Zeigler Automotive Group's new phase of Nissan in Chicago, "Nissan 2.0", is becoming one of the group's latest success stories with greater customer and technology interaction.
"We were the first ground-up 2.0 build in the country," Zeigler Automotive Group President Aaron Zeigler said during an interview with Mega Dealer News.
While the fresh concept was at the request of the manufacturer, Zeigler has capitalized on the new design, and it's been good for business, as well as customers.
"It's much more customer interactive than previous designs; a lot of technology, a lot of touch screens in the dealership," he said. "It's all about enhancing the customer experience. You have windows going from the showroom into the shop, so they can see the cars being worked on."
Zeigler Automotive Group is the first Nissan 2.0 build, but it won't be the last.
"Every (Nissan) dealership moving forward will be built off of that design," Ziegler said.
It's an experience that has proven popular with Zeigler Automotive Group's Nissan customers, Zeigler said.
"It gets customers very engaged in the experience," he said. "It gets them engaged with the cars, and with the ease and use of getting information."
And that has been good for business.
"Our sales have had a nice increase since we've moved into the new building," Zeigler said.
Founded in 1975 by Aaron Zeigler's father, Harold, when the elder Zeigler started up a Ford dealership in Lowell, Michigan, Zeigler Auto Group "has been building a world-class company for over 40 years," according to the group's online history.
Growth has been nothing but up ever since, according to the group.
"Over the years, the Zeigler family has been dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our customers by providing them with an exceptional, honest, and unique experience," the pointed out.
"They continue to be leaders in the automotive industry and improve the dealerships to maintain the highest standards our customers have come to expect. The Zeigler family is committed to giving back to the community and is known for their philanthropy in the areas they do business."
In 2016, Zeigler Automotive Group purchased the Nissan and Infiniti Store in Orland Park, Illinois with the Infiniti brand being a new franchise for the auto group, according to its history. Last year, Zeigler Automotive Group opened its 34,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Nissan facility in Gurnee, Illinois; and its Motorsports division added Polaris, Indiana Motorcycles, Timbersled and Slingshot to its motorsports lineup.
The group now has expanded to 24 dealerships, Aaron Zeigler, who became the group's president in 2002, said, pointing out that it's the quality of Zeigler Automotive Groups' facilities that is a large part of that success.
"Customers like to do business in a nice facility and employees like to work in a nice facility," he said."So, I think it's kind of a win-win situation. Every time we build a new building, our business has always gone up. We've always gotten a nice return off of it."
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