Efficient inventory management is a linchpin in car dealerships’ profitability and operational success. With the automotive industry facing both cyclical and structural changes, dealerships increasingly rely on strong inventory management to maintain competitiveness and secure their profit margins.
However, they continue to face recurring challenges, such as maintaining transparent reporting, ensuring online visibility for all vehicles, and adapting seamlessly to changes such as website overhauls impacting organic traffic. To overcome these hurdles and thrive, automotive marketing professionals must embrace a proactive inventory management approach.
Identify Your Market Demand
In the fast-moving multi-variant auto industry, the foundation of successful inventory management is understanding and reacting to market demand. Dealerships must be adept at interpreting market signals, such as shifts in consumer preferences toward electric vehicles or SUVs, and adjust their inventory in real time to match cars with their specific buyers. Utilizing advanced data analytics to track these trends allows dealerships to align their inventory with the vehicles most likely to sell, minimizing holding costs and optimizing sales opportunities.
Develop Pricing Strategies for Profitability per Vehicle Retailed
Adopting dynamic pricing strategies based on comprehensive market research can markedly improve profitability. Automotive inventory management software helps dealerships set competitive prices that attract buyers without sacrificing margins.
To streamline the inventory management process and boost profits, used car managers can leverage technology like the Lotlinx VIN View Optimizer (VVO). This tool detects shifts in demand by digital engagement (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), such as electric vehicle popularity, allowing managers to adjust prices to match market trends and sell quickly at their actual market value.
Automotive marketing solutions like VVO gave dealers like McCarthy Auto Group full visibility into where dollars were allocated across inventory. By comparing vendors and setting their monthly budget, VVO helped increase conversions by 140% within a single month. It also decreased the average marketing cost per unit to $62 and reduced the average days on lot from 42 days to 16, expediting sales and lowering the need for price reductions on aging inventory.
Introduce Inventory Mix and Variety
A diverse and fresh inventory caters to a broader customer base and sustains buyer interest. Dealerships should consistently review and adjust their inventory mix to seasonality and emerging trends to ensure they offer the vehicles consumers want. Balancing new and used cars and even brand and model exclusivity like rare and limited-edition finds can attract more buyers. Use Lotlinx SENTINEL, the VIN Management Platform, to monitor at-risk VINS based on data sourced from 160 publishers.
Manage Aged Inventory
Aged inventory can quickly become a financial drain on dealerships. Using the Lotlinx Sentinel Inventory Risk Mitigation Platform long-days-on-lot metrics, monitor how long each used vehicle stays on the lot. Older VINS over 60 DOL may need price adjustments or targeted marketing campaigns. If you notice a car has been sitting for a while, consider a promotional price to move it faster.
Use Lotlinx to Move Metal Faster
Modern automobile inventory management systems equipped with automation and smart analytics facilitate much of the heavy lifting in dealership operations. But it can be difficult to let go of old-school practices and adapt to change.
To adapt to an increasingly tech-driven industry, car dealers need an all-in-one automotive platform that gives them complete operational control over their inventory. Lotlinx focuses on Risk, Local Market, Demand, Price, Model, and specific Shopper Intensity Scores to push the highest quality shoppers to specific VINS. Lotlinx’s main differentiator is mitigating the risk of inventory, and driving revenue at a VIN level. For more information on how to boost profitability with Lotlinx automotive inventory risk mitigation platform request a demo today.