Driving Dealership Success: How In-Car Productivity Tech is Reshaping the Automotive Landscape (and Your F&I Opportunities)

The Road Ahead – Navigating Automotive Innovation

The pace of technological change in the automotive industry is unprecedented, extending far beyond traditional metrics like horsepower or fuel efficiency. Today, the conversation increasingly revolves around processing power, seamless connectivity, and the integrated digital experience a vehicle provides. This transformative shift is exemplified by the recent collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft, which aims to elevate in-car productivity to new heights. By integrating Microsoft Teams, Intune, and Microsoft 365 Copilot directly into vehicles, they are setting a new standard for what a car can be: not just a mode of transport, but a sophisticated mobile workspace.

This significant advancement prompts a crucial question for every dealership: What does this mean for your operations? How do these cutting-edge developments impact your sales floor, your customer relationships, and, most critically, your Finance & Insurance (F&I) department? In a hyper-competitive market, understanding and adapting to these trends is essential for sustained success. Advanced Dealer Solutions stands as an independent voice, dedicated to guiding dealerships through this evolving landscape, ensuring they are well-equipped to thrive.

The Connected Cockpit: More Than Just a Ride, It’s an Office (and a Lifestyle Hub)

The essence of the Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft integration lies in transforming the vehicle into a true productivity hub. Microsoft Teams enables seamless communication and virtual meetings on the go, allowing professionals to stay connected and productive even while commuting. Intune provides robust mobile device management and data protection, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure within the connected vehicle environment. Furthermore, the integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot brings AI-powered assistance directly into the car, streamlining tasks, facilitating information retrieval, and boosting overall efficiency for drivers.

These features empower drivers by turning their vehicles into extensions of their digital lives, enhancing convenience and blurring the lines between work and personal time. As drivers experience such sophisticated, integrated technology in premium vehicles, their expectations for connectivity, seamless digital experiences, and value-added software features will inevitably rise across all vehicle segments. This includes the Auto, RV, and Powersports sectors that dealerships serve. Customers will increasingly perceive a vehicle not merely as transportation but as a connected device, complete with its own digital ecosystem. This shift means that the sales conversation at the dealership must evolve beyond traditional vehicle attributes to encompass digital capabilities, software updates, and ongoing connectivity, requiring sales staff to be knowledgeable about how these features integrate into a customer’s digital lifestyle.

Beyond the Dashboard: Strategic Implications for Your Dealership

The advancements in in-car productivity extend far beyond the dashboard, carrying profound strategic implications for every facet of dealership operations.

Elevating the Customer Experience: The Digital Sales Journey

In today’s automotive retail environment, success hinges on delivering an exceptional customer experience, especially within a hyper-competitive market. Advanced in-car technology fundamentally reshapes how customers perceive and interact with vehicles, demanding a corresponding evolution in the sales approach.

If customers are now encountering and expecting sophisticated technology in their vehicles, they will naturally anticipate a similar level of sophistication from the sales professionals assisting them. A salesperson who can expertly articulate the benefits of in-car Teams for a busy professional, or demonstrate how Copilot can assist with trip planning for an RV enthusiast, adds significant value to the purchasing experience. This requires a shift in focus for sales teams, moving beyond simply demonstrating physical features to expertly showcasing integrated digital experiences. Equipping dealership personnel with this advanced product knowledge and the skills to demonstrate these digital features is paramount. This directly aligns with the “People” component of Advanced Dealer Solutions’ focus on F&I success and their Dealership Development and Online Classroom services, which are designed to train and empower staff.

New F&I Horizons: Monetizing the Connected Car

The increasing complexity and software-driven nature of modern vehicles open entirely new avenues for F&I products, presenting significant growth opportunities for dealerships. Advanced Dealer Solutions specializes in F&I training and development, offering a range of “Products & Programs” tailored for various vehicle types.

As vehicles become more akin to sophisticated computers on wheels, with features like integrated communication apps and AI assistants, new considerations arise. Software can require updates, encounter bugs, or even be vulnerable to cyber threats. Furthermore, ongoing connectivity services often incur subscription costs. This creates a clear demand for new F&I products that address these digital risks and ongoing needs. Consider the potential for extended software warranties that cover updates, bug fixes, or functionality for proprietary in-car operating systems. Cyber security protection plans could safeguard against hacking or data breaches in highly connected vehicles. Dealerships could also offer connectivity service bundles, providing long-term subscriptions for data, Wi-Fi hotspots, or premium app access. Furthermore, dedicated tech support packages for complex in-car systems could become a valuable offering. Advanced Dealer Solutions’ expertise in developing and implementing “Products & Programs” is crucial here, enabling dealerships to identify, develop, and train their F&I teams on these emerging, high-margin opportunities, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the F&I landscape.

