Franchise Information, advice and news.

Every American family needs a car, perhaps even two, and as families grow and expand, or shrink when children leave for college, many will be looking to trade in their existing vehicle or buy a brand new one.

Indeed the car dealership industry is one that is unlikely to run out of customers. Not even concerns about climate change can end the love affair Americans have with their cars. In fact new advances in technology mean cars are actually getting cleaner, and in the future driving may become one of the most energy efficient ways to get around.

With this in mind, investing in an auto dealing franchise could be the opportunity aspiring entrepreneurs have been waiting for. The customer base for cars is hugely expansive and profits are likely to come easily.

Franchisees in the auto dealing business need to be slightly more business savvy than most. Car dealerships are heavily regulated and although franchisees will receive extensive training form the parent company in all aspects of running the business, they must be aware of the potential pitfalls.

A good head for finance is also essential, since franchisees are dealing with large amounts of money and if mistakes are made the price could be high, both for customer and for the business. And of course it goes without saying that those looking to enter this industry should have an interest in cars and a sound knowledge of the market.

Franchisees should also have a good customer manner, as well as a flair for sales. Making a profit in the auto dealing industry is all about persuading customers to make a purchase without pressuring them, making sure that what they buy will suit their needs. Honesty is therefore an essential character trait for franchisees to possess.

Once an entrepreneur has decided to take the plunge with an auto dealing franchise, they must make some important decisions about the kind of business they want to run and where they would like to run it.

As well as selling cars most dealerships also provide a series of services for car buyers and owners. Maintenance represents a significant profit centre for new car dealers, especially since it brings customers back into the showroom to see newer car models. Franchisees must therefore consider what kind of services they want to be able to offer and assess the demand for those services in their chosen area before signing a deal with a franchiser.

It's also important to determine what types of cars are most popular in a certain area. Some franchises will sell a range of car makes and models, but most will concentrate on one manufacturer only, and it is important to make sure the cars are going to sell. It's no good selling sports cars in a rural area where customers are demanding SUVs.

For those with a determined attitude and a willingness to put in enormous amounts of time and effort into making an auto dealing franchise successful, the financial rewards could be great. And for those with a love of cars running such a business would be the prefect way of turning a passion into a career.

Copyright Adfero Ltd 2006

http://www.franchisedirect.com