In a Challenging Economic Climate Gainesville's Buick GMC Completes $2 Million Dollar Renovation

[Gainesville, FL], August 21, 2012:  Wade Raulerson Buick GMC has been entrenched in the Gainesville community as a family owned dealership (under a few names) for over 30 years and in 2012 has undergone a major face-lift amounting to $2 Million Dollars for the Tampa-based Morgan Auto Group. 

“We feel good about the store’s reputation in the past but we wanted to show customers (new and current guests) that we believe in the Buick GMC brand and want to provide them with a better experience,” said Wade Raulerson Buick GMC owner Larry Morgan.

“Times are challenging and Gainesville residents have many options when it comes to their new or used car purchase. We wanted to say that we are serious about earning their business.”

The remodel brings a covered and climate controlled service drive and write up area to Gainesville’s Buick GMC franchise as well as a remodeled showroom to showcase current models. “For the first time in maybe forever we will have our cars right inside our showroom to demo for our guests,” recalled General Manager Andrew Vislosky.

The facility will add increased capacity and comfort for service guests, media and business access for those who need to work while they wait and a children’s play area.

“I lived here in Gainesville for three years while working with our Buick GMC store. I made some fantastic relationships here and Gainesville is a special place to me,” offered Larry’s son and partner Brett Morgan.

“We continue to invest in Gainesville not based on today’s market conditions but because we are positive about the future here in Gainesville.” The remodel is set to be completed by the 1^st week of November.

Custom Walk Around and Comparison Videos are a Powerful Tool

You've been hearing it for ages. Custom video is a quick and efficient way to either create interest with a customer or prepare a customer for a dealership visit. So why aren't you doing it? In the video above Wade Raulerson Buick GMC Sales associate Matthew Duke helps a customer select between a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV and a GMC Terrain SUV. We took a few minutes to the edit (frankly it's about 45 seconds too long even in present form) just to add some professional touches.

Here is a few pieces of advice for sales associates looking to add video to their skills:

1) Keep it short - 45 seconds to 1:15 per car; people want information in short concise bursts
2) Get to the point - you can still use e-mail to offer the customer other information, utilize the video to focus on features and benefits of the car
3) Don't be afraid to have a friend drive while you take your camera with you on a brief test drive
4) Keep the camera still; you don't want your customer at home looking for their last dramamine pill nor do you want them losing focus on what you are saying
5) Stay serious but friendly --- you aren't filming a commercial so keep comedy out of your video
6) Use video to follow up --- video isn't just for customers who have requested information it could be perfect for someone who did not have time for a proper demonstration on the lot
7) Keep private names and personal information out of the video. Then you can also use these videos to build organic search content either on your webpage or youtube channel.

The statistics show that customers early in the purchase funnel utilize video to help make their vehicle selection. Why not start to build the dealer relationship while giving them information they are looking for?

The New Buick Lacrosse continues to garner praise....

The new Buick Lacrosse has lived up to every bit of the hype here at Wade Raulerson Buick GMC except for one thing...Sales! Buick's new revolution of cars has come to be in a time of economic downturn when many mature buyers have decided to stay on the sidelines. We are ok with this - for now...it has ensured that in Gainesville and Central Florida, clearly the 2010 Buick Lacrosse is the car market's best kept secret.

Just this week KBB (Kelley Blue Book) announced the Lacrosse #1 as far as the most comfortable vehicles under $30,000 dollars. Guess who finished #2? Again Buick with the Lucerne. Toyota is lucky it wasn't a Top Five List as the Camry and Avalon snuck in at #9 and #10 respectively.

I don't want to give our customers and my readers the wrong impression...we are selling some Buick product and the Buick Enclave product continues to do well. All I am saying is that we are sitting on a bonified hit and that the masses just don't quite understand this yet. I feel like I am managing the Beatles right before they signed to Capitol Records!

Then Autoweek this week caught my eye. They paired the new Buick Lacrosse CXS with the Audi S4, BMW M3, Cadillac CTS-V, Hyundai Sante Fe SE, Ford Fusion Sport, Chevy Malibu LTZ and VW CC Sport. And guess what they said?




"The car that surprised me most was the Buick LaCrosse. It's good looking, quiet and has a beautiful, comfortable interior. I'm not saying it was the best car at camp from a performance standpoint, but it surprised me the most of any car there." - Wes Raynal "Autoweek" Editor

So Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, High Springs...I ask you...how long can you stand on the sidelines?

Brett Morgan
Wade Raulerson Buick GMC
General Manager
bmorgan@waderaulerson.com

"Buick is Back!" Raves Motor Trend Magazine ...

Wow! What a cover. Glad to see that the new 2010 Buick Lacrosse and the upcoming release of the new Regal are gaining some positive traction!


By the way - actually read the reviews too - they say the new Lacrosse outclasses the Lexus ES!