out as the one to use when they are made for everyone at the dealership.
Keep in mind that you may close more deals early in the car buying process if you provide more, educate more, and are more consistent with your dealership experience and brand.
In order to encourage loyalty, your dealership should also select what you may do after making a purchase. Examine your unique offerings, warranty and service policies, and other areas where you may genuinely set yourself apart from your rivals. To help your brand stand out, make sure everyone at your dealership is aware of these differentiators and incorporates them into the core messaging of your eCommerce strategy.
Additionally, you should take the time to thoughtfully consider and evaluate how your staff members from each department are instructed, updated, and informed on your current marketing strategy and objectives. Customer happiness and sales will increase if you consistently accomplish this, increasing the likelihood that your in-store and online experiences will be similar.
If they don’t match, it’s unlikely that the consumer would be pleased. Additionally, because of the conflict and separation, your brand will suffer. You don’t want to blow the opportunity you fought so hard to get.
With your personnel, a smart place to start is with education and training on existing and emerging customer buying behaviors and expectations. You should also make sure that the experience you provided online is same to, if not superior to, the experience a client receives in person.
You’ll not only generate more high-quality leads but also close more sales if you ensure that your sales, service, and operations are all using your brand, traffic, and reputation in your online digital retailing and eCommerce marketing plan.
Starting an auto dealership can be an exciting and rewarding venture—but it can also be financially overwhelming if you’re unprepared. Many new business owners underestimate the true business startup costs involved, leading to budget gaps, unexpected expenses, and early cash-flow challenges. While most entrepreneurs plan for inventory, rent, and payroll, there are several hidden or overlooked costs that can significantly impact your launch budget.
Whether you’re opening your first dealership or expanding into a new location, understanding these business startup costs is crucial for building a strong financial foundation. Below, we break down five commonly ignored expenses that every aspiring dealership owner should factor into their startup plan.
Technology is one of the most underestimated business startup costs, yet it plays a major role in your dealership’s success. From day one, you’ll need reliable tools to manage operations, streamline sales, and enhance customer experience.
Common technology costs include:
These costs will increase as your dealership grows. For example, adding new employees means purchasing additional software licenses—something many people forget to include in their initial business startup costs.
Investing in modern technology isn’t optional; it’s essential. Customers expect digital efficiency, and outdated tools slow down your sales process.
Before you can sell a single vehicle, your dealership must be properly licensed. This is a mandatory business startup cost that varies by state but often includes:
Typical dealership licensing expenses:
These fees can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on your state. Some states require additional permits, zoning approvals, or facility inspections before granting a license.
Always check your state’s licensing authority for the most accurate and up-to-date fee schedule. Overlooking licensing fees can delay your opening and increase your overall business startup costs.
One of the most frequently overlooked business startup costs in the auto industry is the surety bond required to obtain a dealer license. With the exception of Vermont and Ohio, every U.S. state requires dealerships to carry a valid bond.
What determines your bond cost?
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t pay the full bond amount upfront. Instead, you pay a premium, which is a small percentage of the bond amount—often between 1% and 10%.
Example:
If your state requires a $50,000 bond, your premium may only be $500–$5,000 depending on your credit.
Many surety bond companies offer financing, making it easier for new dealers to manage this business startup cost without draining their initial capital.
Once your dealership is open, operational expenses begin immediately—and they add up quickly.
Utilities and services you must budget for:
These ongoing business startup costs depend heavily on:
For example, heating and cooling can be a major expense in extreme climates. If your dealership building is large or includes an indoor showroom, energy bills can be substantial.
These expenses often surprise new dealership owners because they continue indefinitely—not just at startup.
While optional, industry memberships are extremely valuable for long-term success. Many owners forget to include these in their projected business startup costs, but they can significantly improve your knowledge, credibility, and access to insights.
Examples of helpful memberships and subscriptions:
Staying educated and informed is part of running a successful dealership. These subscriptions keep you ahead of market trends, pricing fluctuations, compliance changes, and sales best practices.
While they may seem minor, these recurring annual fees add up—so they should be included in your business startup costs from the beginning.
Underestimating startup expenses is one of the most common reasons new dealerships struggle. By identifying all expected business startup costs—both obvious and hidden—you can:
Proper planning allows you to focus on sales, customer service, and growth—rather than scrambling to cover costs you didn’t account for.
Starting an auto dealership requires more than inventory and enthusiasm—it requires a deep understanding of your business startup costs. From technology and licensing fees to surety bonds, utilities, and professional memberships, every expense plays a part in your success.
By anticipating these costs early, you’ll build a stronger, more resilient dealership positioned for sustainable growth.
What hidden expenses surprised you when launching your dealership? Share your insights—your experience may help another entrepreneur avoid costly mistakes.
As we all know, manufacturers have been pressuring dealers to renovate for years. Dealers are spending millions to “Keep up with the Joneses” whether it be a full rebuild, a redesign, or even just a makeover. The majority of dealers consider these remodels to be major events, spending thousands on temporary structures and off-site storage facilities in addition to the revenue lost from sales and service. It is also a nightmare for the staff and clients. You understand what I mean if you’ve ever worked in a temporary trailer during a chilly Colorado winter.
The majority of dealers are unaware that there is a sizable tax credit available for remodels. I understand what you’re thinking: “My accountant takes care of that.” Not nearly, and the simple explanation is that it is outside of their area of competence. The majority of building owners and CPAs lack experience with cost segregation, despite the fact that some of them do. True instructors are hard to come by in this sector, which regrettably contributes to a lot of misinformation. Numerous thousands of building owners have been left out of this effective tax-saving method as a result of these circumstances. The reason I questioned why dealers spend so much money on advertising, management systems, call centers, social media, and so on throughout my 21 years as a Fixed Ops Manager is that they never take a step back and consider how much money may be available to them to offset some of these expenses.
“You can only get these benefits on a new building, or new construction, right?” is another frequent query I receive. First of all, let me state categorically that it is advantageous to have a Cost Segregation analysis performed when you buy, develop, or renovate a new building. In reality, a study should be carried out for anyone building or remodeling a commercial facility. However, older structures show off the actual strength of cost segregation! Here is an illustration of what you might be overlooking.
Five years ago, Mr. Client paid $3,500,000 for a commercial property, but he never carried out a Cost Segregation Study.
Despite speculations to the contrary, Mr. Client is aware that he may now be able to take advantage of a study (perhaps because he read this blog post).
Mr. Client engages a specialist who finds that 20% ($700,000) of the components should have been given a 5-year life rather than a 39-year one. When Mr. Client learns that the IRS will let him “catch up” $700,000 in missed accelerated depreciation on his subsequent tax return, he jumps for delight!
The final line is that it’s still not too late to do a Cost Segregation analysis if you own commercial property. You might be able to save hundreds of thousands or perhaps millions of dollars in taxes. Take advantage of these savings right away to save money and boost your bottom line.
In every dealership or business discussion lately, one phrase keeps coming up: cash flow. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about better inventory management, cutting costs, or improving lead conversion — at the end of the day, everything ties back to how much cash you have left after the bills are paid.
Cash flow is the lifeblood of your operation. It determines whether you can invest in growth, pay your team on time, or withstand economic slowdowns. Unfortunately, many businesses focus so much on revenue that they overlook how effectively that money moves through their system.
If you’re looking for actionable ways to strengthen your dealership’s financial health, here are three practical steps to boost it — strategies you can implement immediately to keep more money in your pocket and your business running smoothly.
One of the fastest ways to improve cash flow is by tightening up how you get paid. In the world of finance and insurance (F&I), time truly is money. The faster your deals are funded, the sooner that cash lands in your account.
Implementing an efficient eContracting process can dramatically improve turnaround time. Electronic contracts reduce manual errors, eliminate delays caused by paper-based processes, and help lenders fund deals more quickly.
Every delay in contract approval means funds are sitting idle. A more precise eContracting system ensures that each deal is processed correctly the first time, avoiding rejections, missing signatures, or incomplete documentation.
You can start by:
When your payment pipeline flows faster, your cash flow naturally improves. Dealerships that refine their eContracting systems often see funding times shrink from weeks to days — a significant difference in liquidity and working capital.
Dealerships often underestimate how much cash flow they lose through inefficient floorplan management. The vehicles sitting on your lot represent tied-up capital — money that could be working for your business elsewhere.
A floorplan financing strategy allows you to leverage your inventory instead of leaving it idle. Both captive and non-captive lenders typically offer competitive floorplan interest rates and payment terms, meaning you can free up cash while maintaining stock levels.
Ask yourself:
Establish a monitoring system that gives you real-time visibility into your inventory and its associated financing costs. By identifying aged vehicles early, you can move them faster — improving both profitability and cash.
Floorplan optimization isn’t just about freeing up money. It’s about maintaining balance — leveraging financing where it makes sense while avoiding overexposure that could lead to unnecessary interest expenses.
Here’s one of the biggest cash flow killers in automotive retail: unfunded deals. It’s surprisingly common for dealerships to roll over contracts that haven’t yet been funded, creating hidden financial holes that slowly drain liquidity.
Yes, it might make your monthly sales numbers look better, but it severely impacts your cash. When deals remain unfunded, your accounting statements show revenue that hasn’t actually arrived — which can distort performance metrics and create operational bottlenecks.
The fix is simple: enforce a strict policy against rolling over unfunded deals. Make it part of your F&I accountability framework. Require daily or weekly reporting that clearly identifies pending deals and their funding status.
If your F&I team struggles to close funded deals while maintaining strong product penetration, focus on training and coaching. Skilled F&I managers should be able to sell service contracts, warranties, and GAP insurance to qualified customers — not rely on creative accounting.
The result? More accurate reporting, cleaner books, and, most importantly, healthier cash flow.
Managing cash flow effectively is about more than just balancing income and expenses. It influences nearly every aspect of your business, from decision-making to growth opportunities.
When it is strong:
On the flip side, when it is weak, even profitable businesses struggle. Payroll becomes stressful, growth stalls, and strategic flexibility disappears.
That’s why the best leaders treat its management as an ongoing discipline — not a quarterly review topic.
Beyond the three main strategies, here are a few additional steps you can take to keep your cash flow steady throughout the year:
Automating billing ensures you never miss a payment deadline. Send invoices immediately after a transaction and set up reminders for overdue accounts.
Extend payment deadlines with suppliers where possible, and shorten collection terms with customers. This timing difference can significantly improve cash flow.
Regularly review inventory levels. Move slow-selling vehicles through promotions or wholesale channels to release locked-up cash.
Evaluate which departments or processes can be outsourced to reduce payroll and operational costs.
