How a Car Dealership Works

Simply put, a lot of money goes into the operation of a car dealership. It includes sales, financing, service, and parts.

Those areas account for a significant percentage of the dealership’s overall profits. So when buying a car at the dealer, knowing how these areas work can help you save time and money.

Sales

When you go to a dealership to buy a car, a salesperson will show it to you, usually arrange a test drive, and begin negotiating the sale. They will also take information for a credit application and help you with financing.

Buying a car is a big deal, and making the transaction as smooth as possible is essential. Therefore, a car salesperson should go into each interaction to learn what the customer wants to get out of their vehicle.

A car salesperson like those in Kia dealer in Harrisburg should build customer trust. It will help the customer feel more comfortable with you and encourage them to continue working with you.

A car salesperson should treat everyone equally and approach each person with a warm smile. They should also make eye contact and ask each customer the same questions.

Finance

Dealers can offer various financing options, depending on their relationship with different financial institutions. Then, you and the dealership enter into a contract where you agree to pay the amount financed, plus a finance charge, over some time.

Most consumers who need to borrow money to purchase a car will get a loan through a bank, finance company, or credit union. These “direct lending” loans require a consumer to meet specific credit standards.

These requirements include sufficient income, credit, and timely payment history. Some lenders list these requirements on their websites.

Many dealers use their relationships with various financial institutions to offer loans to customers who may only sometimes qualify for traditional banking or credit union financing due to a poor credit rating or other reasons. Compared to other sources of finance, these loans often have higher interest rates, which can add up to thousands of dollars in additional payments throughout the loan.

Service

If you own a new car, taking it to the dealership for regular maintenance and repairs is a good idea. Dealerships have manufacturer-trained technicians who can service your vehicle and keep it running as intended.

Dealerships can also help you register your car. Again, it is necessary, especially if you’ve recently moved.

In addition, dealerships can alert you if there are any car recalls or technical service bulletins specific to your make or model. Recalls include oil changes, brake fluid replacement, or windshield wiper blades.

Customer wait times are a top consumer frustration, and dealerships are nearing maximum capacity, so dealers must find ways to work more efficiently. Technology that integrates data can put customer and vehicle information at the fingertips of service personnel to increase efficiency and speed.

Parts

The auto industry is significant and has many parts and accessories to suit any vehicle. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are the most common and often preferred by dealers and customers.

Parts and accessories are integral to keeping a car running and looking great. In addition, they allow for customization, which increases the value of a car and keeps it in good condition longer.

Dealerships supply various automotive parts and accessories, such as tires, brakes, wiper blades, headlights, seat covers, and more. They also offer repair services for the vehicle’s internal components.

As a result, dealerships have the potential to generate significant sales revenue by maximizing parts department sales. To accomplish this, managers and controllers must improve their understanding of the parts department and its role in the business’s overall success. It will allow them to make better inventory decisions, reduce costs, and respond quickly to consumer needs.