Articles for Department Profiles - SF
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Over the last year or so, many dealerships have dialed back their special finance operations or given up on them altogether, but not Planet Ford, a World Class Automotive Organization (WCAO) dealership in Spring, Texas.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
In Beaumont, Texas, more than eight years in the trenches coupled with smart decision-making has kept special finance at Kinsel Ford Lincoln Mercury Mazda alive and well. Much of the dealership’s success is a result of the special finance department’s strong foundation.
Friday, September 04, 2009
It’s not unusual for a visitor to Jennifer’s Auto Sales and Service, an independent dealership in Spokane Valley, Wash., to find Dealer Jennifer Johnson in her facility’s fully-equipped kitchen cooking up a pot of spaghetti or baking cookies for her staff and customers
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
For more then 30 years, Willard “Bill” Davis has maintained two successful pre-owned operations on sound business practices. Davis’ roots in the automotive industry run deep. His career started on his brother’s used Jeep lot, where he worked for 13 years before beginning an 18-year career with Hertz.
Friday, May 01, 2009
“When they first started talking about this recession, I announced to my team, ‘There’s all this talk about a recession. I’m not participating. If you’re participating, you’re in the wrong room,’” said Jim Shorkey, dealer principal of Courtesy Suzuki and Jim Shorkey Kia in North Huntingdon, Pa.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Otis has always believed special finance could be a lucrative profit center at Ideal Auto, despite not seeing much success with previous efforts. A few months ago, he made the decision to hire an outside SF consultant to help Ideal restart a department that never truly made it off the ground...
Sunday, March 01, 2009
For dealers today, subprime auto financing can certainly feel like an uphill battle. Many dealerships that are successful in special finance today are fighting for the small victories
Sunday, March 01, 2009
At an elementary level, dealers have Web sites to generate business, but to get the most out of the Web, dealers need much more than an elementary-level Internet strategy—especially if they expect their Web site to drive quality traffic.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
When it comes to what vehicles to present to a special finance customer, Richards takes a somewhat different approach than others in the business. He believes in allowing the customer to look at the vehicle they are interested in, rather than restricting them to only a few options selected for them. He reported having success with this method, ...
Thursday, January 01, 2009
As anyone who has dealt with special finance knows, getting a special finance department successfully off the ground can be a daunting task. Throughout 2009, Special Finance Insider will follow one dealership’s attempt to do just that.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Three years ago, Coral Springs Auto Mall lost dozens of valuable units – not to a robbery or economic downfall, but to a group of metal light poles. During Hurricane Wilma in 2005, violent winds caused a number of 25-foot-tall poles to snap from their foundations, toppling sideways and crushing eight or nine cars at a time, every time.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Harlene Doane - In walks a tiny blonde in a bright orange shirt carrying a bright orange, oversized handbag. The excitement and passion for what she does is evident from the minute she opens her mouth. She proudly states that she is in the customer delight business.
Friday, August 01, 2008
In 2001, Terry McCormick, the current general manager of Ray Laks Mitsubishi, was brought in to spearhead the implementation of a subprime department in Ray Laks Mitsubishi in West Seneca, N.Y. In the first six months of business, the department retailed an average of 15 to 20 subprime units per month.
Friday, August 01, 2008
There’s not much that’s traditional about Tracy Buick Pontiac GMC Cadillac in Tracy, Calif. From how their advertising budget is allocated to running the sales floor, their approach is anything but ordinary. While this franchise store meets its new car objective nearly every month, approximately 90 percent of its total business is special finance.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
To simply look at Auto-Torium’s special finance numbers, it would be easy to forget the subprime upheavals and poor economic climate that dealers must contend with these days. However, keeping their sales consistent from month to month has not been accomplished without some effort and a few adjustments. As finance director T.C. Munroe said, “It’s a very, very delicate balance.”
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
“It’s just a matter of committing to it.” That’s how Ed Walsh, general manager, explained the success of Lamb Auto’s new special finance departments, more commonly referred to within the dealerships as secondary finance. “We’re just wholeheartedly committed to secondary finance and it’s been paying off handsomely.”
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
The official mascot of the University of Tennessee is Smokey, a blue tick coonhound native to the state. The dogs were bred to track small game with agility and accuracy.
Friday, February 01, 2008
It’s tough to be a player in the auto retail business, especially when your dealership is flanked by large auto malls nearby and is 30 miles from Chicago. Then try putting yourself last in the lineup at Matteson Auto Mall of Illinois, the largest campus-style auto mall in the United States, with very little foot traffic...