Audit subscriptions, utilities, and vendor contracts. Even small savings add up and contribute to improved cash flow.
Implementing just one or two of these actions can create a noticeable improvement in your monthly liquidity.
It’s easy to get caught up in profit margins, but profit is theoretical — cash flow is tangible. Profit tells you how your business performed on paper; it tells you whether you can survive and grow in real life.
Many businesses fail not because they weren’t profitable, but because they ran out of cash. By prioritizing it optimization, you ensure that every dollar earned works efficiently — fueling your operations and future investments.
The truth is, improving cash flow isn’t a one-time project. It’s a continuous process of examining, tightening, and optimizing. Leaks can appear anywhere — in slow funding times, aged inventory, or inefficient payment systems — and the key is to identify and correct them quickly.
Every department, from sales to service, contributes to its performance. That’s why communication and accountability across teams are critical. The stronger your internal systems, the healthier your cash position will be.
Boosting cash flow doesn’t require complex financial maneuvers — just disciplined execution. By perfecting your eContracting, managing your floorplan intelligently, and eliminating unfunded deals, you’ll see an immediate impact on liquidity and overall profitability.
Think of it as your dealership’s pulse. When it’s strong and steady, everything else — growth, investment, and stability — falls into place. Keep refining your processes, stay vigilant for leaks, and make its optimization an everyday habit.
Because in business, cash flow isn’t just king — it’s survival.
Creating a strong marketing budget is one of the most important steps an auto dealership can take to ensure predictable growth year after year. Even if you’ve wrapped up a profitable season and feel confident in your store’s performance, the market shifts constantly – and the dealers who plan ahead always come out strongest. Instead of waiting for slow months or reacting to surprises, you can proactively build a structured, high-impact marketing plan that guides every campaign, spend, and strategy.
Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming year or refining your current plan, these eight priorities will help you use your marketing budget wisely and generate measurable results.
A successful marketing budget starts with intentional planning. Pull historical sales data to determine which months consistently perform well and which need extra support. Set realistic monthly goals and align your budget to match those revenue expectations.
Once goals are set, map out a full omnichannel marketing plan. Identify major holidays, seasonal sales moments, and dealership-specific events. Every campaign should include coordinated assets such as:
Assign a percentage of your marketing budget to each category and create detailed briefs so your team knows exactly what’s coming each month. With this structure in place, you’ll avoid last-minute scrambling and easily measure spend vs. results.
Your marketing budget can drive traffic—but your internal communication determines whether that traffic converts. Put yourself in the customer’s shoes. Visit your website, submit a lead, or call the store pretending to be a shopper.
Ask yourself:
The modern buyer expects short, mobile-friendly messaging that respects their time. Your CRM processes, automated triggers, and templates should be built for both the customer experience and your sales team’s workflow. Updating these areas costs little but drastically maximizes the value of your marketing budget.
You can buy leads, traffic, and awareness, but you can’t purchase community influence or brand affinity. These intangible investments deserve space in your marketing budget, even if they don’t fit traditional categories.
Examples include:
These actions build trust—something no ad can replace—and create a strong foundation for future referrals and repeat customers.
Even if your inventory photos look great, merchandising is never “finished.” Each VDP (vehicle detail page) should function as a self-contained advertisement that convinces the buyer to take the next step.
Enhancements may include:
These visual and informational upgrades dramatically increase engagement and conversion rates. Allocating a portion of your marketing budget to merchandising is one of the highest-ROI moves you can make.
The rise of video is undeniable. Automotive shoppers consistently watch videos before making a purchase decision, and Google reports that car buyers prefer content such as:
But don’t stop there. Consider adding videos such as:
Producing a steady stream of quality video content requires planning and resources, so make sure video production is included in your marketing budget. The payoff in engagement and conversion is substantial.
Your CRM already contains a valuable book of business—customers who know your store, trust your team, and are far more likely to buy again. Smart dealerships devote at least as much of their marketing budget to nurturing existing customers as they do generating new ones.
Retention tactics include:
A customer who feels valued will return again and again, reducing your dependence on high-cost acquisition channels.
Even the best marketing budget can’t compensate for an untrained team. Training shouldn’t be an occasional workshop—it should be part of your dealership’s culture.
Effective internal training includes:
External coaching is equally valuable. Outside trainers introduce fresh perspectives, ensure best practices, and hold teams accountable in ways internal managers may not have time for. Allocating budget to training ensures that every marketing dollar produces maximum return.
The phrase “fish where the fish are” has never been more relevant. Consumers spend hours each day on social platforms, and targeted social ads allow dealerships to reach buyers based on behavior, interests, and location.
Your marketing budget should include spend for:
Simply posting content isn’t enough—paid amplification is now mandatory for meaningful reach.
Your marketing budget is the roadmap that will guide your success. Rather than spending reactively, build a thoughtful, structured plan that incorporates campaigns, processes, merchandising, training, and advertising. When executed with intention, your budget becomes a strategic tool that propels your dealership through economic shifts and industry changes.
If you plan early, allocate wisely, and track your ROI consistently, your dealership will enter the next year prepared not just to survive—but to dominate.
The way customers buy vehicles has changed dramatically in recent years. Today’s buyers expect — and deserve — a seamless, fast, and digital-first experience. Dealers have made strong progress with online retailing, but one area still lags behind: finance & insurance. While the industry has adopted innovative tools for browsing, pricing, and communication, the process often remains slow, fragmented, and frustrating for both sales teams and consumers.
To move toward a fully modern retailing model, the industry must rethink how it integrates into the buying journey. Streamlining this step not only enhances customer satisfaction but also increases transparency, efficiency, and CSI—core elements of today’s retail expectations.
This guide explores the challenges of traditional F&I, why the current structure no longer aligns with modern consumer behaviour, and how dealerships can evolve by combining sales, contracting, and its workflows into one simplified, digital solution.
Modern retailing blends digital retailing tools with updated internal dealership processes to empower customers to buy vehicles the way they prefer—whether online, in-store, or a hybrid of both. It acknowledges a critical truth: technology alone cannot modernise car sales. The internal structure of the dealership must adapt too.
While many dealerships use advanced tools for browsing inventory, calculating payments, or scheduling appointments, the finance & insurance step remains disconnected. The result: long wait times, confusing paperwork, and a buyer experience that abruptly shifts from smooth and digital to slow and manual.
To meet the expectations of younger, digital-native customers, the process must become a fluid, transparent extension of the sales journey—not a bottleneck.
Historically, dealerships hired salespeople who excelled at negotiating but lacked relationship-building skills. The finance & insurance manager emerged to soften the experience, rebuild rapport, and present protection products.
While the intention was good, the structure created an unnecessary division in the sales cycle:
This slows the process and creates friction precisely when the customer wants clarity and speed.
Buyers consistently cite finance & insurance as the most disliked step of car buying. Being moved into a separate office, re-pitched products, and presented with a new monthly payment feels out of alignment with the rest of the experience.
Customers often wonder:
“Why did we negotiate for an hour just to have my payment raised again in F&I?”
Even though the traditional structure frustrates customers, many dealers hesitate to change. They worry that:
However, modern digital systems can remove these risks entirely.
To modernise retailing, dealerships must integrate finance & insurance into a single, platform-based workflow that covers:
Instead of passing the customer from one department to another, a unified solution allows both the customer and salesperson to follow a clear, step-by-step process.
A streamlined system should include:
One that calculates the full deal structure, including taxes, fees, incentives, and trade-in values.
Automatically populated with accurate pricing, lender terms, and eligible finance & insurance products tailored to the vehicle.
To eliminate skipped steps, reduce mistakes, and expedite CIT and funding.
By centralising all data, the entire sales and finance & insurance workflow becomes consistent, compliant, and fast.
No longer waits between departments. Customers move through one structured flow with no handoffs.
Presenting finance & insurance products within the sales process eliminates the “payment shock” moment at the end.
Customers appreciate clarity — and they buy more when they feel informed rather than pressured.
Digital guardrails prevent missing signatures, incorrect disclosures, or inconsistent deal structures.
Sales consultants can build trust from start to finish rather than handing customers off to someone new.
A modern finance & insurance experience requires knowledgeable, customer-focused sales consultants. Training is essential—but absolutely achievable.
Salespeople must be trained to:
Invite sales staff into CIT meetings, funding reviews, and lender discussions. This helps them see how critical accuracy and compliance are.
Modern retailing requires consultants who are:
The best results in finance & insurance come from trust, not pressure. Buyers purchase protection products from people who genuinely listen.
To fully embrace modern retailing, the industry must let go of the traditional “F&I box” and move toward a unified, digital environment where finance & insurance is one stage—not a separate department.
This transition will take time. Just as dealers initially resisted mandatory menu presentations, some will resist this shift. Some employees will leave. But eventually, integrating it into a single sales workflow will become the industry norm.
And that’s a good thing.
Because combining all steps into one transparent process:
Most importantly, it gives customers what they’ve been asking for:
A faster, clearer, digital-first buying experience. And that’s the future of automotive retail.
Although the subject of floor layout is not new, it has recently become much more engaging. According to a recent article by Auto News, floorplans increased from an average expense of $96 per vehicle in 2022 to a gain of $140 per vehicle in 2021. Gains are attributed to cheap interest rates, small vehicle inventories, and OEM credits.
Unfortunately, this will probably only happen once. The benefits of new vehicle floorplans will be negated by high used vehicle floorplans since OEM subsidies have decreased.
A long-term change in our sector’s inventory practices is also probably in store. Many analysts believe that the days of extremely high inventory levels and delayed turns will never return. This, in my opinion, is a positive development for our sector. Inventory that is too large is wasted and costs too much in interest.
You should take a close look at your floor plan with so many variables in flux. Start by following these proactive suggestions:
Examine your floor plan, including the lenders and loan rates. The time to renegotiate is now because interest rates are at an all-time low. Compare the products and services offered by different financial institutions to those of your present lender. Perhaps you can negotiate a better price.
Watch out for overleveraging when buying used cars. Due to the high demand for old cars, many dealers are willing to pay up to 120 percent of the market price. If you can sell those automobiles for a profit immediately, it won’t be a problem. However, watch out for shifting market conditions and purchasing the incorrect autos. As OEMs release more new vehicles, the market will adjust itself. If you buy a pricey used car that sits on your lot, the financial burden could eliminate any profit. To avoid suffering a loss at auction, make sure you only purchase your core used vehicles—those that sell rapidly for a higher than average profit—and that you are prepared to immediately re-price them if the market changes.
