Similar to most businesspeople, dealership owners are continuing to keep their heads above water.
They do business as usual, despite these unprecedented times: COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, chip scarcity, decreased vehicle supply.
The COVID-19 global concern was not only a health issue; it shuttered business operations or has placed a restraint on production capacity, at the very least. It was a hard reality for some manufacturing plants, including microchips that impacted car production.
“A chip is the tool within the computer of the vehicle which allows it to start, which allows your key fob to be able to communicate with your car, things of that nature,” Kenn Gibson, marketing director for Perkins Motors, Inc., told Fox 21 News.
The shift in the manufacturing capability and new-vehicle supply have also altered the landscape of car buying.
Because of the new-car market struggles, customers are looking at used cars more and more, according to Fox 21 News. However, acquiring used cars also presents some challenges.
Owner of Big Joe Auto in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Joe McCloskey told Fox 21 News that some of these challenges are used-car logistics and supply issues: “The truck drivers were under some strict guidelines, the auction houses were under strict guidelines,” he said.
Experts are advising customers to conduct online research on their vehicle choices, as well as dealerships that can possibly supply the specific model, color, trim line, and other features they want to purchase prior to visiting showrooms.
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