Author Archive: AxioMobile

By Phil Villegas

Despite welcome positive signs the recession may be ending, dealers should not become lured into a false sense of economic security.

By Phil Villegas

Dealers who have been through either the purchase or sale of a dealership know the stresses associated with executing that.

From the seller’s perspective, stresses can come from the thought of exiting the business, informing employees, negotiating the purchase agreement, tax implications of the sale, winding down operations and the ability of the buyer to close the sale.

By Phil Villegas

Newer, smaller and more innovative automotive companies are emerging.

The early success of many of them will fuel speculation and capital investment into current and future automotive start-ups, under the belief that the traditional retail automotive network and its manufacturers are obsolete, and that these newer, leaner, edgier companies are the way of the future.

By Phil Villegas

Some terminated General Motors and Chrysler dealers are not ready to simply hang it up and quit. Some have the ability to move forward and continue operations with other franchises they own.

By Phil Villegas

While the actions taken by Chrysler and General Motors to reduce their dealer counts are necessary for purely competitive reasons, the costs associated with these actions will extend far beyond those dealerships targeted to be closed.

By Phil Villegas

Select dealer groups that grew aggressively over the last three years are facing potentially devastating challenges in the current economic crisis.

The automotive retail landscape has become quite crowded.

Not long ago new franchises were available to anyone with a strong desire and a decent business plan, sometimes regardless of automotive experience or proven track record.

By Phil Villegas

It may be surprising, but the likely reasons some dealers may not survive are only tangentially related to the economic crisis.

Often, a dealer’s failure will have more to do with internal management than with external factors. The economy did not put Bill Heard dealership group out of business. Management did that.

If you’re in the market to purchase a dealership and have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the market to bottom out, the next 90 to 120 days may yield some of the best buying opportunities that we will see for a long time. The key to making a good acquisition in this market is to be emotionally and financially disciplined.