America's Top Suzuki Dealer Switches To Subaru
America’s top selling Suzuki dealer is switching it up with a much more popular brand. Wichita Suzuki has begun selling Subaru cars as it prepares for the end of the Suzuki era in America.
Faced with an end to Suzuki sales, proprietor Scott Pitman bought a stake in a Subaru store owned by a business partner and moved it to his former Suzuki store. At its former location, the Subaru store was selling less than 50 cars a month, and Pittman is hoping to double that figure within a year. Last year, Pitman sold about 1,300 new Suzukis and around 1,800 used cars. Unlike most stores, dealers at Pitman’s store are salaried, rather than paid commission. Automotive News explains Pitman’s rationale for the pay structure
That encourages salespeople to find the best fit for buyers rather than steer them toward the most profitable vehicles, he said. Subaru buyers generally also do lots of Internet research on their potential purchases, making the role of the salesperson more one of helping the shopper navigate the process rather than trying to push a vehicle on them, Pitman said.
And of course, Pitman’s store won’t be slacking on subprime sales either
Pitman said about half of his Suzuki vehicle buyers last year came to the dealership through credit leads. Those are generated on the dealership Web site or third-party shopping sites when a person fills out credit information to determine how expensive of a car he or she can afford. Pitman said he could put many of those buyers into a new low-priced Suzuki rather than a used car. He said his operation will continue to cater to buyers with poor credit at the Subaru and used-car stores.
More by Derek Kreindler
Comments
Join the conversation
Somehow I doubt that KS is a very Subaru-friendly state. There isn't much need for awd there and it's the South. They might be able to sell a bit more than 50 there but doubt they'll double it anytime soon. This isn't ME/VT/MA/CO.
I thought I read (or heard) that Subaru buyers tend to be in the higher credit-score ranges, with college degrees, etc. With that, I'm guessing Pitman's sales leads will not be from "financial calculator" sites, as buyers with solid finances and stellar credit don't need help determining how much car they can afford.
Subaru's do very well in the rain as well. Down here in the heated South, the first 5 minutes of a rainstorm pose a very delicate driving situation with the wetness on top of the road oils. Not fun.
Dammit.. I know that place.. found it on Autotrader looking for SX4s on a goof.. found a nice SX4 crossover there at an attractive price with just 9 Miles on the Odometer!! ...was just working up the nerve to take the 200+ mile trip up there to try an even-swap trade-in for a 2012 Kia Soul (I got bored with the boomy-boomy, flashy-lighty things in the speakers) when they pulled it from their inventory, dunno if it sold or they just got tired of it being on their lot and dealer-traded it.