Navigating Rising Dealership Costs: How Technology Can Boost Dealer Profits

The automotive industry is facing tough times, mainly because of rising operational costs due to inflation. Cox Automotive says rising interest rates and the economy pose significant hurdles for dealerships, impacting everything from inventory management to customer acquisition and operational overhead.

In an Automotive News article, a Kia dealer in the Midwest told Cox for its latest survey, “The market feels very tight right now. Consumers are unsure about buying, everyone has the same inventory and there is much more hesitation to buy than what we’d seen throughout COVID.”

It’s evident to every dealer that in today’s economic climate, finding ways to reduce costs, add value, and boost profits is more critical than ever for car dealerships.

How to Protect Your Dealership’s Bottom Line with Technology

Here’s a look at how advanced technologies can help dealerships navigate these challenges in key parts of your business:

Streamlining Operations with Advanced Technologies

• Inventory Management: Efficient inventory management reduces holding costs and avoids overstocking. It can be challenging with OEMs pushing cars off the port and changing customer needs. Technologies that offer real-time inventory tracking allow dealerships to maintain optimal stock levels, respond swiftly to market demands, and ensure that capital is not tied up in unsold inventory.
• Operational Overhead: Inflation can significantly impact a dealership’s day-to-day running costs, including utilities, staffing, and maintenance. Implementing energy-efficient practices and adopting digital tools to streamline manual processes like inventory audits can reduce these everyday expenses.
• Customer Acquisition and Retention: Personalization matters. Advanced customer relationship management (CRM) systems can provide valuable insights into customer preferences and behavior, enabling targeted marketing efforts that are more likely to result in sales. And now that many include AI, you can be more efficient in your communications. Studies show that providing exceptional customer experiences through personalized communication and timely maintenance reminders fosters loyalty and repeat business, which is crucial for long-term profitability.

Enhancing Customer Satisfaction

• Seamless Sales Experience: If you’re in a market with reduced foot traffic, it’s important to secure every sale with a great experience. Lot management tools can help you speed up the sales process by providing instant vehicle location and access to vital information such as fuel and battery levels so you don’t walk a customer to a car that won’t start. This reduces wait times, enhances customer satisfaction, and improves CSI scores.
• Proactive Vehicle Maintenance: By using vehicle health monitoring technology to proactively reach out to customers and offer vehicle maintenance services precisely when needed, dealers can stand out in their market. Tools offering real-time diagnostics and maintenance alerts ensure potential issues are addressed before they become significant problems, providing customers with peace of mind and fostering trust in your dealership’s services.

Boosting Profits through Value-Added Services

Dealerships can boost profitability by offering value-added services that enhance customer satisfaction and retention. These services not only increase revenue but also build long-term relationships with customers.

• F&I Offerings: Offering technology and connected car add-ons that customers want in F&I can significantly increase profitability during sales. Customers are more likely to invest in features that enhance their driving experience and provide added security, such as GPS recovery systems and connected car features that keep them in the know on their vehicle’s health and whereabouts.
• Service Retention: Fixed-ops profits are becoming increasingly crucial as retail sales flatten or decline. Investing in marketing for fixed ops can drive profits, but using precision marketing tools like CarRx by Elo GPS can take your marketing up a notch. CarRx will let you know when customers have a check engine light and see live odometer readings so you can engage customers through personalized maintenance alerts and exclusive offers. This targeted approach reduces the need for costly ad campaigns based on estimates and ensures customers return to your dealership for their service needs.

Staying Flexible in an Evolving Market

In today’s rapidly changing economy and market, dealerships must stay adaptable. By embracing lot management and marketing platforms like CarRx by Elo GPS, they can not only address current economic challenges but also set themselves up for future success. By reducing costs, enhancing customer experiences, increasing service retention, and boosting profitability, CarRx helps dealerships stay competitive and successful in the dynamic automotive industry.