Automotive Market Consultants Help Car Dealerships Grow and Profit

Both established and new dealerships need to be aware that marketing strategies play an important role in how they are ranked in the industry, and how their presence in the financial world will grow. Automotive marketing consultants are the surest way to incorporate proven strategies into the auto dealership business environment.

Expert Automotive Marketing Consultants

Exceptionally successful dealerships can hire an automotive marketing consultant who is versed in industry standards, as well as, modern techniques for business performance. These techniques are valuable when designing strategies for increasing profits, understanding marketing strategies, and incorporating consumer opinions into future plans.

Direct Marketing Consultant Benefits

* Immediate market shift awareness.
* Increased sales efficiency in an ever-changing market.
* Sales and commission arrangements that are future-minded.
* Improved accessibility to growing consumer markets.
* Positive dealership promotion to the public including dealership profile uniqueness.
* Widespread information distribution highlighting the customer relationships of a dealership.
* Constant local, regional, and industry-wide market analytic reports.
* Increased efficiency in all operations.

Car Dealership Consultants Have Unique Service Priorities

* Suggesting improvements to business operations that help employees and sales staff utilize time.
* Identify strong and weak points in car repair services that contribute to positive customer experiences.
* Analysis of areas where profits can be experienced after key alterations.
* Creating communication opportunities between the dealership and clients.
* Recommending changes to employee and management training protocols for increased efficiency.

Car Dealerships Can Experience Increased Profits

Both start-up and established auto dealerships can experience increased profits and greater market flexibility through consulting services. These services provide information that make connecting with modern business marketing technology and consumer resources easier, less costly, and less time consuming.

The internet provides consumers with greater knowledge of services, so it is important that a dealership has a powerful profile across all information-sharing platforms. AutoAwards’ automotive marketing consultants can assist private entrepreneurs with ways to achieve this.

Maximizing Business Performance

The key to maximizing profits and communicating a positive business profile to potential and returning consumers is through effective marketing. An automotive marketing consultant can assist with this using tools from simple training suggestions, to formal employee webinars.

These tools convey all points important to car dealerships who are future-minded and want to grow a strong market presence. Having an impeccable car dealership business profile is possible, and using the expert advice of a marketing consultant is key to understanding the demands of the modern auto market.

AutoAwards Announces Over $1.1 Billion In Customer Transactions

AutoAwards is excited to announce over $1.1 billion in customer transactions at our clients’ automotive dealerships. Our executive team has over 24 years of experience in the automotive industry. The business started over 23 years ago with testing an automotive loyalty program through the partnership with other automotive dealerships.

Established Automotive Loyalty Program

The program has proven to be successful with the high record of customer transactions and over 1.2 million customers. Our program is built upon the collective spending on car maintenance and service.

AutoAwards has established relationships with dealerships across the country and is seen as an innovator in the industry by creating programs that work in partnership with local merchants. Part of the rewards program experience has also been a program called “Keep It Local.”

Partnering Locally with Businesses

This program has partnered with 20-30 local businesses to provide over 200 discounts. The savings are not one-time-only coupons. They provide customers with repeat savings at the local establishments each time they go in for products or service.

AutoAwards’ Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Chandler Greene, said, “The program is a huge success for the auto dealerships and local merchants.”

Experiencing High Retention Rates

Loyalty programs established by AutoAwards have provided high service retention rates between 37-70%, Greene said. The amount of customers who activate their membership and go back to car dealerships are every 4 out of 10 customers, with 70-80% going back for service.

The rate of retention for automotive dealerships has AutoAwards and their clients excited about the increased growth and profit. The marketing consulting company has a good reputation in the industry with dealers and OEMs.

AutoAwards is offering a marketing consultation in automotive marketing to start a loyalty and rewards program. Visit https://www.autoawards.com/lets-talk/ to request a consultation.

Why Start an Auto Rewards Dealer Program?

If your auto dealership does not get a steady flow of leads, then your business will not flourish. You need an effective marketing plan that powerfully promotes your business. A professional lead specialist from AutoAwards will help you increase your flow of auto sales and avoid stagnation.

