How the Car Business is Changing

Change: “to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone…”

This is the first in a series of short posts on change in the car business. Some changes are obvious. Some changes are hidden. As a third generation car dealer, I believe that our business is entering a period of the most profound and rapid change we have ever experienced — and that is saying something.  Of course, we’re not alone in this. The entire world is experiencing the same thing. My hope is to help you as a consumer to understand the changes going on in the car business, so that you will be empowered to make the best decisions for your own particular situation.

Transparency

Transparency is explained by Wikipedia as follows. Transparency, as used in the humanities, implies openness, communication, and accountability. It is a metaphorical extension of the meaning used in the physical sciences: a “transparent” object is one that can be seen through.

In the car business, access to information and an increasingly efficient market is driving increased transparency.  As a consumer you have access to more information than ever before. Just “Google” whatever you drive now. A search just a moment ago for “2008 Toyota Camry” resulted in 5,580,000 results (that’s way more than the number of Camry’s sold that year!). As you know the quality of the information you have can make a big difference. Automotive consumers have more choices and increased access to information, which leads to a more efficient market. You wouldn’t pay more than the going rate for a publicly traded stock.  Until relatively recently, consumers and dealers alike didn’t have access to this kind of information that they could count on to be accurate.

I have to say all this is a good thing for our business. The car business needs to change and quickly. We have to develop new ways to do business that meet our customers’ needs.

At Doenges Toyota Ford Lincoln Mercury we talk about this all the time. We strive to be leaders in increased transparency of a car deal and upfront dealings with our customers. For an example of how this might work check out our “shopping cart” for automotive e-commerce at http://www.aidealer.com/AiDealerProduction/DealershipInventorySearch.aspx?DealershipId=28

The nuts and bolts of a car deal is just math. The real magic in our business comes from helping people.

Popularity: 6% [?]

2009 New Car Sales: What Consumers Really Want

Americans Love New Pick Up Trucks

How many times have we heard it over the past months? American auto manufacturers are suffering because they aren’t producing the fuel efficient vehicles that people really want. It is a refrain heard all across our TVs, the internet and in print publications. The reason they are doing so badly is because they refuse to build anything except for SUVs, Pick-up trucks and muscle cars but what the people really want is fuel economy. Well, guess what?

The numbers for the US vehicle sales of specific models from domestic and foreign manufacturers are in for January of 2009 and the picture sure looks familiar. Americans love their pick up trucks. According to AOL Autos the best selling domestic vehicles for January 2009 were: Read more

Popularity: 19% [?]

Oklahomans Love the Ford F-150

Oklahomans and Ford Trucks

The Ford F-150 is legendary American pick up truck, and we here in Bartlesville know the value of a good truck. In fact, its people in communities just like Bartlesville, all across America, that have made the F-150 America’s truck leader for 30 consecutive years. Read more

Popularity: 14% [?]

Ford F-150 — #5 On The List But #1 In Our Hearts

Well, last month the Ford F-150 was on the top ten used cars list and this month it is back again. Of course this is the F-150 we are talking about and I’d imagine if we did a used car list every month the F-150 would have a reserved spot. It is just that kind of vehicle.

Being as that it is a repeat, as are the next few entries as well, I’ve decided to do a little something different for the posts. Instead of posting my own review of the truck, or car as the case may be, I will post a few links to what others have had to say about the vehicle over the last few years.

Read more

Popularity: 19% [?]

Santa’s Magical Ford Christmas

It was once upon a christmas eve,
as all the children slept in their beds,
that Santa found himself pacing the floor
’cause his reindeer were sick in their heads. Read more

Popularity: 14% [?]

Ford F-150 Ranks at #2 and is The Only Truck in the “Doenges Top Ten” Used Cars for December 2008

The Ford F-150. Actually, that may be all that needs to be said. After all, the Ford F-150 has been the most popular vehicle sold in the U.S. almost every single one of the past thirty years. Writing a review of the Ford F-150 is almost like writing a review of Coca-Cola. Read more

Popularity: 10% [?]

2009 Ford F-150/ Popular Pickup is Increasing Production

Which 2009 Ford F-150 is the right truck for you? The Ford F150 pickup is available in several different models and trim levels, ranging from a Spartan work truck with a 3,100-pound payload and 11,000-pound towing capacity to a luxury people and cargo hauler with tons of bells and whistles in the standard and optional features available. Read more

Popularity: 15% [?]

I Love My Truck

Trucks…

Do you love your truck? I do and if you want to know why, just keep reading.

The size of a truck often has little to do with a driver’s use for the truck; the size is more of a status symbol and lifestyle statement.

As the popularity of trucks has increased, the trucks’ features and looks keep getting better.

Here’s where you can keep up to date with the Ford F-150 – and other best selling Ford Trucks ever…

Here’s a couple of great Ford F-150 videos I found for you – nostalgic trucks, and the country music that was often to be heard from them…then the latest for 2009 Read more

Popularity: 8% [?]

The 2009 Ford F-150

The 2009 Ford F-150 is sure to delight truck lovers. Owning a truck has never been more exciting – the new models, new exteriors, new interiors, new features, and new options make this the year to upgrade to the best truck on the market.

Read more

Popularity: 16% [?]