Keep an eye on your curtailment period. It’s possible that you only pay interest on your inventory for a specific period of time. Following that, your curtailment period begins, and you start repaying the loan’s principle and interest. The length of your curtailment period is similarly fixed. The lender has the ability to request full payment if that period expires with the unit still on your property. Observing these deadlines is essential. If you miss a deadline, your expenses could skyrocket. This might not seem like a major deal right now, but when the bubble pops, it will.
Maintain your automobiles’ trustworthiness – Selling out of trust can be illegal, expose you to civil lawsuits, and potentially result in the suspension of your dealer license. Dealership organizations that spend money on things other than repaying loans could have grown too quickly or had bad financial management techniques. One of the worst things you can do if you’re short on cash is to let a few vehicle transactions fall through out of faith and hope to make up the difference the following week. That can cascade very quickly, as experts are aware. If you’re having trouble, talk to your lender first to see if they’ll be willing to help. The majority of people will support you during trying times. The breaking of trust can also take place covertly. According to a story in Auto News, a dealer lost customer confidence after his company manager left and was replaced by a novice employee who thought it was acceptable to prepay trades and let the flooring loan float for a few days.
As a former controller, I am aware of how time-consuming managing floor planning can be. Look into floor planning options. Excel is simply inadequate for the task. Spend some time looking into floor planning programs that can handle your data and assist in auditing to make sure your balances are accurate. Nobody is perfect, and even a minor difference might cause major issues.
Floor plan loans will always be essential to our industry’s ability to sell both new and used vehicles. The market uncertainties of today offer chances to manage and rework your floorplan to reduce risk and keep costs low as our business changes.
Is online finance & insurance just another post-pandemic fad — or is it here to stay? Many dealers and F&I managers hoped that once showroom traffic returned, digital retailing would fade into the background. But data tells a different story. Nearly 20 percent of buyers now want to complete their entire car purchase online — including financing and insurance add-ons.
For dealerships, this shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Moving your finance & insurance process online requires compliance, adaptability, and new technology — but it can also boost profitability, enhance customer satisfaction, and future-proof your business. Let’s explore how to make your digital F&I strategy efficient, compliant, and profitable.
Digital retailing has transformed every part of the automotive buying process, and it is no exception. Customers expect the same convenience they experience when shopping on Amazon — quick decisions, transparency, and personalization.
Rather than replacing in-person selling, online F&I give dealerships the ability to meet customers wherever they are. Whether the buyer wants to explore protection products from home or finalize financing at the dealership, offering flexible digital tools keeps your store competitive.
In short, it is no longer just a back-office process — it’s a critical part of the online buying journey.
The first rule of selling finance & insurance products online is engagement. Most customers focus on the car itself — not extended warranties or GAP coverage. Without your in-person pitch, how do you grab their attention?
Simply sending them a link to browse F&I products rarely works. While self-education helps, closing the sale still requires active communication.
Video conferencing tools bring human interaction back into the process. A quick video chat allows you to walk buyers through the products visually, show coverage comparisons, and answer questions in real time. Visual aids improve understanding and increase conversion rates — even from a distance.
Many top-performing F&I departments now use digital menus and product videos embedded in their finance & insurance portals. These tools allow customers to explore coverage at their own pace while keeping them engaged in your ecosystem rather than drifting to outside sources.
Compliance has always been at the heart of finance & insurance, but remote transactions add another layer of complexity. Electronic signatures, online disclosures, and remote verifications must meet both state and federal standards.
When implementing digital F&I, ensure your technology platform:
Regulations in finance & insurance continue to evolve. A small oversight — like a missing signature — can void a deal or create legal exposure. Automation tools that flag incomplete documents can help prevent these costly mistakes.
The system you use should automatically log every document, timestamp each interaction, and store them securely. That transparency protects your dealership and builds customer confidence in your online finance & insurance process.
Customers choose digital retailing for one reason: convenience. That’s why your finance & insurance workflow must be as simple as possible.
If state regulations prevent a fully electronic closing, allow partial digital completion — for example, signing financing agreements online before visiting the showroom for final delivery. Even small digital efficiencies create smoother transactions and happier customers.
Provide access to digital copies of all completed finance & insurance documents. Customers appreciate transparency and the ability to reference agreements anytime, without piles of paperwork.
A successful online dealership experience is seamless. When your website, CRM, and F&I platform communicate, customers enjoy a consistent journey from browsing to delivery.
Integration allows you to:
This transparent, interactive approach builds trust and helps customers feel in control — a key factor in boosting backend profit margins.
Even the best software won’t deliver results if your team isn’t confident using it. Continuous training on online tools, compliance requirements, and digital communication is essential for modern finance & insurance professionals.
F&I managers should learn how to:
Empowering your staff to sell digitally can dramatically improve close rates. Remember, your team’s ability to adapt defines the success of your finance & insurance department in today’s market.
Trust is everything in finance & insurance. Digital tools make it easier to share detailed coverage information and pricing breakdowns upfront. Transparency doesn’t reduce profitability — it enhances it.
When customers feel they’re making informed choices, they’re more likely to purchase extended service plans, tire and wheel coverage, or GAP protection. The key is to position these products as valuable long-term savings, not upsells.
Add educational content, FAQs, and short explainer videos to your F&I section online. The more confident customers feel, the more successful your digital finance & insurance sales will be.
While automation streamlines data entry and approvals, personalization drives emotional connection. Successful dealerships strike a balance between efficiency and empathy.
Use your CRM to track customer preferences, credit profiles, and purchase history. Then tailor finance & insurance offers to fit their needs. For instance, a customer leasing a new car may value tire and wheel protection, while a long-term buyer may prioritize extended warranty coverage.
When you personalize digital F&I experience, customers perceive real value — turning what used to be a “paperwork process” into a genuine service.
Transitioning to digital finance & insurance isn’t a one-time change — it’s an ongoing optimization. Track metrics like penetration rates, average product sales per deal, and customer satisfaction scores.
If certain products underperform online, experiment with presentation styles or pricing displays. Use data insights to refine your strategy over time. The best F&I operations continuously test and adjust, just like their marketing counterparts.
When implemented correctly, an online finance & insurance strategy delivers measurable results:
By meeting buyers where they are — online — dealerships can increase revenue while future-proofing their finance & insurance operations.
Online retailing isn’t a passing phase — it’s the new standard. For dealerships that adapt, digital finance & insurance offers unlimited potential. You don’t need to abandon traditional methods; instead, blend human expertise with digital convenience.
By focusing on engagement, compliance, and customer trust, your F&I department can thrive in both the showroom and the virtual world. The sooner your dealership embraces online finance & insurance, the stronger your competitive edge will be — today and tomorrow.
You recently paid another hefty DMS fee, your 20 Group told you about a wonderful new system, or you want improved support. Dealers may change DMS providers for a variety of reasons. Whatever the motivation, it’s a significant choice because your DMS affects every facet of your company.
I understand. I worked as a Controller during a DMS switch, so I know how important and difficult this decision is. It will inevitably disrupt your operation and put your staff to the test. Nevertheless, if you take the time to properly choose the perfect companion, the advantages will outweigh the drawbacks.
The material that follows explains how to negotiate DMS contracts, what to anticipate, and what to look out for when evaluating suppliers.
how to become ready.
It’s imperative to conduct a complete examination of your current system before approaching any new providers. Conduct an expenditure study of all third-party spending as well as your DMS. This will provide you with a precise cost breakdown for your DMS each month.
Make a list of every system that connects to your DMS. Start with connectors that are obvious, like your CRM, desk product, and service applications, then work your way to less well-known ones, like your parts scan gun.
Check out business elements like your website and inventory that aren’t immediately related to your DMS. When my dealership converted, I recall the months-long struggle we had to comprehend all the websites where we listed inventory in order to ensure that the prices were accurate and reflected in the new DMS.
Meet with the managers of your dealerships to discuss what is and is not working with the present system. Obtain feedback on any previous systems they may have utilized. It’s likely that some of them have recent experience, particularly if they are recent additions to the business.
Finally, focus on a specific reason for your desire to change. Are you only interested in price, or are you seeking alternative functionality? Maybe you’re thinking of purchasing additional businesses, and you’re worried that your current setup won’t be adaptable enough to accommodate the addition.
Once you’ve determined the cause, schedule a meeting with your existing provider to go over the issue. They may have a solution that you are unaware of, or they may be open to a price reduction in order to retain your business. If your present provider is eager to take care of you, there is no reason to switch.
Decide on your priorities.
You’ve done your research and determined that a new partner is the best choice for your company. Set your priorities for the new system right away. Price is the main motivator for the majority of dealerships; they merely want to spend less for a DMS.
Make sure you’re not giving up something important for that cheaper payment if this is your top priority. When my store underwent a change, it undoubtedly appeared to be going to be less expensive. But in the end, we had to turn to other applications to find the features we required. Almost all of those cost savings were lost.
The functionality you require to run your firm should be determined. Dealers frequently overpay for features that their staff never even uses. Not every system has to be the Ferrari of systems. On the other hand, don’t forget about the essential elements that you require. Even if you can add it later, realizing you’re missing a component after the move can cause significant disruption.
Support and service quality have to be given top consideration as well. Don’t just take a provider’s words on this matter at face value. Ask your 20 Group and other industry allies for straightforward responses. When you call with a problem, they’ll let you know if you should plan on spending hours on the phone. Then you can avoid it.
Add data ownership and retention to your list of priorities. You need to be aware of your escape plan. If you want your data returned, will you have to pay? Are there going to be conversion fees? After a contract is signed, dealers ask these questions far too frequently. To ensure that you enter a relationship with clear expectations, ask beforehand.
Last but not least, consider DMS capabilities in light of your long-term goals. The average DMS contract is three to five years long. Are you going to add a store within that time? start a section for wholesale parts? open a dealership for RVs? Make sure the system can change and adapt along with your firm, whatever your plans.
Understand the schedule.
A DMS transition is a drawn-out procedure with significant milestones that start long before the signing of a new contract. You can get a better idea of what to expect by studying the timetable below.
When your current contract is 24 months out from expiration, you should start looking into switching. Get ready to analyze the cost of your current system. Meet with the managers at your dealership to go over your preferences and wants. Review your present DMS services line-by-line. Identify the building blocks of your system and what would make a new system essential.
15 to 6 months prior to the expiration of the current contract is the ideal time to start interacting with prospective suppliers. Use your prior analysis to help you choose who to talk to. You should speak with Tier 1 providers like Reynolds or CDK if you require hardware support. Tier 2 vendors such as DealerTrack and Auto/Mate don’t offer internal hardware support. The least-cost Tier 3 carriers also provide the least amount of assistance.
Plan product presentations with your management in attendance. Direct the discussions toward the requirements of your dealership and have managers practice routine duties, like paying out a repair ticket, to gain a sense of how the system functions in practical settings.
