“WHY WOULD I TALK TO ANOTHER VENDOR, NOW?!

Vendors extolling the virtues of their latest offerings to automobile dealerships have all the time in the world, thanks to COVID-19, to rapidly cover more geography via phone and online channels.

“Why,” you would ask, “would we want to hear another sales pitch NOW while we are struggling to react to one of the most devastating crises in modern history?”

The answer, in a word, is SURVIVAL.

Though the world will recover from this pandemic, most experts, in every industry, are in agreement that it won’t ever return to “business as usual.” Our collective psyche is alerted to the danger of deadly germs and the memorable impression that in an instance everything can change.

Forbes contributor, Bernard Marr explained (March 17, 2020) “The COVID-19 pandemic is fast-tracking digital transformation in companies.” He went on to explain that in order for a company to stay ahead of their competition, they need to ‘rethink their business model for the future by fast-tracking digital transformation.”

Microsoft blogger and General Manager of the Automotive Industry, Sanjay Ravi reported on how businesses have to plan their comeback and shape the ‘new normal.” He explains their product, Dynamics 365 Commerce, enable consumer-facing businesses to continue to transact in an environment where physical retail stores are no longer able to facilitate trade.

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS (April 13) headlined in their retail technology section, “DIGITAL RETAIL RECEIVES A BIG SHOVE FROM COVID-19.”

Take a lesson from the Marine’s mantra, “IMPROVISE. ADAPT. OVERCOME.

Darwin’s theory of ‘survival of the fittest’ may just play out for automotive retailers. Not necessarily that bigger is better, but that ‘digitally smarter’ will win the war.

FIXEDOPS MARKETING, a digital couponing tool for automotive service and parts departments, has revolutionized how a dealership can communicate with their customers through their “digital door.” With engaging and eye appealing interactive coupons, consumers can communicate with the service department how THEY want to: by text, email, phone, online and print.

The days of boring, static coupons are being upstaged by embedded videos and savvy on-line communication techniques.

DigniFi, an automotive repair financing program that markets “access to affordable financing” for car repairs, has responded to the COVID-19 crisis, by allowing consumers that apply for an installment loan on their platform to receive 90 days with no finance charge. People may not be able to invest in a new car, now, but not having a working vehicle is not an option.

On the sales side, DIGITAL MOTORS, fast tracked their launch of their powerful digital in-store and online auto buying solutions in response to the ‘stay at home’ order enacted by many states in response to the COVID- 19 crisis. If consumers can’t physically come to the automotive dealership, DIGITAL MOTORS provides a way to transact the sale remotely – and safely.

In a blink of an eye, ‘the times they are a changing.”

Next time a new vendor calls, it may be wise to PICK UP THE PHONE.