Dealers

Auto Industry Reacts to Coronavirus Threat

March 30, 2020 by admin 1 Comment

General Motors and Ventec Life Systems are partnering to convert the GM Kokomo, Indiana ERC building for the production of Ventec ventilators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo GM Corp.)

COVID-19 is turning the world upside down, with nearly every country and region reporting cases, including deaths. “Business as usual” is no longer the case as companies large and small adjust or in some cases shut down.
The auto industry is no exception and has, in fact, seen production stopped at most plants scattered across the United States. We examined the impact earlier this month (see Coronavirus Strikes; Industry Reacts). Today, the picture has changed with the major players doing their part to fight the battle.

Here are the latest updates from key original equipment manufacturers:

GM will build critical care ventilators. GM is not currently building vehicles as its production facilities remain shuttered following the COVID-19 outbreak. But one plant, it’s Kokoma, Indiana, manufacturing facility will soon come back online, as it launches production of critical care ventilators> for Ventec Life Systems. Ventec, based in Bothell, Washington, is unable to meet demand at its lone facility. With GM’s help, the companies will produce the ventilators needed by hospitals in the United States and abroad. A second GM plant, this one in Warren, Michigan, will soon assemble Level 1 masks. Within two weeks, GM should produce 50,000 masks per day, potentially doubling that number.

The 2020 Detroit Auto Show is canceled. The North American International Auto Show was last held in January 2019 and was supposed to move to a late spring/early summer schedule this year. Indeed, journalists marked June 2020 on their calendars, expecting to head to the Motor City for a warm-weather preview of new cars and concepts. The show, however, will not go on as the city will instead turn the host Cobo Center into a temporary hospital for the duration of the coronavirus crisis. The show’s organizers have already updated their page to reflect the next show, which is scheduled for June 11-26, 2021.

Dealerships reel under local “stay-at-home” directives. Tens of thousands of car dealership employees are on furlough as various “stay-at-home” edicts shutter showroom doors. The Penske Corp. has avoided layoffs so far as senior staff accepts pay cuts and Roger Penske and the company’s president, Rob Kurnick, forgo their salaries for the duration of the crisis according, to Autoweek. Dealers throughout the country have reduced hours or temporarily closed down and laid-off employees.

Plant shutdowns extend into April. March 30 was supposed to be the day for manufacturers to resume production, but that isn’t going to happen. GM, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler were among the first companies to shutter their plants and each will stay closed for at least another week. Volkswagen says it’ll restart production on April 5, while Toyota says it’ll bring its plants back online on April 20. These resumption dates, however, will likely change especially as President Trump extended the national pullback through April 30. That said, each state has its unique directives in place.

Manufacturers and lenders give consumers a break. With millions of new unemployment claims filed in March, many consumers are suddenly experiencing financial trouble. With finance and lease payments due, some people are unable to make their next payment. Fortunately, manufacturers are responding through their financing arms to give consumers a break. Depending on the company, payment deferrals and lease payment extensions are in place. That said, in some cases only consumers with top credit ratings are eligible. We’ve surveyed various schemes in place from Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, and others. Auto Trends recommends affected consumers contact their respective lender for guidance. Tell them your story and work out an agreement that’s right for you.

After COVID-19

At some point, the COVID-19 threat will be gone, with businesses returning to a new normal. Most American citizens will see some relief in April as unemployment checks arrive and as the IRS distributes $1,200 to $3,400 to eligible households. The industry will endure a deep sales slump in March and April, with the likely rebound beginning in May. We may see record sales by July as consumers who have delayed their purchases flood dealer showrooms. Again, all this is predicated on how the crisis plays out.

Calculating Fair Trade-in Values

December 28, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

The deal on the new car has been sealed, but there may be one important matter left undone. And that is calculating the trade-in value, what ultimately might clinch the sale or have the buyer changing his mind and leaving your showroom in search of a better offer elsewhere. Once you lose the customer there may be no going back. Here’s how calculating fair trade-in values will turn your shoppers into buyers.

