Used cars are having an influencer moment. In incredibly high demand, boasting lofty price tags they once only dreamt of, used cars are center stage in the automotive industry. Gone, at least temporarily, is the stigma of used vehicles being old clunkers. The used car stereotype has been replaced by an image of a shiny 2017 model, being fought over by prospective buyers. In 2021, used car buyers aren't always strapped for cash, looking for a bottom dollar deal, or someone hardly interested in aesthetics. Used car buyers are everywhere you turn, and the profit potential is limitless. By adding protection accessories to your used car lineup, you'll increase the car's longevity and create a satisfied customer—who will soon forget they were ever after a 2022 model. 

The automotive industry had one of the most striking yo-yo effects, from the onset of the pandemic to today. First, Covid shocked the globe and shut dealerships doors, causing everyone to fret about the industry's future. Today, we're navigating chip shortages and selling units for more money than we were before the virus. In a fascinating turn of events, used cars are increasingly harder to come by, new vehicles are selling like Black Friday specials, and inflation is staggering. With no end to the chip shortage in sight, dealers are progressively focused on moving used vehicles. Through the use of technology upgrades, you can create the vehicle your customer really wants—regardless of inventory. You'll give any old vehicle a serious makeover, create a satisfied customer, and turn a profit without overcharging. 

Around 330 million people said they'd consider buying a used car for their next purchase. That's nearly 70% of the American population, and those are pre-pandemic numbers. Now that we're maneuvering a chip shortage, the door of opportunity is wide open for used car sales, despite inflation. Customers are hardly thinking of a deal when they buy a car in the fall of 2021; they're mainly trying to get a fair price. Today, you don't have to bottom out prices to drag someone in the door. Instead, price your used cars the same way you would if they weren't impossible to come by and boost profit with accessory sales. Used car buyers were already populous and are now joined by other buyers who couldn't even find a new car to buy. There's a straightforward strategy where everybody wins. 

Releasing a young driver onto the road can be a nerve-wracking time for parents. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America. When moms and dads come into your dealership during the back-to-school season, set their minds at ease with safety tech accessories for their kid's car. 

The year was 2009, and I'd just moved to the big city for my first job out of college. Sporting a pink razor flip phone, I was ready to take on my first sales territory. The problem was, I didn't know how to get there. So a co-worker loaned me his TomTom navigation system, gave me a crash course in how to use it, and I set out into the world. 

Fast forward a couple of decades, and we're projecting navigation onto our dash—after getting in a car that we started from inside. The kids are watching YouTube videos in the back seat, and we're holding a casual conversation with Alexa as we merge onto the freeway. Those are just the basics, of course. 

Dealer fixed operations are the hidden powerhouse in every store. Fixed ops, an industry term for the parts and service departments, made up at least49% of a dealer's gross profit in years past, and that number is expected to rise in 2021. 

As a result, many dealerships would struggle to keep the doors open without fixed operations, cementing that the back of the house is a foundation on which dealerships are built.

Full-on summer vibes are here, no matter where you are in the country. This season, more than ever, Americans are flocking to the beach, the lake, the hills, the pasture, or anywhere that isn’t home. That’s great news for the automotive industry because more time in the car translates into a greater need for accessories. Check out these hot summer accessories that will work for any vehicle on your lot. 

While we’re spring cleaning, let’s sweep away some misconceptions about accessories. Are accessories an afterthought? A niche market? A good way to throw away your sale? *Sprays Lysol* No. No. Also, no. 

Buying used versus new shouldn’t matter when it comes to accessorizing. Options to personalize used cars abound. In fact, accessories may be all the more enticing to a used car buyer who is likely settling for what works for them now rather than purchasing their dream car.

If COVID-19 hasn’t convinced car dealers of the necessity of a vibrant online retail presence, maybe Cyber Monday 2020 will. Even before the pandemic, Cyber Monday was growing as the virtual twin (literally!) of Black Friday. Cyber Monday emerged as shoppers logged online the Monday after Thanksgiving to check store websites for any missed deals from Black Friday. 

Adobe Analytics, a marketing data software company, is predicting—in spite of or due to the pandemic—that Cyber Monday 2020 (Nov. 30) will garner $12.7 billion in online sales, up from the $9.4 billion in e-commerce in 2019.