EXPLORING SOME OF THE BIGGEST OWNERSHIP TRENDS AND PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD At this time of year, media of all sorts, shapes and sizes offer predictions of what is possible in the year ahead. Predictions are subjective, and tend …
FROM INDOOR PLAY AREAS TO FULL-FLEDGED RESTAURANTS, DEALERSHIPS ARE UPPING THEIR GAME TO PROVIDE THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE In recent months I have had the pleasure of attending a few dealership grand openings in Canada and the U.S. All were …
DEALERS SHOULD START THINKING NOW ABOUT ANY SUCCESSION PLANNING AND START PREPARING FOR IT Although January 1 marks a new year, the planning for that year should start now — assuming you have not already started. I talk to many …
REITS ARE BECOMING MORE POPULAR IN THE CANADIAN AUTOMOTIVE LANDSCAPE —COULD THEY WORK FOR YOUR DEALERSHIPS? With the recent launch of Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust and the purchase of four Canadian dealership properties by Capital Automotive Real Estate …
DEALER CONSOLIDATION IS BECOMING MORE POPULAR IN CANADA, AND WE EXPLORE WHY THAT IS Most great athletes want to go out on a high and be remembered for their legacy. However, some are reluctant to give up the game they …
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO MAKE YOUR DEALERSHIP STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD Recently a dealer said to me, “This would be a great business if it weren’t for customers and employees.” I found this a little shocking that a …
DOC has taken on a new meaning, but dealers need to be ready for the road ahead DOC IN THE CAR BUSINESS is an acronym most commonly referred to as daily operations control document produced by your DMS. Having just …
The auto retail industry is evolving, but many of the basics remain constant Rock star Bon Jovi made a few dollars a few years back with his catchy song “The More Things Change.” The saying, I believe, comes from a …
The end of the year lends itself to reflection and taking stock of where things sit. So what has been happening to the auto retail sector? As we enter the New Year I normally use the January article to predict …
With dealer consolidation in Canada at fever pitch and the topic of succession being a focal point, sale and leaseback arrangements are finding their way into the Canadian dealership landscape You might be asking yourself that in a world where …
Owning an auto dealership today is big business. With ever-increasing competition, manufacturer retailing demands, data management, the Internet, an informed consumer and attracting and retaining the right team, the business is now extremely complex. Add to that the pressures of …
WHY IT’S NOT ONLY MAJOR METRO MARKETS WHERE GREAT CONSOLIDATION OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND I’m often asked whether dealership consolidation really only applies to large markets. The truth is that dealership consolidation takes many forms and sizes and it occurs all across …