Determine Trade-in Value Early

Dodge Challenger It is important for salespeople to determine whether a trade-in will be involved early in the sale. If the customer says that she will trade in her car, then ask for the keys to have it evaluated by your shop. Make it known to the customer that the evaluation is free and that her keys will be returned to her as soon as the appraisal process has been completed. In the meantime, continue with the negotiation.

Obtain the Vehicle History Report

At the same time the shop is reviewing the car, they should obtain the vehicle history report for the car.

It will serve as evidence to the customer if your offer comes in lower than her expectations. For instance, if the car has been in an accident, its value has been diminished even if the repairs were successfully completed. As the dealer, you know that the same vehicle history reports are available to customers, including people who want to buy the car from your inventory. You could lose money if you do not take previous problems into consideration, a fact you must share with the customer at trade-in.

There is another point that dealers must consider when accepting a trade-in. If the car involved is part of a major recall, including one that was initiated due to injuries or deaths, you are the one who will be held liable if something goes wrong, not the customer. That also means if the car is traded in with open recalls, you may lose time acquiring parts to make the car ready for sale.

Establish a Fair Trade-in Value

Lexus ES350 Your appraisal team may be able to determine a value simply by examining the car. Of course, that is not enough as the value must be backed by hard data. A service such as NADAGuides.com should be consulted and it may also be the same service used by your savvier customers.

It is important that the information related to the car is precise, going beyond the make, model and year, and right down to the trim level, engine and transmission, mileage, and other details about the vehicle. Take note of the rough, average and clean trade-in prices as well as the retail price. Wherever possible, aim for the average trade-in price when presenting the appraisal to the customer. Adjust if necessary to account for low or high mileage and other factors. This will be your starting point for negotiation.

Present Your Offer

At some point in the car buying process, you will have the appraisal offer in hand to present to the customer. Your company’s policy may be to present the offer as part of overall negotiation, but the customer may want it handled separately.

Regardless of the policy, you will quickly learn if the amount offered has satisfied the customer. There is a very good chance that he’ll hold out for a higher amount. Be prepared to explain how that figure was determined, but don’t be surprised if the customer presents his own data offering different numbers. It is at this point when the business office will get involved.

Making it Fair

Audi A6 What one person considers a fair value may be perceived as inequitable by the other, usually the customer. If the difference is a few hundred dollars, you might be instructed to meet the customer part way. It is at this point you need to gauge the customer to determine whether a deal is possible or if the sale is about to collapse.

For the salesperson, he may feel caught in the middle between the car shopper and his business office. The process can become especially difficult if both sides come armed with data and are firm in their positions. Fortunately, your company likely has some steps in place to help close the deal.

One of these steps may be to offer the customer something for free, such as paint or door protection. The retail cost of the item may more than offset the price difference, but only cost your company very little to implement. Do what is necessary to help the customer understand that the trade-in value is fair.

Satisfying the Customer

Your deal will close if the customer is satisfied. If not, you risk having the trade-in taken off the table. And in many cases, the trade will cancel the deal as it usually serves as the bulk of the down payment.

Ultimately, the business manager will either approve or nix the trade-in value. If the car being traded in is something your lot can turn around and sell for a significant profit, then more than likely your manager will bend to the customer’s wishes.

Dealers: Use Open Recalls to Drive Sales

October 19, 2015 by admin 3 Comments

With tens of millions of passenger vehicles recalled over the past year, there is a good chance that your customers own cars with at least one or two open recalls. An open recall means that the recall is incomplete either because the customer has not responded to the notice or the manufacturer has yet to provide guidance for when the work can be accomplished.

Open recalls present an opportunity for dealers to turn owners of recalled cars into buyers of new or certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. Specifically, you can leverage consumer concern about a recall by selling them a different vehicle and accepting that open recall vehicle as a trade in.

Dealers and Manufacturer Buyback

This past July, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) was ordered by the federal government to recall and buy back approximately 200,000 affected vehicles. It is the first time such an order was made and the details of that program have not yet been finalized.

dealers

Dealers: Don’t allow open recalls to sink your sales.

