Well, after weeks of fretting and worry, dealers are finally upon the June 9th deadline to sell all their inventory off or be stuck with cars they can no longer sell (due to franchise revocation). We reported a number of days ago about a dealer, Pohanka Chrysler-Dodge, that had dozens of cars to be sold before today or they would have to eat the cost of the cars. Well, originally we were in completely support to help them sell of their inventory and try to keep the dealer losses to a minimum. However, a number of days ago Chrysler had brought to the attention of many that they weren’t going to just leave these dealers to suffer. Afterall, there are still over 2000 Chrysler dealers in the USA keeping their franchising. As such, Chrysler’s plan is to help dealers to redistribute these cars to other dealers and help both the old franchises and the current ones.

“We think we can redistribute any vehicles that any dealer wants us to,” spokeswoman Kathy Graham said. “Dealers are not going to be stuck with cars. We have dealerships that want the vehicles.”

Since Chrysler plants have recently stopped production due to the bankruptcy filing, dealers still want and need new cars. As of the end of last month, there were over 44,000 cars. We currently have no estimates left, but this does show a light at the end of the tunnel for dealers looking to unload their extra inventory as well as consumers who are looking for a great deal and want to buy a Chrysler car during this lull in their operations while they go through bankruptcy court.

Brad and David Hensley Jr of Cars Etc.

For our next car dealer interview David Hensley Jr of Cars Etc. Inc. in Knoxville, TN shares some great information on his dealership’s marketing budget, online dealer reviews, and more.

If you would like to take part in our dealer interview series please email me at will(at)easyautosales.com or twitter us at @easyautosales.com.

1. David, tell us a little bit about Cars Etc. , and your own career in the auto industry?

Cars Etc…Inc. was started in May of 1983, by James Hensley, Jr. since then, we have grown from a front row consisting of 4 vehicles and 2 employees; James and his brother, David,Sr. to over 200 units currently in stock and 10 full time employees, majority of which are family.  Two of whom are Brad and David, Jr. who aspire to make this a 2nd generation business and we both have for the most part spent our entire lives learning this business, be it washing cars or developing advertising campaigns. This dealership is all we have ever know and all we ever want to do.

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Ed O'Grady Car Dealer of Classic Chevrolet

To continue our dealer interview series we’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Ed O’Grady of  the Classic Chevrolet dealership in Amherst, MA.  Ed shares with us his experiences selling cars in the current economy.

If you would like to be included in our Car Dealer Interview series, please drop me an email at will(at)easyautosales.com or twitter us @easyautosales.

1. Ed, tell us a little bit about Classic Chevrolet?

Classic Chevrolet was formerly Paige’s Chevrolet. It was purchased from the Paige family in 2002. This dealership has been in Amherst, Ma since  1883 (horse and buggy) a small, customer friendly place with very long-term employees and a consistently high customer satisfaction index (CSI).

2. As a result of the recession, what expenses have you cut from your daily operation?  What new programs have you added to your daily operation?

The largest cuts we have made is in our New car floor plan. We have drastically reduced our New vehicle inventory. Some new programs we have added to our store revolves around the Internet. Blog pages, twitter, and other social media. We also use lots of on line free advertising such as Craigslist. We have been doing lots of FREE advertising to complement advertising we pay for.

3. In addition to cutting down on new car inventory, have you also made changes to your used car inventory such as offering cars under a certain price or age?

Yes we definitely have started to offer cars below $9,995. We have typically only offered very low mileage vehicles that are Certifiable.

4. How would you rate the performances of your twitter and blogging efforts? What are dealers missing if they don’t do these things?

Twitter has been a great way to announce certain specials and offer certain vehicles to a more targeted audience. We get greater views of our inventory through this media.If dealers don’t get involved now I think they are missing out on some additional opportunities!

5. Has your attitude towards the marketing budget changed?  Has it shifted more and more online?

Yes our marketing budget has shifted almost completely to online.We do have a car magazine that works well here that we also use. People have shifted to on line only to find a car and research the dealer, before they commit. People still purchase at the dealership, as opposed to online.

6. What are some of the biggest concerns you have when buying leads?

We don’t purchase leads at this store, however when I used to purchase them duplicates and phony info were always the concern. Actually how did the lead get generated? Was it some contest on line to win something? Or Did the customer request to be contacted!

7. Do dealers still pay flat fees for marketing their online presence?

We still pay some flat fees for online presence , however we utilize everything we pay for to the max!

8. What are your thoughts on online reputation management? Are online reviews of dealers the next IT thing?

An online reputation is crucial to your success. Reviews and comments online are very valuable.

9. What can dealers do to adapt as many people start shifting their shopping patterns towards online research and browse?

Media on your website.  Videos show the likeness of the dealership.  I think people are all ready doing this!

Thanks for your time Ed! Readers, if you have any more questions for Ed feel free to add it in the comments.  Hopefully we can keep the interview going.   You can also find Ed on Twitter @carsalepro

Classic Chevrolet Dealership in Amerherst, MA

Tracy Myers in front of Frank Myers Auto Maxx Dealership

Tracy Myers of Frank Myers Auto Maxx Dealership in Winston-Salem, NC has been kind enough to answer a few questions about his experiences in the auto sales industry and what it’s like to be a dealer in today’s economy.

If you would like to be included in our Car Dealer Interview series, please drop me an email at will(at)easyautosales.com or twitter us @easyautosales.

1. Tracy, tell us a little bit about Frank Myers Auto Maxx and your own career in the auto industry?

Once upon a time (when I was much younger), I was rebellious and wanted nothing to do with the family business. So I packed my bags & went off to college. A few odd jobs later, I was searching for a better way to make money while going to school. That’s when I got a job at a nearby Toyota dealership and caught the bug real bad. I was in class from 8am to 1 pm and sold cars from 3pm to midnight and was promoted to Sales Manager in less than a year. I was only 19 years old and thought I knew everything so I quit school to make money in the car business. And all of this happened without my father’s knowledge! With that kind of experience and success under my belt, I thought it would be a great time to go to work for the family business. My dad welcomed me into the business and gave me a job right away…in the detail shop! I went from making $80,000 a year to minimum wage and I was really discouraged…but in hindsight that was the best thing he ever did for me. I am glad my Dad didn’t give me a free ride. My mom and I have a joke that I have worked out of every office in the dealership at least twice.

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Check out our interview with Eric Miltsch, the Internet Director for Auction Direct USA Used Cars Superstore.  He also blogs professionally at WhyBuyUsedCars.com in his effort to help change the way consumers buy used cars.

If you’d like to be a part of our Car Dealer Interview Series, please shoot me an email at will(at)easyautosales.com or twitter us @easyautosales.

1. Eric, tell us a little bit about Auction Direct USA and your own career in the auto industry?

Auction Direct USA Superstore is a unique used cars dealer intent on changing the way consumers buy used cars. We’re passionate about improving the entire buying process for automotive consumers – starting with the online experience, the in-store experience and continuing with the post sale relationship. Every element is fertile ground for improvement. My automotive industry experience actually began with Auction Direct three years ago, shortly after the company opened its doors. I’m not a traditional car guy and have never worked for a dealership. From my perspective, we’re not selling cars, we’re making it easier and more enjoyable for people to find their perfect vehicle.

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