Everything from thinning profit margins in new vehicle sales to increased competition from direct-to-consumer manufacturers – like Tesla and Rivian – is combining to put the squeeze on your variable operations. Indeed, recent NADA reports show the average fixed operations department provides approximately 50 percent of their dealership’s gross profits – and yet, most … [Read more...] about Want to be Profitable for the Long Term? Rethink How You Approach Service Marketing
Fixed Operations
5 Steps to Tune Up Your Service Department Marketing
Not too long after the first auto dealer sold a new car to a customer, the dealership service department became “Ol’ Reliable” as a source of revenue and return business. In the history of automotive retail, dealers have gone through many up and down cycles of new-vehicle sales because of the economy, world and national events, fuel shortages, shifting consumer confidence … [Read more...] about 5 Steps to Tune Up Your Service Department Marketing
How Service Departments Can Prepare for the Future by Embracing Disruptive Technology
Dealership service departments are on the verge of seeing transformative changes, and those that do not recognize these emerging patterns may face dramatic losses in revenues and missed opportunities. Currently, new-vehicle dealerships handle only about 30% of service work performed across the country, which represents an enormous missed opportunity not only for additional … [Read more...] about How Service Departments Can Prepare for the Future by Embracing Disruptive Technology
5 Benefits of Expedited Reconditioning
While the flow of off-lease vehicles continues pouring certified pre-owned (CPO)–quality cars, SUVs, and trucks onto dealers’ lots, which depresses used car prices and competes against their new-car models, a prudent used car manager sharpens his pencil—his reconditioning pencil. Used car sales will continue upward throughout this year, riding on the wave of off-lease … [Read more...] about 5 Benefits of Expedited Reconditioning
How Text and Video Messaging Helps Your Service Department Avoid the “Lost in Translation” Moment
It can sometimes seem as if you’re running a compliance department instead of a service department. A customer contests a service bill, claiming the work wasn’t authorized or, perhaps, it turned out to be more expensive than expected. You know your service advisors are highly qualified and well-trained, and you assume your customers are honest. But your service business … [Read more...] about How Text and Video Messaging Helps Your Service Department Avoid the “Lost in Translation” Moment