You do not have to sell German or Japanese cars to be a successful automobile dealer, for many years the most successful dealer in America was Bob Tasca selling thousands of cars with only 6 or 7 sales people and Lincoln/Mercury dealer to boot. It all has to do with stable management, well trained sales people and good processes. Of-course part of the reason GM and Chrysler are going bankrupt is bad dealers. Bad processes and low standards by OEMs result in bad dealers, just walk into a domestic dealer then go to an import dealer and you will visibly see the difference ( exceptions do not break the rule).
My brother in law bought a Ford F150 a couple years back. Shortly after buying it, he had to take it into the dealer for an issue with his ignition system. The dealer moaned and groaned but promised to cover it. No biggie right? My uncle had a 90's era F150 and remembered having the same problem. Except the dealer wouldn't acknowledge the problem and he had to foot the bill. So 10 years go by and Ford still has not rectified the ignition issue that came up in the 90's F150. You say American cars have gotten better over the years. Instead of a complete lemon, it's only a half-lemon. I wish this weren't the case...but it is. Mechanics are employed thanks to american cars.
Cadillac Deville No? Or is it everything with a NorthStar? Yeah...completely moronic for complicating such a simple procedure. I could understand if it's a part that lasts 200K miles, but a starter is good for only a limited time. More revenues for the dealers maybe?
maybe he is just a little ticked that the unions are getting so much. obviously you are only stating one side of the issue. you can't have it both ways. if the company really went bankrupt, then the unions wouldn't be getting much either (along with the dealer). but, the unions are getting so much. you are really the one missing the point.
It's difficult to make tough calls, I respect him. Of course, it's also been said that if the majority disagree violently with you, you're 100% right! So people shouldn't go overboard if someone disagrees with you.
Dealers getting terminated are thanking the heavens if they also sell Hyundai/Kia right now. We're in a Hyundai/Kia economy.
Today, while our Jeep Cherokee is in the shop again, my wife's driving a KIA Rondo rental. Guess we're shopping for a KIA this weekend. I tried to be patriotic, and suggested a Ford...no sale. Our last 3 cars have been Chrysler products, until this Jeep they'd been trouble free.
Depends on the franchise. I would rather own a couple of McDonalds franchises than a Chrysler franchise any day. Not all franchises are the same.
Not maybe - for sure. Anyone who knows anything about the business knows that dealerships make skinny margins on selling new cars. Their money is made in the shop. This kind of thing is the reason the American majors are failing.
Judging by this, I'm betting you've never owned a car in your (probably 19 - 21 years of) life. http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=164663 Sorry, just my take on things