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Compliance

Yes – Regulatory Compliance Matters

The powersports industry has been on a profitable roll for several quarters with the majority of dealers exceeding sales expectations. Low interest rates and a recovering economy bode well for strong revenue for the remainder of the year.

While revenues look strong, regulatory oversight is also building momentum. New leadership within the CFPB has signaled through their rulemaking agenda that automotive lending practices will garner increased scrutiny. New legislative bodies within state and local governments in many areas have followed suite to respond to discriminatory lending practices and perceived predatory consumer behavior.

Now, you may be thinking that you are insulated. After all, the CFPB has jurisdiction over lenders and Buy Here Pay Here Dealers, not you. It’s important to remember that under the Consumer Protection Act, state attorneys general can levy fines against retail auto and powersports dealers under the Federal Trade Commission. This means that your powersports dealership is just as likely to be hit with large fines as the auto dealership down the street. So, what can you do to protect your business?

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Dealership Training

Subscription Training Delivers Profit

May closed out with powersports dealers feeling pretty good about the state of their business. According to a Powersports Business Online Learning Series poll, nearly one-third of responding dealers ranked the success level of their dealership as a 9 or 10 (on a scale of 1-10). It’s no wonder! April numbers continued their meteoric rise, with major unit sales rising 39.2 percent in April 2021 versus the previous year. With Spring in full swing and Summer just around the corner – and the rain subsiding for many – the forecast for the first half of 2021 remains very strong for both new and used units.

Despite continued inventory constraints and some concerns about labor and inflationary numbers, it looks like the powersports industry will have a banner year. But what if there was some additional profit to be had from unit sales? And not just small change, but measurable PRU? Those profit opportunities can be found in training.

This month, EFG launched a subscription-based training model which includes both digital and in-person options, delivering timely tools in a learning environment that works best for each employee. The service also supports the new digital retailing model now used by many powersports dealers. Dealer management can select their preferred subscription package across a wide variety of curriculum, benefiting from up to a 20 percent discount from standard training rates.

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Categories
Business Growth

Tired of Chasing Inventory?

While monthly sales numbers have certainly brought good news to retail powersports dealers, there is a flip side to the story. Recently polled dealers who attended a Powersports Business Kenect event shared growing concern about new unit inventory, with 78 percent of respondents noting they were very or extremely concerned. In Q1, 85 percent of dealers said their inventory was too low. With 72 percent of dealers reporting double-digit sales growth in Q1, it appears that the 2021 will be a year spent scrounging for inventory.

We all know that the best option to tackle the inventory shortage is to target the trade-in, but how do you convince people to trade in with you?  While stimulus money is easing near-term financial worries for many consumers, much of that money will be targeted toward paying off debt, delinquent rent, and other expenses incurred due to lost employment income. Educate the customer that their trade-in vehicle has value which can be applied toward their next powersports purchase. Contact recent customers and discuss their current situation. Are they using their motorcycle or ATV, or are they contemplating a new side-by-side? Capture details on the trade-in remotely and provide trade-in options that get them closer to the sale.

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