These savings will need to be passed on to the customer in order to compete with the alternative offerings available. Dealerships are in the pole position at present to be able to capitalise on the internet revolution, but will need to develop and respond to the changes in operational practices that will be required. Relations with manufacturers will become internet based, allowing greater access to stock, and reducing the costs involved in holding stocks of both parts and vehicles. This should also provide access to customer databases across a franchise and allow manufacturers to undertake the majority of marketing activity on new vehicles, whilst leaving used car marketing to the dealership, making use of the shared database. Dealership workshops are therefore potentially facing a decline in work, although steady growth in vehicle parts is offsetting this at present.
All franchises therefore have planning and marketing requirements in their workshop departments.
All rights reserved. Planning for Exit 4.