Although the buyback will be a costly one for FCA, it may prove to be a boon as well. Indeed, when the affected customers receive their buyback notices, they will be instructed on how to turn in their Ram or Dodge vehicles. Likely, most customers will be shopping for another vehicle to replace the one turned in, giving dealers a strong opportunity to combine those checks with their own incentives.

Likely, not just FCA dealers will be taking advantage of the buyback program either. Competing brand dealers can join in by wooing shoppers desiring to switch brands. Certainly, you will need to develop your own incentive program — perhaps with manufacturer backing — in a bid to win conquest sales.

Dealer Incentive Program

Your dealership already has an incentive program in place as you work with and independently of the manufacturer to increase your sales. To win owners of open recall vehicles, you need to think outside of the box. The following are some points to keep in mind for your dealer incentive program.

1. Train your repair shop team. If customers are coming in or calling your repair shop and are expressing frustration over an incomplete open recall, a sales opportunity may be possible. Specifically, by training your shop team to ask them if they would be interested in trading in their vehicle for another one, that effort could very well lead to a sale. If the customer expresses interest in making a trade, then the repair shop should refer the customer to the sales team.

2. Reach out to your customers directly. You already know which customers have vehicles with outstanding recalls. This is where you can task your marketing team to reach out to them through a direct mail or email campaign. The campaign might address their recall concerns and explain to them that you will buy back their vehicle or give them a competitive trade toward a new or CPO vehicle. If your advertising budget is especially large, then consider running a television or radio ad to reach out to owners of all open recall vehicles in your media market.

3. Address their concerns. An open recall can be a big concern for some, especially if a safety issue remains unaddressed. For instance, a parent with small children may not want to keep their crossover utility vehicle as long as the recall remains open. Here, you could explain that you will accept the vehicle as a trade in and will also cover the necessary repairs.

4. Offer something extra. Customers with an open recall may not have a new car on their minds, but that can change if you sweeten the deal and put a time limit on it. For instance, with gas prices trending downward, you might offer customers free gas for six months, but only if they make their purchase by the end of the month. Add in all available incentives, including the conquest discount for owners of all competing brands. Leverage every angle possible to turn a dissatisfied or concerned owner into the happy owner of a new or CPO Vehicle.

5. Offer special financing. The one thing that may hold some customers back is financing. If the vehicle is leased, find out if the leasing company would consider pulling the lease forward as long as the customer agrees to lease or finance a different vehicle. Some customers may be afraid that they’ll be underwater with their new cars (owing more money on the vehicle than it is worth). Have your finance team work on favorable loan terms and leasing options to allay those concerns. Certainly, keep in mind that as recalls mount, your competitors are looking at ways to win new business too.

Open Recall Considerations

Dealers must be careful about buying open recall vehicles. Besides otherwise having an acceptable vehicle history report, you need to complete the recall before selling the car to a new party. This means working closely with the manufacturer to ensure that parts are available and the recall can be accomplished.

If you fail to complete a recall and offer the vehicle as a CPO, you might be held personally liable if a defect leads to an accident. Lastly, consider the cost of keeping a vehicle in your inventory as you await replacement parts. Keep this mind: a vehicle you are not allowed to sell represents unavailable capital.

Smart Car Leasing Options For Savvy Consumers

March 24, 2013 by admin 5 Comments

A light blue Volkswagen Beetle cabriolet is in your future or at least you hope it is if you can swing your car payments. Those monthly payments can, however, be reduced if you choose car leasing over traditional loan financing. For when you lease a car, your costs are lower than buying, with the difference here being that you return your leased car at the end of the lease term.

New car leasing also offers some options that you will want to keep in mind as you consider your Volkswagen or other vehicle acquisition. Be a savvy consumer and weigh these options when shopping for a new car.

Money Down

car leasing Like regular bank loan financing, you will need to bring some money with you when you negotiate your lease deal. Even if your deal includes no money down, there are other costs that must be added included dealer fees, registration expenses and taxes.

