A quick refresher on what to do when car trouble strikes in the middle of nowhere

Image source: thecarconnection.com

Cars break down, sometimes when people least suspect it.  But more often when they’re not maintained well.  Whether during long-distance drives or going to the grocery just around the corner, car trouble may strike.  Here are a few public service reminders on what to do when the breaks down and help is nowhere near.

Don’t panic

This should be on the top of the to-do lists of every emergency situation.  Panicking never helped anybody.  Remain calm and gather and organize your thoughts.  Think about the car and what the problem could possibly be.  Don’t make rash decisions.

Move the car to the side of the road

This is one of the most important things a driver should first do after experiencing car trouble.  Even during old abandoned roads, there’s still a chance cars might be passing by.  Move the vehicle to the side of the road to avoid any possible collisions.

Keep the hazard lights blinking and stay inside the car if the car can’t be moved

Dead batteries or an empty gas tank may prevent owners from moving their cars.  If this happens in the middle of a busy street, drivers and passengers should remain inside the car until help comes.  Also, hazard lights should be blinking to warn oncoming vehicles.

Image source: academyfordadvantage.com

In all these cases, once safety is guaranteed, drivers or passengers should call for help or examine the vehicle if the problem is fixable by themselves. 

Jeff Lupient is the president and CEO of the MN-based firm Lupient Automotive Group. For more insightful reads on everything automotive, visit this blog.

Your teen’s first car: Brand new or used?

When your kids turn sixteen, they might ask you for a car for their birthday or high school graduation. You might even consider buying them a car to teach them how to be more responsible or probably because they earned it due to their good grades at school. But when you want to give them a car, you have to ask whether or not you need to buy brand new or used. 

Image source: makeitbetter.ne

A new car is significant because it shows your kid that you’re not settling for anything less than what they deserve. It’s something they will talk about with their friends. It’s also a good investment as a new car will eventually sell better than a used car when it’s time to dispose of the vehicle. 

A used car on the other hand is much more affordable. Not all used cars are banged up. You can find one for a great deal, even one with very little mileage. One way to look for such gems are car dealerships and bank auctions. Cars found at bank auctions are repossessed after the previous owners couldn’t make payments. 

Another option is a slight combination of the two. In a car dealership, you can ask if they are selling the test unit. It’s the unit dealers use for test runs with clients. These units don’t have that much mileage and are almost brand new. In fact, they are sold as brand new but are generally cheaper. 

Image source: focusonthefamily.com

Jeff Lupient is proficient in many skills such as new business development, automotive dealership, and sales. His competencies would later lead to his becoming the president and CEO of Minnesota-based firm Lupient Automotive Group in 2012. For more reads on the car purchasing, visit this blog.

Customer Experience Management In Automotive Retail

With the dawn of the internet age, there has been a shift in consumer mindset in the automotive industry. Instead of the shopping experience beginning with a visit to a dealership, it can start with a visit to a website or online channel.

Image source: reviewtrackers.com

Additionally, in the past, it was the cars that had driven the sector, with the type, model, and brand dictating customer preference. As brand and growth expert Felix Stöckle put it, “the three most important things as far as cars were concerned were: first, the product; second, the product; and third, the product.” But now, customer experience significantly matters in the industry. A customer’s purchasing decision does not rely on the product alone.

With these trends in the market, automotive retail companies and professionals should adapt well, and there are various ways to do so, such as the following:

• Create a customer database: The best way to understand what customers want is to develop a database that lists their information, as well as their needs and desires.

• Manage online reputation: A poll by AutoTrader.com determined that around 75 percent of the time car buyers spend in shopping is devoted to researching online, including checking reviews, feedbacks, and recommendations.

• Make use of data and analytics: A massive amount of insights can be produced from the available market and consumer data online. Learning what clicks with customers can bring in more revenues and strengthen relationships.

Image source: thetimesweekly.com

Jeff Lupient is the CEO and president of the MN-based Lupient Automotive Group. Aside from having physical showrooms, the company also maintains online channels to connect with consumers. Visit this page to read more articles about the car industry.

