Category Archives: Auto

WHAT STEPS TO TAKE WHEN INVOLVED IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT

Truck accidents are unfortunate and can be very disastrous when they occur. They could lead to severe injuries or even death of the people involved. At that point, the only thing a person needs to be worried about is getting all the medical attention they need. But if you are involved in a truck accident and come out with only minor injuries, there are things you can do to ensure you deal with the aftermath of the accident appropriately. Here is what to do.

Call the police

Call the law enforcement agency on that route to come and take care of the situation. Let the officer know how many cars and people have been involved in the truck accident to send the right number of emergency medical personnel and ambulances. Even if the accident is not severe, a police report is essential. Let the police come and assess the scene of the truck accident and make an official police report.

Get medical attention

The medical professionals will take care of the injured and rush them to the hospital before the injuries claim their lives. Even if you feel okay, do not assume that you have not been injured. You may have suffered internal injuries such as internal bleeding or head concussions that may take a few days to manifest. After examination by an emergency medical professional at the scene, you should always request a full examination at the hospital.

Give your statement

Give your statement of the accident to the police officer in charge and ensure you document everything truthfully. If you are unsure of anything, let the officer know instead of giving a false statement. It is never advisable to say you have not been injured before you have a full medical examination, so it’s best to say you are unsure if you do not have any visible injuries.

Collect evidence

Document your version of the truck accident by collecting all the evidence there is. You can take pictures, record conversations and videos as well. But ensure you have a way to prove you took the videos and pictures during that specific truck accident. Collect the details of the other driver, their contact, insurance, and truck registration details. If there are any witnesses, ask for their contacts as they may be useful if the case will go to court.

Get your vehicle appraised.

Just like the human body, your vehicle may seem to have sustained minor damages, but internal damages may not be visible to a lay man’s eye. The vehicle repair needs to be a part of the insurance claim, and each insurance company has different needs of what you need to submit to get paid for damages. Notify your insurance company of the accident, and do not do anything until they have cleared you. Taking your car to a mechanic’s shop for an assessment is advisable.

Consult with a truck accident attorney

The next step to take after a truck accident is to consult with a Houston truck accident attorney. Even if you are a fault, do not admit it but save that conversation for your lawyer. A truck accident lawyer will offer you all the legal advice you need and act as your legal protection after the accident.

conclusion

It is never advisable to handle the aftermath of a truck accident by yourself. A truck accident attorney gives you all the legal help you need.

How to Get the Best Rates on Your Products and Services

Life is expensive. No matter how many monthly payments you have, it’s always good to double-check to see where you can cut costs. Whether it’s price shopping for a new roadside assistance program or comparing interest rates for borrowers on adjustable-rate mortgages, taking the time to reassess bills and expenses on a regular basis is important to an overall budget and lifestyle. If you’re interested in learning new ways to save on your products and services, read on.

Road Assistance and Other Services

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The key to getting the best deal on something like the best roadside assistance is shopping around, looking for discounts, and enrolling in services at the right times. For lower rates on any type of service, you’ll want to do some homework and read the fine print. While many companies will gladly sign you up for a service at a low rate or as part of a package, those monthly payments can jump quickly if you aren’t paying attention.

Maybe you signed up for a roadside service as part of a new vehicle package or because you’re a member of an auto club. At the time, signing up probably sounded like a good deal. For months, you’ve had the luxury of the best roadside service and peace of mind. The trouble is that with the passing of time, that same service has gone up and you’re now locked into a monthly payment. The best way to handle a situation like this is to call the company providing the service. Ask for discounts or cancel the service altogether. Then, do a little price shopping and cost comparing to find a new roadside assistance provider without the fine print.

Mortgage Rates

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Maybe you’re curious about current home loan interest rates in Australia but have heard horror stories about interest rates jumping or monthly payments that were just too steep. Start by asking family members about their current rates and pull out the calculator. If you aren’t getting at least an average rate, it may be time to consider refinancing. If you’re thinking about a new home loan this is a great opportunity to do some cost comparing. By slowing down and comparing at least three companies for your mortgage loan, you’ll be doing yourself a favor and come up with extra money for savings or other important needs.