For starters, your down payment represents your car’s “capitalized cost reduction” or the money that you pay before you begin your lease. It is possible to get this cost rolled into your monthly payments, effectively raising your costs from month to month, while limiting your initial pay out.

Some consumers prefer to make their payments all at once. For example, if you have a 24-month car lease, you can make those payments ahead of time and be done with you financial obligation. This option allows you to operate from a position a strength, where you negotiate the best car deal possible, then make your payment.

Car Leasing Terms

Lease terms are typically for three years or 36 months, but it is possible to lease a car for as little as 12 months or as long as 48 months. Car leasing companies may prefer that you opt for a standard lease contract, but as the customer you can negotiate terms that are right for you.

Keep in mind that the longer your term, the lower your monthly payments. Also, consider that your new car warranty can run out before your lease is done. Therefore, align your lease term with the length of that warranty or be prepared to assume extra costs that can raid your wallet. You can also buy an extended warranty, with that cost rolled into your lease agreement.

Open or Closed

Not too common with consumer car leasing are so-called open-end car leases. Also known as an equity lease, under this arrangement you must purchase the car at the end of lease term. That predetermined amount must be covered in a one-time or balloon payment or you can seek additional financing to cover these costs. With this option, a three-year lease can turn into a four-year used car loan, making for seven long years of car payments.

Most consumers prefer closed-end leases and that is what car leasing companies generally offer. With a closed-end lease, your financial obligation ends when you return your vehicle at lease end. You may still need to pay additional charges for going over the mileage limit or for excess wear and tear, but your car payments end as the lease term comes to a close.

Gap Insurance

Always ask for gap insurance coverage when signing any lease deal. Gap or guaranteed asset protection ensures that if your Volkswagen or other car is totaled or stolen, you are not responsible for future lease payments or a lease deficiency. Never underestimate the importance of such coverage because if your leased car is written off as a total loss, there could be thousands of dollars of lease termination costs to cover. Gap insurance literally fills in the gap between your responsibilities and what the car leasing company says that you owe them, a worthwhile expense to be added to any lease agreement.

Can the Weather Really Affect Old and New Car Discounts?

July 16, 2012 by Will Vernon Leave a Comment

Climate conditions and your car purchase.

Can the weather affect car discounts? Yes it can, according to Chris Crow, Chief Editor at car pricing experts CAP. He’s recently conducted a study to try and find a correlation between weather patterns and car prices. His findings, which are published in industry journal AM Magazine, seem to suggest that warmer weather adds a few more zeros to the end of a price of a used auto.

Sunshine Sales

Crow says, Both 2002 and 2006 began with similar hours of sunshine through to the month of May. However, in June 2006 there were an additional 60 hours of sunshine compared to 2002, while July enjoyed 115 additional hours over the same period in 2002.

Marlin It was also a cracking year for strong used car values, which supports what dealers often tell us that the better the weather, the stronger the demand for used cars.

Market Conditions

His study focused on years 2002 and 2006, which both had similar economies, but markedly different weather patterns. It may sound a bit flimsy, but Chris Crow’s findings are intriguing – certainly worthy of more research from either himself or another party. Crow’s research, by the way, shows that the whole market benefits, and not just sun-stealing autos like convertibles.

Is a bright, sunny day more likely to urge people to head outdoors to their local used car dealership and investigate the new car discounts available? If Chris Crow is right, then exactly how harsh does the weather need to be for a consistent period before a dealership goes out of business? Could a used car dealership theoretically invest in meteorology technology to predict the weather, and adjust their prices according to what Mr. Blue Sky fancies doing on any particular day?

Buying Habits

Of course, such a strategy would be folly. But, if accurate, it’s interesting to know that weather does play a part in people’s used car buying habits. Does that relate to other industries, we wonder – will people invest in a new washing machine if heavy fog descends one afternoon?

The only logical reason that we can think of is that people simply want to enjoy the weather, if the findings are accurate. They must want to invest in a used car and go on a road trip with friends, and be as sociable as possible whilst the sun’s out.

Good luck to them, we say!