Articles by Kimberly Long - Assistant Editor

SF Newsletter

SF Newsletter

In lean times, dealers must take measures to be certain they are maximizing each and every deal, and the F&I department is one of the main places to look for opportunities to increase profit. However, it also contains a potential landmine—compliance.

In lean times, dealers must take measures to be certain they are maximizing each and every deal, and the F&I department is one of the main places to look for opportunities to increase profit. However, it also contains a potential landmine—compliance.

If a dealership were a living organism, it’s safe to say the dealership management system (DMS) could be considered the creature’s central nervous system. There isn’t an area of the dealership the DMS does not touch; it holds huge amounts of the data necessary for the dealership to function—customer data, parts and vehicle inventory information, service history, financial data and much more.

Leasing is coming back in a big way. Just ask Ernie Boch, president of Boch Automotive, which has dealerships in Norwood and North Attleboro, Mass., covering Toyota, Scion, Honda, Ferrari and Maserati. “Leasing is really, really getting hot right now,” he declared.

Glen Roberts - Being the type of person who genuinely likes to help others has certainly worked out well for Glen Roberts. In fact, both the positions he’s held at Rich’s Car Corner in Shoreline, Wash., have resulted from his desire to help out.

Boris Miranda - According to Mark Jones, general manager for Mike Carlson Motor Company, Miranda “has consistently been a superstar both in monthly sales as well as customer retention and satisfaction … Since joining Mike Carlson Motor Company in late 2000, Boris has delivered over 4,000 buy here pay here customers.” In 2009, Miranda sold 375 units.

Too many dealers have had to learn how to pick up and move on with their lives after getting a “Dear John” letter from their manufacturer(s) to which they had been loyal for decades. At first glance, it would seem the disenfranchised dealer has three options: close the doors, acquire another vehicle franchise or go it alone as an independent.

Boris Miranda - According to Mark Jones, general manager for Mike Carlson Motor Company, Miranda “has consistently been a superstar both in monthly sales as well as customer retention and satisfaction … Since joining Mike Carlson Motor Company in late 2000, Boris has delivered over 4,000 buy here pay here customers.” In 2009, Miranda sold 375 units.