Decide which option is best for you, then start contract talks (more on this in the following section). Before signing, carefully read the final deal. Contracts can be intricate and frequently have a lot of sub-items, so if necessary, seek a specialist. Never assume you are an expert. Make certain to.
Before you sign the contract, finalize the implementation and transition details, organize training, and fix how and when the data will be converted. Don’t forget to write and mail your existing provider a 90-day cancellation notice.
When there are six months until the transition is set to go live, your dealership should start getting ready. Manager vacations should be postponed throughout the installation time. For business continuity challenges to be kept to a minimum, everyone must be on board and prepared.
All staff should be informed of the transition plan and expectations. For a conversion to be successful, employee buy-in is crucial. Curtis Horne, a dealership consultant for more than 20 years and a former vice president of sales for Reynolds & Reynolds’ Southern Division, is aware that change is difficult and that some people may need a little encouragement. “Compensation drives behavior,” he says. “Employees will change if there is a significant financial benefit.”
Employees might receive rewards for completing further online training, reaching significant goals, or supporting slower learners. Money is always a powerful motivator.
Discover insider knowledge.
DMS providers want to generate money, just like any other company. Knowing a few of their techniques will help you stay away from overpaying for services, being forced into automatic renewals, and giving up excessive amounts of control over your company. During your talks, keep an eye out for the following behaviors.
5+ year contracts – A lot of suppliers present the typical 60-month contract as the only choice. It isn’t. It is possible to sign a contract for 36 months. “Only accept a five-year term if the offer has clear financial benefits,” advises Horne. You don’t have to stick with a long-term contract because the market is so unpredictable and there are so many providers.
Price hikes for assistance – Every year, providers often raise the price of assistance. Make sure the contract expressly mentions those price hikes, so the provider cannot later raise the price. According to Horne, you may “negotiate to get support locked in with no increases, but you must do it from the very beginning before you sign.”
Installation and training terms should be negotiated in the initial contract, along with the price and the number of hours you will receive. Keep in mind that some people learn quickly while others do not. Work out a plan that provides your staff with sufficient training so they can be successful after the trainers depart.
Contract term – It’s a common error to fail to confirm the start and end dates of the contract term. The clock often begins after the system is installed, not after you sign the contract. I advise adding a calendar alert 24 months prior to the term’s expiration. An excellent moment to evaluate the system is right now. Repeat the process six months and a year before the end. If you decide to do that, you won’t be caught off guard and lose your window to cancel.
Contract extensions: Be aware that DMS providers may automatically extend the life of your contract by 60 months when you buy new hardware. Refuse to accept that. Ask for a clause saying that any upgraded hardware will have the same expiration date as the current contract. Horne takes it a step further, depending on the service provider: “I have a termination letter already signed at the beginning of the contract, so there cannot be an auto-renewal condition. A contract may automatically renew for years if you’re not paying attention to the dates.
Services bundles: Some service providers may want you to combine all of your services with them. everything, including telephone and internet service, desks, and timekeeping for employees. Providers who threaten to cut off access to their systems if dealers don’t renew can and do hold them hostage. Consider third-party providers in place of bundling all of your services. You don’t want to find yourself wanting to transfer DMS providers but not realizing your existing provider also handles your IT. Negotiate who is in charge of the network, advises Horne. Are you genuinely interested in having one provider manage your entire dealership?
Electronic document management solutions are offered by several DMS providers, however, these solutions are only functional if you utilize their DMS. If you choose to change service providers, you must purchase the new document management program. Instead, think about using a third-party system. You simply need to purchase it once, and many are DMS-independent so you can always access your data even if you change service providers.
OEM integrations – Because your OEM and dealership need to connect, several DMS suppliers offer OEM integrations. Ask how many integrations are included before choosing a service that boasts integration with your OEM. A supplier might only give 12 integration points, whereas an OEM might have 30 for a DMS. Ask before you sign because there is no requirement that they provide them all.
You should never take a provider transition lightly because your DMS has an impact on every facet of your company. Spend the time evaluating systems, understanding negotiation tactics, and, if necessary, seeking outside professional assistance. You’ll vastly improve your chances of selecting the greatest partner, with the finest framework and conditions, for your company now and in the future.
Who doesn’t remember The A-Team? From their ingenious plans to that iconic black-and-red van, the group embodied teamwork, strategy, and adaptability. But beyond the nostalgia, this action-packed show offers some surprisingly relevant financial lessons for today’s business owners and accounting professionals.
Just like Hannibal’s crew, your own “A-Team” — your Accounting Team — can achieve more when everyone works together toward a clear goal. Centralizing your accounting functions, embracing consistency, and improving efficiency are powerful moves that can strengthen your organization’s financial future. Let’s explore three major financial lessons the A-Team can teach modern businesses.
The first of our financial lessons is about the power of unity. The A-Team always operated from a single plan — each member had a unique role, but their success depended on working as one. The same principle applies to your accounting system.
Centralizing accounting functions under one roof creates a “hub-and-spoke” model that improves efficiency, reduces redundancy, and ensures greater accuracy across departments. Whether you run multiple dealerships, retail stores, or service locations, gathering your financial operations into one centralized structure provides stronger control and visibility.
A consistent process across all branches allows teams to close books faster and with fewer errors. When every accountant follows the same procedures for payroll, accounts payable, or inventory tracking, you eliminate duplication and confusion. This not only saves time but also reinforces accountability.
Controllers love smooth month-end closes — and that’s one of the financial lessons every business leader should value. Centralization brings order to chaos, prevents discrepancies, and helps ensure that key reports are accurate and compliant.
Consistency also boosts morale. When employees understand standardized processes and feel supported by a unified system, job satisfaction rises. Staff turnover decreases, and your business benefits from the long-term stability that strong financial structures provide. These cultural improvements are among the most overlooked financial lessons for sustainable growth.
The A-Team always had a detailed plan — and in accounting, attention to detail is equally vital. One of the most important financial lessons is that accuracy saves money and protects your organization from risk.
Centralized document management ensures all data, reports, and records are stored securely and systematically. During audits, having precise, easily retrievable records is essential. In a decentralized setup, different stores or branches might file documents differently, leading to inconsistencies or lost data.
When your accounting team manages scanning and digital filing from a single location, accuracy improves dramatically. Every contract, invoice, or service record is handled by trained professionals rather than entry-level staff scattered across branches. As a result, you minimize mistakes, prevent incomplete deal jackets, and safeguard compliance.
These habits form one of the most valuable financial lessons for businesses operating across multiple sites: centralized accuracy equals long-term security.
Having well-organized documentation doesn’t just make audits easier — it reduces financial exposure. When your dealership or business can produce every relevant document instantly, you demonstrate transparency and reliability. It’s a proactive approach that every controller should adopt, turning compliance into an asset rather than a burden.
In The A-Team, coordination was everything. Each member had a specialty — B.A. handled the mechanics, Face managed negotiations, and Hannibal led the mission. Vendor management in accounting works the same way. One of the most impactful financial lessons is learning how to coordinate and control external relationships strategically.
As your business grows, the number of vendors you deal with multiplies. Without oversight, you risk duplicate contracts, inconsistent pricing, and even automatic renewals for services you no longer need. Centralizing vendor management solves these problems by consolidating contracts, improving oversight, and strengthening negotiation power.
This unified approach lets you:
Every CFO or controller who has dealt with surprise renewals knows the pain. This is why mastering vendor coordination ranks among the smartest financial lessons any organization can learn.
Another benefit? Centralizing your accounting system — including your Dealer Management System (DMS) — can reduce overall costs. When your general ledger and vendor processes are consolidated, you avoid redundant billing and improve transparency. Fewer moving parts mean lower software fees and tighter cost control, reinforcing another crucial financial lesson: technology and teamwork drive savings.
The A-Team didn’t just rely on strength — they relied on strategy. The following financial lessons also emerge from their creative approach:
These soft skills are as critical as spreadsheets and ledgers, reminding leaders that teamwork builds not just great missions, but great businesses.
Centralized accounting isn’t just about streamlining operations — it’s about creating financial clarity. When your accounting team functions like the A-Team, you get faster reporting, fewer errors, and smarter cost management.
Businesses that apply these financial lessons often experience:
In an uncertain economy, these benefits make all the difference. Whether you’re managing a dealership network, retail group, or corporate chain, bringing your financial “A-Team” together will help your company thrive through any challenge.
The biggest takeaway from the A-Team is simple: they were unstoppable because they worked as one. The same principle applies to your business finances. By uniting your accounting staff, digitizing documentation, and managing vendors strategically, you create a leaner, stronger, and more effective financial operation.
These financial lessons prove that success isn’t about doing everything alone — it’s about working smarter together. Like the A-Team, when your accounting department collaborates, plans, and executes with precision, you’ll see smoother operations, lower costs, and stronger profits.
If you want to improve consistency, strengthen controls, and apply proven financial lessons from one of television’s most iconic teams, it’s time to bring your own A-Team together.
According to an eye-opening story in Auto Dealer Today, dealers can earn up to $12,000 more in gross profit each month from retail reimbursement for warranty parts.
Given that the majority of manufacturers spend, on average, 40% more than cost, this makes sense. A dealer will effectively quadruple warranty gross profit without raising volume if approved at an 80 percent markup above cost.
Consider this for a moment: By utilizing your right to retail reimbursements for warranty parts, you can generate twice the gross profit.
You have the support of your state’s car organization. Due to their lobbying efforts, nearly every state now has legislation requiring manufacturers to pay dealers for warranty parts at retail, or your customer parts rate. The most recent state to join the group is California, with a law that became effective on January 1, 2020.
There has never been a better opportunity to optimize revenue prospects than now, according to COVID-19. Every dealer is concerned about surviving the current economic crisis unscathed. The time is now to work hard to obtain the higher rates you are entitled to in order to weather this crisis better than you did before.
In Huntsville, Alabama, Chantel Procell is the Fixed Ops Director for the Hiley Auto Group. For a couple of her establishments, she recently through this kind of audit process. “The procedure was rather simple. I provided the OEM with the information. On the initial request, the majority of our stores got rises of 20% to 30%,” she stated. You may apply every year, so depending on the store, I’ve done so for a few retailers to receive an additional 2–5%.
There is no way to sugarcoat the fact that a normal approach to raise your rate is labor-intensive and time-consuming. To support your claim, you must assemble a large number of documents, but there are ways to streamline and reduce the expense of the procedure.
Examining your parts-pricing matrix comes first. This matrix shows pricing schemes for particular parts based on unit costs, sales volume, and discounts offered. The lost profit from these factors can be in the thousands of dollars.
