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The holiday season is here, and while many customers are shopping for new cars, others are looking to get their current vehicles ready for the challenges of winter. With an automotive accessories sales process, your store can cater to both groups.

As temperatures drop and road conditions worsen, now is the time to promote seasonal accessories in the service lane and on the sales floor. These accessories will protect your customers’ vehicles and will also boost your revenue in Q4 and beyond. 

Consider these essential winter car accessories to increase customer satisfaction and boost your bottom line in the front and back of the house.

Daily life in the automotive industry brings consistently fresh challenges. From new models rolling out, to changing customer expectations, to learning new technology—it’s always refreshing to hear what’s actually working for real dealerships. 

Until September 30th, dealerships have a valuable opportunity to capitalize on multiple benefits and diversify their income streams through the unexpected EV tax credit loophole.

The electric vehicle leasing tax loophole allows dealers to claim the commercial clean vehicle tax credit, up to $7,500, on leased EVs, regardless of vehicle price, buyer income, or battery origin.

Digital retailing is transforming the automotive industry, signaling a significant technological evolution in how vehicles are bought and sold. Today’s car buyers have grown accustomed to seamless digital experiences in nearly every aspect of their lives—from booking flights and hotels to ordering groceries and managing finances—all through their smartphones. As a natural result, car buyers expect that same level of convenience, speed, and accessibility when it comes to purchasing a vehicle.

When it comes to selling accessories, many dealerships struggle to get off the ground. Yet Subaru dealers consistently prove that, with the right approach, accessories can be a continual revenue driver without slowing down the sales process or overloading the F&I menu.

So, what’s Subaru doing differently? It comes down to three things: brand-loyal customers, a robust catalog, and top-down buy-in. Let’s break down why their dealers are succeeding and how these strategies can be applied to your showroom floor.

Tariffs on parts and imported cars don’t mark the industry’s demise.

The pandemic gave us a brutal reminder that the automotive industry has always been at the forefront of large-scale disruptions. When the first lockdowns hit, manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers scrambled to predict the future. Would supply chains ever recover? Would consumer behavior permanently change?

Automotive industry experts were eager to predict the future of car-buying after the pandemic. Would it become fully digital, a new process, or return to normal?

Today’s reality is a chaotic mix, with customers split between online, in-store, and a foot in each realm. Dealerships are struggling to keep pace. Consistency is a common problem, and there’s plenty of margin for error when a customer abruptly transitions from your website halfway through the process. 

The year was 1997. 

Blockbuster looked down from its throne to scorn the new court jester. The jester danced with enthusiasm and grit, smiling warmly at the King of Video Rental. Blockbuster rolled its eyes and signed off on a late fee for Titanic. With few details to spare, the King later died a tragic death. The jester took the throne, and quadrupled the kingdom. The jester was Netflix, and his legend is clear: don’t get too comfortable or the joke will be on you.