Dealership Success Stories

Could creating a highly profitable accessory program in your store be as simple as following best practice tips?

Well, yes.

Hurlbert Toyota is the epitome of success in the making. This won’t be the last you hear of this store. In fact, this is only the beginning. Maybe you’re the type of person who likes bullet points or a handout; someone who thrives on a plan. This story is for you. Take your copy of Insignia’s best practice tips, and follow along step by step as the magic unfolds.

Just a few months back, Insignia launched Jaguar Land Rover-branded virtual configurators to take JLR’s vehicle personalization market to the next level. Brenda Fevrier,Vehicle Accessories Sales and Marketing Senior Specialist at Jaguar Land Rover predicted “this innovative system will make average stores great, and excellent stores outstanding at satisfying the needs of their customers first.”

Luxury brand dealers know the art of the customer experience well and recognize perfection as a moving target. That’s why JLR took digital personalization in the showroom and turned it into so much more.

The famous marketing adage that quips “a good product will sell itself” holds a lot of weight in the vehicle personalization realm. Automotive accessories are a multi-billion dollar industry; any step in this giant’s direction will yield a few bucks.

When Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville, Arkansas, reviewed profitability on their accessory program, they saw that it was good. Without much concerted effort, General Manager Tim Hurd reported the dealership “stumbled over $20,000 in accessories each month.” Approaching Insignia Vehicle Personalization Expert, Kurt Daughtery with this finding, Hurd challenged Kurt with using the Insignia system to double monthly accessory profit. Kurt’s reply? “No pressure!”

No matter the brand, location, or dealership size, every dealer in America has common challenges they face. High turnover in the showroom and the illusive perfect CSI score do not discriminate--these are obstacles known by all.

There’s change in the air, and it’s been a long time coming. As the industry embraces the “customer experience over everything” approach, it’s increasingly evident the transformation has to come from within.

We have all seen the empires built in a day: pop-up fads bringing mega success that are here today and gone tomorrow. The lure of getting rich quick can lead organization’s astray from taking the proper steps, like adequate preparation and training, before launching a new program.

Toyota of Braintree in Braintree, Massachusetts didn’t take the bait. From the beginning, the Toyota dealer committed to waylaying fast results and laying a solid foundation to build upon. Month over month, the dealer built their personalization program--and their labor hasn’t been in vain. Toyota of Braintree, the longest standing member of Insignia’s million dollar club, just marked their sixth year of over a million dollars in accessory sales in the showroom.

Evolution: (noun) The gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form.

Management at Morrie’s Minnetonka Subaru took the desire to add front end gross in their showroom and set it in motion. Starting with will, direction, and thorough training, the desire developed into a more complex form as a process unique to the store was realized. This Minnesota dealer is one to watch, as its success in accessory sales snowballs.

We talked with management about the birth of this process, and the impressive gains enjoyed over the last twelve months. A common theme emerged: the team is playing together. Comprehensive support for Vehicle Personalization laid a healthy foundation and allowed for continual, methodic growth that hasn’t slowed down.

If there were a school for how to master this car dealership thing, you’d read about Denver’s Mountain States Toyota in the history book. Consistent vision. Unrivaled dedication to the success of each team member. Well over two million dollars in accessory sales for two years running.

General Sales Manager Sean Kramer reflects on the incredible accomplishments of Mountain States Toyota.

"We’ve seen tremendous growth in sales volume and accessory sales since implementing our Insignia process about two and a half years ago,” Kramer explains.

Step into the dealership showroom at Luther Brookdale Toyota, and you’ll be swept away with hospitality. Every car buyer will meet one of two personable, professional delivery coordinators. The delivery coordinator will get to know the customer more personally as the buyer enjoys a tour of the facility. The buyer gets familiar with the place to which he or she will return for service for years to come. By the time the customer is familiar with the entire store, he or she will be familiar with the tour guide, too. That comfort and relaxation translates right into the accessory presentation, tucked away in the quiet of the coordinator’s office.

“Here comes another HOT summer, you’ll probably want a remote start like the last customer”

Spare your customer the inconvenience of hopping onto those hot leather seats. A remote start will cool the car down in advance. What a valuable recommendation!

“Winters right around the corner, you’ll probably want a remote start like the last customer”

Spare your customer the inconvenience of freezing their butt off in the winter. A remote start will heat the car up in advance. Wow…this dealership really cares about me!