Take Advantage of a Dealer Rewards Program

One of our professionals can help you design and maintain an attractive awards program that not only gets new leads but also maintains existing customers. The professional will help you create a program that generates qualified prospects who will end up making profitable purchases. A multi-channel and flexible loyalty program offers customers unique and memorable experiences that make them come back. A good program customizes offers to the needs of individual customers to give them personalized experiences.

Studies show that loyalty programs increase revenue by between five and 10 percent. Customers who get into such programs typically spend between five and 20 percent more than those who have not entered any program.

Choosing the Right Rewards Program

Since research has proven beyond reasonable doubt that loyalty programs are effective in boosting businesses, many so-called experts have cropped up in a bid to take a slice of the market. Therefore, it is important to get a truly professional company that has a proven track record for developing successful loyalty programs.

Some of the things that a good company will give you include goal assessment, real time data reporting, turn-key support and benchmarking. Such a program has different components like vehicle maintenance plans and gift cards.

Vehicle maintenance programs may be sold with either pre-owned or new vehicles while gift cards may be customized to suit the customers in the target community.

To get detailed information about the best dealer rewards program that complies with the law, get in touch with our law firm.

A Simple CRM System Can Help Keep Your Automotive Center In The Money

Last year, Google conducted research in automotive customers. They found out that only about two percent of people are getting follow up emails from their automotive dealer after the sale. Do you know what that means? Well, if you are the buyer, it means you vehicle is missing service. If you are in the automotive industry it means you are missing out of service calls and selling new vehicles. Yep, as a service center you are leaving money on the table.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

You do the math. One third of the automotive industry already uses emails and follow up to attract new clients, follow up with old clients and more. However, only two percent of current customers are getting emails and follow up from shops offering automotive service and repairs. Marketing by email, using a CRM system offered by one of the many automotive CRM companies can attract more business. Current customers, who are already having work done, will come back in again and again if reminded. Email is a great way to keep in touch.

This Can All Be Corrected With Automotive CRM

CRM or customer retention management software is a system that allows you to separate customers based on certain criteria that you set up. And CRM should be a huge part of your business and marketing plan. Why? Simple, it reminds customers to come back for service. It can also help with new vehicle purchase, sales satisfaction results, finance and so much more.

Save Your Dealership and Service Center With CRM

It is no secret that dealerships and service centers are losing a huge part of the aftermarket. Just read the reports and you will see that it declines each year. Having said that, you can reclaim your share simply by using CRM. Sending a few emails a month will help you to stay ahead in hard economic times and keep customer loyalty.

Today the car buyer is more educated than even before, use a CRM system to remind them that you are where they need to come. Contact the automotive CRM company today and get your CRM up and running. It’s easier than you think.

Automotive Prepaid Maintenance Programs Help Cultivate Positive Consumer Relations

Think about your customers for a moment. When they step into your car dealership, they will encounter salesmen. The staff up front that sells them a car works within the dealership to help get drivers new and used vehicles. But, even though these important people work with consumers directly, there’s an often-forgotten department inside a dealership.

This includes automotive prepaid maintenance programs, which can help not only boost revenue for the dealership, but can help raise customer retention, and satisfaction to over 60 percent. Experts agree, these programs are helpful to both the dealership and the consumer alike.

Sending A Positive Message

Dealerships that offer buyer maintenance programs send a message to their clients every time they come in for any sort of assistance. Whether they get an oil change or something more complex done on their car, a relationship is cultivated. This relationship sends a message to the car owner and family that the dealership genuinely cares. They want to maintain vehicles, and establish a record of service that will send a positive message about them.

Consumers will see the effort that the service department gives and remember that down the line. This goes beyond advertising. This gets to the heart of what service can provide. When you speak to the heart of consumers, they will support you every time they need a new vehicle.

