The order game has changed: have we adapted?
Order-to-delivery is going to be with us for a while, and we need to improve our approach for how we keep our customers in the loop. The rules of the game have changed. If you think back to the days …
Category: Columns
EVs may be closer than they appear
Report on state of zero emission vehicle sales lacks context The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) seriously considers research that may help illustrate or inform the significant challenges the sector has faced over the last two years. These …
When negative equity bites back
Surviving the auto finance bubble burst! The last couple years have been a wild ride for automotive dealers. We’ve dealt with an inventory shortage that shook the industry to its core, and as a result, cars were appreciating in value …
The problem with being an “easy mark”
It’s high time for the government to address the rampant exportation of stolen vehicles While most of us might not like to admit it, we’ve probably all been taken advantage of at some point during our lives by those who …
Getting out of the backfield
I can’t help but look at our current business situation and describe it with a sports metaphor. At the time of writing, it’s Super Bowl weekend in a few days, the NHL all-star game has just finished and the NBA …
Parliament and the right-to-repair
When politics become part of industry affairs A few weeks ago, CADA had the opportunity to testify to the Standing Committee of Industry and Technology (INDU) regarding Bill C-244 titled An Act to Amend the Copyright Act. Overall, this amendment …
Looking ahead is not easy
We may have to be prepared for some short-term pain before long-term gains To say that the past few years have been the catalyst to a ”new normal” would be an understatement. So many different world events since 2018, and …
Talking about the current economy
Honesty and transparency about the economy will help with consumer anxieties Automobile dealerships have been some of the most affected by the current economic situation. After months of longing for more inventory, dealers are now caught in a scenario where …
Today’s dealership: A case study in the laws of modern economics
I hated studying economics in school. Too theoretical, I thought. I’ll never see this in the real world, I thought. Boy, was I wrong! Economics explains the balance between customers’ unlimited wants and their limited resources (usually cash) to acquire …
New Year, different results?
In uncertain times, it’s best to “hope for the best, plan for the worst” The last time Canada had vehicle sales results as low as they were last year was during the financial crisis in 2009. The question on everyone’s …
Emerging auto industry trends in 2023
Despite continuing challenges, there are encouraging indicators for the coming year As we move into the initial months of 2023, the auto sector continues to face significant supply chain issues which, in turn, have impacted inventory on many new car …
Proactive attitudes and strategies to combat slowing vehicle sales
How to actually increase your market share during a slowing vehicle sales environment Vehicle sales may slow down over the next two or three business quarters. This depends on your brand and geography. However, even during periods of sales decline, …