The pros and cons of buying a used car

With thousands of used car dealerships across America, one can safely say that the used car industry holds a fair contribution to the economy. Their numbers also illustrate a popular preference for used cars to brand new ones. This comes with a lot of reasons of course. Here is a quick pros and cons list of buying a used car. 

Image source: meetauto.ca

One of the biggest pros is the price. A used car will cost you less up front compared to a new car. And with new regulations set by a manufacturer’s certified pre-owned programs, the chances of getting a garbage deal on newer cars are slim. Insurance premiums are also lower for pre-owned cars.  

Pre-owned cars present a number of cons, which add to the stigma. The biggest of them is the phenomenon of the “lemon.” A car might look fine outside, but could be a minefield of problems in its body. These problems could take thousands of dollars to repair and recur at an annoying rate.

Secondhand cars can also be bought from private owners. Buyers should be aware that the warranty is non-transferrable. The same goes for service warranties. 

The biggest con of course is financing. If you’re not clear with the math of what you’re paying, high interest rates can make it look like you’re paying higher than the going rates for a brand new model.

Image source: sailanddrive.com

Jeff Lupient is the president and CEO of the MN-based firm Lupient Automotive Group. He went to college at Hamline University, where he obtained a degree in political science. If you’d like to read more about the automotive retail industry, visit this website.

One more time: How companies can attract returning customers

Companies that aim to grow focus on pursuing new or bigger account. And when businesses want to thrive further, they concentrate on their existing customers. 

Image source: fieldboom.com

But how do companies follow-up on their existing customers? While others make a good phone call to thank a customer for their purchase, there are other ways to ensure the business is on top of their customers’ heads. 

Go out of the way to make customers feel special. Just like service providers, customers want to be appreciated. If phone calls are too much, sending a personal e-mail or a card can do the trick.

Activate customer loyalty through various programs. Customers stay where they are rewarded for their purchases. When companies offer discounts and other perks to their customers, they stay for a long time. Referral programs also work for the benefit of both the company and the customer. Not only do customers get a perk, but the company also gets more customers as well. 

Focus on brand recall. Aside from showing appreciation to new and loyal customers, a good way to increase visits is to prioritize brand recall. Launching advertisements is a proven way to increase brand recall, but packaging can also help the brand gain returning customers. 

Work on customer care. Many returning customers stay loyal to a brand because of the quality of care they have experienced. If customers experience poor after-sales service even if the product was initially good, they will most likely look for another service provider with excellent customer service.  

Image source: forbes.com

Learn more about customer service and the automobile industry when you follow this Twitter page for MN-based Jeff Lupient.

Bulletproof Tips For Successful Car Sales

What does it taking to have a winning track record in selling cars?  Experts and long-time auto dealers and salespersons will tell you, first and foremost, that it’s never about you, but always about the customer and his needs and wants.  Here are more tips to consider. 

Never underestimate meet and greet

Don’t keep talking when entertaining customers; keep quiet and listen to their answers and discussions of their requirements.  Also pay attention to where did they find out about the dealership, since there is often a great deal of money spent on advertising.  Get as much quality information out of the conversation. 

Image source: Kiplinger.com  

Observe the art of follow-up

Following up makes a customer feel you care about them and you’re not just interested in making a sale.  Follow up via phone, email, or even snail mail, showing you care about them making their dream car purchase and feeling fulfilled with it. 

Know your product inside and out

Car salesman training usually focuses on speaking to people, forgetting the important facet of knowing what you’re talking about.  Know the inventory and share information that will fascinate them and help them arrive at informed buying decisions. 

Image source: Unhaggle.com    

Be patient

Note that some sales require much nurturing, and not all people can decide in less than five minutes.  Don’t get so obsessed with closing the deal that you get in the way of the potential customer’s breathing room.  Offer every customer respect and time to think things through, no matter if they seem like constant browsers for months and months. It’s about building trust. 

Jeff Lupient is the Executive Manager of the Golden Valley, MN-based Jim Lupient Infiniti. He started working in the automotive retail business as early as his mid-teens. For more articles like this, visit this page.