Dealerfire Blog

Points of Interest from JD Powers Automotive Study

Automotivedigest.com has published some info from the latest JD Powers Automotive study. It covers emerging technologies in the automotive industry for the US. Some of the findings; $100 is the price point for a USB interface and $150 for an IPOD interface. See the rest here at automotivedigest.com.

Is that a Mini in your Pocket or are you Just Glad to See Me

Here is some YouTube video of the new Mini Clubman, a slightly larger version of a Mini Cooper. The purists will and have been bashing it as "too big",  but I say this could be the Mini for the rest of us. My wife drives a Mini Cooper Convertible which we recently drove from Wisconsin to North Carlina to see the in-laws. The ride is smooth and power at highway speeds is quick but loading/unloading can be serious exercise in patience building. The back seat is only suitable for imaginary friends and/or a few bags of groceries. Don't get me wrong....the Mini Cooper is a blast to drive but at least now you don't have to choose between buying a Mini and having children.

A New Approach for Auto Dealers.....Just Think About It.

The BrandingStrategyInsider.com blog has a very interesting post on the issues facing Auto Dealers. It has some unique suggestions such as hiring non-car sales people, senior citizens and more women as sales people to help build the customer relationship/brand aspect. I know...some of this stuff may seem a little out there for the avg. dealer but it has have worked for the rest of the marketplace since dirt touched dinosaurs. So read it over...and just think about it.

10 Search Engine Optimization Tip from Search Engine Journal

There are a lot of Top 10 or 10 Things to do/not do lists out there but this seems to be one of the best for SEO. It is the Search Engine Journal, so they should know best. A lot of dealerships out there should take careful note of item number 6 and then call your vendor. 10 SEO Tips article on Search Engine Journal.

"Uncool" Sliding Doors may be the Death of Minivans

Wall Street Journal online has interesting article on the demise of the Minivan. Besides increased competition from crossover style utility vehicles, the innovation that once defined them may finally be their undoing. The iconic image of American Suburbia, a minivan door "sliding" open and soccer ready kids spilling, seems to have earned minivans to commercially crippling tag of "uncool". Not that minivans we ever really cool but ... I often wondered why manufacturers didn't put sliding doors on mid-size and larger SUV's and cross over vehicles, now I know.

Gallop Poll names Car Salesmen least Trusted Profession

Jim Lentz, executive vice president for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. cites the study in an article posted on Detroit News Autoinsider. Congressman and Insurance salesmen ranked more trustworthy than car salesmen. Considering Congress currently has a 63% disapproval rate, that can't be good.

Let’s Play Jeopardy!

The category is "Auto sales in the U.S." for a huge increase in monthly sales volume.
Answer: Women

Well Chuck that would be, "Who influences 80% of all vehicle purchases in the U.S.?"
Correct! We would have also accepted:

• Who buys 50% of all new and used vehicles in the U.S.?
• Who buys 40% of trucks in the U.S.?

Unfortunately for auto dealers they tend to have a bad reputation in most female buyers. Deserved or not it is there and the dealer who ignore it loses sales. The dealer who changes that perception will sell more vehicles.

There is a solution though for both the dealer and female buyers, the solution is Askpatty.com. Askpatty.com offers women advice car purchasing, maintenance and the whole range of automotive issues. Askpatty.com does this through the use of  their website, blogs, podcasts and partnerships with  organizations such as Autotrader.com and ASE Certified. The even recently open a venue in the online virtual world Second Life putting them along side other Second Life pioneers like Scion, Pontiac and several Presidential candidates. NOTE: To view Askpatty.com's Second Life venue you will need to download the Second Life software. You can view a YouTube video and pictures of their spot in Second Life though without it.

For the dealer, Askpatty.com offers a certified dealer program where dealerships can become "certified female friendly". The program offers everything from co-branding opportunities to monthly training on how to sell to women. Dealers are listed in their Female friendly Dealer sear engine and whole lot more.

80% is one hell of reason to check them out.