If the numbers of new orders have dropped like a stone, what is happening at the main dealers?

 

Presumably, they are in real trouble, or not?

 

How is this affecting their business now in late 2021, are they downsizing, are salespeople moving to other industries, how can they cover their costs - generally, what is going in?

Hopefully they can give better customer service and after sales customer service.  Keep those with orders informed.  Gen up on the new cars / orders and be able to fill out orders correctly because they know the MY22 specs.   They can maybe get the almost new cars in that need updates of software and replacement parts. Let customers get their cars back after they have had courtesy cars for months now.   Maybe they can get peoples cars in for their scheduled service and maintenance and warranty and service campaign work soon and not just weeks or months into the future.   They are in the business for the long term and need to stop blaming lockdown and Covid for staffing issues as they were performing much the same in 2019.    Now they might be dealing more in used cars.  Hopefully now they can prepare them better for sale than Skoda Approved Used cars are prepared at some dealerships. 

1 hour ago, mcdeli said:

If the numbers of new orders have dropped like a stone, what is happening at the main dealers?

 

Presumably, they are in real trouble, or not?

 

How is this affecting their business now in late 2021, are they downsizing, are salespeople moving to other industries, how can they cover their costs - generally, what is going in?

 

On the flip side their stock of cars probably went up 1,2 3, 4 grand each as the value of second hand cars have just climbed and climbed.

 

I have heard some real incredible stories of owners going to trade in their cars and getting a really pleasant shock of just how much their trade in is worth, that is if the garage was fair about the Glasses trade in value as I suspect they are not always.

 

I was bowled over by what I got for my 5 year old Octy with 70k miles on it. 

 

Dealers also make money on parts, especially tyres the sell, for example quoting me £110 for a tyre that I can buy for £55, not a bad margin.

 

Lots of overheads but usually best part of £100 an hour charge out rate for their servicing and additional work, not quote consultant and lawyer level but not bad.

 

It is a different world post covid with many people only doing half the mileage that they use to but apparently round her is Worcestershire car dealers seem to be doing OK.