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This is a new experience for me; what is the best practice for a car care clinic? 1 of the powers that be, expects to show new car buyers how to use on-star and navigation. The other power is thinking we will do fluid checks and just have an open house, with new buyers and service customers. I think we should be doing free vehicle inspections. What works the best?

Do everything you can think of and cram into a day if it's for a clinic. I do one every spring and sometimes in the fall. Tie promotions to it by discounting for any work found on the day of the clinic. I have always wanted the Sales department involved. The store could do a radio remote the same day and tie the sales and service promotion together. You could also do new owner clinics occasionaly.
The downside is that they can become very costly with the employee cost, giveaways a so forth.

Will this be a one time event, or do you plan on having these on a regular basis. I have directed many Right From The Start type sessions will several different franchises. I always thought that the regular, monthly New Owner clinics were a great idea. The customers who attend usually are very loyal to the dealership for service, parts, and body business.
I do suggest that you have the parts department involved as well. It's a great time to show off accessories, maybe have a vehicle for show and tell.
We've tied these into community events as well, driving safety, child identification events, etc.
Have fun!

Linda

Linda Graham Hansen
Auto Dealer Focus www.autodealerfocus.com
What franchise are you with?

After a meeting with the dealer it is decided that this first clinic will be more of an open house for service. Review of features and personalization. Also introducing new Saturday hours. Free LOF coupons to those that attend.
I appreciate the ideas, I can see this happening again.

we have new owners clinic every month or so and the customers that attend them tend to be very loyal to our shop indeed. We speak about warranty coverage, maintenance menus, give them tips on how to use their car features, tell them how airbags works the lights on their inst. panel (you know, what to do if your check engine light comes on) roadside assistance etc...we have between 10 and 20 person that show up every time

Sebastiens:
How many new units does your store retail a month? I would have thought a Toyota dealership would get better results.
Just curious?

Thanks!

Linda

we sell around 600 new units per year, roughly 150 used cars, during the slower months of course there are fewer customer showups at the evet.

We do them approx every six weeks. A lot of questions from customers regarding custom programming features on their new car(s). We give away free tire gauges and stuff like that, along with coffee/bagels/doughnuts/juice.

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