Fuel/five: 5 things successful dealers are doing in 2020

1. Refreshed facilities

First impressions matter and it's amazing what a lick of paint or new flooring can do for the reputation of a car dealership. Even with reduced footfall in dealerships, many consumers prefer to complete a new car deal in person and a presentable showroom shows professionalism. 

2. Get serious about e-commerce

Covid-19 has accelerated a shift in consumer behaviours and online retailing in automotive is the new normal for many. Dealers are adapting fast by ensuring their websites are up to scratch, utilising the web and social advertising, and offering click and collect services.

3. Invest in imagery and video

With more focus on e-commerce, it's vital dealers to ensure their vehicle photography is as good as it can be. Invest in a professional kit and created dedicated photography areas. Video too is increasingly important: overcome the social distancing hurdle by taking prospective customers on video test drives.

4. New stock sources

With quality stock in short supply but retail demand still there, savvy dealers are utilising every stock source they can to keep their forecourts stocked. Nowadays, there are a plethora of dependable online wholesale marketplaces with thousands of high-quality, well-described vehicles available.

5. Dig into the detail

As NextGear Capital's MD Liam Quegan recently wrote, the devil is in the detail, so it pays for dealers to have a forensic view of the numbers. Not only does this make it easier to identify where profit is gained, but more importantly, it allows the source of losses to be identified and gaps plugged.