Auto Retail News

Imagine a dealership that only tracks closing ratios against write-ups. That team may or may not be doing a solid job. If the write-up percentage against walk in traffic is good, then the team is performing. If the write-up percentage is poor, the de

You have bad breath. It hurts you to hear that, I am sure, but someone had to tell you. I think it is better that you hear about it from me now, rather than from someone talking about you behind your back. God forbid you find out that all of your fri

I was recently on a trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil doing a used car school for Fenabrave (Brazil’s NADA). On the way to Brazil, while waiting in line at the food garden in the airport, I met a gentleman from Germany also traveling to Brazil. He and I st

Telephone Techniques to Improve Customer Retention  A service advisor’s ability to communicate effectively on the telephone can positively impact the dealership and improve customer retention. According to JD Power & Associates, 74% of all cus

There is only one way to increase your retail (customer-pay) service department revenue: sell more service! After reading the previous sentence my friend and co-worker, Ray Carter, would say, “ya think?” I realize this strategy of selling more se

It’s time to stop complaining and start planning for the new world I know you’re reading this in February, right around NADA time, but I’m writing it during the holidays and that has me thinking about all we’ve been through this year and what

What dealers can expect through the arbitration process By the time you read this article, the deadline for Chrysler and General Motors dealers to seek a reinstatement of their franchise pursuant to new federal legislation may be near or already pass

The Federales mess up again When I first stated following this development, I was reminded of a bad joke, modified to be (as much as I despise it) politically correct. “How many consultants does it take to change a light bulb”? Ten, one to hold t

Dave Parrott, 52, Internet sales manager for Global Imports BMW-Mini in Atlanta, the top-selling BMW store in Georgia and No. 1 in the Sonic Automotive Group, says an eye toward continuous improvement, adoption of the best available technology, and a