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As good as something may be, there’s always room to overdo it. When personalizing in the showroom, remember there’s a fine line between a conversation starter and a loss for words. Accessorized vehicles on the showroom floor are a must—but with taste. Every customer that buys from you won’t ask about personalization options. Because consumers are all different, many won’t even know what an OE or aftermarket accessory is. While offering personalization at the point of sale to every person is the number one way to close on it, your showroom should be selling personalization before you ever get to the presentation.

Recent articles in The Automotive News (AN) address an age-old topic no dealer principal can ignore--lot rot, or, the costly practice of maintaining a large inventory in hopes of grabbing a buyer’s attention. Mega corporations such as GM and BMW have tried to transition buyers to the build-to-order model, without success.

AN news writer Larry Vellequette identifies the “legendary impatience of American car buyers”

Going green - or making more environmentally friendly decisions, such as to reduce, reuse and recycle - is a topic that is becoming increasingly popular, and with good reason.  Harris Poll online found that about ninety percent of Americans are recycling. Fifty-three percent of people surveyed have made efforts to go green in their own lives. In an attempt to reduce the automotive industry’s footprint on the environment and to further cater to your customer, dealers can take action to support consumers’ efforts to protect the earth’s resources.

How many of you are dragon slayers?  No, I don’t mean fire-breathing, over-sized-lizard-with-large-talons-and-wings slayers. I’m talking about the legendary, eleven mile, exhilarating, heart-pounding, magnificent stretch of asphalt you may know as the Tail of the Dragon.

Automotive innovation often charges ahead into advanced technology. The car sales game seems stuck in first gear in comparison.

Oh yes, they know what they're doing! Strategic. Smooth operator. Toyota, you've done it again. 

The original. The 60’s coined the phrase “Do your own thing”, and the 1964 debut of the Ford Mustang made personalization an American legend. If Mustang hype lives on 52 years later (and Mustang hype does live on), imagine the ripple effect that personalization has had on the competition. We know Mustang and Camaro have been competing for years, but aren’t all OE’s in competition to produce the top selling vehicle?

Rena hates her new car.