Insurance Company Rates

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A smart way to protect our homes, finances, and overall lifestyles, is to carry insurances. Whether for our physical bodies with supplemental health insurance or for vehicles and homes, insurance is likely one of your regular monthly payments. Here’s another opportunity to shop around. If you signed up for travel insurance or homeowners insurance without comparing pricing, you still have time to shop around. Go online and look for companies with discounts or coupons.

Call your current company and tell them about competitor rates that may be lower than yours. If you’re happy with your current coverage or services, they might be willing to work with you to meet that cost. An important factor in saving money on services and products is being willing to pick up the phone and communicate with the companies you’re tied to.

In the end, making cost comparisons and being on the regular lookout for low-interest rates and cheaper services will add up in the long run. While it takes work to keep monthly mortgage payments or health insurance premiums low, shaking things up and changing services could be the best thing you do to save yourself money every month. As you go, pay attention to additional costs and fees associated with changing service providers. Those could sneak up on you, too. In reading the fine print and asking questions, you’ll be well on your way to more savings.

How to Get the Most Out of an Old Car

With as much as cars cost, it’s no wonder that some people will keep their old car until it’s on its last leg—or wheel. If you have a junk car just sitting in the driveway eating up space, you should try to put it to some good. There are plenty of ways to continue to get value from an old vehicle, even when it’s way past its prime.

Even if you own a junker, there are still some ways you can get some value from your old car. There’s no such thing as a worthless automobile, no matter how much of a clunker it is. Continue reading to learn some ways you can get the most out of your old car.

Pass it down to your teen.

If you have an old car that runs well that you don’t drive, your first thought should be passing the car down to your children. Even if they aren’t old enough to drive, you should save it for them until they’re ready for the road.

One of the benefits of starting your kids out with an older car is that they’ll learn everything that can go wrong with a vehicle and how to make minor repairs. Don’t underestimate the valuable lessons that clunkers have to teach young people about life and automobiles.

Use it for parts.

As mentioned before, even the oldest, most irredeemable vehicles have some value. Even if your old junk car doesn’t run anymore, it’s probably still good for a scrap car. If you’re a DIY mechanic, old junk cars are gifts that keep on giving because they’re an excellent source of free car parts. If you love to work on cars, then there’s no need to be in a rush to get rid of your junk car. Besides, between junk car/car parts bank, there’s a really fine line.

Sell it.

Because cars and parts are so expensive, any chance to save on auto parts is a great one, and that’s why people love junkyards. Even people with new cars go to junkyards to get steep discounts on their car parts.

There’s no need to even Google how to sell my junk car. Most auto salvage yards have a push, pull, tow policy, meaning that as long as there’s a means of getting your car to the junkyard, they’ll buy it on the spot. Of course, you’re not going to fetch top dollar for your clunker, but something’s better than nothing.

Donate it.

A running car is a running car to someone who’s walking or using public transportation to get around. Fortunately, there are programs around the U.S. to help under-privileged people to get the vehicles they need. If you have an old vehicle that runs but is wasting away in your driveway or garage, then you should think about donating it to someone who can and will use it.

Restore it.

Just because a car is old doesn’t mean that it doesn’t still have life in it. Rather than letting your old car waste away, why not put a little work into it? With a little TLC, you can restore your old car to its glory days. If you like to work on cars and have a thing for older models, instead of selling or junking your car, give it back its swagger.

Smash it.

If you’re a thrill-seeker who loves to have fun behind the wheel, then maybe you should put your car into a demolition derby. What could be more fun to do in an old junker than spinning wheels in the mud and using your car as a slow missile to hit other junkers?

There are plenty of things you can do with a junk car that can result in money or fun. The only question is how much work you want to put in.

6 Tips for Locating the Best Prattville Body Shop Repair

It’s always a bummer to experience a crash or even a minor bump that will damage your vehicle. You need to go to a body shop and repair what happens to be broken. See more about it here.

Choosing a body shop is not easy if you never needed to go to one. There are lots of them all around your area, so you must know which one is best for you. You can’t just drive into the first one you see, because there are issues to have in mind.

In this article, we’re going to share exactly six tips for finding the perfect one. If you want to know how to find the best car body shop repair, then you need to keep on reading. Stay tuned and find out what must be considered before making the final move!

1. Mind the location

Even though we said you can’t just drive into the first one, you should still know that those located near you are always a better option than those located further. The reason for this is purely practical. 

