Does your car dealership create a sense of community? Is your team involved in your local community? This is an important part of growing your dealership.
Car dealerships are seen as big businesses in many communities. The large amount of land and variety of vehicles symbolize a company with deep pockets. This comes with the expectation that the dealership and its team will be a community-oriented company. Your team should be active and engaged with the community and create a sense of community at your location.
Here are some great ways for a car dealership to foster a sense of community.
Hosting events
Events at car dealerships can be a lot of fun and bring in people who might not otherwise stop by and enjoy the dealership. When some people see the community outreach offered through events, they could be inclined to put your dealership at the top of their list the next time they shop for a new or used vehicle. Some of the best events are:
Customer Appreciation Day
This event might not be open to the general public but is a great way for a dealership team to show gratitude and appreciation to loyal customers. This event can include special discounts, free car washes, complimentary snacks, and small gifts. This is a great way to ensure repeat customers through sales and service.
Car Care Workshop
If you want to offer an event that many car novices can get a lot out of, host a car care workshop. This is a great way to have local mechanics and service experts meet with your customers to provide tips on car maintenance and care. This helps your customers become more self-reliant and puts faces with names in your service department. A car care workshop is a great way to create a sense of community.
Family Fun Day
Set up some fun events at your dealership to entice families with members of all ages. You could have bounce houses, face painting, food trucks, and lots of games to give your local community something fun to do at your dealership. This event can attract a diverse crowd and create a positive association with your dealership when attendees try to figure out where to buy their next vehicle.
New Model Showcase
When a new car model comes out, there’s a good chance several people in your local community are looking forward to this new vehicle. A great way to let them enjoy the excitement and create a sense of community is to host a new model showcase when the new model arrives. This event should include test drives and Q&A sessions with sales team members.
Donation Drop Off Program
Many car dealerships show their support for the community by becoming a donation drop off location for local charities. None is more recognizable than Toyos for Tots, which places collection bins at many companies during the holiday season. Your dealership team can partner with local food banks or charities to be a drop off location for donations.
Safety Initiatives
Do young parents in your community know how to properly install a car seat? Do your customers know how to get out of a car if it becomes submerged? Are drivers aware of the use and importance of safety systems in their vehicles? If you host a safety initiative, you can educate your customers regarding vehicle safety and security. This is a wonderful way to create a sense of community and show that your dealership team cares.
Emergency Relief Location
When disaster strikes, does your dealership step up and help your community? This is the time to be a big part of the solution and focus on helping people and not car sales. If you allow emergency relief vehicles or other volunteers to use your dealership lot as a place to work, your community will notice, and this will make a big difference in future car sales decisions.
Team Spotlights
Allowing your team members time to volunteer in the local community is a great way to get your dealership name into the volunteer community. You can create a greater sense of community by doing this, and if your staff wears their dealership shirts and hats for these activities, your company name will be shared and become a first choice for customers looking for their next vehicle.
It’s important to create a sense of community in your local area when you own and operate a car dealership. Take advantage of some of these ideas to create that feeling at your location.
