Friday, July 2, 2010

Smashing the testosterone barrier – Women in auto sales

A recent article that was in Automotive News reports that when it comes to auto dealers, women in auto sales may be just the recipe needed to increase the bottom line. The tradition of having male salespeople in the auto sales industry created a “testosterone barrier” that may have been appropriate when purchasing decisions in American households were made mostly by the husband. However, today’s sales figures show there is an almost complete shift toward women making more household purchasing decisions. This holds true when it comes to auto buying, hence more auto dealers have welcomed women in auto sales business in order to best serve the market today.

Article Source: Women in auto sales – Smashing the testosterone barrier by Car Deal Expert

A friendlier sales environment with women in auto sales

Automotive News has an example of Cindy Monson of White Bear Lake, Minn., in its analysis of women in auto sales. Monson had a successful sales career in consumer electronics, but wanted a new challenge with the potential for greater reward. She then went into auto sales. Her husband Vince initially discouraged Cindy from the male-dominated world of cutthroat sales. The dealership them switched to a no haggle, one price sales model.Cindy was prepared to take on the competition before, even if the constant sales crush was less than desirable. But she found the new no-haggle environment to be appealing.

Low pressure – High on fun and repeat business

Cindy found that the world of pressure and bait-and-switch that previously characterized automotive sales as a whole has gradually faded away. ”I pride myself on repeats,” she said to Automotive News. And Monson has had 400 of them over her successful 12-year- career at Polar Honda Mazda in White Bear Lake. That is indicative of the new atmosphere in auto showrooms across America, although much change still needs to occur.

If it is true that women buy more than half of all new cars and also that 80 percent of all automotive purchasing decisions are made by women, then auto dealers should take notice. Some dealerships, like Leona Kenney’s 2nd Chance Auto Sales in Ottawa, Ontario, even credit a “Women Certified” brand of auto sales, and it makes a great deal of sense. Consumers with buying power should be well-served.

Read more on this topic here

Automotive News

autonews.com/article/20100622/BLOG14/100629982/-1 (subscription required after first view)

On a dealership being “Women Certified”

youtube.com/watch?v=eC4dtysWQEQ



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