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A recent article in Auto Remarketing listed the top 15 vehicles that owners keep for 10 years. It touted the statistical analysis of over 395,000 used vehicles that were sold by their original owner during the first six months of this year. Collectively these vehicles were 2005 model year and were now being sold in favor of newer models.

According to the article buyers can find strong value in older pre-owned vehicles that are sold by the original owner. These cars tend to be “well-kept and in good condition” and have had regular maintenance and repairs. They are in good overall condition and show no sign of wear or neglect.

Easier said than done……..or is it?

Vehicle condition at any mileage is no secret. It‘s all about maintenance. It begins with following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service and maintenance intervals published in the owner’s manual and ends in accessorizing the vehicle with products that will make it easier to maintain based on the usage pattern. Here are some of the most basic accessories readily available that help maintain a vehicle’s good condition.

Paint Protectant: There are literally hundreds of paint protectant finishes on the market that range from one time applications with 6 month reapplication intervals to full on clear and decorative vinyl appliques that keep the nose and hood from rock chips and insects.

Windshield Protectant: Much like the protectants that prevent paint chips and keep finishes like new, these state-of-the-art technology products have been developed to provide clear vision through the windshield and windows of the vehicle in all driving conditions. Protective coatings actually fill-in the microscopic peaks and valleys in the glass making it much smoother and resisting mud, snow, ice, and water from sticking. These nanotechnology products are easily applied and even come with warranties.

"If you give a mouse a cookie" [1]. You may or may not be familiar with this popular children’s book series by author Laura Numeroff, each book opens with the main character receiving something, like a cookie. Then, in a playful circular and interrelated pattern they ask for more items until we arrive back to the beginning…when they ask for another cookie. There’s an interesting connection to this book and a dealerships Customer Lifetime Value.

It’s shaping up as another big year for the auto industry. If projections hold true, it’d make six consecutive years of growth for car makers. Experts forecast 17 million sales for 2015. This bright outlook extends across the board for auto makers. Yet, one stands above with an incredible boost in first-quarter operating profit.

American dealerships report a rise in new-car sales, and also a drop in profit margin. It’s a perplexing contrast for sure. The direction for both numbers remains consistent for all five publicly traded dealership groups. It’s worth an examination and a handful of theories. Interpretation of the numbers will influence how the groups proceed.

Short of projection, but ahead of 2014 numbers, light-vehicle sales continue to rise. Carmakers Fiat Chrysler, Honda, Nissan and Toyota lead the way. According to a report from AutoNews.com, sales climbed 3.9% in June 2014. This trend continues a banner year for light vehicles. June numbers registered below May’s, but above the same month in 2014.

Dealerships lease new vehicles at a greater pace than ever. It's a trend no one from finance to insurance to accessories can afford to ignore. Global information services company Experian revealed a record 31.46% new-car transactions come as leases. The Q2 mark eclipses the 30.22% reported in Q1. Average lease payments dropped in Q2 to $405, $7 less than the same quarter in 2014. Other data from the report gave shape to a movement of larger scope.

Addressing the issue of lease vehicle personalization is fast becoming more relevant to dealers’ profit margins. According to Automotive News on April 23, 2015;

“GM Financial posted $3 billion in lease originations in the U.S. and Canada combined for the first quarter, up from $773 million a year earlier. Leases accounted for 57 percent of GM Financial originations in North America for the first quarter, up from 36 percent a year ago.”

So how different are Millenial consumers' spending habits when compared to the Boomer or Silent generation? Research says Millennials aren’t spending as much as their grandparents. It’s getting close, though.

Buying a 2015 model is a much different ballgame than it was in 1995. Or even in 2005.

Strides in commerce in general push retail sales to a quicker, simpler, user-friendly experience. That stands in contrast to the customary model for the auto industry, which relied on a sales force jockeyed for customers in an experience that moved at the dealership’s pace.

When your Q1 earnings rise, people listen. That’s the case with four publicly traded auto dealership groups. Asbury, AutoNation, Lithia, and Sonic all have initiatives in play. All four keys to ease of sale and a streamlined buying experience. Some have encountered setbacks. They all remain on track to transform the way consumers shop for cars, though