What does this mean? It means that when you leave your vehicle for repairs, you need to get to your home or office somehow. People who drive regularly are going to struggle walking to the required place and to get a public transport option is also questionable.

In other words, you should look for a close shop that will make it easier for you to get to and from it. Also, being closer will make it super easy for you to make a quick inspection of how the work is going on.

2. Check who your car insurance works with

There’s no reason to pay everything out of your pocket if you have the insurance to cover at least some of the damage. That’s why the first place you should call after the accident is the insurance company. See what your options are and make sure you do the right thing.

The insurance companies work with various body shops, but not all of them. So, if the insurance works with a couple of them in the area, it will be better to choose some of these instead of the one you first had in mind.

Having someone to pay part of the bill, or the entire thing should be on top of your priorities when you’re searching for the right insurance.

3. Read online reviews about their work

If you want to find out who’s good and who’s not, you should open some of the many car websites or company review pages. There, people share the experience they had with various body shops.

Run the names of those closest to you in the system. See what people think about them. For example, the BBB network will give you a clear answer about how good a particular body shop is. If the score is below A, it means they are not good for you.

Also, check out pages like Yelp, or Trustpilot, where people share their personal experiences with different places. All kinds of companies are available for reviews there. Many of the local businesses you’re interested in will also be reviewed by their clients, so throw a quick look into them.

4. Look into their previous work

One of the ways to find out whether they do a great job is to see if they’ve been uploading their work online. Find the candidate’s webpage, or social networks profile, and see how their job looks like. If you don’t like what you see, then in person it will probably be even worse.

If their work looks spotless in the pictures, it means they are doing a great job. Through the images, you’ll be able to find out if they offer services that you didn’t know of and you might be interested in. So, pay attention to their portfolio and their previous work.

5. Consider only certified shops

Even though bodywork is bodywork, it’s not rocket science, you should still opt for those who are licensed and certified for working on your car. For example, if you’re driving a Chevy, you should search for the best body shop repair in Prattville that is certified for these vehicles.

Don’t accept someone who’s skilled in Toyota but accepts to work on your car. They are not obliged to do a great job and no one will control how they work. On the other hand, certified shops always have inspections and overseeing by the companies who certified them.

6. Ask if they offer a warranty

Imagine that you pay thousands of dollars, and one day after a few weeks, you see the paint coming off at the place where the repair was done. You don’t want to go back and realize that you need to spend an equal amount on fixing something that’s not your fault.

This is why people always ask for a warranty. The warranty is a sure way to know that the repair was done professionally and there’s nothing that can happen in the future. Even if it does, though, the same person that worked on your vehicle will fix the problem immediately.

We’re people, and we make mistakes from time to time. It’s normal, but you’re not supposed to be the one that will pay for someone else’s mistake. That’s why you should always ask for a warranty on their craftsmanship. See here why warranties are crucial for you: https://classroom.synonym.com/warranties-important-9376.html.

Conclusion

The six tips from above are your foundation when looking for a body shop to repair your vehicle. Follow them, and you can’t go wrong. Make sure you locate a nearby business and check out if they do a good job.

See what other people think about it, and ask the insurance company if they will cover the expenses. Or at least some of them. Ask for a warranty and wait some time until it’s repaired. That’s it, you ready to get back on the road again.

Tips for Choosing the Best Automobile Repair Shop

Selecting the best auto repair garage is not an easy task, but knowing what you are looking for could make it easier. Working with a car repair shop in your locality is ideal, as you do not have to go out of your way to get the best services for your vehicle. The type of car you have will determine the appropriate shop for you. Some specialize in specific models, while others are a general auto shop that caters to all types of vehicles available. Choosing the best comes at a cost; you must take your time to assess the options available before selecting one. Here are some tips to make work easier for you;

  1. Evaluate your needs

Before the search begins, you must know what you need. The car model you have is the first aspect to bear in mind. This will give you insight into the type of repair shop that you are looking for and the services they must have. You must also try to understand issues with your car and the common problems the model has. This information is critical in helping you select a repair shop with experts that can handle the problems if need be. If you are unsure about the issues with your car, you can consult an expert and have them do an assessment and advice accordingly.

