How Volvo got customers to accept Ferrari-like wait times Zainal Abidin, 05/09/2024 “When I started at Volvo it was written in stone that if you ordered a car in three months you got your car,” Zurhausen, who is head of online business at Volvo Germany, told Automotive News Europe.Today, a customer often has to wait longer than 90 days.For example, because of software issues it will take almost two years for some customers of the EX90 flagship electric large SUV to take delivery. The wait time is up to four months on the new EX30 electric small SUV, according to Volvo Germany’s website.The EX30 was also delayed for a short time at the start of the year.“It is an achievement that the brand has developed to the point where people are willing to wait that long for a Volvo,” Zurhause said. “We’re not a Ferrari.”When asked why Volvo has been able to keep customers from switching to rival automakers, Zurhausen said: “We have the right products at the right time.”The executive, whose Volvo sales career has included providing cars to US military installations around the world and looking after large fleet customers such as Microsoft and IBM, said the automaker’s business in Germany — its fourth-largest… Continue Reading
Study: Dealerships’ responses to online inquiries improving Zainal Abidin, 30/07/2024 Study: Dealerships’ responses to online inquiries improving | Automotive NewsSkip to main contentNEWSOPINIONDATA CENTERVIDEOSEVENTS & AWARDSJOBSResource Center +MOREAdvertiseLeading Women NetworkPodcastsWebinarsIn the Driver’s SeatPublishing PartnersAPCO HOLDINGS: Strategies for handling new F&I dynamicsAPCO Holdings: Connected cars create new challenges and opportunities in F&IAPCO Holdings: The Wild Ride into the Future of F&IAllstate: Compliance standards are changing. Here’s what you need to know.Allstate: The ABCs of maximum F&I effectivenessAlly All Ears Podcast Episodes | The next evolution in virtual F&IAlly All Ears Podcast | How F&I is driving dealership profitsAlly All Ears Podcast | building customer loyalty during challenging timesAlly All Ears Podcast | reducing friction in the purchasing processAlly All Ears podcast: Tips for maintaining sales and F&I momentum in a higher-interest rate environmentAlly and APCO: Adjusting to the changing F&I landscapeAlly: All Ears Podcast : EVs & the service department of The futureAlly: All Ears Podcast Protecting your dealership and inventory against weather-related eventsAlly: All Ears Podcast Protecting your dealerships against cyber-attacksAlly: All Ears Podcast | AI and its impact on auto… Continue Reading
Dealer news: 2 M&A moves in North Carolina; NADA assists dealers’ vehicle donations | Auto Remarketing Auto Remarketing Zainal Abidin, 29/07/2024 Holman has closed its acquisition of North Carolina-based Leith Automotive Group, a deal Holman says nearly doubles its automotive retail business.The companies announced an agreement for the transaction in January.The purchase, which Holman says is the largest in the company’s 100-year history, includes 13 new-car franchises and an auction center — the first in Holman’s portfolio — in the Raleigh area and Aberdeen, NCIn addition to its other enterprises, Holman now operates 58 dealerships representing 34 brands, with almost 4,500 auto retail employees in nine states. Business North Carolina reported Leith Automotive has annual revenues of more than $1 billion.“In our centennial year, we’re excited about the opportunities to strengthen and grow our automotive retail footprint, which began in 1924 with a single dealership,” Holman CEO Chris Conroy said. “This acquisition represents the culmination of extensive strategy, hard work and vision to put our employee partners and our business in a position to win for the next 100 years.”The newly acquired dealerships will keep the Leith name, and their staff will be retained, Holman said.“Like Holman, Leith has placed the highest priority on delivering excellent customer service by building a strong network of employee… Continue Reading