Why does this matter? The OEM is simply seeking uniformity. The manufacturer does not want to see significant variations in what the customer really pays for a given part when assessing reimbursable rates. The manufacturer will look at the average charge, for instance, if the retail price for a part is $200 and your team is charging between $135 and $200 (based on your volume/discount matrix). As a result, you will only be allowed at the 70% rate ($140) if you are only pricing 70% on average because of an aggressive discounting structure. Now, every time you sell for full retail, you lose the extra $60.
Before applying, it’s important to review your matrix and discount policy. Most manufacturers only let you submit an application for a rate increase once each year. You must be aware of the potential drawbacks that this approach may generate, even though it may be advantageous at that particular time to provide favorable discounts for certain clients. You’ll have the best chance of maximizing your reimbursement rate and, consequently, your profit if you keep a steady and compact parts structure.
Adopting document scanning and online archiving is the second stage. Your manufacturer won’t just increase your rates. Making your case requires evidence, which is what documentation is.
The majority of state statutes demand that a dealer substantiate its retail rate with at least 100 consecutive eligible ROs. These records must be detail copies with cost per unit information. The manufacturer might reject your submission if there are any missing documentation or the versions are incorrect.
It is simple to enter a RO number into a search bar on a third-party document management platform rather than spending numerous hours searching through filing cabinets and boxes. Online storage also allows you to retrieve the whole list of documents at once, access documents at any time, from any location, and remove the possibility of misfiling documents you have already accessed.
The final piece of advice is to think about collaborating with a car consultant who specializes in warranty parts reimbursement analysis. These businesses may assist you in analyzing your price matrixes, provide you with information on local legislation, and essentially put together the “case” for the manufacturer. They will typically have a focus on a certain manufacturer and be aware of what the OEMs need to maximize the cost reimbursement rate.
Time is crucial since you can profit from higher rates more quickly if you submit your papers quickly. A scanning and archiving solution combined with a skilled automotive consultant are probably your best chance for optimizing your warranty parts and labor markups to get results more quickly given the large volume of data and limited staff time.
Due to the current economic climate, many dealers are constantly looking for ways to reduce expenses while increasing gross earnings. Be sure to consider the potential profit from retail reimbursement for warranty parts. Utilize a document management system and the knowledge of an automobile consultant to successfully and affordably prepare a rate increase request that, if accepted, will pay you in the long run.
Across the country, many independent car dealers are experiencing strong momentum. Those who secured inventory early—before ongoing chip shortages disrupted production—are now thriving in a market where used vehicle demand has surged. In fact, used car prices rose by a record-breaking 10% in April, the largest monthly increase in over a decade, giving independents a rare opportunity to outperform franchise competitors.
But how long will this advantage last?
As factories return to normal production levels, the used vehicle market will inevitably rebalance. Inventory shortages will ease, pricing will normalize, and consumer buying behavior will shift again. This means now is the time for independent car dealers to strengthen their digital infrastructure, improve customer experience, and prepare for a more competitive environment.
Below are the top three technology investments independent car dealers should prioritize to stay ahead—regardless of market conditions.
Today’s customers want the flexibility to shop on their terms. While most buyers will not complete their entire purchase online, the majority want to start the process digitally. This makes digital retailing tools essential for independent car dealers looking to compete with franchise stores.
A strong digital retailing setup allows customers to:
These features enhance professionalism and improve the overall brand perception of your dealership.
A poorly designed website harms trust. In 2025, customers will quickly leave a site that looks outdated, loads slowly, or lacks essential information. The best-performing independent car dealers invest in sleek, modern websites with clean navigation and interactive features.
Some of the most successful independent dealer websites now include:
One of the most effective features allows customers to enter their monthly budget and instantly view every vehicle available within that range. Surprisingly, many franchise dealers still don’t offer this level of transparency—giving independents a competitive edge.
Many dealers fear that posting full pricing and offering digital retailing tools will reduce gross profit. The opposite is true.
When customers arrive at your dealership already informed, confident, and pre-qualified, you spend less time negotiating and more time closing. Digital transparency strengthens trust—and trust increases profit.
Today’s customers value speed, convenience, and clarity. Independent car dealers can dramatically improve the buying experience by incorporating online finance tools and e-contracting.
Pre-approvals allow customers to:
For independent dealers, this means fewer unqualified leads and faster closings.
Compared to franchise dealers—whose incentive programs often create complicated paperwork—independent car dealers can adopt e-contracting with ease.
Benefits include:
Even with tightening lending standards, many lenders—including Ally Bank and Credit One—continue offering strong financing options for independent stores.
One of the biggest weaknesses among independent car dealers is lead management. Despite receiving twice as many leads as the average franchise dealer, many independents openly admit their follow-up process isn’t strong.
This is where a workflow-driven CRM becomes essential.
A CRM that supports workflow automation ensures that no lead is ignored—and every opportunity is maximized.
Integrating apps into your CRM can elevate your sales process. For example, apps like Quickpage allow sales staff to create personalized video messages for customers, such as:
Videos are nearly impossible for customers to ignore. They build trust, increase transparency, and create stronger emotional connections—three factors that help independent car dealers convert more leads into buyers.
When all communications—texts, emails, videos, calls—are logged within the CRM, your team can see the full customer journey and engage more effectively.
The current market has helped independents generate impressive profits. But market conditions will shift. When inventory normalizes and demand cools, only the most prepared dealerships will continue to thrive.
Investing in the right digital tools ensures you can:
The dealerships that modernize now will be the ones leading the market tomorrow.
Independent car dealers have a unique opportunity to outperform franchise competitors—if they invest in customer-centered technology and digital efficiency. Digital retailing, financing tools, and CRM automation empower independents to build trust, attract more buyers, and deliver a seamless purchase experience.
As the market stabilizes, the dealers that embrace digital transformation will continue driving profits, customer loyalty, and long-term growth.
An excellent Forbes article describes the surge in used automobile values as well as their anticipated decline. It’s interesting that the headline of the piece used the words “crash” and “brace for impact.” Without a doubt, the used automobile market might explode as the real estate bubble did not so long ago. Customers are turning toward used cars in order to prevent depreciation and a lack of new vehicles; dealers are buying at high prices (often over MSRP), and lenders are buying aggressively in order to continue funding loans.
The paper claims that this bubble is about to pop. As a result, as automakers increase output and used car values decline, both dealers (who are in too deep of a financial hole with automobiles) and buyers (who paid too much for them) will suffer losses in depreciation. No matter if you are the vendor or the buyer, the automotive retail industry does not want this.
I’m worried that because these secondhand automobiles are being traded in so quickly, the dealers won’t have the chance to correct any safety recalls before selling them. Just as quickly as customers are buying up the product, dealers are rushing to get their hands on it. But eventually, dealers can find themselves upside down on a ton of unsold secondhand inventory, and buyers might find themselves much worse off.
It’s likely that many people will wind up with automobiles that have open safety recalls, regardless of when it happens. and franchise dealers’ service departments will be significantly busier than they already are with service requests. Also excluded from this is the availability of parts. Not familiar with this scenario? All of the Takata airbags have not yet been replaced.
The moment is PERFECT to search DMV registration databases for details on new customers in your PMA who have active safety recalls. Your dealership may be the first to contact these customers and let them know that their vehicle has one, even if they are not aware of it. That effort might result in a long-term client for your services. Additionally, you will receive a “heads-up” on any local safety recalls that require attention, giving your dealership an advantage over rivals by allowing it to purchase components first.
Your competitors will inevitably get in touch with these clients in an effort to win their business. However, you may win that business if your dealership is equipped with the necessary parts and repair space. Think about being the dealership that can say to the customer, “Yes, we have the parts, and we can fix it,” as opposed to the rival who says, “We can fix it, but we have to order the parts.” In terms of sales, that is equivalent to a dealership saying, “Yes, we have the car,” as opposed to “No, we don’t.”
The future? Some of those recalls can present opportunities for service-to-sales relationships. In either case, getting a head start on the competition benefits your dealership. You might easily earn a service customer this way, and you could even generate revenue this way by converting a customer from service to sales or through recommendations.
Being the first to play and having all the necessary tools will give you an advantage that might result in a lot of money.
“Blind Spots” is a fact-based manual for automobile retailers that offers tried-and-true, simple strategies for lowering their marketing expenses per sale and repair order (RO), growing their market share, enhancing their profitability, and outpacing the competition.
ATHENS – Auto dealers have followed the same strategy for many years, but they’ve been hoping for different outcomes that are required to adjust to a shifting market. Most of the time, they are just unable to recognize the modern, cutting-edge marketing techniques that link them to today’s car buyers. In his latest book, “Blind Spots: A Guide To Eliminating Today’s Automotive Digital Media Waste,” PureCars CEO Jeremy Anspach specifically addresses these solutions.
“Blind Spots,” a fact-based resource for automotive retailers that is available at Amazon.com, offers tried-and-true, simple strategies that can increase market share, increase profitability, and give them a significant edge over rivals while lowering their ad costs per sale and repair order (RO).
Increased dealership profitability is largely dependent on reducing wasteful advertising. An estimated $13.4 billion (1) will be spent on digital advertising by the automobile industry, and over 40% of that amount will be wasted due to poor data, poor strategy, or both. With the aim of optimizing to the lowest cost per sale and RO, “Blind Spots” demonstrates how today’s cutting-edge advertising data and technology can help dealers follow and capture demand by helping them identify which vehicles they should be aggressively marketing, which target markets they should be marketing to, and which media channels will be most effective in reaching those markets.
The NADA Chairman and CEO of Ricart Automotive, Rhett Ricart, states in the preface that every dealership should compel its employees to read this book. Every general manager, marketing expert, director of digital operations, and so on and so forth should read it. We must adapt to the permanent changes in the environment. Make this book your road map for navigating that transformation.
Anspach walks the reader through a crucial trip that thousands of automotive workers are traveling through in “Blind Spots”—the actual digital revolution that is now occurring in the automotive industry. Anspach, who was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, talks about his early aspirations to work in the automotive industry, his grandmother’s experience working on the Ford assembly line, and his first internet firms that launched his career in digital retailing and advertising for cars. Anspach gained a thorough understanding of the complexities and subtleties of the internet’s impact on the automotive sector along the way through experience and invention.
According to Anspach, the automotive sector today is “constantly focused on the premise that margin compression is increasing.” Every discussion I have serves as a reminder of this, which is a key factor in my decision to produce this book and provide dealers with a strategy for cutting waste while concentrating on increasing sales of automobiles, parts, and services.