2. Shortlist car repair shops

Once you are aware of your needs, it is time to dive in and find a car repair shop that can tend to them. Using the internet, you can shortlist the repair shops open in your locality. Referrals from friends, family, and colleagues will also come in handy at this point. Comb through reviews and testimonials from previous clientele to determine whether the services they offer are the best you can find. These reviews will help you eliminate some shops saving you the trouble of going to the brick and mortar location.

3. Visit the repair shop

Visiting the repair shops you list is crucial in helping you make the right pick. The proximity of the shop, the responsiveness of the crew, and the overall appearance of the establishment are all factors to evaluate as you move from one to the next. From the first interaction, you can tell whether you want to work with a particular brand or not. Prepare a list of questions to ask both the managerial team and the mechanics to establish if they can be the answer to your problems or not.

After the visits, you will be in a position to pick the best car repair shop to work within the long term. The payment options available in the shop you select should be favorable for you. Remember to ask about the insurance companies they work with to confirm whether yours is on their list. Your insurer should also approve the services of the auto repair shop you select. The range of products they use within the shop is also something to take into consideration.

Sourcing Funds for Automotive Franchises Opportunity in Montana

Now that you have decided owning a franchise is what’s best for you and already have your heart set on an automotive franchises opportunity in Montana, the next thing you may want to consider is funding.

If you are one of those that have enough money to cover the initial and subsequent cost of owning a franchise, congratulations to you. If not, you may want to consider other available funding sources.

Before going to a financial institution for a loan, you must be ready to prove that the business you intend to start is a viable one and you can make it work. Thus, you must have drawn a business plan that the institution can use to assess the viability of the business.

The Importance of a Business Plan

Although a good business plan is important if you want to have a loan granted to you, it serves other purposes. A perfectly drawn business plan puts into focus what your main aims and objectives are in running a business. It helps you state clearly the milestones you hope to achieve after specified periods of time. Basically, it is like your own personal map to success that realigns you to your goals whenever you are going astray. It also reassures you that things even though they are thorny at the moment, will get rosy in due time.

A good business plan shouldn’t be static. It should be dynamic enough to meet the changes that you might be experiencing as your business attains greater heights.

The Ingredients of a Good Business Plan

It isn’t until you exhaust several A4 pages drawing charts, plotting graphs, and constructing tables that you’d be certain you have a business plan. In fact, for lending purposes, its best you keep your business plan as concise as possible because most lenders do not have the time for a lengthy read.

However concise though, be sure to carefully include all aspects of the franchise that you are buying. Anticipate challenges that you might face in the business and clearly define ways you plan to overcome them. Doing these would build their confidence in you as a shrewd business person and thus make them favorably consider you for the loan.

To strengthen the lenders’ faith in you, you should provide precise information about your franchisor’s corporate background and their business history. If your franchisor’s brand has a strong recognition on the market, then the lenders might be more inclined to grant you the loan.

Some franchisors would even help in the preparation of the business plan. Basically, a business plan should entail the following amongst other things;

  • Your company’s description
  • The prospective services you’d be rendering
  • A comprehensive market analysis
  • Your marketing and advertising plan
  • Full disclosure of your financial situation
  • An estimation of when the lenders can expect full repayment of the loan you intend to get.

With cars being ubiquitous, it is never a bad idea to grab hold of an automotive franchises opportunity in Montana. You just have to know the right things to do to bring your ideas to fruition, and having a good business plan is one of those things.

The Pros of Getting Auto Insurance for Your Vehicle

As an owner of a car, you probably understand that your vehicle comes with many responsibilities. When you insure your vehicle, you shield yourself from the financial and emotional devastation; that comes once your vehicle develops issues or gets involved in man-made or natural accidents. Furthermore, the law mandates that you have car insurance before taking your car on the roads. There are different kinds of Los Angeles auto insurance that you can secure for your vehicle as a resident of Los Angeles. Driving around in a car that doesn’t have insurance is illegal in all states. While this is reason enough to ensure that you buy your car a cover, there are many other pros. Here are some benefits of securing auto insurance.

1. You will be paid if your car is stolen

Cars are quite expensive. Therefore, it may be challenging to afford another one incase yours is stolen. When you get your vehicle insured against theft, you don’t need to worry about struggling to raise funds for a new car. Also, if you intend to finance your vehicle, your financier will require that you have an insurance policy insuring your vehicle against theft. Usually, you would not get a brand new car in case your vehicle was stolen. However, a good insurance cover will reimburse you for the total value of your car that has been stolen. This is ideal because you will get back what you have lost, and you can easily buy yourself another vehicle of your own choice.

