April Newsletter

Spring has Sprung! This is our favorite time of year and not just because of the great April Fool’s pranks! It is our favorite because the weather changes, the return of baseball , The Masters tournament and it’s the unofficial start of our favorite season of all, Selling Season! 

Auto, Powersports and RV dealers all get excited for this time of year as customers get their tax refunds and head to their local dealership to indulge in a new purchase. Although there was a somewhat flat start to the year, optimism continues to build as more and more consumers are acclimating to the new norms of vehicle prices, interest rates, etc. 

Our markets have changed drastically over the last few years, and we are finding more and more dealers looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve, maintain COVID level profitability and maximize each transaction with as many products and profit as possible. 

At ADS, we pride ourselves on providing holistic solutions for dealers. Whether it be a dealer looking to mitigate the impending negative equity monsoon (see info and video below), a dealer looking to maximize their marketing and customer data spend (https://clientcommand.com/), a dealer looking to right size their reinsurance position after seeing a spike in loss ratio or a dealer looking to provide their sales staff an extra boost with some training and development solutions (see below for course registration), we at ADS have you covered. 

Of course, this in all in addition to our high-performance F&I training and development platform that we have been deploying and perfecting over the past 10-years. 

If you are a dealer who wants ‘More in ‘24’, then reach out to us to see if we are potentially a fit for what you are looking for. 

To view the full newsletter visit https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/april-newsletter-7ms0opj48u

Study Expects Auto Industry To Work Harder To Maintain Profits In 2024

The U.S. auto industry is entering a “new normal” where automakers and dealers will labor harder to maintain profits, a report by Dave Cantin Group and Kaiser Associates says.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, supplies of vehicles on dealer lots fell. That meant higher vehicle prices and increased margins for automakers and dealers.

That is likely to shift this year, according to the report.

“The U.S. automotive industry has had an exceptional last few years,” the report said. “Indeed over the past 3+ years it seems like everyone won – everyone, that is, except the consumer (who has paid higher prices for fewer choices, longer lead times and more competition to get a vehicle at all.)”

In 2024, industry’s new normal “won’t look quite as attractive as it did in 2023, but better than it did (for manufacturers and dealerships) in 2019,” the report said.

Dave Cantin Group and Kaiser conducted interviews with industry analysts and executives as well as surveying more than 1,000 consumers.

Among the factors cited by the report as having an impact on the industry:

—“The economic climate in the U.S. is healthier than predicted going into 2024 – but a positive macro economic climate increases the complexity facing the industry.”

Interest rates may begin to decline later this year after efforts by the Federal Reserve to curb inflation. In turn, dealers may need to boost inventory and increase advertising spending, according to the report.

“Dealerships should expect to work harder to maintain profitability in 2024,” the report said.

At the same time, declining interest rates “are likely to unlock pent-up demand, resulting in greater vehicle sales.”

—Consumers surveyed are more likely than ever to buy SUVs. Of respondents, 44% said they want an SUV for their next vehicle.

“Consumers may be moving toward SUVs because of reliability, versatility, and safety, despite higher price tags,” the report said. “This shift may also align with brand preference: some of the brands consumers are most likely to buy are primarily known for SUVs.”

Automakers, including General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. have retired car models over the past several years. Ford, for example, said in an April 2018 earnings announcement, that 90% of its North American vehicle fleet would be trucks, SUVs and commercial vehicles by 2020.

The report said increased SUV deliveries will mean higher revenues and profits, according to the report.

—International situations such as U.S.-China tensions and Middle East conflicts could still disrupt the industry. “Geopolitical conflicts could drive a U-turn on consumer sentiment” and lower the willingness of automakers “to make strategic investments,” the report said.

Article by Bill Koenig published by Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/billkoenig/2024/02/26/study-expects-auto-industry-to-work-harder-to-maintain-profits-in-2024/?sh=15255fcb433f

F&I Training Tune Up

With demand outpacing supply, many sales professionals acted as clerks. In an ever-changing market, this is a perfect time to focus on the basics and Fully commit to treating our craft as an art. The Summer Tune Up Series will consist of three one-day classes focused on getting back to the basics of sales, F&I, and service.

Finance and Insurance (F&I):” Frustration and Indigestion” or “Fun and Income”
Understanding the role of a Finance Manager, today’s customer, and having a non-confrontational process will provide a better performance in the Finance Department. This course will provide immediate measurable results using the tips, techniques, and processes taught. Taking the “Frustration and Indigestion” out of F&I and turning it into ” Fun and Income”.

Learn from a 30-year industry veteran who has trained thousands of high performers. Our Director of Training and Development Eddie Rains will be facilitating the course in our Corporate Training Center in Richfield, OH. This course will be free to GCADA and ADS members/clients.

Follow the link to sign up! https://advanceddealersolutions.com/about-us/class-registration/