**While this success story is from 2019, it has been updated at the bottom with numbers for 2021!
The Twin Cities Carlson Toyota is kicking accessory sales into high gear with a strategy focusing on best practice tips. Carlson Toyota has been on Insignia Group’s Everything Plan accessory sales program since 2016. The program joins dealer and local Vehicle Personalization Expert in the quest for a sustainable, profitable personalization process that unfolds over a period of months, and is continually nurtured by our skilled consultants.
Going From Good to Better
Over the last several years, Carlson has made good progress, and General Manager, Dale Schneider, was ready to take things to a higher level.
Dale came to Carlson Toyota from Harley Davidson, with industry experience and a plan to ‘jumpstart’ the accessories program. His first move was to bring on Kedren and Joe Padula as Accessories Managers. This husband and wife team, also from Harley Davidson, took their ten years of experience and hit the ground running.
The Padula’s began by evaluating the current process already in place and its level of effectiveness. Working with the Schneider and General Sales Manager Matthew Kowalski, they clearly defined the dealership goals for accessories sales in 2019.
As the team reviewed Insignia Group’s best practice tips, they hand-picked what areas to focus on. Management began working in tandem with the sales staff, displaying strategically accessorized vehicles on the showroom floor, registering every customer and ensuring each client received an accessory presentation, developed dealer-specific accessory packages, and chose feature accessories as in lead products.
Area Customer Success Consultant, Kurt Daughtery, notes that the dealership is reaching new plateaus daily following this model. “As I continue to work with the dealership and this team, they exemplify what Insignia Group is all about,” Kurt says.
As of this month, Carlson Toyota is already ahead of their 2018 total in accessory sales and expects to reach their 2019 goal of $1,800,000 with room to spare. “We want two million,” Kedren tells us, “and with the process, we have in place, we should get there!”
Carlson Toyota is one to watch in 2019!
Insignia Group has been helping dealerships increase their gross sales for more than twenty years. Our 3D, interactive configurator makes selling accessories in the showroom or from a customer's couch the easiest it's ever been. Want to add an extra $711 per sales order to your vehicle sales this year?
**Carlson Toyota met its goals in 2019, lost a little in 2020 with more than $900,000 in accessories sales. They are on track for a great year in 2021 with their average sales per order being $899 (compared to $800 in 2020).