F&I and Showroom, July 2017

LETTERS www fi magazine com 4 F I and Showroom July 2017 Vice President Group Publisher AutoGroup Sherb Brown 310 533 2451 sherb brown@ bobit com Publisher Dealer Group National Sales Manager David Gesualdo 727 947 4027 david gesualdo@ bobit com Editorial Director Gregory Arroyo 310 533 2592 gregory arroyo@ bobit com Art Director Vince Taroc Graphic Artist Jeff Polman Great Lakes Sales Manager Robert Brown Jr 248 601 2005 robert brown@ bobit com Sales Marketing Coordinator Amy Hangartner 310 533 2518 amy hangartner@ bobit com E Media and Print Production Manager Brian Peach 310 533 2496 brian peach@ bobit com Production Coordinator Tanya Carranza 310 533 2548 tanya carranza@ bobit com Audience Marketing Manager Tony Napoleone Chairman 1961 2014 Edward J Bobit President CEO Ty F Bobit Chief Operating Officer Cyndy Drummey Chief Financial Officer Armand Del Duca Business and Editorial Office Bobit Business Media 3520 Challenger St Torrance CA 90503 Fax 310 533 2503 Change Service Requested Return Address Bobit Business Media PO Box 2703 Torrance CA 90509 Subscription Inquiries 888 239 2455 BobitPubs@ Halldata com Printed in U S A STOP THE TAKEOVER TO GREGORY ARROYO I just had a few thoughts regarding your interview with Cox Automotives Mark ONeil The Digital Evangelist Page 16 Let me start by saying that we in the F I office primarily sell products consumers have been told by friends family and the media they dont need and not to buy Yet we are still man for man square foot for square foot hour for hour the single most profitable point in the dealership And thats because of one simple reason the F I manager So if Mr ONeil thinks some shiny piece of software can replace that highly polished and skilled professional he could not be more mistaken if he was deliberately trying to be Jim Dirks Finance Manager Powersports Anderson Calif TO GREGORY ARROYO If the future of F I and car transactions in general is what Mr ONeil says itll be it wont be because the consumer wanted it that way Itll be because software and product giants like Dealertrack push it into existence And the more each dealership department becomes more and more reliant on their software the greater those companies sales and profits will be Look a 100 digital deal is fantastic for tech companies but its horrific for the dealer As a dealer principal how would you like your entire sales operations including F I to be controlled by and reliant on a software company You might as well sell the dealership and buy a McDonalds At least youll know going in that youre owned by a corporation Ryan Fischer Store Manager Rochester N Y HE CANT BE SERIOUS TO GREGORY ARROYO There has to be a mistake I just read your piece on Mike Jacksons exchange with the author of that ridiculous Morgan Stanley report AutoNations Jackson New Tech Could Hurt Used Cars Page 10 and I find it hard to believe the top guy at AutoNation said that about the used vehicle market The different levels of buyers by credit and price range will never change in this industry Buyers will always be there to purchase used cars because they are necessities and the price limit and payment limit will always decide the purchase With that said there are many buyers who never even ask for the price of a used car All they want to know is what their payment will be and how much they have to put down So does Mike really believe dealers are going to drop a price that is not even questioned by the buyer because some supposed analyst Adam Jonas is trying to get some publicity The author of that report needs to stop trying to project the future about something he knows little about If anything the used car market will remain close to the same or even better thanks to these outrageous price tags on todays new vehicles which are turning buyers into repossession candidates The more likely scenario is these buyers will fall back into the used car market and pay whatever it takes to get a new ride Don Rice Owner Operator Don Rice Motor Co Cleburne Texas IS SHE MAD TO GREGORY ARROYO I have one question after reading your piece on Elizabeth McClung and Sterling McCall Toyota Group 1 Avoids Social Media Disaster Page 10 Is this woman nuts Her Tundra needed 4500 in repairs has 195000 miles on the odometer and is probably worth maybe 4500 minus the damage from the theft Group 1 initially offered her 9000 and she turned it down because she wants a new Tundra What a waste of time for the dealership and the attorney Im glad the issue was resolved Im guessing Ms Mc Clung came to her senses David Hatch Fleet Manager Anaheim Calif TO GREGORY ARROYO Regarding your article on that Group 1 Toyota store Group 1 Avoids Social Media Disaster Elizabeth McClung is entitled to be compensated for her loss the pre theft value of her truck and the repairs needed to return the vehicle to pre theft condition However she is not entitled to the pre theft repairs her vehicle required being performed for free Good for the dealership for that goodwill gesture Ms McClung claims to be a Christian but her actions contradict her claim Her age gender marital status and occupation have no bearing on her case I am glad the situation has been resolved Pat Kirley Sales Gowan Motors Navan Rd Dublin Ireland