The book delves deeply into the various types of blind spots that professionals still face today, the distinction between data and information, and successful cost-per-sale tactics. The book teaches readers how to target the right demographic for car sales, how to improve customer satisfaction, and how to use value-based intelligence to move inventory quickly and profitably. Along the way, Anspach offers first-hand accounts from reputable automobile industry experts who have benefited from several of these digital tactics.
It’s time for dealerships to open their eyes to marketing blind spots – and embrace cutting-edge twenty-first-century techniques before it’s too late, as Anspach eloquently conveys in his new book. Understanding how to employ these new cyber-selling strategies is crucial for dealers who wish to fight falling margins and emerging industry disruptors. The development of digital marketing has permanently transformed how dealers communicate with consumers.
The book sale’s revenues will be donated to a good cause. Visit Amazon.com to buy the book there.
What PureCars is
With its cutting-edge martech, advertising data, and portfolio management platform, PureCars is committed to assisting dealers and the automotive industry to prosper. With information that is PURE: Proven, Understandable, Relevant, and Essential, PureCars is the only source of PURETM Intelligence, offering dealers and automotive marketers a competitive edge. Industry-leading technology from PureCars makes better media buys by utilizing data and insights, which lowers the cost of advertising each unit sold and per repair order. Since the company’s foundation in 2007, PureCars has had remarkable success by fusing martech with digital merchandising, market analytics, and other technologies to offer dealers and partners best-in-class solutions that boost productivity and profitability. 65 of the top 100 dealer groups in North America use PureCars, which is compliant with 40+ brands and a certified digital provider for 15 OEMs in the U.S. and 1 in Canada.
You desperately need inventory if you’re reading this. We are all. I’ve never seen anything like it—there aren’t any new cars on the road.
When OEMs and dealerships closed during the pandemic, chipmakers turned their attention to electronics like PCs, as CNBC reported. They are finding it difficult to keep up with the increased demand from our sector. At least through the second half of 2022, according to Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, there will likely be an impact on automobile prices and inventory.
In my opinion, the best type of businesspeople are “car guys and gals”! We can survive this post-pandemic madness if anyone else can. All we have to do is make sure the buyer’s market doesn’t empty out.
A new follow-up procedure tailored to our current problem is the best way to stay in front of customers. The chip crisis is out of our hands. We do have some control over when and how we communicate with our customers. Only a consistent and transparent follow-up procedure will set you apart from the dealer down the road.
I am aware that several readers simply remarked, “But I don’t have any inventory. If I don’t have anything to sell them, why am I contacting them? You’re contacting clients who have indicated an interest in purchasing a new car through a call, text, email lead, or showroom visit. Yes, you probably don’t currently have the vehicles they’re looking for on the ground. You DO, however, only have a certain number of vehicles arrive each week. Customers who are actively looking to buy a car will repay you by visiting your dealership again and making a purchase if you keep them informed about new arrivals once a week.
What competitive advantage will this follow-up procedure provide for you? Because the majority of dealers will simply turn away a buyer if they don’t have the desired automobile in stock, label the customer’s CRM record as inactive, and forget about it. If the consumer wishes, he or she may follow up with the dealership. A customer is never a dead customer, as I frequently proclaim. That customer will purchase a car, but not from a dealership that displays a lack of enthusiasm for closing the deal.
Let’s contrast this with a situation where each salesman adheres to a set procedure supported by your CRM. The technology keeps track of every consumer interaction and car preference. Then you make a status alert that tells a salesperson to provide the consumer with an update over the phone or through text in a week. A customer can be connected to an inventory alert within your CRM so that when the vehicle they want arrives on the lot, you are immediately notified and can call the customer.
Consider the scenario where Mark visited you last week, asking for a new Corvette, but you don’t currently have one. In 60 days, you will see one for allocation. Mark hears you say, “I see we’re supposed to get one in 60 days. Do you mind if I call you again and let you know how things stand in that situation? How should I get in touch with you? After that, carry out your commitment and follow up. Because NO ONE is doing this, the client will remember and value you.
We are all aware that salesmen dislike following up with consumers in this manner, yet doing so is necessary if you want to keep their business both now and in the future. Consider bringing a BDC on board if you’re having trouble motivating your employees or if you’re already operating on a tight budget, as so many businesses are doing right now.
A virtual BDC has the manpower to provide regular customer follow-up, something many businesses currently struggle to do. You always have control over the message. You can collaborate with a BDC to develop scripts tailored to the chip situation and be sure that calls are being placed.
The post-pandemic pandemonium will eventually calm down, but where will your dealership be then? There are people out there who want to buy from you. Prioritize prompt, friendly, and proactive follow-up, and they’ll buy you their next car.
Autonomous technology is being developed by numerous car suppliers and manufacturers and is being included in the newest automobiles. The necessity of testing this technology is the crucial element here. Additionally, real-world driving scenarios with all of their potential variations were investigated. A typical motorist might run into other passenger vehicles, people walking or biking, motorcyclists, or any number of other impediments.
Manufacturers of autonomous vehicles must obtain state approval before conducting these experiments in actual situations, and they must log millions of miles to demonstrate the safety of their products. In case something goes wrong, there are operators present in the car. Imagine it being similar to the old driver’s education vehicles that had the stop, gas, and steering pedals on the passenger side in case the instructor needed to take over.
However, occasionally things can get a little problematic, much like staring at white lines for hours on a road trip. Maybe there was a little slip in focus. Perhaps it’s the roadside bumps put there to draw your attention if you drift. The car might have a lane-departure warning system. A human cannot reply in less than 2 seconds, nor can a car, it appear.
This is demonstrated in a Wired magazine story. In conclusion, “The Uber driving system recognized a vehicle ahead that was 5.6 seconds away, but it issued no notice to her. It had been fully in charge of the car for 19 minutes at that point. The computer then rejected its initial conclusion since it was unsure of the nature of the object. It then changed the categorization back to a vehicle before vacillating between that classification and “other.” The system recognized the object as a “bicycle” at a distance of 2.6 seconds. At 1.5 seconds, it returned to thinking of it as “other” and then went back to “bicycle.” The system came up with a strategy to attempt to avoid whatever it was, but it concluded that it couldn’t. Then, with 0.2 seconds left before contact, the automobile made a noise to let Vasquez know it was about to slow down. At 39 mph and two hundredths of a second before impact, Vasquez grabbed the wheel, forcing the car out of autonomous mode and into manual mode. It’s too late now. A 25-foot wake on the pavement was left by the broken bike. An individual was sprawled out on the pavement.
Do you know how much time separates 2/10ths of a second from 2/100ths? You need more time to read this sentence. The bicyclist was killed when the automobile hit them. The fact that this site is not “anti-Uber” must be made clear. Simply put, this illustrates the point I’m trying to make regarding this technology.
We are now going to get specific. Who is to blame? the self-driving car? perhaps the operator? The car had been programmed to detect and respond, while the operator had been taught to essentially “let the car do its own thing.” This is precisely the kind of incident that automakers have been claiming autonomous vehicles will stop. However, it didn’t in this instance (nor in many others). Although it was this person’s job to keep an eye on the car and let it do its thing, many customers are purchasing cars with this technology just for the ooh-ahh aspect.
In the end, it is challenging to sue an automobile. An automated vehicle murdered someone. There was an operator in charge of keeping an eye on what it did. Do you hold the driver responsible for the car’s 2/10th of a second notification? These are issues that will persist, and I can assure you that a judge will make a decision at some point. And regardless of how alluring it may sound, that might alter the history of new technology, or at least delay its adoption, for a very long time.
The Donner Party became stuck in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter of 1846–1847. Of course, they didn’t have the cutting-edge technology we do today, so things quickly got worse. You already know how the story ends if you are familiar with it. The zombie apocalypse wasn’t quite here, but it was near. What does this tale of tragedy and poor judgment have to do with the car sector? You don’t even realize it.
Let’s jump forward to the present. Because of the increased use of air conditioners during periods of intense heat, I’ve witnessed electrical grids in California fail. There have also been instances where the heat was turned off, albeit less frequently. On the West Coast, that is how it is. It probably doesn’t differ much from ice storms in the East that bring down power lines. However, a significant switchover to electric vehicles is about to occur. What would an electric car driver do if the East Coast’s or California’s power grid failed and they were left stranded?
I am aware of power outages and how they impact people because I live on the West Coast. However, I haven’t considered the potential repercussions of severely cold weather. I’m just not too familiar with that particular weather trend. That is precisely how tales of ancient disasters in the midst of circumstances that seem so avoidable by contemporary circumstances, such as the Donner Party, make their way from generation to generation. Have we not gained knowledge? Perhaps not.
Think about what happened recently on I-95 in Virginia. A 48-mile traffic delay was reported in a Washington Post piece, and it was 19 degrees outside. Big rig trucks, ICE (internal combustible engine) cars, hybrids, and electric cars were among the stranded vehicles. Many of these motorists relied on their automobiles’ heat to stay warm because they weren’t prepared for these circumstances (or this traffic jam).
With a car that runs on gas, you can just take a container and obtain some gas. even if it requires going to the closest gas station on foot. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, require charging facilities. If those charging stations aren’t available right away, it won’t be long until your supply of heat disappears. If the battery runs out (which happens more quickly in cold weather), the driver has no easy method to recharge the car, which then obstructs the path of other cars. Since you cannot simply drive into 48-mile traffic congestion to recharge your EV, there is no simple solution. There wouldn’t be a traffic bottleneck if you could!
I’ve now reached the main point of this blog.
The US federal government is drafting laws requiring automakers to completely phase out ICE vehicles, giving US consumers the option to only buy EVs. What would happen if every single car in the 48-mile gridlock in a 19-degree climate was an electric vehicle?
Should the NHTSA get involved in this situation? Once more, a car is viewed as a recall candidate if it doesn’t protect consumers. There is no malfunction in this instance, as there would be if an ICE car ran out of fuel.
Are we still failing to heed the cautionary message posted on I-95? What can we infer about this situation? The kindness of other motorists prevented the disaster, but what will happen when we are all operating electric vehicles? Nowhere is safe to flee.
Should there be a comprehensive plan for installing charge stations along every road and highway in addition to the ongoing fight for this legislation? Who does that, if so? The federal or state governments?
The EV infrastructure has a hole in it that could prove fatal. All of us are merely innocent travelers headed toward dire situations – a contemporary Donner Party if you will.
Something needs to be done to stop this kind of cold-weather scenario, where EVs are stalled because there aren’t enough charging stations, from happening again. The circumstances of the middle of the nineteenth century, which seemed so avoidable, have come back to haunt us in the guise of an infrastructure that is obviously not in place. We cannot pretend that Virginia never occurred. The only issue left to be resolved is whether or not we intend to take action.
