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- #719 - 🚗 Keep the Lights On
#719 - 🚗 Keep the Lights On
Outage Discussion, The Ocean, and Cheers to Boardman
TOGETHER WITH
Howdy, Friends!
Outages can throw a wrench in the works, and while our Parts and Service Departments are pros at handling wrenches, these disruptions can lead to lost revenue, team instability, and shaken consumer confidence. Fear not—we’ve reached out to the front lines and compiled a treasure trove of tips to keep your dealership humming smoothly.
Scroll down to today’s business section to check out the list we collected of best practices for keeping your store running despite any outage
Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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BUSINESS
Group Discussion
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Did you catch our Friday livestream? We had people from all over the automotive industry talk about the solutions, processes, priorities, and encouragements to keep their team focused during outages.
Maybe CDK Global isn’t impacting you, but someday something will, so it is best to be ready when it does.
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Surviving the Outage Like a Pro: Top Tips for Dealers
1. Back to the Basics
Paper and Pen: Keep essential forms and documents in paper format as backups. These can include sales forms, service tickets, payroll docs, and more.
Manual Processes: Make sure your team knows how to handle tasks manually, from writing repair orders to calculating payroll.
2. Plan Like a Scout
Preparedness: Have a detailed playbook ready to deal with outages. Cover all departments and outline steps for switching to manual operations.
Training: Regularly train your team on the contingency plan. Conduct drills so everyone knows what to do.
3. Keep the Lines Open
Transparency: Tell customers about the outage and how it might affect services. Honesty is the best policy.
Alternative Contact Methods: Use personal emails or phones to maintain communication if the CRM is down.
4. Tech on the Fly
Mobile Hotspots: Mobile phones with hotspots are used to keep essential digital services running.
Alternative Tools: Employ other digital tools not affected by the outage, like mobile versions of your CRM or sales tools.
5. Lock Down Your Data
Physical Copies: Keep physical copies of essential documents safe and organized.
Data Backup: Regularly back up digital data to minimize the impact of outages on information retrieval.
6. Show Your Team Some Love
Guaranteed Pay: Ensure employees know they'll get paid during the outage by averaging their previous earnings.
Training and Support: Use the downtime to train your team on manual processes and systems.
7. Lean on Your Tribe
Industry Collaboration: Share resources and best practices with other dealers facing similar issues. Platforms like ASOTU.com can be super helpful.
External Help: Contact industry partners and tech providers for support and additional resources.
8. Master Parts and Service
Inventory Tracking: Keep a manual book of parts inventory and pricing to manage orders and stock without digital tools.
Handwriting Orders: Train staff to efficiently handwrite service orders and parts requests to maintain operations.
9. Sales Strategies, Old School Style
Deal Jackets: Use pre-loaded, manually filled deal jackets to continue sales processes.
Remote Deliveries: Keep delivering cars and handle paperwork through physical means to ensure transactions are still possible.
10. Think Long-Term
Insurance Coverage: Review and understand your insurance policies, including cyber coverage and business interruption.
Redundant Systems: Invest in redundant systems and backup tools to ensure continuity during future outages.
Got more tips or ideas? Hit reply or send them our way using our Outage Resource guide. Remember, when dealers band together, no crisis can win. It isn't just a catchy slogan; it's a commitment to one another!
Fisker: What Do We Do With The Ocean?
Fisker has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving Fisker Ocean EV owners in a precarious position.
While the cars should still function, owners face uncertainty regarding service, repairs, and warranty claims due to Fisker's financial instability and layoffs.
Third-party services like navigation and roadside assistance may be discontinued due to non-payment.
Parts supply issues and potential difficulties with insurance coverage further complicate matters.
Resale values are plummeting as the market reacts to the bankruptcy news.
The future of Fisker and its obligations to current owners remains uncertain as the company attempts to restructure.
Bugatti: $4M for 1,800 HP
Bugatti has unveiled the Tourbillon, a $4 million, 1,800-horsepower hybrid supercar. Featuring a 16-cylinder engine and three electric motors, it marks a powerful evolution from the Chiron. Designed to retain the spirit of mechanically powered Bugatti cars, the Tourbillon combines cutting-edge hybrid technology with a nod to classic watchmaking craftsmanship.
BMW Canceles $2B In Batteries
BMW has canceled a $2.15 billion order for EV battery cells from Northvolt due to the latter’s delays in production. Northvolt, struggling to ramp up its industrial output, will shift focus to developing next-generation battery cells for BMW's Vision Neue Klasse EVs. Meanwhile, Samsung SDI will fulfill BMW’s immediate battery needs.
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Who hasn’t missed a payday due to a delay, mistake, or clunky prioritization?
But a $2,150,000,000 payday stings a little more.
TOGETHER WITH ACTIVATOR
Webinar: 2 Days!
Click the image to register now!
Dealing with “Covid Coma”?
It’s time to reawaken your customer base with help from our pals at Activator!
Join us for an exclusive webinar, "Reawakening Your Dealership: Overcoming Industry Challenges from the Covid Coma," to learn how to successfully adapt to new consumer behaviors.
Why You Can’t Miss This Webinar:
🧭 Navigate Shopping Trends — Discover how the dynamics of customer loyalty have shifted and what it means for your dealership in a post-pandemic world.
💡 Innovative Marketing Strategies — Learn how to address customer dissatisfaction and rebuild trust with transparent, customer-focused marketing.
🔍 Maximize Your Data — See the power of a hybrid customer data platform in action, automating engagement and personalizing experiences to win back loyalty.
This is your opportunity to realign your dealership's approach, regain lost ground, and foster stronger, more trusting relationships with your customers.
/MTCM
If you work in a dealership, you do a lot more for your community than sell cars. We want to hear your story, celebrate your community, and encourage the retail auto family with your experience. Hit the link below, answer the questions, and leave the rest to us!
MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS
Cheers to Boardman Subaru
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"Share the Love," "Love people more than cars," and "Unreasonable Hospitality." We're all saying the same thing: success comes from and is best when returned to our communities.
Our friends at Boardman Subaru raised and donated over $50,000 to some community support groups in their town.
For each Subaru purchased or leased, the dealership team donated $325 to the charity chosen by the customer.
"These charities are special to me, and it's great that our customers are involved in choosing where the money goes," said owner Rob Fellman. "The numbers show how much our community cares."
So... what was the result?
The Akron Children's Hospital of the Mohaning Valley received a massive $32,197, and another $23,383 went to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
This is nothing new for them. In the recent past, the Boardman Subaru team has supported Glenwood Junior High and collected almost 500 coats for local kids through partnerships with "Peration Warm "and United Way.
They are really living their Share The Love motto, and we dig it!
Quick Hits
History
1901: Pablo Picasso’s first major exhibition was displayed in Paris. 🎨
1910: Alfa Romeo is founded 🆕
1957: In Roth v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment. 🤬
Thanks for reading, friend! That’s right. “obscenity” is an American right. Like baseball, apple pie, or taking vacations in Florida. 🇺🇸
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