2. You will be compensated if floods damage your vehicle

Whenever there is flooding, your car risks getting damaged. This is because if you find yourself in the middle of a flood, your vehicle’s mechanical parts, as well as upholstery, are likely to get damaged. An auto insurance coverage that protects your car is essential, especially if you live in places where there are moderate or high risks of flooding. This cover also ensures that in the unfortunate event that floods damage your vehicle, you will have enough money to restore it to its former glory.

3. You will be paid in case you collide with animals

Standard insurance doesn’t settle collisions with animals. However, comprehensive auto insurance can enable you to solve the expenses of any damage that results from any animal collisions. Damages such as broken windshield, crushed fenders, and dented hoods; usually results from collisions with livestock, deer, or moose

4. Payment for any fire damages

Fires are not uncommon 

when it comes to motor vehicles. Your vehicle is likely to catch fire, either as a result of an auto accident or a fault in the mechanic parts of the car. You can, however, insure your vehicle against accidental fires. Such a cover will ensure that you are compensated in case your vehicle catches fire, and it may also cover any occupants that may have sustained injuries from such a fire.

An auto insurance cover is critical if you want to safeguard the safety of your vehicle, as well as your sanity. Before getting such a cover, ensure that you do your background research to get the best insurance for your needs.

Why Buy Tires Online?

Owning a car goes beyond driving it- you need to ensure that it is in perfect condition at all times. Faulty car parts may be hazardous and, at times, even lead to serious road accidents. What this tells you is that you need to check up on your car often and ensure that you take it for servicing at least once a month. One of the most important automotive parts is the tires. Car tires need to be in perfect shape for your car to perform accordingly. Tires are prone to some wear and tear after some time, and trying to decide on where to purchase new ones can be overwhelming. But have you ever thought of buying them online? If you are still mind-boggling about it, here is why you should opt for some online Padangos (tire) shopping;

1.      Convenience

Driving for long hours to get to the physical tire shop can get tiresome at some point. And as if that is not enough, having to look at some piles and piles of tires before deciding can be very overwhelming. However, when it comes to online shopping for the tires, the convenience is simply unmatched. You can order your tires and get them delivered in the comfort of your home. And the good thing is that the ordering process is quite straightforward. Additionally, you can easily limit your search to view only specific types of tires that you want. Through this, you will have saved on so much time and effort in the long run.

2.      A large variety to choose from

If you want to buy different brands of tires, sizes, or even Ziemines padangos (winter tires), online shopping got you covered. Most of the online shops sell different varieties of tire designs, brands, sizes, and so on. As such, you have the freedom to navigate on the site at your own pace before choosing the tires that you want. And most often than not, the online shops are always stocked, meaning that the chances of not getting a particular type of tire are quite minimal. And in case the one you are looking for runs out of stock, most platforms will let you know exactly when you should expect them to come in, which in most cases, you will not have to wait for long.

3.      Cost-effectiveness

Buying tires from an online shop is very cost-effective. For one, you will have saved on the fuel that you would have otherwise used to drive to a physical store. Secondly, most online shops have massive discounts on their tires that you can take advantage of. And lastly, most online tire shops sell their tires at lower prices compared to the physical shops. Keep in mind that online shops do not have to incur costs such as rental costs meaning that their prices will be more affordable than the physical stores that have to consider other costs while pricing their tires.

Take Away

If you are looking for new tires, try out shopping for them online. It is not only convenient but also very cost-effective.

Adding Paint Protection To Your Vehicle Is a Very Wise Move.

If you take a look out of the window of your home on the weekends, it is very likely that you will see many of your neighbours outside in their driveway, washing their cars. It is a popular pastime at the weekends and one that you have probably taken part in yourself. Our cars are very important to us and they reflect the kind of person that we are, and the kind of personality we have. It is your job, as the owner of the vehicle, to make sure that it is looking it’s best at all times, and to do this, you need to give it a wash, a wax and a vacuum.

Pointless Hard Work.