Getting the Right Return Customers

Customer loyalty takes a bit of effort. With the aid of prepaid maintenance programs, return customers will be easier to manage than to go with other lead options. Take for instance advertising. If you advertise, you are going to get leads that are warm, or cold. Either way, you have no track record with the individuals that respond to those ads. They do not have any feeling or memory of your efforts.

With that in mind, consider the customer base that you will have if you get return customers that have a track record of service department support. Fickle consumers will try to take shortcuts when trying to purchase vehicles. Meanwhile return customers will know that you’ll work hard to get them a good deal and service your vehicle.

Training the Service Staff For Real Loyalty

You want previous customers to come back and purchase new cars from you. You want them to feel that the dealership cares about them in a genuine way. It is important to train the service department to advice customers about issues that may be found. Even if they don’t come in for certain tests, go the extra mile by giving them advice about tires, wiper blades, lights that are dimming, and other issues. Do this as a courtesy, and you will establish a positive relationship with them.

Interactions between the rest of the dealership after the sales department does their job, will cultivate a positive relationship with consumers. This genuine relationship will help get repeat business time and time again.

Dealerships Can Expand Customer Growth, Not Shrink It-See How

Making small repairs to customers’ cars can place a minor dent in the dealership pockets, but it could have a huge effect on a customer’s loyalty. A prepaid, free, or discounted repair at the dealership could render loyal customers for years to come. As automotive sales achieve memorable highs – and loyalty programs move at a similar pace – the car dealerships are finding such practices as a basic component for re-establishing client visits.

How Dealerships Rebound from Low Sales

Even though reports show 16.7 million vehicles registered, car sales are expected to become stagnant within a couple of years. Due to this fact, dealerships should view loyalty programs as important and crucial to the success of their dealership.

Loyalty program advertisers have not dismissed the open door and need for such a program. At various loyalty groups, free repairs for small dents and concierge services lead to customers that are willing to pay more for products, services, and memberships. Some loyalty programs have reported having approximately 70 to 80,000 members.

Loyalty program promoters try daily to increase business with the help of cross-marketing. These promoters have successfully expanded outside of the U.S.A borders in 2016, by entering Europe with programs for BMW and Mazda.

Brand Loyalty

According to reports by IHS Automotive, about 52.8% of car buyers return to the same dealership to purchase the same brands. This increase could be connected to the number of models that each brand has available.

Rising Sales Generated for Auto Dealerships

Another huge figure is 4.4, that is the rate increment in offers of new autos and light trucks from January to June – a 10-year record, as per Automotive News. General offers of new autos and light trucks rose 3.9% in June, to right around 1.5 million automobiles.

Collectively, the figures help to conclude that there has been an increase in brand adherence, that means noteworthy opportunities lie ahead in the changing car loyalty industry. Individuals who send in recipes are given bonus points, while other members are encouraged to participate in competitions that require them to place their vote for their favorite recipe. Members whose recipes win will have the opportunity to win various prizes such as mobile devices or even gift cards. Those that enter votes into the competition qualify themselves to be included for more offers and discounts.

Such activities can result in month to month development.

Benefits to Loyalty Programs

One key to distinguishing successful bonuses in car loyalty lies under the hood. It has been reported that members are more likely to enjoy the perks that involve dealer services. Benefits such as giveaways and free food can help to keep automotive members satisfied, but the tangible way to keep these individuals satisfied is with detail services.

The following features are recommended to achieve a steady performance:
Repairs. New car owners can be devastated by small dings such as little dents in the door or fender. A free dent repair costs the dealership a little, but the effects can be huge. A happy customer can turn into a loyal customer.

Concierge services. More typical among extravagance models, for example, Lexus, a few merchants send a driver to pick up the member’s automobile so that it can be serviced at the dealership’s shop. This small accommodation could equal a huge convenience for the member.

Rebates. Make the biggies small(er): Any rebates on huge, recommended maintenance services, for example, an oil change that includes a new filter and synthetic oil, will grasp the interest of members.

