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Business Growth Powersports Market

Are You Primed To Capture Refund Sales?

Glenice Wilder Vice President EFG Companies
Contributing Author:
Glenice Wilder
Vice President
EFG Companies

For many of us, the April 15 tax filing deadline looms large whether we have to pay or we expect a refund. This time of year, powersports dealers have a promising opportunity to significantly increase sales volume.

  • According to the Conference Board, the Consumer Confidence Index® increased in February and remains at a 15-year high.
  • A recent report by Bloomberg on the Consumer Comfort Index, respondents viewed the buying climate as the most favorable in nearly 15 years.

But consumer confidence does not automatically translate into a spending spree. According to Princeton Research Survey Associates, 46 percent of Americans plan to receive a tax refund this year. But only 26 percent plan to spend the refund on a purchase. Now is the time for smart powersports dealers to fine tune their marketing to capitalize on this spending window.

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EFG Companies Launches 1,000,000 Mile Limited Powertrain Protection

Cultivating Consumer Confidence to Increase Motorcycle Sales

Million Mile Limited Powertrain ProtectionEFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, announced today the launch of a 1,000,000 Mile Limited Powertrain Protection program for motorcycles. This program is designed to foster increased customer loyalty, referrals, and unit sales by addressing pressing motorcycle consumer needs.

While the powersports industry is currently experiencing a period of year-over-year growth, everyone in the industry has an eye on the horizon for the next economic downturn. Dealers are looking to maximize sales while they last and fortify their operations for the future.

“Today’s customers are already in the mindset of being very careful with where they spend their money, and are looking for the best value for the dollar. This has resulted in an enhanced pre-owned bike market over the last few years,” said Glenice Wilder, the vice president of EFG Companies Powersports Division. “By offering 1,000,000 Mile Limited Powertrain Protection, motorcycle dealers have the ability to differentiate their operations, and increase customer loyalty and new customer sales, by providing customers complimentary protection for their bikes.”

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Business Growth

Building Relationships with Lenders – Part 1

Glenice Wilder Vice President EFG Companies
Contributing Author:
Glenice Wilder
Vice President
EFG Companies

Given the changing political climate, many powersports dealers are taking a “wait and see” approach to their 2017 planning. Whether you believe the market will grow or shrink, there is one area of your business you can improve – the relationship between dealer and lender.

During a recent powersports dealer conference panel, dealership owners and lenders shared their challenges when working with their counterparts. For many dealers, offering financial options is new territory. There is much to learn and every lender markets their products differently. Without a background in banking or finance, many dealer team members are uncomfortable with the financial side of the business. And then, there is the compliance minefield to consider. Compliance regulations indicate that a dealership must offer every product to every customer. If your team does not understand the F&I products themselves, explaining them to customers is challenging.

How can you bolster your relationship with your lender…and boost your financial acumen at the same time? In the spirit of bringing dealers and lenders together in the middle, I’d like to share some of the key issues and careabouts facing lenders today. Next month, I’ll address the challenges facing dealers. Then in February, I’ll talk about how both sides can meet in the middle to build a productive and financially beneficial relationship for both lenders and dealers in the powersports market.