Once all the work is done, you will probably stand back and admire your hard work. It is very likely that it took you at least a couple of hours to get it to look like that, but all of your hard work has mostly been for nothing. What you have applied to your vehicle isn’t going to protect it for very long, and the next big rainstorm or dust storm, and the paint on your car will be looking dull again. I suppose you could wash your car again and again, but this is time-consuming and over the long term, can be very expensive as well. There is a better way to protect the paintwork on your car and it’s by applying Liquid R car paint protection.

The Benefits.

The benefits of adding additional paint protection to your car are numerous, but we will explore just a few of them here today.

  1. New and shiny – Adding this special car paint protection provides you with a permanent protective coat, that protects your car’s paint and so if you were to do this when you first bought your vehicle, then your car is going to look shiny new for much longer. It gives protection from the UV rays that damage many car’s paintwork and allows you to have a polished, glossy look all the time.
  1. Retains Value – When you buy a car, it is an investment and you want to be able to do anything you can, to hold your car’s true value. One way to do this, is to apply additional paint protection for your car. When it comes time to sell your vehicle, then the prospective buyer will be very impressed with how new the paint work on your car looks, and it is very likely that they will make you a higher bid in order to get the car.

  1. Easy to clean – You will still want to get out there on the weekends and give your car a much-needed wash, and because you have this additional paint protection, washing the car is so much easier. In some cases, you might not even have to use any water and just using a clean, dry cloth to remove the dust may be sufficient.

If you want to maintain your car’s good looks for longer, then you need to consider applying additional paint protection to your vehicle. Whatever it costs, it will pay for itself in no time, and when it comes to selling it, you should get a good return on the money that you have spent.

3 Absolute “Musts” for Successful Automotive Sales

Starting any kind of business has its unique requirements. Just as you wouldn’t want to start a business in the clothing sector without clothes, it would not be wise for your tech startup to launch without a good IT services team. One industry that has seen a recent surge in popularity and profits is the automotive industry, even as dealerships are facing evolving competition. That being said, dealerships are poised to make sales with the right planning and tools. Here are three things that you will want to have in place before you launch your car dealership if automotive sales are your goal. 

Photo Credit: Pixabay


Location

The first thing that you will need if you are starting your automotive dealership is a location. While there are certain websites that appeal to customers looking for an easy way to purchase their vehicle online, it is worth noting that even those kinds of businesses need a place to store their inventory. Different cities have different requirements when it comes to what properties a car dealership can be established on. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to double-check with local ordinances before you purchase a property. It’s also a good idea to consider how close you are to your competitors when picking the right location. If you are the only dealer offering luxury vehicles in a specific area, it may be okay to occupy a space close to another dealership. On the other hand, you don’t want to be one of three used Honda dealers in the same two and a half-mile radius or you won’t make your sales goals.

Inventory

Once you have a location, you’ll need to have inventory. Remember that a full lot is much more appealing to customers than an empty one. If you’re looking for extra vehicles to pad your inventory or are just starting, it may be worth looking into salvage cars from an automotive auction. Especially if you have a team of mechanics at your dealership, these salvage cars can be rebuilt, retitled, and sold, too. A website like Auto Auction Mall makes it easy to find great used cars and salvage vehicles at an affordable price. Buying at an auction can help leave a greater amount of profit margin for you and your business, even on more popular makes and models. As a result, it’s worth considering making use of these options since it can help your dealership look fuller and offers you a good bang for your buck.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Strong communication

While many people come to your dealership to see your wares in person, more and more customers reach out to you ahead of time via phone, email, and even text messaging. Automotive sales are thus becoming just as much about communication as they are salesmanship and pricing. As a result, having an omnichannel contact center solution, such as Bright Pattern’s contact center software, can help your sales agents use technology to their advantage. An omnichannel call center software solution gives you multiple channels to connect with potential customers, including voice, video, email, webchat, and SMS messaging. Bright Pattern also lets you leverage multiple forms of communication with a seamless solution that keeps customer records and other CRM data linked up with any communications. This connectivity allows you to enter into any in-person conversation with a customer equipped with the information you need, regardless of whether or not you were the dealer speaking with them previously.

While automotive sales are facing competition from businesses like Lyft and Uber, there are still plenty of ways to find success as a car dealer. By leveraging the tools at your disposal, like automotive auctions and advanced contact center software, you can build a sales team that meets its annual goals with ease and expertise.