| Approaching an auto dealership can be as intimidating | | | | titling and some of the larger ones include a body shop. |
| and confusing as arriving to pick up a date for the | | | | According to the National Automobile Dealers |
| very first time. Why is shopping for a car or truck so | | | | Association, there are over 23,200 car dealerships in |
| intimidating? The main reason is people do not know | | | | the U.S., employing over 1 million people. When we |
| what to expect when they step foot into a dealership. | | | | consider dealership employees, usually only |
| Through this series, we will explore all of the areas of | | | | salespeople and technicians come to mind. But there |
| a dealership and what to expect the next time you | | | | are a wide variety of jobs at a typical dealership |
| are in the market for a new or used car or truck. Who | | | | including positions such as accountants, cashiers, detail |
| are these people at the dealership and what is their | | | | shop, runners, drivers, sales professionals, finance |
| role? Who am I supposed to speak with? Will I be able | | | | managers, technicians and receptionists. |
| to secure financing? We see dealerships everywhere, | | | | The highest profile activity at any franchisee dealership |
| and most people eventually visit at least one. To give | | | | is sales (with service being a close second). New car |
| you better insight into how a dealership works, we | | | | sales are the gem for the whole operation, but the |
| have broken down the different areas that make up a | | | | service department is usually where the dealers make |
| dealership as we know it today. | | | | a profit or lose money? But while sales might attract all |
| A dealership is a model of division of labor: Each | | | | the attention, the dealership needs all of the other |
| department within the dealership has its own distinct | | | | departments to function profitably. Each of the |
| roles and responsibilities, as do each of the employees | | | | departments functions alone but need the other |
| within those departments. Most dealerships, even the | | | | departments to align themselves with in order for them |
| largest ones, are structured similarly, with either five or | | | | to operate to their fullest potential. |
| six different departments all working together. | | | | You can read more about the car buying process and |
| The typical auto dealership departments include new | | | | useful negotiation tips at OpenRoad Lending. |
| car sales, used car sales, service, parts, accounting, | | | | |