FLADCO News

Getting more results out of your fixed ops departments starts with getting customers in the door. That’s especially true and important when it comes to service departments.

Dealerships always strive to get customers into showrooms. As 2020 models pour onto lots, Automotive News reports than many dealers are struggling with an overhang of 2019 models to clear out, so getting that foot traffic is more important than ever.

Forbes reported last week that the average new car dealer operated at a financial loss in 2018. Dealers lost an average of $735 on each new car sold as competitive pricing ate away margins.

Fears of a recession continue to loom and the latest salvos in the ongoing trade war involve increase tariffs on products that include light vehicles and auto repair parts. As new vehicle sales slow, many dealers are turning to the service department to keep revenue flowing.

Keeping your service bays full is critical for increasing profitability and building customer loyalty, and it all starts with an excellent retention program.

Information provided by Reynolds & Reynolds
Read Time = 1 minutes

There are 860 new car dealerships in Florida, according to the Florida Automobile Dealers Association, and each of them would gladly service your customer’s vehicle. How do you make sure they come back to your dealership?

Information provided by Reynolds & Reynolds
Read Time = 30 seconds

From seatbelts to airbags and more, recalls in 2016 did their best to keep up with 2015, which was a record automobile recall year. The NHTSA requires manufacturers to send notices to vehicle owners, but even so, thousands of recalls go unrepaired every year. These open recalls represent real opportunities for dealerships because customers often have other service work performed when they bring their vehicle in for a recall repair.

KeyTrak, Inc.
By:  Susan DeSantis on June 15, 2017
Read time = 2 minutes

Nearly every dealer will tell you how proud they are of the jobs they create in their community. Yet every dealer will also tell you those jobs are continually under threat should they suffer a major financial loss – including theft – that could irreparably damage their business.

One often overlooked source of theft in the dealership is the mishandling of vehicle keys.

We’ve all been there. You’re at the doctor’s office and you pull out your phone to pass the time in the waiting room. Maybe you’re scrolling through social media, checking up on the latest news, or just about to beat the next level in that new game you’re addicted to when the dreaded low-battery warning pops up on your screen.  What are you going to do for the next half hour?  

There’s nothing more frustrating than wasting time with nothing to do. Many dealerships are beginning to recognize this, and in fact many OEMs are now requiring dealerships provide their customers with mobile device charging stations in order to remain compliant with brand standards.  Here are three reasons why a mobile charging station is important to help increase your customer satisfaction level:

Are Additional Service Dollars Slipping Through Your Fingers?