Where is the Auto Business Headed

[Think Now 2009]

If you where going to get in this Business today would you? Would you start in Vehicle Sales, Parts or Service? Would you go to college to learn this business or just jump in? What overall skills would you need to be in this business? Is it FUN?

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Think Now or Lose Latter

[BENT RIM]

Can one assume you are referring to new cars as the "Business"?
Let's see, the manufacturers are almost all on record as seeing the need to eliminate large numbers of dealerships, so your first stop if you're thinking about just getting started should be
to someone you trust, so they can talk some sense into you. Trying to break into a business that will soon be flooded with many qualified experienced professionals all seeking the same few jobs seems foolish.
OK, so common sense failing, lets look at the remaining options. Sales---in the tank now, probably long term, quite possibly being farmed out in the future to Walmart, or possibly direct to manufacturer via internet. Not a viable career for someone just starting looking for long term job security. Service---not bad, cars will always need servicing, securing a job with maintained training keeps one at the head of their class, and it's easier to diversify.
Parts---pretty much the same as above, except it's even easier to diversify, pays less, but has less expenses associated with it.

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RIM--the enhancement for that "polished turd shine"

[pjpeery]

"If you where going to get in this Business today would you? Would you start in Vehicle Sales, Parts or Service? Would you go to college to learn this business or just jump in? What overall skills would you need to be in this business? Is it FUN?"

This is a good business .. i would say to go to college and learn the business then you would have options , my choice would be fixed operations. parts,service and body shop .

just remember that cars wear out and there will always be a need for service even if walmart is selling them ..

even for sales cars are scrapped every day and they also must be replaced

this business will come back maybe not as big as it was but it will be here until the
star trek transporter is functional

paul

[TheOne]

I think the original question was a good one. Would I get into this business today? yes I would. I find it rewarding, challenging, and most days of my career have had some fun in them.

The secondary question I think is not really answerable. What overall skills are needed? My opinion is that a well run dealership is a micro- view of the world. It has individuals that are visionary planning for the future, detail oriented people accounting for the current performance, extroverts dealing with people, introverts working repetitive tasks, etc. The world takes all kinds, and so does a good dealership.

One of the other posters commented about the future of the car business. I believe it is the process of shedding an old skin. Really it has been happening for a number of years, but has accelerated due to the current economic climate. No longer will people be made managers because they had been there a long time, or were good at something else. They will be far more carefully selected and directed. Our industry will survive, but sadly many of the businesses that comprise it will not.

Hardest hit it seems at this point are sales managers. Some very good people are currently unemployed, but every bit as note worthy, are the thousands of people who had sales manager titles on their business card that couldn't manage to find a sale if it walked up and smacked them. As the shake out unfolds the good managers will find work in our industry, and the poor ones will find something else to do. The same is true for each of the various functions within our industry.

So my opinion to the second half of the question would be. A true passion for a specific job is what is going to be needed for anyone choosing to get into this business today or in the future.