Operational Agility & Dealership Development: Adapting Your “Processes”

The integration of advanced technology into vehicles also necessitates a critical re-evaluation of internal dealership processes, from initial customer engagement to inventory management and service bay operations. Advanced Dealer Solutions emphasizes the importance of “People, Processes and Products” for a successful F&I environment and offers comprehensive “Dealership Development” services.

While the immediate focus of in-car productivity is on the customer, the underlying principles of seamless digital integration and efficiency can be mirrored within the dealership’s own operations. If vehicles are becoming productivity hubs, dealerships themselves can apply similar strategies to enhance their internal “Processes.” Imagine F&I managers leveraging AI-powered tools, similar to Copilot, to quickly customize product bundles based on customer profiles, or sales teams collaborating seamlessly via internal communication platforms like Teams to improve lead management and customer follow-up. This extends beyond merely selling the technology; it involves actively using similar technological principles to enhance the dealership’s own operational efficiency. Advanced Dealer Solutions’ Dealership Development services can guide dealerships in optimizing their internal “Processes” to match the digital sophistication of the vehicles they sell, ensuring the dealership itself operates as intelligently and efficiently as the cars on its lot.

Partnering for Tomorrow’s Success: Your Independent Voice in a Changing World

Navigating these complex technological shifts requires expert guidance. Advanced Dealer Solutions stands as that independent voice, advocating for the success of Auto, RV, and Powersports Dealers in an increasingly digital world. The company’s offerings are specifically designed to provide solutions for the challenges and opportunities presented by these advancements.

Through comprehensive F&I Training & Development, Advanced Dealer Solutions equips your team with the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently sell new, tech-centric F&I products. Their Dealership Development services help refine your processes to seamlessly integrate new technologies and optimize overall operations. Furthermore, the Online Classroom provides accessible and flexible training solutions for busy dealership professionals, ensuring continuous learning and adaptation. Advanced Dealer Solutions is committed to providing unparalleled commitment and delivering unquestionable results, empowering dealerships to not just be informed, but to actively thrive in this dynamic industry.

Stay Ahead, Stay Profitable

The integration of advanced in-car productivity technology is a game-changer for the automotive industry. It fundamentally influences customer expectations, opens up significant new F&I opportunities, and demands greater operational efficiency from dealerships. The future of automotive retail is undeniably digital, and preparedness is the key to sustained profitability and competitive advantage. Advanced Dealer Solutions remains your essential partner for continuous learning and strategic adaptation in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Don’t Miss Out on Industry-Leading Insights!

The automotive landscape is evolving rapidly, and staying informed is crucial for your dealership’s success. Don’t get left behind! Sign up for the Advanced Dealer Solutions email newsletter today to receive more expert analysis, industry news, and actionable strategies directly to your inbox. Be the first to know what’s next in dealership development and F&I innovation.

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Car Sales Surge Amid Trump’s Tariff Threats: What It Means for Dealers and Consumers

car sales surge

In a surprising turn of events, car sales have surged as buyers react to President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats on Mexico and Canada. The proposed 25% tariffs have created a sense of urgency among consumers, leading many to expedite their car purchases to avoid potential price hikes.

Matthew Mitchell, a buyer from Walnut Creek, California, is one such example. Upon hearing about the tariffs, he quickly decided to purchase a 2019 Toyota Camry to avoid any future price increases. This sentiment is echoed by many buyers who are concerned about the impact of the tariffs on car prices.

The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs has led to a significant increase in car searches. According to David Greene, an analyst at Cars.com, searches on the website jumped 9% between February 16 and 22. This surge in interest indicates that consumers are taking the potential price hikes seriously and are looking to make their purchases sooner rather than later.

Dealers, on the other hand, are experiencing mixed reactions. While some see the short-term uncertainty as a boon, with more customers flocking to showrooms, others are concerned about the long-term impact on their inventory and sales. Jim Seavitt, a Ford dealer in Dearborn, Michigan, noted that sales were strong in early March, but he attributed this more to the deals he was running rather than tariff worries.