During a customer-focused break-out session at a recent seminar for company owners, a buddy heard a story that struck a chord with everyone in the room. She told me about that incident.
One of the women I worked with had just bought the car of her dreams, and she adored it. She obviously adored her car, but what really struck me was her account of the event. Salespeople at the dealership were all dressed in black. She had never seen anything like it before, but she liked the mood. The showroom was filled with upbeat, enjoyable music, and there was a festive atmosphere. They even draped a sheet over her brand-new vehicle, brought everyone into a room, removed the tarp to reveal the vehicle, and everyone applauded and praised her. It was flawless. She kept returning for two years, even making accessory purchases while she waited. Until her most recent visit…
Compared to her last visit, a significant difference had occurred. The sleek black attire had been swapped out for dress shirts that were ill-fitting and wrinkled. Bad yacht rock was played in place of the upbeat music, and there was a gloomy feeling overall. No one was grinning or looking people in the eyes. The previous night’s leftover pizza boxes were in the cube next to the split coffee, and there was coffee spilled on a desktop.
It goes without saying that she never returned because it sounded awful. A change in ownership of the dealership was unquestionably a setback. In addition to the glaring errors mentioned above, what distinguishes a loyal customer is:
How to retain a dependable customer
1) Communicate: Be sure to send messages that are pertinent. not simply the cost. Include any available product and service updates for your clientele.
2) Be Sincere: Prices occasionally don’t work or contract terms alter. Avoid misunderstandings by keeping your client informed about your progress and their position at each stage of the process.
3) Empathy: Keep in mind crucial information regarding your client’s requirements. Get a top-notch CRM and maintain notes.
4) Reward: Offer rewards and loyalty programs to your customers.
5) Keep in touch; recognize milestone anniversaries and birthdays; and provide pertinent business news.
At many dealerships, electronic document storage is now more prevalent than not, and for good reason! The advantages are numerous, ranging from making audits simpler to getting rid of crowded filing cabinets.
As with every significant shift, there are obstacles. The main difficulty is the absence of a formal dealership scanning procedure.
Too frequently, this task is viewed as merely clerical and given to a $10 per hour temporary worker or added on top of the current responsibilities of an overworked staff. This is incorrect.
The scanner Operator actually manages compliance because they are in charge of making sure every document in a file is readable, organized properly, and tagged. If auditors show up, careless scanning that leaves pages blank or renders text unreadable might cost you thousands of dollars in fines.
Sales managers who want to examine a past agreement to give a returning customer the finest customer experience may be hampered by sloppy work. The same is true for service managers, who need to know a customer’s previous service history to help them when they spot them in the service bay again for an upsell opportunity.
Correct scanning is very important. Hiring a professional with a keen eye for detail and giving them hands-on instruction in the entire document flow and scanning process is well worth the time and money. If hiring and training are neglected, a scanning operator is more likely to commit the following mistakes:
failing to verify that every image is clear – Before being uploaded to permanent electronic storage, every scanned document must be readable and clear. Follow tried-and-true procedures, such as color-scanning driver’s licenses and checking that the documents’ corners aren’t folded. To ensure document integrity, the scanner Operator must examine the screen after each scan.
Failure to update the wrong titles results in a large number of unsearchable documents from mistitled scans. Sometimes a page smear is all it takes for the computer to misinterpret and misspell the title. To ensure the title is correct, the scanning operator must constantly compare the papers to what is displayed on the screen.
Document miscollation – Putting together documents in the wrong order can result in a document title that is erroneous and renders the documents searchable. You don’t want to have to wade through pages to find the first page of a RO or a Deal Recap sheet, therefore arranging the pages is also important for best use.
scanning several documents at once – Multiple papers could be stored under one title if separator sheets are not used or if people are not careful to ensure that documents are divided. When attempting to locate those misfiled documents, this poses a significant problem.
Forgetting to number the pages: Before scanning a document, all the pages should be counted and numbered. Then, the numbers should be compared to what is displayed on the screen. You run the risk of not scanning every page if you skip this step.
Documents that have been scanned and then immediately destroyed incur the danger of having an improper scan that cannot be corrected without the originals. In order to assure accuracy before shredding, it is best practice to check the system the following day for papers scanned the day before.
Failure to remove staples – A file that has staples increases the chance that a page may be missed since one may become “hidden” behind another. More significantly, staples could damage the scanner’s glass. Scanners can cost up to $5,000, and by leaving lines on every page, a scratched glass can ruin that investment.
Poor scanner maintenance – A scanner needs to be properly maintained in order to perform at its best and produce the greatest images, just like any other piece of equipment. Daily glass cleaning is required, as is monthly cleaning of the paper chute, rollers, and sensors by the scanning operator. Every year or every 200,000 pages, whichever comes first, page rollers should be replaced.
The scanning operator should be able to recognize Service, Parts, Deal, and Accounting documents when scanning without document expertise. After all, how can they decide how to organize it wisely if they can’t identify the document? If customers need more information or have questions, they will be able to find the right person at the dealership with proper identification.
When it comes to speeding through audits, improving staff productivity, and getting rid of enormous piles of paper, electronic document storage is a game-changer. Don’t, however, entrust scanning to a temporary or entry-level worker. A successful storage program depends on accurate document scanning, thus, it pays to employ a pro and spend money on training.
The state of the world economy has drastically changed since a few years ago. From massive corporations to small and medium-sized organizations, everyone is seeking ways to boost earnings, improve performances, and enjoy healthy competition. RFID personnel tracking systems are one option that many people are spending money on.
Through 2026, the market for RFID, or radio frequency identification, is anticipated to grow at a 9% annual pace. It’s obvious that a number of business owners think this technology can help them with their problems.
How does RFID tracking operate, then? Why is it superior to other wireless tracking systems in terms of benefits? The following article has solutions to all of these queries, among others. Please do so right away.
What is the process for RFID personnel tracking?
The top RFID personnel tracking specialists claimed that it gathers position data from numerous sensors and badges dispersed across the building. Real-time tracking information as well as a thorough location history are included. Although it is a well-known use case, asset management is where most businesses deploy RFID.
The information is organized by the RFID software into a useful dashboard that you can use to manage and safeguard workers more effectively. You can monitor the performance in real-time, provide the thorough reports required for compliance initiatives, and spot trends you might not have otherwise noticed.
Create customized triggered alerts using RFID software so that security may be notified if any user arrives late or wanders into a forbidden area.
advantages of RFID staff tracking
1. Durable Hardware
The passive RFID badges in particular are incredibly robust. Since there are no moving or mechanical parts, passive badges are recognized for being solid-state electronic devices. On passive badges and asset tags, several personnel tracking companies give lifetime warranties.
2. Affordable
The cost of RFID badges is incredibly low. The underlying technology has been in use for some time. But now that it has been improved and downsized, the badges can provide great and reasonably priced personnel tracking capabilities.
3. Sufficient Data Storage
Compared to other wireless technologies, RFID tags offer more storage space. The specific sum varies depending on the type of badge. Some allow you to analyze data so you can edit information that has been stored live in the field.
4. Quick Scan Periods
RFID sensors are appropriate for high-traffic locations since they can read the tags in a matter of milliseconds. Even if a group of people arrive at a busy checkpoint simultaneously, the sensors will read every badge as soon as they enter the reading range.
Drawbacks of RFID Staff Tracking
A. Privacy Issues
The system operators of a corporate tracking system could use it for personal or unlawful purposes if they are not properly trained, according to the specialists providing the best RFID hospital asset and staff tracking systems.
There aren’t many ways to prevent this issue from occurring. You must improve the control operator’s performance in the majority of spaces by screening, policy creation, training, and direct management.
2. Material Conflict
Most building materials can successfully withstand the passage of RFID signals. Water and thick metal, however, can obstruct the transmission of data. If the facility where you plan to use RFID monitoring has a large number of materials, you must properly calculate the sensor placement.
The range of the passive RFID badges from the scanner must not exceed one meter. Active RFID sensors have a range of three to one hundred meters for sharing badge locations. The figures all depend on how much wireless interference is in the space. If you use surrounding bands for other RFID or wireless systems, you can experience limited accuracy.
If you haven’t seen “The Matrix,” the main plot point is that robots have taken over the world and have given everyone a false sense of security while also exploiting people as energy sources (human batteries). Please bear with me as I explain; I’m not saying that’s what’s occurring or where we’re going.
We currently face a number of significant hurdles in the area of electric vehicles. Are they environmentally friendly? Numerous people concur. Does it matter what we think? Most likely not, as there is little evidence to suggest that the trajectory of electrification will change. But take into consideration the following:
1. In a blog post, I mentioned a Virginia incident that resulted in a 48-mile traffic gridlock during a blizzard. Many electric vehicles were reportedly simply running out of power, and since their drivers were stranded on the motorway, they had no means to recharge them, which ultimately left them without access to heat.
2. Another site expressed concerns about the financial barrier that consumers face in purchasing electric automobiles because most people just cannot afford them. even the most affordable.
3. The same blog highlights how, because these cars are essentially computers on wheels, dealerships will need to hire (or train) experts to fix them. Technicians are in great demand but in short supply in this field of work.
4. Next, we need to consider safety. This blog highlights the numerous “safety” features that electric vehicles offer, particularly unreliable autonomous self-driving systems. They have occasionally posed safety problems to customers, primarily pedestrians and cyclists rather than those traveling in other cars.
5. I also talked about how some cars don’t give pedestrians the right of way, which is required by law in almost all states.
Don’t call me an EV hater, please. In actuality, I consider electrification to be a natural extension of automotive innovation. Since the internal combustion engine (ICE) is all most of us have ever known, it feels like a generational jump. I think there’s a certain amount of nostalgia for the sound of an engine, the smell of gasoline, and working on cars among most Americans. Collectors like me, who own a 1972 Cheyenne C10, have a long-term relationship with these cars.
The electric drivetrain is now overdue for the owners of the upcoming generation of cars. Although adoption rates have reached incredible heights due to the chip shortage, the change will take time. All of the complaints about EVs are similar to those that horse and buggy vendors leveled at Henry Ford decades ago. So with that said, I have no difficulty advocating for EV and ICE vehicle safety. I’m also hesitant about the extent of government interference and whether it artificially encourages market dynamics that are unlikely to have occurred.
After 2035, no new internal combustion engine vehicles may be sold in California. A few days later, owners of EVs were urged not to charge them in order to lighten the burden on the power system. They did state that this program (at the time) was opt-in only. I recall when California implemented the same policy about indoor air conditioning. The cost of electricity would be reduced if you allowed the electric company to place a box on your air conditioner that they could use to turn it off during a grid overload. I live in the Golden State, but I’m not an energy expert. For the current demand, California needs to upgrade its electric grid. And the tens of millions of people who must charge their EVs (whether at home or in transit) will only increase the strain on the power system.
