Automotive dealers and repair shops can stay open as essential businesses during the pandemic, but it’s far from business as usual.
While job loss or job insecurity may keep some buyers out of the market, low interest rates and deals abound. There’s also an increasing array of concierge and virtual services, so you don’t have to go to a dealership to buy a car or get it serviced. That business model could continue long after the pandemic is in the rear view mirror.
Rick Case, CEO of Rick Case Automotive, said he’s able to offer the best factory incentives he has ever seen.
Raquel and Ryan Case of Rick Case Automotive Group present a $50,000 donation to Feeding South Florida for coronavirus relief efforts
“You can get a new vehicle now with no money down, 0 percent financing for 84 months and pay nothing for six months. Hyundai and Genesis will even make six monthly payments if you lose your job between now and the end of the year, he says.
Rick Case Automotive has changed its new and used car sales efforts from sales in showrooms to online sales, Case says. Buyers go to rickcase.com, chose the brand they are interested in, search the inventory, pick out their vehicle, get the value of their trade, get approved for credit and chose the payment.
“Then we will deliver the vehicle to them safe and secure anywhere in South Florida within 24 hours,” he says.
Case and his family are known for their philanthropic efforts and have donated $50,000 to Feeding South Florida for its coronavirus relief efforts.
Teddy Morse of Ed Morse Automotive Group records a reassuring TV spot
The concierge service at Ed Morse Automotive Group can deliver paperwork and come to customers’ doors for routine maintenance and repair needs, the company says. It’s also offering to defer payments.
Morse has changed its TV ads to short reassuring messages delivered by CEO Teddy Morse. Ed Morse “has your back” is the main message instead of touting the latest model.
The Experience Auto Group, the owner of Ferrari, Maserati and Alpha Romeo of Fort Lauderdale, has launched a virtual suite of services:
- Virtual walkthroughs of each dealership/car lots showing current inventory
- Virtual service appointments/assessments
- Valet pick-up/delivery for service appointments and new or trade vehicle delivery
- Virtual trade-in appraisal
- Virtual consignment consultation
- Virtual sales consultation
The Experience Auto Group dealership on North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale
“During these uncertain times, we need to be adaptive and evolve our offerings to not only give our customers and associates a health-conscience alternative to traditional dealership services, but to continue to deliver the steady and committed service EAG is known for,” says Garret Hayim, president of Experience Auto Group. “It’s an added benefit that this online solution keeps our EAG family of associates working to support themselves and their families.”
EAG is adhering to diligent cleaning and disinfecting services, but customers can still get a cup of coffee if they come in for a test drive or a service appointment, EAG says. Cars are cleaned after each test drive or service.
“We’re here to support our customers and associates in any way possible. For customers who may be approaching the end of their lease or are in need safety services for their vehicle, this is a great alternative,” Hayim says. “And while we look forward to the return of ‘business as usual’ we are excited at the opportunity to render virtual services, that may ultimately become a permanent feature of our service model.”
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