The average vehicle sales price has already seen a significant increase since the pandemic, reaching $48,641 in January, a 30% rise from January 2019. With the potential for further price hikes due to the tariffs, consumers are understandably cautious.

For dealers, this situation presents both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, the immediate surge in sales can help clear out inventory and boost short-term profits. On the other hand, the long-term uncertainty and potential for higher prices could deter future buyers and impact overall sales.

As we navigate these uncertain times, it’s crucial for both dealers and consumers to stay informed and make strategic decisions. For consumers, this might mean making purchases sooner rather than later to avoid potential price hikes. For dealers, it means finding ways to attract and retain customers despite the uncertainty. At Advanced Dealer Solutions, we are committed to helping dealers navigate these challenges and seize the opportunities that arise. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on how to thrive in this ever-changing market.

The Advanced News February 2025

A Message From The ADS Team
 

And just like that 2025 is off and running! We hope your 2025 is off to as great of a start as ours is here at ADS.

By all accounts 2025 should be a banner year in the automotive business and should see significant growth in RV and powersports. We could not be more excited to support all our dealers while they work to handle this growth. Our team has been and continues to grow. We have added 8 new team members to the ADS squad in the last few months and are poised to support our current and future dealers better than we ever have before. If you, or your teams are looking to make 2025 your best year ever then please reach out to us to see if we are the missing piece in your strategic puzzle.

There are many evolving forces facing dealers today and one of the many complex and often misunderstood items is dealers’ insurance plans. Garage liability, open lot, EPLI, umbrellas, etc. are all highly nuanced and seldom fully understood by dealers and comptrollers making decisions on what providers to work with. Much like our truly independent approach to our F&I relationships, we bring the same level of unbiased, pragmatic representation to our risk management solutions. Please click the link below to learn more about how a highly skilled, dealer focused team can help you better protect yourself in the event of a future occurrence.

Lastly, please check out the link below on the book Confidence is Overrated, by our dear friend Travis Thomas.

Some shareworthy news items…
Brisk New-Vehicle Sales Open Year
Used Sales End Strong
Hindenburg Research shorts Carvana, calling company’s turnaround a ‘mirage’
Five for ’25: The Cox Automotive Forecast
Proposed Regs on Micro-Captive Listed Transactions, Transactions of Interest Finalized
Under-Water Auto Loans on the Rise

Events we will be attending:

Cleveland Auto Show – https://www.clevelandautoshow.com/

Good Luck and Good Selling!

 

View the full newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/february-newsletter-4vmogzv35y-17465923

Used Vehicle Prices Continue to Stabilize

Used vehicle prices expected to continue to stabilize in 2025 after pandemic volatility

In 2025, used vehicle prices are expected to stabilize due to improved new car production, easing supply chain disruptions, and increased availability of semiconductors. These factors will boost new vehicle inventories, reducing pressure on the used car market. Additionally, easing inflation and potential interest rate cuts are likely to enhance consumer purchasing power, making financing more affordable and influencing demand across the automotive market. As competition in the electric vehicle (EV) sector intensifies and consumer preferences shift toward fuel-efficient and eco-friendly options, prices for traditional combustion engine vehicles may decline, further balancing the market. Together, these economic and market dynamics are poised to create a more stable pricing environment for used vehicles.

The Advanced News January 2025

A Message From The ADS Team

Happy New Year!!!
 
Some years just come with more excitement than others and that is the case for
the ADS team as we gear up for what is sure to be our best year ever!
 
By most expert opinions, the automotive industry, and the economy, should
thrive in 2025 (see articles below) and we are right with them in that mindset.
The majority for automotive forecasters are predicting an increase over 2024 as
well as the downward move on rates, lower overall vehicle prices and the return
of some needed factory incentives all line up to give this market the
accelerant it needs to achieve the results we are all hoping for.
 
The recent news of the Honda and Nissan merger is adding even more excitement
to the conversation and outlook. Many feel this will add competitiveness on a
global level and several dealers of ours have expressed shear enthusiasm over
the news. It will be interesting to see how this news shakes out and what the
short and long-term effects are on the industry and the dealers of the affected
brands.
 
