sales

Auto subscription services aren’t exactly something new. The first known service was started in Honolulu in 2010, but we’ve come a long way since Rima Braden Autosource’s “Flexlease” program. 

So here we are…2021. We finally made it out of 2020!  Does that mean the auto biz will get better? Well for the auto industry, business  has been on an upswing for months.

The Perfect Storm

As we’ve discussed a lot lately, digitization of the auto industry is here to stay. Part of that is the use of chat on dealers websites. People want quick, simple information, and chat facilitates that.

When shopping for vehicles, or anything really, consumers have already been doing most of their “shopping” and research online. This has been happening for years, so the birth of Carvana, Vroom and business like them are no surprise. But the traditional dealer can and should be competing with these online retailers. Online selling is the natural progression of car sales in the 21^st century.

Used car sales have been booming amidst Covid-19 and there is more to go around in the coming months. The demand for purchasing a vehicle hasn’t completely disappeared despite the economic downturn. If anything, people who used to rely on public transportation and ride sharing services are now faced with the need for their own vehicle. With many buckling down their budgets and personal finances, used versus new is a no brainer.

We’ve seen the future, and it’s used vehicles. Right now dealers and consumers are struggling through this pandemic. A majority of dealers are operating with just a skeleton crew in fixed ops, and most sales departments are closed. This won’t last forever. So what’s next?

You have to keep your eyes on the prize.

Electric vehicles are making their way into our everyday lives, and you can find more of them zipping around on the highway than ever before. There’s definitely a lot to consider as we find ourselves in this sandwich between gas and electric technology.