inventory management

It’s Monday morning, the sun has just risen, and you’re walking the aisles of your dealership. Rows upon rows of shining cars greet you, but some of these cars have greeted you too many times. They’ve been sitting on your lot too long, eating your profits and holding capital hostage. You wonder: “How can I ensure these vehicles find their...

You may have never considered how creating a new car on the assembly line parallels operating an efficient car dealership. Every part, process, and moment is planned and executed precisely for optimal performance and minimal waste.   Your dealership can also operate much like that assembly line—each element should work together seamlessly to drive profits and dealership growth. And just...

Picture this: It’s a bright, early Monday morning, and you’re ready to open your car dealership for another promising business day. As you walk around the lot, coffee in hand, your heart sinks. There’s an empty space where one of your top-line luxury SUVs sat gleaming in the sun just yesterday. The realization hits – you’ve fallen victim to car...

Imagine this scenario: A customer walks into your dealership on a busy Saturday afternoon, eager to test drive a shiny new model they’ve meticulously researched and discovered in your online inventory. They’re excited, ready to buy, but there’s just one problem. You can’t seem to locate the vehicle on your lot. As the minutes tick away, frustration creeps into your...

Inventory lot management at your dealership can be challenging, especially when you have hundreds of cars, trucks, and SUVs to track. It can take a lot of work to keep up with the moving pieces and ensure everything runs smoothly. But with the right lot management system, you can stay on top of everything and improve your dealership’s efficiency and...

In the ever-competitive world of automotive sales, car dealerships are always looking for an edge. One way to stay ahead of the competition is using a customer relationship management (CRM) system. CRMs are designed to help businesses manage their interactions with current and potential customers. In this post, we’ll introduce the concept of an automotive CRM and discuss some benefits...

Cox Automotive surveyed over 1000 US dealerships last month and saw many dealerships express concern over inflation, dealer inventories, and rising costs. In addition, the “Dealer Sentiment Index” showed that dealers have a negative outlook regarding the challenges ahead for the quarter and beyond.  Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke said, “unique market conditions are causing worry among car dealerships...

The US auto industry suffered severe losses during the recent pandemic. Only now are dealerships slowly returning to production and car sales. However, as businesses start to rebuild, many dealerships now face ripple effects from COVID-19 restrictions. The pandemic revealed how unprepared dealers were for business stalling for long periods. As a result, dealership lot management has become increasingly complex....

One of the most significant—yet often ignored—sources of lost income at a car dealership can be battery replacements. A vehicle’s battery charge starts to reduce when it sits on a lot without being started or driven for days or weeks at a time. Once the battery can no longer provide sufficient electricity to start the vehicle, it must either be...

The automotive industry is undergoing significant changes and advancements as it continues to transition towards electric vehicles. Consumer trends are constantly changing, automotive technology is rapidly improving, and vehicle pricing fluctuates daily. These variables—and many others—can cause your automotive inventory management system to become out-of-date faster than ever before. What’s more, nearly 46 percent of small businesses don’t have a...