Our team at ADS continues to grow. We added 5 incredibly talented members to
our team in December and look forward to introducing them to everyone in the
next couple of months. We know these recent hires, as well as our existing team
members, will bring us to new heights in terms of dealer performance, new
relationships, and new markets entered. Be on the lookout for the exciting
updates throughout the year.
 
From all of us at ADS, to all of you, we wish you the happiest and most
prosperous New Year’s EVER!

Sincerely,

Bob and Ryan

View the full newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/december-newsletter-4vmogzv35y-17464035

The Advanced News December 2024

A Message From The ADS Team

Thankful and Grateful is a good way to express our feelings as we head into the holiday season and begin to wrap up this year.

For us at ADS, it has been a topsy turvy year with some ups and downs. Fortunately, there have been more ups than downs. As our industry continues to evolve, so must our team. We are blessed to be welcoming so many high caliber individuals to our team over the next few weeks. We know the changes we are making will result in the continuation of our exponential growth for many years to come.

One item we are very excited about, is the addition of our Risk Management Team. This team, led by industry veteran, Dave Ditgen will be bringing our strong independent mindset and approach to the risk management side of the business. When it comes to your garage keepers, open lot, general liability and workers compensation we know we can provide unique solutions that fit your needs. Please fill out the contact from below to get in touch with one of our licensed team members to get you introduced to the process and programs we have access to.

For all of those that have blessed us this year by doing business with us, supporting us as we continue to grow, or challenging us to get better, we thank you. We are grateful for every step in our journey and couldn’t be more excited about what next year and beyond have in store for us.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Bob and Ryan

View the full newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/december-newsletter-4vmogzv35y-17464035

The Advanced News November 2024

It is that time of year for all of us to go out and perform our civic duty by voting. Taking part in our democracy is a gift, and unfortunately, many Americans do not take part for a variety of reasons. These elections should remind us of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our democracy, and therefore our ability to take part in free and fair elections. Please visit https://vote.gov/ to make sure you know how and where to vote in your state.
 
Many of us are excited for the elections to be over. If you live in a swing state, we are certain you are tired if seeing attack ad, after attack ad. Another reason to be excited about November 5th being behind us is that the economy, specifically retails sales, generally hit a stagnant period around elections. The majority in our industry are optimistic about the increase in sales volume we should see post-election cycle.
 
For most dealers, 2024 has proven to be a difficult year. Sales volume, and gross profit have declined especially within certain manufactures. As some dealers feel pressure on volume and profit, their focus has shifted to F&I and fixed ops. We at ADS have stepped up and responded to the challenge. Our dealers are experiencing strong, if not record F&I results and our roll-out of Repaired Forever has proven to help drive additional service sales and an added profit center.
 
Moving into the holidays, let us reflect on what we are thankful for and what the holiday season means to each of us.
 
Good luck and Good selling to all of you!

Sincerely,
Bob and Ryan
 
Events ADS will be attending:
F&I Product and Reinsurance Conference – https://www.fandi-conference.com/  

Newsworthy Items:
I just bought a Jeep for my teen driver. Here’s what I learned about the used car market
American consumers are increasingly underwater on their car loans
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares to retire in 2026 as automaker struggles in North America
Vehicle pricing fell year-over-year in Q3: Cox Automotive
US remains engine of global growth in latest IMF forecasts

View the full newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/november-newsletter-4vmogzv35y-17464034

The Advanced News October 2024

First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by last weeks storms in the Southeast. We sincerely hope everyone finds a way to safely navigate through the aftermath. Please take a moment to click the link below to donate to a relief fund to provide aid to those in need. 

Trick or Treat?
 
That is the question most of us in the industry are asking ourselves about what the next few months of this year have in store for us.
 
Here are just a few of the bigger questions out there…
 
Will the interest rate cuts accelerate, or slow car sales?
Will the election breed confidence or fear into the markets?
Will the juxtaposition on EV’s cause more manufactures to transition away from the segment?
Will the market look more reasonable in terms of Blue Sky in 2025?
What is the turnaround time for Stellantis?
 
All of these are good, legitimate questions and depending on how they are answered could drastically change how the industry’s future unfolds.
 
As our team crisscrosses the country speaking with dealers and other industry leaders, one thing we have learned for sure; we are past the COVID days of volume and profits. Dealers are working to find new ways to add gross profit, new ways to compete for customers, and new ways to train (and in some cases, retrain) their staff. The good news is, we at ADS have the solutions.
 
