The future of the automobile dealer seems to be in doubt as most wonder how they will survive autonomous driving, the conversion to electric vehicles, ridesharing’s impact on car ownership, and customers buying cars 100% online.
Learn first-hand from a veteran dealer who has survived the sale of his manufacturer three times, manufacturer bankruptcy, hurricanes, financial crisis, credit unavailability, and most everything except plagues of locusts and frogs.
Doug Wilson of Wilson Auto Group will discuss the many industry disruptors and how to survive the next 10-20 years—no matter what the economy, credit, digital retailing, electrification or consolidation brings. Leave this session with insight to bullet-proof your dealership and survive disruptors, economic recessions, hurricanes, turnover, political calamities and just about anything else life throws at you.
Primary Learning Objectives:
- Understand the areas within the dealership, such as the used-car department, that offer the local dealer the most opportunities within their control, and how to maximize on opportunities by applying sound digital concepts and modern inventory management.
- Explore opportunities in service, which offers the best margins (70-75%) across departments and has a high degree of operational flexibility. By offering customers great service and reminding them of the benefits/advantages dealerships have over independent service operators, you can enjoy high margins and great customer loyalty.
- Learn how to expand your business through the parts department, which is joined at the hip with the service department and offers great margins as well. Typically, gross profits of 30-40% are in this often overlooked profit center. Beyond repair parts for your own service department, this session will also discuss wholesale parts opportunities online.