Points of interest, subtle elements. A perfect advancement for clients who have not been to the dealership in a year or something like that, a free detailing can be something major by the member but is a cheap expense to the dealership.
Put resources into mechanics. Dealers with great service records tend to have higher customer loyalty levels, according to IHS Automotive. It is important to note that these features can be applied to other industries. Hair salons, barbershops can benefit from loyalty programs.

Get Started With Your Dealership Loyalty Program

Contact AutoAwards today to get started with a dealership loyalty program to grow your customer retention rates and attract new business.

3 Classifications Of Loyalty For Auto Dealership

For any auto dealership to survive, sustain and thrive successfully in this competitive market, there has to be a loyalty strategy in place. With a strategy, a dealership attracts more customers, has a high customer retention rate, provides a thriving work environment to the employees, and builds a good brand image. These loyalties are classified as salesperson loyalty, brand loyalty, and dealership loyalty.

Loyalty Categories Contribute to Overall Growth of an Auto Dealership

All three categories of loyalty mentioned above play a crucial role in the overall growth of an auto dealership, and a rewards program significantly boosts this for the customers. It is a nice way of saying thank you to the clients and showing appreciation for their patronage. For the auto dealership to grow uninterrupted, a hierarchy in the loyalties above needs to be recognized for better strategy planning.

Dealership Loyalty

The dealership loyalty is enhanced when the establishment provides excellent customer service and experience in all aspects. The job of the dealership does offer not only good products, but also quick and efficient servicing services, pre and post customer care services, effective processing services, and more. Including an automotive dealer rewards program, which would be a nice way to say thank you to the customers and leave a lasting impression on them that dealership cares boosts such efforts.

Salesperson Loyalty

The salesperson loyalty is significant for an auto dealership because, without experienced dealers, the dealership cannot sustain or grow. The work environment must be warm, friendly and growth-oriented.

The dealership must provide free training and courses to help empower sales persons. It would contribute to reducing the attrition rate of employees and give out an overall good impression on customers who have friendly and better relationship with the salesperson, more than the dealership.

Brand Loyalty

The subject of brand loyalty is subjective regarding business. Depending upon the demographics and market, a dealership must focus on one brand and stick to it primarily, but can also expand their business activities by providing interested clients with used vehicles of competing brands.

These are the three kinds of loyalty for an auto dealership that needs to be reviewed and worked upon by every dealership. Adding gift cards to your efforts in enhancing brand and customer loyalty is known to be quite effective in getting results and gaining loyalty from customers.

Contact us today to know more about the various options available to customize your automotive dealer rewards program.

Avoid Customer Dissatisfaction-Build a Quality Auto Loyalty Program

The majority of customers switch their auto dealers because of customer service dissatisfaction with sales and service employees. There’s another percentage of customers who are dissatisfied but who don’t switch.

Dealing with Complaints from Customers

Managers usually assume that most of their customers are completely satisfied if few complaints reach their desk. However, long-standing research about the pattern of customer behavior reveals why this happens — around 96 percent of dissatisfied customers never complain!

Managers can safely assume that for every complaint received, there are about 25 other customers with the same complaint who won’t mention their problem to them at all. Instead, customers who don’t complain to the company will voice their grievances with 10-20 other people if their problem isn’t resolved.

How Managers Can Reduce Customer Dissatisfaction

The smartest thing that managers can do to minimize this issue is to encourage people to voice any complaints they have about their services with their auto company and make this provision readily available.

The following reasons show why this action is so crucial:

1) About 54-70 percent of complainers will remain loyal to a company they know will handle their problems efficiently. About 95 percent will repeat their business with an auto dealer if it resolves their problem quickly.

2) Complainers will typically tell other people about their company’s good customer service when their problems are resolved.

3) Complainers typically stay loyal to a company as opposed to non-complainers, even when their problems are unresolved.

4) Auto dealers can greatly reduce their marketing spending seeking new customers as much as 80-90 percent by retaining existing ones.

Automotive customer loyalty programs that ask the right questions and encourage feedback via auto survey mailers greatly reduce dissatisfaction among its customers.

