Dealerships have consistently shown resilience, overcoming obstacles and embracing change with every passing year. 2024 has been no different, as new trends and challenges have shaped the landscape. Let’s dive into some of the key topics covered in this year’s Fuel Newsletter.

Throughout 2024, we explored various themes impacting the industry. Here are the top articles that resonated most with our readers:

1. Sleighing the Reporting Game: Digitizing Your Business Office

Your evening of relaxation amid a winter wonderland was a reward well deserved. As you drive to work the following day, you recognize how much more holiday preparation there is to do at the dealership than just stringing lights and hanging ornaments. Much like households buzzing with the excitement of decorating the tree and wrapping gifts, dealerships, too, have their holiday hustle. However, they also have a Grinch lurking in the background: the time-consuming, manual reporting process.

2. Retail Anywhere: Helping Dealers Across the Board

The automotive market is always evolving. Customers expect a top of the line buying experience not only at the dealership, but at home, the office, the coffee shop, and anywhere else they can be connected. Retail Anywhere allows dealers to keep their quality of business consistent, no matter where or how a transaction takes place, no matter the department.

3. True Story: “Calling the dealership was worse than my scratched-up car.”

What’s a place you call or visit often? Your hairdresser, your pets’ groomer, your insurance agent, your gym? They know you, right? They know your name, your address, your family members, details of your last visit, how often you come in; the list goes on. Surely, your dealership would be the same way…

That was not the experience I received when I recently called my local dealership. I had one simple question, but it turned into a fifteen-minute long conversation that left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I’ll explain.

4. Lock It Down: Mastering Strong Password Management

Your passwords should be like toothbrushes: personal, not shared, and changed regularly. In a world where hackers are always phishing for your data, keeping your passwords strong and secure is key to locking down your dealership’s digital assets. Thankfully, there are steps you and your dealership can take to strengthen your passwords and mitigate the risks associated with poor password management.

5. Breaking Down a Bad Customer Experience and How to Overcome It

Dozens of customers enter your dealership every day to get their vehicle serviced. During this experience, they may be facing an array of emotions. Unfortunately, some of those may be negative due to a poor experience getting repairs done in the past or maybe they are stressed about the unknowns (how much it will cost; when will the work be done, etc.). Whatever the reason, these emotions may affect your bottom line and put your reputation in jeopardy. Let’s walk through a few scenarios that might cause frustrations to rise and how you can overcome them.

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