Category: Features

Ringing off the hook

December 22, 2015

HANDLING PHONE LEADS EFFECTIVELY CAN BRING CUSTOMERS INSIDE THE DOOR The Internet has opened up endless possibilities for leads. But that doesn’t mean digital has replaced some more traditional sources — like the telephone. A phone lead is still a …

Lost and found

RETURN.ME HELPS CUSTOMERS RETRIEVE LOST KEYS — AND DEALERSHIPS KEEP CUSTOMERS IT CAN COST CUSTOMERS hundreds of dollars to replace their vehicle key fobs. Knowing they could retrieve their keys would give them peace of mind. That’s the service Return.Me …

Science road trip

December 21, 2015

DEALERS AND F&I MANAGERS WENT BACK TO SCHOOL IN OCTOBER TO LEARN EVERYTHING THEY ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CORROSION — BUT WERE TOO AFRAID TO ASK IN OCTOBER, two waves of dealership personnel made the pilgrimage to the tiny …

Hidden Gems

October 26, 2015

ENSURE YOUR CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLES GET THE STAR TREATMENT THEY DESERVE It’s been a great year for certified pre-owned (CPO) sales for many dealerships. OEMs are also reporting steady increases in CPO sales. In a conference call, AutoCanada’s President and …

Spruce up your online store

October 26, 2015

BEST PRACTICES FOR DEALERSHIP WEBSITE DESIGN SEEM TO CHANGE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. CANADIAN AUTO DEALER OFFERS UP TIPS ON WHAT SOME OF THE EXPERTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY — AT LEAST TODAY. Auto dealers …

Reach for the top

October 26, 2015

PERFORMANCE GROUPS CAN HELP DEALERS IMPROVE THEIR OPERATIONS. HERE’S HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM. Dealers are always looking to learn about the ways they can improve their business. New technologies and forums have made it easier for …

The swinging 60s

October 16, 2015

THE 1960S WERE A TRANSITIONAL TIME FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY. WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE CHANGES THAT HAPPENED ON THE RETAIL FRONT The 1950s had been a battlefield in the auto industry, as recession-weary carmakers dumped vehicles onto their …

2015 Mid year report card

October 16, 2015

THE MARKET IS GROWING AT A RECORD PACE — BUT NOT ALL AUTOMAKERS ARE DOING WELL In a near parallel of last year, new-vehicle sales in Canada at mid-year 2015 are 2.9 per cent ahead of where they were a …

When chat becomes conversation

October 16, 2015

DMT DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS GROUP INC. HAS ROLLED OUT A NEW SYSTEM THAT TAKES CONVENTIONAL ONLINE CHAT TO THE NEXT LEVEL When Glen Demetrioff mystery shopped U.S. dealers through their chat functions, he wasn’t too impressed with the online customer experience. …

The great divide

October 16, 2015

THE SALES AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE TWO CRITICAL BUSINESS UNITS WITHIN THE DEALERSHIP, YET THEY OFTEN BUTT HEADS In most Canadian dealerships, the sales department is focused exclusively on its own performance. The same is true on the service …

Developing a learning culture

October 15, 2015

ADAPTING TO CHANGE AND COACHING THE CUSTOMER CAN HELP BUILD CREDIBILITY AT THE DEALERSHIP There are two major sides to what can be referred to as a learning culture. There is the aspect of always learning ourselves, and there is …