Over the years, car dealers have become synonymous with less than honest sales tactics. Consequently, the information that dealers provide during a sales deal is usually not taken at face value. With the seemingly sly nature that car dealers have been associated with, consumers think that the dealers profit much more than they actually do.
Recently, the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) conducted a survey examining the profits of car dealers around the country. The survey found that only one and a half percent of car sales yielded a profit, while more than 20% of dealers reportedly lost money. Another finding in the survey was that foreign auto dealers are faring somewhat better in the current market place than dealers of domestic cars.
Needless to say, car dealers have many new challenges. Consumers have more choices than ever, and the economy and price of fuel has contributed to an abrupt shift in buying habits and demands. For example, among dealers selling domestic makes such as San Antonio Ford, inventory of full-size trucks and SUVs like the F-150 and Expedition generally had no trouble selling in recent years, but in recent months have been increasingly difficult to move off the lot, even with attractive incentives. Instead of new car buyers gravitating towards large vehicles and sport utility vehicles, consumers are now looking to small, efficient cars and crossovers. Those dealers that sell brands with a full lineup of economical and even “green” offerings are therefore reaping more of the benefits.
But even dealers with plenty of hybrids or high MPG models are not on stable ground as nationwide car sales are down overall, with June marking the lowest point in auto sales in over a decade. In such an adverse environment, car dealers such as our Ford San Antonio example are changing their ways in order to stay profitable. Dealers are reducing the amount of new hires, reducing customer perks and the availability of loaner cars, and streamlining operations to help save money.
In addition to generating less money than what’s perceived by consumers, much of the money auto dealers do make on a vehicle goes back into the dealership. Like most businesses, income needs to be reinvesting back into the business to help it grow, whether it means new facilities, employee benefits, or increasing inventory. Revenue from an entire sale is not simply pocketed by the sales person involved.
The dramatic changes in the automotive industry have caused car dealers to have vastly different operating strategies. Rather than new cars being the main profit center, dealers are now promoting service centers more and more as they now provide a more steady flow of income. In addition, Used Cars Richmond and other dealers are focusing on their used car inventory more so than their new vehicle inventory.
This is not intended to defend all dealerships and their practices. The important thing to remember is that consumers should do their homework and utilize resources such as Edmunds.com or Kelley Blue Book to understand what a vehicle really costs and try to get within reason of that price point. Make sure you focus on your deal and feel good about, and don’t worry what the dealer potentially is or isn’t getting on his end.
Volvo Dives into Plug-in Hybrid Technology
Volvo has been struggling amid slumping global sales, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from diving into research and development. One such as product of its R&D efforts is a new plug-in hybrid that will be due by 2012. Volvo has committed itself to producing a high mileage diesel-electric plug-in hybrid, but it has yet to confirm its plans to sell the vehicle in the U.S.
Lexus ES Still Critical to Luxury Brand Lineup
As one Lexus’ most popular models, there will be plenty of drivers that will be happy to see a revamped Lexus ES 350 coming to showrooms later this month. While it may not be a full redesign, the updating certainly brings needed enhancements.
Euro Civic Type-R Teases U.S. Consumers
In the U.S., Honda is mostly known for producing somewhat conservative, economical cars. However, the image of Honda outside of the States is far more performance oriented. This is attributed to a range of models that can be had overseas, but remain unavailable here.