Even though the industry has seen decreases in F&I profitability, our dealers are still holding strong, and even seeing increases. Our dealers are adding Repaired Forever (see below) as a new profit center to their dealerships, and are utilizing ADS and its decades of retail experience to help their teams continue to grow and thrive!
 
Good luck and good selling to all of you!

Sincerely,
Bob and Ryan
 
 

View the full newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/november-newsletter-4vmogzv35y-17464034

The Advanced News September 2024

We kicked August off by celebrating our 10-year anniversary in grand fashion. A party appropriate for a decades long run of exceeding our dealer’s goals and objectives. As we rolled through the month, we highlighted each our associates who are the ones who make it happen day in and day out. Please check out our LinkedIn page to read up on each of our team members to get to know them better. Also, be on the lookout for an announcement of our newest team members later this month.
 
Now we turn our attention to the next decade and beyond, and what better time to discuss the advantages of working with a truly independent advocate for your business. According to recent publications, inventory levels are up 43%, F&I profits are down 23%, and the market is showing signs of getting more and more difficult as we move into 2025.
 
Dealer after dealer has told us how their current provider is letting them down, allowing results to suffer, not minding the profitability of their participation structures, and basically just operating on cruise control. The old way of working with dealers, and taking advantage of relationships, is no longer acceptable. There is a better way.
 
As we continue to work with a growing number of dealers, we are seeing the results of our comprehensive approach to improve F&I sales and profitability and can proudly say that our stores are bucking the industry trends of going backwards. We have many dealers, and dealer groups setting F&I records due to our unique sales process, and our integrated levels of accountability. To find our more, please reach out to us to see if there are F&I profits being left on the table at your store.
 
To infinity and beyond…
 
Good luck and good selling to all of you!

Sincerely,
 
Bob and Ryan

IN THE NEWS 
J.D. Power-GlobalData U.S. Automotive Forecast for August 2024
Ford slows EV plans, delaying pickup and axing three-row SUV, to cut costs
Restaurants fight back against the FTC crackdown on ‘junk fees’ as diners balk at new charges
Stellantis laying off 2,450 plant workers due to discontinuation of Ram ‘Classic’ pickup truck

EVENTS WE WILL BE ATTENDING 
Live2Lead – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live2lead-cleveland-tickets-937395323647?aff=oddtdtcreator
RVDA – https://www.rvda.org/Convention
F&I Product and Reinsurance Conference – https://www.fandi-conference.com/

Good Luck and Good Selling!

View the full newsletter https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/september-newsletter-4vmogzv35y-17389104

The Advanced News August 2024

August is a big month for us here at Advanced Dealer Solutions, as we are celebrating our 10-year anniversary!
 
In 2014, Bob felt dealers needed an independent advocate working tirelessly on their behalf. Not just with income development, but claims management, loss ratios, reinsurance results, capital to fund acquisitions, and so on. Dealers didn’t need another person working for vertically integrated company, somebody reporting up to a private equity firm, or someone being mandated sales goals from a corporate tower. Dealers needed an unbiased company whose primary goals were to exceed the dealer’s goals and objectives.
 
That independent, unbiased spirit remains at the core of who we are and what we do. We work for our dealers, PERIOD! Throughout these past 10 years, we have achieved tremendous success in collaboration with our dealers and product partners, more than most people could have imagined.
 
Although we may be celebrating our 10-year anniversary, we are just getting started and I assure you, you ain’t seen nothing yet!
 
To infinity and beyond…
 
Good luck and good selling to all of you!

Sincerely,
 
Bob and Ryan

IN THE NEWS
CarShield fined $10 million for deceptive advertising charges
Cox Automotive Forecast: New-Vehicle Sales Pace Expected to Rebound After June Disruptions
CrowdStrike sued by shareholders over global outage
Wharton’s Jeremy Siegel says Fed needs to make an emergency rate cut

EVENTS WE WILL BE ATTENDING 

NAMAD – https://web.cvent.com/event/edcd733e-ea51-4261-842b-30b68f704934/summary
RVDA – https://www.rvda.org/Convention
F&I Product and Reinsurance Conference – https://www.fandi-conference.com/

Good Luck and Good Selling!

View the full newsletter https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/august-newsletter-4vmogzv35y