Some topics to consider include what would have transpired in Florida if those fleeing Hurricane Ian had not charged their cars beforehand and the entire electrical grid had been destroyed.
Rewind to the beginning of this blog post to see why I brought up “The Matrix.” California is aware that it needs a fix to strengthen the electrical grid and prevent brownouts. According to Wired magazine, their plan is to leverage personal electric vehicles (EVs) as a massive source of electricity that the government can use to supplement its own power supply. This is not novel, by the way. In Europe, a similar scheme has been running as a pilot for a while.
Finally, the “opt-in” program would reverse the process of the state supplying consumers with energy and ask them to allow the state to use their EVs as a vast network of “batteries” to bolster the power grid. To recap, consider the initiative for everyone to own an electric vehicle; the lack of infrastructure to support everyone charging their EVs; the state asking everyone not to charge their vehicles because the power grid can’t support it; and
It’s possible that after taking into account all of these details and the other things I’ve described, we have more questions than answers. That does not imply that we should support turning off the course we are on. Instead, I’m trying to find answers. I also think the private sector will be a major source of innovation. I’m placing my bets on the brightest brains in the industry to create solutions that electrify the return of the automobile, not on the government. Let’s just continue to be unwavering in our dedication to affordability, energy independence, safety, and convenience while also living up to the hype. I’ll wager that this model is sustainable.
According to a Marchex and Root & Associates study from 2021, 91% of auto buyers claimed that choosing a dealership was influenced by how trustworthy the salesman and/or dealership were. That is more than the 85% of those who listed “absolutely lowest price” as a crucial consideration! It’s the people, as one of our great industry friends used to say.
This is one of the main reasons why so many people research cars online before going to a dealership. They are curious about the dealership’s and the salespeople’s reliability. But where else do you think they look for information? directly on your website!
The great majority of automobile buyers visit a vehicle display page (VDP) as their first point of contact with your dealership. There, consumers can discover a wealth of information about their desired vehicle. However, the majority of VDPs do not provide any details about the dealership or its sales team on these pages. This is a MASSIVE chance lost to build confidence at the beginning of the purchasing process.
Use this straightforward three-step method to seize this chance.
1) Create videos for staff introductions and value propositions.
It’s human nature for consumers to buy from people they like. You hire salesmen because they are typically quite likable and charming, after all. The majority of salesmen also come across better “in person” than they do over the phone or in emails.
For each salesman on your team, make an introductory video for the workforce. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Ask them to introduce themselves, explain why they like working in the auto industry, and discuss a personal interest or pleasure. Do they take pleasure in attending their kids’ baseball games? Do they prefer video games or fishing? Do they possess musical talent? By disclosing personal information, they seem more personable and less like ominous salesmen out to get your money. Make sure your salespeople are grinning above everything else!
Instead of the chance draw of dialing in or pulling on the lot, picture having the option to pick the salesperson you want to deal with. I would adore the chance to see and interact with salespeople before deciding with whom to conduct business. The closing percentage must be significantly greater.
Make one (or more) dealership value proposition movies in addition to the employee introduction videos. Why should the client purchase from your store?
2) Add video links to your VDPs
Once you have these films, share them on your website’s “About” pages and social media channels. Don’t stop there, though. Keep in mind that your VDPs are frequently the primary point of contact with your dealership.
A car shopper visits a VDP in search of vehicle-related information. They are very likely to hit the “Play video” button if you have inventory videos. At this point, you have the chance to persuade your salespeople.
A link to the video transports the automobile shopper to a landing page where they can see additional videos. Videos introducing your staff and your dealership proposition can be posted here. It comes extremely naturally for someone to view another video after seeing one. People watch hours of YouTube content every day because of this.
Another choice is to include a “Take a Virtual Test Drive” button on each VDP. When the customer hits the button, a live-streaming phone call is established between them and a salesperson at your dealership. Your sales representatives can engage in live chat with them and offer to conduct a virtual test drive using a dashboard-mounted camera. Can you picture the effects of a live, in-the-moment virtual test drive?
Send videos with lead responses.
Your salesmen should send their staff introduction films with every email lead response, in addition to posting them on your website. Create a method for your sales staff to follow in order to produce quick, customized lead response videos. Wouldn’t it amaze you as a customer if a salesperson took the time to create a customized movie specifically for you and sent it to you through email?
Making such human connections can be difficult since more and more car purchases are being made online. Video staff introductions are a fantastic way to engage emotionally with potential customers and begin fostering the trust that is so important in the decision to choose a certain dealership.
Jason’s profile: Ezell has had 29 years of experience in the automotive sector as a dealer, business owner, vendor, educator, and public speaker. He is a recognized authority in the field who uses data to support and spread knowledge of best practices for e-commerce. Ezell pioneered one of the first Internet sales initiatives in the Southeast and was an early adopter at the dealership level. Internet technology, strategy, best practices, efficiency, and best-of-breed goods have been the foundation of his whole professional life. Every tier of websites, as well as mobile marketing, digital advertising, social media, video strategy, and more… Ezell has always made the most of data to monitor and provide advice on the efficiency, visibility, and effectiveness of internet marketing. This is what made Ezell’s businesses, Dealerskins and Dataium, as well as every other product he has worked on subsequently, successful.
Managers in the automobile sector have been telling their employees the real cost of a lead for years. A phone call or a walk-in consumer was thought to cost $200–300 when I started in 2003. It is much higher now. Take the overall marketing expenditure and divide it by the total number of leads to arrive at the calculation. Simple, but the true cost of expediting your new hire’s onboarding is far higher than that.
Many managers in the automotive sector think that making mistakes is the only way to learn, but does this have to happen right away? The majority of newly hired employees have little to no expertise in the auto sector and are unable to deliver the kind of positive customer experiences needed to increase brand loyalty. Customers are pushed toward our competitors as a result of this lack of trust, and we lose out on several post-sale revenue-generating options, such as repeat business, trade-ins, referrals, service work, etc. Additionally, profits are increasing, and there is a monthly difference of five units between an average sales consultant and a new employee. What are the actual costs associated with passing up so many possibilities, when everything is considered?
Things worsen. The mental strain a new hire experiences during their first few days of work when they are required to interact with clients is detrimental to their long-term performance with a new organization. In many circumstances, a new employee is still debating whether or not choosing to work in the automobile business is the proper move. Let’s face it, Nobody wants to sell automobiles when they grow up but the owner’s children. For a small number of people, being forced to perform in front of other top performers who have years of experience motivates and inspires them. The majority, though, are just disengaged by it, and they begin to hunt for opportunities elsewhere while consuming leads. They leave after a few months, so you have to start the procedure over.
There is no way to completely avoid the costs of employing a new employee, but investing in a well-organized onboarding and orientation program will significantly cut those expenditures. Give your new employee time to get to know everyone in the organization by taking it easy. Inform them about the company’s history, values, mission, and vision. Give them the fundamental skills and allow them time to internalize them. Play out each phase of the procedure so that they are familiar with the general flow and how to carry it out. While they don’t need to be flawless, they must exude confidence when speaking with clients. You might think that this costs too much and that it takes a while. It is negligible in comparison to the cost of inappropriate onboarding. There are just two options left: “Pay now, or pay a lot more later.”
Pedestrians have always had the right of way when crossing the roadway, as far back as I can recall. If the driver is inattentive or drunk, a car’s hundreds of pounds of weight and ability may kill a person (or several people) in a minute or less. Yes, crossing in front of oncoming vehicles is unhealthy. You may compare it to the video game Frogger. More often than not, you lose. But who chooses if automobiles or people win? In almost every state, pedestrians have the right of way, and at crosswalks and traffic lights, vehicles must stop for them. Imagine if that were to alter.
Let’s take a brief trip back in time. According to Jalopnik, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) felt it would be a great idea to encourage people to avoid being struck by cars in order to recognize “National Pedestrian Safety Month.” Obviously, no? I’m confident that the promotion was a wise use of our tax funds. Today, Ford is filing a patent for an augmented reality software that will allow pedestrians to know if an autonomous vehicle will stop at the junction… or not… in order to avoid being struck. Seriously? The post continues by sharing the author’s opinions on a few topics with which I completely concur. First of all, it’s not particularly safe for people to be walking around while glued to their phones, and secondly, the app only serves to alert the pedestrian, not the driver. The car can let pedestrians know whether it intends to pass through an intersection, but it cannot be told to stop by a pedestrian. “Hey, I’m walking over here!”
My primary concern is always vehicle safety. The safety of pedestrians is an outgrowth of that. I must admit that I have never intentionally run over a pedestrian with my automobile, but I can only assume that the driver does not enjoy the experience either. But what if the driver is absent? Most likely, passengers will ride in those autonomous vehicles. If the car doesn’t stop, all kinds of pandemonium, such as crashes with other vehicles, bicycles, or people, could easily occur. It doesn’t seem like a good combination. Ford merely stated, “Ford is a leading automotive innovator and submits patents on new inventions as a normal course of business,” in response to the article. An interesting perspective on a technology that excludes the use of a vehicle.
According to Motor Trend magazine, consumer advocate Ralph Nader pleaded with the NHTSA to ban Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” software, adding yet another crucial perspective to the discussion. He thinks technology is developing more quickly than it ought to. He wrote in the piece, “No one is above the laws of manslaughter.” In a full statement that he provided, he added, “Americans must not be test dummies…”
As the proportion of driverless vehicles rises, our roads and highways will face numerous issues. Despite how absurd a concept it may appear, at least one manufacturer is considering it. There will undoubtedly be other developments that we haven’t even considered yet.
Of course, there are also mechanical and technological issues. How do you act if a wheel pops off while you’re riding (not driving; you’ll note I didn’t mention driving) in an autonomous car and you’re reading the paper or otherwise preoccupied while traveling at 70 mph on the freeway? Or do you also leave that to the car?
Autonomous vehicles are on the horizon thanks to the House of Representatives’ bipartisan efforts to advance the development and manufacturing of these vehicles. And they’re arriving as quickly as manufacturers can produce them and legislation can be passed.
They’re headed in that direction, and we may be powerless to stop them. I’m not sure if we should halt it, but I do believe that this area needs a controlled burn. Why are autonomous vehicles being pushed so quickly before the technology has been thoroughly tested? What’s at risk? might be the true question. Should we act as the human equivalent of the technological advancements that will mostly benefit a small minority of Americans? The ideal time to cross this street right now is to look both ways.
