An active role
Involvement in the local community has proven to be rewarding in many ways for Gus Brown Buick GMC Gus Brown has been a General Motors dealer in Whitby for 41 years. During that time he’s seen many changes. Yet despite …
Category: Features
Saving time and money
An online classified vehicle service can provide convenient networking for dealers In the remarketing business, dealers are always looking at ways to streamline the process, both in terms of time and money. Traditionally, the only way to buy or sell …
Silver lining
Spray-on bedliners are becoming increasingly popular among truck customers as well as a profit centre for dealers For dealers, the ability to understand a particular customer’s needs and wants, includes not only the vehicle and options but also accessories. Furthermore, …
Busting rust
Canadian auto dealer is invited to an Ohio lab to get the lowdown on an electro-magnetic rust control product Given Canada’s harsh climate and the substantial investment consumers make in new vehicles, the notion of protecting them against the elements …
Difference makers
Dealers like Mike Carmichael provide more than just transportation to their communities From coast-to-coast, Canada’s auto dealers do an incredible job supporting their communities. Much of that work, however, goes largely unnoticed by the general public and local media. In …
Make a great first impression
Dealers have moved beyond simple template-driven websites to integrate a host of new tools Even a decade ago, few dealers really paid enough attention to their online presence. It was simply another way to advertise their services, often via a …
The match game
The best salespeople always find the right vehicle for their customers Far from pushing options that customers might want, good upselling can go a long way to fostering long-term relationships and securing repeat business. In automotive retailing, as with most …
Down but not out
Former GM dealer Frank Lauria emerges triumphant as Hyundai superstar Dealer principal Frank Lauria is proud to tell the story of his “overnight” success. When he lost his Port Hope GM franchise in 2009, this entrepreneur immediately converted his facility …
Keep your friends close
New CRM technologies enable dealers to look after their customers like never before, as well as helping them grow their business. Dealers work hard to earn customers. Yet once they have them, the challenge remains how to hold onto them. …
Providing peace of mind
Buying and selling a used car is not the gamble it once was For dealers, buying the right used car can result in a tidy profit and a happy customer. Buying the wrong one can result not only in losing …
Our mid-year report card
The overall market is up but some brands are doing better than others With 2012 half down, as of this writing, it’s proving to be a very good year indeed. While sales are not quite on record pace, they’re not …
There’s money in mishaps
Investing in collision and body repair can reap big rewards over the longer term “You have to be willing to make the commitment,” says Jim Donaldson, manager at Heffner Collision in Kitchener, Ont. “The business today is very competitive. If …
