Franchise Change

[GMFixedOps]

I have accepted a new service director position. I have been with GM franchises for the last 20 years and I am now changing to new franchises.

Does antone have any input or pros and cons for these franchises? What can be expected with these franchises? Etc...

Toyota, Scion, Subarau, Mazda, Honda, and Mercedes Benz.

[This message has been edited by GMFixedOps (edited 06-06-2008).]

[robc]

Toyota - Ok franchise, good general mix of repair and maintenance work. Customers are cool with maintenance work (including brakes, etc.) but blow a gasket at repairs.

Scion - see Toyota is dualled, else it is either people with a little less scratch or kids with parents covering bills. Either way the repair work isn't there as much and the maintenance is a struggle.

Subaru - I am a Subaru nut. The service end is flat out money. Great repair work with solid maintenance. Extremely loyal customers and if the dealership has the customer base it is great. The main problem with Subaru is it is almost always dualled with something and gets the raw end of the deal - which customers feel and don't respond as well. I'd rather be at a pure Subaru store writing 50 tickets a day, than a Pontiac/Subaru store writing 80 tickets a day.

Mazda (pretty much see Subaru) - buyers not loyal to brand, does poorly when dualled, better when alone. Good repair work - customers are a little better spenders than a domestic customer

Honda - I really don't like Honda - all low gross junk that you have to manage volume efficiently to make work. Customers are whiny compared to Nissan and Toyota. In most areas you almost have to be bilingual to work at one.

Mercedes Benz - MONEY ... pure MONEY. The downsides are those pesky overdemanding customers - but these people (even the ones with the $35,000 C-Class - which is the majority) expect way too much. The techs are often prima-donnas and unfortunately tough to replace, and the factory reps can sometimes be overbearing. A lot of your extra gross gets tied up in support people to jump through all of MBUSA's hoops. If you can handle all of that - in a moderate volume, then they are good money.

If it were me, and the dealerships were all owned by say the same dealer so there were no variables but franchise, and they all could match my salary needs, I would go:

Toyota/Scion
Subaru
Mercedes Benz
Mazda
Honda

[This message has been edited by robc (edited 06-06-2008).]

[Lhansen]

Good luck with your new ventures!
Honda has some incredible service support, great reports, merchandising tools, a very successful system for quick service. Take advantage of all they offer to you regarding training and consulting.
Subaru is also near and dear to me. Wonderful in process management, good merchandising and people who have a passion for the business. When it comes to customers...you won't find more dealer loyal service customers than those who drive Subarus. Regular maintenance is something owners believe in. If you present value, they will accept your service recommendations.
Mazda is a great franchise to be with. Very forward thinking, great technology and super manufacturer support. They, too, are process driven and will be a big assest to your success. Great follow up programs to ensure loyalty.
Regarding Toyota, make sure that you are capable of servicing your sales volume. Customers are more than willing to return to the dealerhsip, if the store can service their needs. They too, have great service management tools for you.

All the best,

Linda


------------------
Linda Graham Hansen
Auto Dealer Focus
www.autodealerfocus.com