Blog

Insignia Group

Recent Posts

FCA hopes to boost dealership retention with free education

Posted by Insignia Group on May 12, 2015 10:00:00 AM

Gym memberships. On-site cafés. Sleeping pods, even. Workplace incentives are nothing new. FCA US, maker of Chrysler vehicles, includes free college degrees among its employee perks. The Degrees@Work incentive links employees with Strayer University for the on-campus or online pursuit of a degree. Eligible employees could earn their associate's, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees.

Read More

Topics: Reducing Turnover

Connected cars: what you should know

Posted by Insignia Group on May 11, 2015 8:30:00 AM

Dolby surround sound isn’t the only must-have accessory in your new car. New autos often feature onboard Wi-Fi. It’s like your home Internet network. It can connect devices inside and outside your vehicle. This connectivity can do more than check baseball scores or give you social-media access.

Read More

Topics: Sales Best Practices, Accessory News

What can you do when profit margin shrinks?

Posted by Insignia Group on May 4, 2015 8:00:00 AM

Fiat Chrysler will raise vehicle invoice prices, but not retail prices, it announced. It's a move that could crimp profits for U.S. dealerships.

Read More

Topics: Accessory News, Increase Profits

The challenges of vehicle personalization and leasing

Posted by Insignia Group on Apr 17, 2015 8:30:00 AM

In the past few years, dealers have found that leasing has become a more popular choice for car buyers. When a customer leases, there are many advantages to both the buyer and the seller. Consumers enjoy the benefit of low payments, the ability to get a new car every few years, and latest technology and safety systems.

Read More

Topics: Sales Best Practices, Customer Retention, Increase Profits

What Is a We-Owe & Why Is It Important?

Posted by Insignia Group on Apr 2, 2015 8:30:00 AM

Is the We-Owe what it’s really all about? Sometimes buying a car can feel like the Hokey Pokey, but the We-Owe is what it’s all about. This one document is an invaluable part of the car-buying process.

History of the We-Owe

The “due bill” (We-Owe) originated from a need to protect both dealerships and customers from making false claims on a car sale. We-Owes date back to the beginning of the dealership world, when the industry had a less savory reputation for swindling people out of their hard-earned money. The ‘We-Owe’ process is fluid; there is no one-way to satisfy the laws.

Read More

Topics: Accessories System, Customer Retention, Improve CSI, Process Training

Elon Musk and the automotive world

Posted by Insignia Group on Mar 27, 2015 8:00:00 AM

How is Elon Musk impacting your business and life? This innovative genius behind pioneer companies such as PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla Motors, and SolarCity, is making big strides in the automotive world. Musk, who is not only Tesla’s CEO, but also their Chief Product Architect, took on consumer concerns of the vehicles range, head on. Tesla Motors rose to the challenge, and brought us over 100 Supercharger charging stations to North America alone. Tesla’s Supercharger allows owners to travel for free between cities along well-traveled highways. That’s right--for free!

Read More

Topics: Accessory News

Appealing to female car buyers part II: eliminating stress

Posted by Insignia Group on Feb 25, 2015 9:30:00 AM

According to Autotrader.com 1 in 4 women find buying a new car stressful. When asked why many women cite three main reasons that the car-buying experience doesn't appeal to them. Identifying these stressors in your dealership and working to change the environment will help you create a welcoming atmosphere for your female customers.

Read More

Topics: Improve CSI

Appealing to female car buyers, part I

Posted by Insignia Group on Feb 6, 2015 8:00:00 AM

''The reason women become so successful is we're interested in treating women right when they come in. I don't mean to sound stereotypical, but women have so much more empathy for customers.''

Kitty Van Bortel, owner of Van Bortel Subaru and Van Bortel Ford (source: New York Times). Van Bortel Subaru averages around $ 43 million in sales and has been ranked the top-selling franchise of Subaru America for three years straight.

Read More

Topics: Improve CSI

3 reasons delivery coordinators influence your CSI scores

Posted by Insignia Group on Jan 5, 2015 9:00:00 AM

Your delivery coordinator is the resource who will help your customers through the delivery process, impacting your CSI scores tremendously. This person will work hand in hand with customers to make sure they leave completely satisfied.  In some cases they can be the only face to face contact they have throughout the entire car buying process. It’s important to make sure that the last impression a customer receives is positive and long lasting. Here are three reasons delivery coordinators effect CSI and how they can create a positive experience for your customers.

1. The “We-Owe” Process: Some dealers also call it “PDI” or a “Get Ready” item. But when your customer is looking for a full tank of gas or for you to fix that ding in the driver side door; it’s simply customer satisfaction. And, before the delivery coordinator hands them the keys they should make sure it’s done. Many rely on a paper based system to communicate the “We-Owe”. But all too easily the paper is lost. To help your delivery coordinator stay on top of this process many dealerships are now investing in an electronic “We-Owe” system. While the customer is still with the sales person these request can be submitted electronically and all parties are conveniently notified by email. This way they never miss this important step in customer service.

Read More

Topics: Improve CSI

5 Tips To Boost Your Vehicle Sales Close Ratio

Posted by Insignia Group on Dec 19, 2014 8:00:00 AM

*updated 12/20/2021

Everyone remembers the famous line from the movie Boiler Room, "Always be closing." Sounds good in theory—is it practical? You have to be creative as a dealership and use practical knowledge to improve your sales closing ratio. Here are five car sales tips to help with closing a deal. The following clever ideas are simple and easy to apply to increase vehicle sales and improve your car sales technique!

Read More

Topics: Presentation Tools, Improve CSI, Reducing Turnover