Moreover, the execution of good customer service strategies among management and staff can do much to fulfill their customers’ needs and keep their loyalty long-term.

CRM Dealer Software: Manage Everything In Automotive Industry Using Single Platform

It is known that for most of the businesses, managing the large customer database, inventory, and different departments are not easy. However, the introduction of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software like CRM Dealer software has made a significant change in getting things in a quick turnaround with great efficiency and convenience, especially in automotive industries. People who are looking for automotive industry CRM software would find the Dealer software greatly useful in increasing their sales. See what makes the software unique and very useful in sales.

Manage Data Better

As every one of you know, data has a major role in marketing and information regarding demographics, sales data, customer, etc., it plays a major role in effectively marketing and selling the products. The CRM Dealer software provides an option to get sales trends, marketing efforts, and customer preferences in an easier manner.

Retain Customers Effectively

The CRM Dealer software ensures smooth engaging with each customer on service visits, to introduce new offers, discounts, etc. You can pull the financial data and other information along with regular communication with customers.

New Customers into Business

Creating a new marketing plan with the information made available by software and creating multi-channel sales with the help of it would enable you to get more customers. Also, it is helpful in expanding the marketing with proper channeling.

Internet Leads

The Internet lead manager in the software is helpful in tracking the Internet search results that are relevant to automotive sales. The option allows tracking the contact details of such potential customers and would transfer to the sales department to follow-up. Optional tools can be added to the software to facilitate smooth customer care and business development options.

Manage Inventory

A tool that can be added to software that enables you to track your inventory and pass it to the customers including most popular vehicle etc., to help him to make informed decisions along with understanding his needs.

Efficient Service Department

The software can enable the efficiency of your service department including proper tracking on customer order, other details like profit potential, etc., can be easily availed. End to end tracking including finance would improve the total cycle time from sales to service.

How To Get CRM Auto Industry Software

The CRM Dealer software is designed to integrate all the process into a single platform conveniently and efficiently. Use the CRM software for the automotive industry to see the improvement in service, support, sales and finally the efficiency of the firm.

Top Services Offered by a Prepaid Maintenance Program

One of the most essential things that help auto retailers maintain a steady stream of business is with Dealer Prepaid Maintenance Plans. By offering these plans, auto retailers are able to establish loyalty among customers. With this loyalty, they will be in position to have customers come to the dealership on a regular basis. A Dealer Prepaid Maintenance Plan helps with customer retention and also establishes loyalty as well.

There are some common services offered to customers with the Prepaid Maintenance Programs.
These services include:

-Tire Rotation and pressure checks
-Alignment checks
-Replacement of wiper blades
-Air filter replacements
-Lube, oil and filter changes with synthetic oil
-System flushes
-Discounts on parts, service and accessories
-Body Repairs
-Cleaning and detailing

Dealership Preventative Maintenance Provides More Revenue

With Dealership Preventative Maintenance Programs, auto retailers will have the ability to generate more revenue on a consistent basis. A vast majority of customers who come in for a PPM will often purchase additional services.
Those who come back on a regular basis will most likely purchase a new vehicle from the same dealership. As a result, this program will help not only generate more revenue in the present, but also generate more sales in the future.
Another important thing about preventative maintenance programs is that they also prevent customers from going to another dealership to get service and purchase a vehicle. Therefore, this program is vital to preventing the loss of customers.

Benefits of Prepaid Maintenance Programs

There are a number of benefits offered by prepaid maintenance programs to customers. These benefits will often include:

-Drivers being able to pay for future maintenance at present day prices
-Service is fast and convenient since it has already been paid for
-The cost of the program is included in the monthly car payment
-Eliminates maintenance budget
-Services are performed by certified auto technicians
-Resale value of the vehicle is increased through a digital records upkeep
-Only factory authorized parts and fluids are used

Any auto consumers who are looking to learn more about automotive prepaid maintenance programs will want to contact AutoAwards to learn more about setting up a program.