FARMINGTON – Local car dealerships are already recovering in a way or just seven weeks after the soft green reopened.
Car dealers were ordered to close their user operations in early April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This restriction was lifted in June.
After achieving only 25 and 50% of its sales goals for April and May, respectively, Horace Nissan achieved 90% of its June sales goal and is expected to succeed at approximately 75% of its July sales target.
Significant change, however, came through its service department, which he considered “essential” across the state and did not have to close.
Clifton Horace, owner of Horace Nissan, said his dealership had achieved 115% of his June service goal and was on track to succeed in 120% of his July service goal.
The dealership achieved 35% of its April service target, followed by 85-90% of its May service target. This is a long way from where Horace Nissan is now.
“It’s exciting. It’s wonderful for my people. They’re all based on the commission,” Horace said. “I was pleasantly surprised by the speed of the rebound in the service.”
Ziems Ford Corners, which also kept its after-sales service open, reached 100 percent of its sales goals in June and is expected to achieve 100 percent in July sales. Combined sales of Ziems Ford Corners during the last week and part of March and the entire month of April were less than 50%, as well as about 60% by May.
“Without a doubt, an indispensable impulse, that is certain … I would have found myself in an absolutely different scenario if (the state) hadn’t reopened,” said Mike Ziems, sales and marketing director at Ziems Ford Corners.
Horace said the recent build-up is due to repressed demand.
“I see a long and slow rise in the norm,” Horace said, adding that sales of used cars will contribute to long-term recovery.
Ziems reported that Internet traffic for Ziems Ford Corners online retail transactions is 150% compared to June and July 2019.
“I think other people appreciate this part,” Ziems said.
Horace stated that only 5% of all of its consumers transacted online for COVID-19.
That number has tripled or even quadrupled in the two months, Horace said.
Horace also said he hoped to see more donations online and make car purchases more permanent.
Ziems said it needs to conduct as many online transactions as it can be imagined to keep consumers safe and prepare everything in advance to restrict in-store interactions.
At this point, Ziems said he was preparing for some other prevention at any time, and mentioned the restored indoor eating ban that took effect on July 13.
“We hope that doesn’t happen. But we’re getting ready for this to happen again,” Ziems said. We’re not out of danger yet. Array.. During the year, we’re catching up on a piece of land we’ve lost. It actually helps, but in fact we’re not out of danger.
Ziems said that to stay open, more sanitation precautions should be taken.
“We don’t need to back down on our current situation,” Ziems said.
Matt Hollinshead covers for the Daily Times. You can contact 505-564-4577 and on Twitter at MattH_717.
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