Auto Sales and the Coronavirus – Getting Ready for the Comeback! – Part 9 – Q&A

LBS Auto Expert, John Tkac takes LIVE broadcaster questions! In this session:

  • Can you repeat what you closed the session with?  I missed it.
  • We’re a public television station, and we’re very limited in what we can specifically drive or advertise.  What are some ideas on a “goodwill” type auto advertisement that isn’t selling a specific product, payment, etc.?  We can definitely push to their website, so that’s great, but what else might be a good strategy without us getting in hot water with our restrictions?
  • If a dealer advertises Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, does the factory still offer co-op dollars?  My local dealer has good co-op, but we have always advertised new cars.

Read More

Auto Sales and the Coronavirus – Getting Ready for the Comeback! – Part 8 – Q&A

LBS Auto Expert, John Tkac takes LIVE broadcaster questions! In this session:

  • In our market we have one owner group that has multiple stores carrying the same brand.  Example: 2 BMW stores just 20 minutes apart in the metro.  Historically, these individual stores operate as competitors and do not/will not share a campaign or have continuity in their messaging.  Do you agree with this approach?  I would like to see them combine efforts and make a larger impact with their dollars.  Any advice on how to get them to do that?
  • I’ve had a dealer tell me that they can’t hold onto used/pre-owned inventory. They go out the door as fast as they get them. What can we tell them?  How long does it take for the used car auctions to ramp back up to meet demand?
  • What would you recommend to an account exec that needs more experience with dealers and has historically felt more comfortable working with other categories?
  • When cold calling a dealership for the first time, what would you suggest we say on the phone/in person to get an appointment? “Getting your fair share of the comeback” is great, but what else can I do?

Read More

Auto Sales and the Coronavirus – Getting Ready for the Comeback! – Part 7 – Q&A

LBS Auto Expert, John Tkac takes LIVE broadcaster questions! In this session:

  • How do we drive business to a dealership and show that it came from our station?
  • Are most newly-shipped vehicles going to a certain part of the country or spread out to all dealers?
  • How do you handle it when a dealer is on board to advertise, but their agency is telling them no due to our ratings?
  • We have massive news website, about 200,000 unique visitors per month.  What/how do we sell a combo of radio ads and our news website?

Read More

Auto Sales and the Coronavirus – Getting Ready for the Comeback! – Part 6 – Q&A

LBS Auto Expert, John Tkac takes LIVE broadcaster questions!  In this session:

  • I’m not having vehicle sales issues with my dealers, but they’re suffering in service. Is this true in other areas of the US? I’m in the mid-Atlantic.
  • Do you have any Ideas for ads/promotions for the new Bronco??
  • I work with two dealers – one domestic, one foreign – both of whom are very light on inventory and who want to air ads promoting “WE WANT TO BUY YOUR LATE MODEL USED CAR”. My question is, what would you advise as a creative approach to this type of ad?
  • Can you source the numbers listed in the deck?

Read More

Auto Sales and the Coronavirus – Getting Ready for the Comeback! – Part 5 – Q&A

LBS Auto Expert, John Tkac takes LIVE broadcaster questions!  In this session:

  • All I hear from car dealers is that they are putting money into digital.  How should I respond?
  • The dealers I’m talking to are saying they are having trouble getting inventory and therefore don’t want to advertise and have response they can’t fulfill.  Also, they’ve reduced staff and can’t profitably hire again with such an inventory problem.  How would you suggest dealing with an objection like this?
  • Since they are basically the same truck, are GMC truck sales included in Chevy Silverado numbers?
  • How do I deal with the challenge that most of my dealers only want to advertise new vehicles due to their desire to use co-op dollars?

Read More