Strive to meet a customer's inquiry within
24 hours. A speedy response time not only builds value but customers see it as
an indicator of your commitment to service. Conducting an appointment within one week of a customer's
call yields a higher sales average because it capitalizes on his enthusiasm and
readiness to buy.
"The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital." ~ Joe Paterno
It’s
not hard to find the bad news these days. Even Toyota brands, thought to be
immune, have suffered a 6.8% drop in sales so far this year. That’s why
optimistic words from Lentz to AN reporter Mark Rechtin are worth a
second look.
Lentz
offered some reassuring words about the future of the auto business in the U.S.
And while it is not hard to be discouraged over the poor sales performance in
2008, he offers a few demographic-based rays of hope for the medium and
long-term prospects for both the car and truck businesses in this
country.
Here
are just a few things Lentz told AN in this Q&A formatted
article:
He
indicated that there was a “knee-jerk reaction” due to the loss of home values,
gas prices and more generally a fear of inflation and overall economic collapse.
But he also offered some calming words, pointing out that the country will work
through its malaise, just as it always has.
Noting
the current difficulty of selling trucks, he is quoted as saying, “At some point
these prices will hit a level where even at 18 mpg, it’s still a great deal.
That will start to turn the overall market.”
Lentz
was asked why he is bullish over the medium-term’s prospects. He offered a
laundry list of demographic considerations that, in his view, point to a strong
market over the next 10 to 12 years. He cited the projection for population
growth in this country, due both to increased birth rate and immigration,
calling for an additional 32 million people by 2020.
He also
cited the increasing affluence of certain growing populations- specifically baby
boomers moving into retirement and their kids who stand to inherit trillions in
coming years.
Lentz
also offered some soothing words about the high price of gasoline and cautioned
that you cannot look at today’s conditions and attitudes in a vacuum. He claims
that if gasoline had increased in cost gradually, from its $1.50 pump price in
2002 to its plus $4 price today, then we would not have the same problem. He
reasons that the public would have adjusted their budgets over time to account
for the increased fuel expense. He contends that if gas stays this high for long
enough, they will likewise adjust.
As a
result, he is not willing to pronounce trucks and SUVs a dead market. He was
quoted as saying, “There are still families with three kids who need three-row
SUVs who can’t fit into a Prius.”
Ford Motor Co. unveiled new safety technology that warns motorists if they are about to run a red light or stop sign.
Journalists
were invited to try out the system, which the automaker installed at
the intersection of Village Road and Military Road on its Dearborn
product development campus.
At the intersection, a box is
installed containing a traffic control computer, GPS system,
short-range Wi-Fi radio, map storage and a central processor. As a car
approaches, a small transmitter mounted atop the light pole establishes
a connection with the vehicle's navigation system. It transmits a map
of the intersection and tells the car the status of the lights, as well
as how long until they change.
Colliers Abood-Wood Fay’s automotive real estate services group has
facilitated a transaction of 5.5 acres next to Mall of the Americas off
the 836 Expressway for $11.9 million. The site, formerly occupied by
Expressway Toyota, was sold by Kahn Family Enterprises of South Florida
Ltd. and bought by Albert Maury as trustee for Leon Medical Centers.
According to the local firm, the ARESG has generated $200 million in
business completing similar automotive transactions over the last four
years.
“Our automobile dealers are making record sales; however, not selling
cars, but selling their land,” says Owen G. Cone, senior commercial
associate with South Florida-based Colliers Abood-Wood Fay. Besides the
recently completed deal, Cone says he’s involved with $100 million of
similar transactions currently in negotiation. “We’ve made a name for
ourselves within the auto dealer community and they have made several
referrals back and forth to each other,” he tells GlobeSt.com.
Toyota Motor Corp. will start producing the
hybrid Prius in the U.S. for the first time as the Japanese automaker
adjusts its U.S. manufacturing operations to meet customer demands for
smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The
company said Thursday it will start producing the Prius in 2010 at a
plant it is building in Blue Springs, Miss. Toyota already builds a
hybrid version of the Camry sedan in Kentucky, but this will be the
first time the Prius, which has been on sale for more than a decade,
will be built outside of Asia.
Not only do we help you with sales planning and follow-up; enter the zip code where you want to fuel up and this tool will show you the cheapest price on gas in your area.
Carpooling – once the bane of independent drivers everywhere – is
emerging with new respectability, its own jargon and specific rules of
etiquette as motorists search for ways to ease the pain at the gasoline
pump.
New vehicles such as Ford’s seven-passenger Flex
crossover can make the commuting journey more comfortable, thanks to a
host of unique features, such as a refrigerator in the second row,
SIRIUS® Travel Link™ and a panoramic sunroof that lets natural light
shine in for second- and third-row passengers.
NADA Insurance announced that its hole-in-one insurance program, ACECO,
continues to experience strong financial growth, despite the downturn
in the automotive industry. The trend indicates that U.S. auto dealers
are continuing to support charitable and invitational golf tournaments
in their local communities. And, with the average hole-in-one insurance
premium being just a few hundred dollars, golf tournament sponsorship
is a very cost-effective way for a dealership to advertise.
"Many of our dealers are finding that golf sponsorship is a very
effective advertising medium," said NADA Insurance Vice President Lin
Peacock. "While wanting to scale back expenses, our dealers still want
to continue to be a prominent part of their local business communities.
ACECO hole-in-one insurance offers NADA dealers a way to sponsor highly
visible golf tournaments — with zero risk and at very little cost."
To help dealers gain even more exposure, ACECO will provide any
policyholder with a free press release template that can be filled out
and sent to the local media to announce the dealership's support of the
tournament. Visit
