No blowout gross sales. No hard-to-resist year-end presents. No social media promotion. Auto sellers in British Columbia say that when their communities have been reeling from devastating flooding, just one message needed to be conveyed to them: We’re right here for you.
Retailers within the Fraser Valley cities of British Columbia that have been slammed with extreme flooding from record-breaking rainfall in November and December mentioned they put enterprise pursuits apart so they may assist residents cope with heartbreaking losses. Sellers additionally donated or inspired public donations to native aid funds. Varied fundraising initiatives, together with these supported by sellers and their manufacturers, have raised hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.
“It wasn’t a time while you have been out attempting to promote stuff,” mentioned Bud Gardner, vendor principal of Gardner ChevroletBuick-GMC, which has operated for about 40 years in Hope, B.C., about 150 kilometres east of Vancouver.
“We didn’t publish a single car, we didn’t publish a single advert,” mentioned Richard Antonenko, basic supervisor of Murray Chevrolet-Buick-GMC in hard-hit Merritt, about 270 kilometres northeast of Vancouver. “We have been simply there for folks.”
Whereas it wasn’t a deliberate purpose, vendor generosity helped construct group goodwill, mentioned Layne Magnuson, vendor principal of Magnuson Ford in Abbotsford, B.C. “You simply step up and present you’re there for them,” Magnuson mentioned. “That’s all we will do. Perhaps they’ll do not forget that.”
‘MADE A LOT OF NEW FRIENDS’
Sellers within the flood-affected areas mentioned that when enterprise died off, they freed their staffs to pitch in on flood-relief efforts, together with opening their houses to these in want.
“I had seven folks [who were out of their homes] residing in my home,” Gardner mentioned. “And I opened up a few trailers on my property. I made plenty of new buddies.”
Though car gross sales ended in a single day, Gardner saved paying his 50 workers.
“They’d sufficient issues. They didn’t must be with no paycheque, too.”
When flooding hit the Abbotsford space, Magnuson Ford instantly modified its promotional radio advertisements. The brand new message included phrases of encouragement and presents to service any car “whatever the model.”
“When all of it occurred, we had no enterprise. We misplaced appointments,” mentioned Magnuson. “We simply type of needed to supply group assist.”
The dealership, which was not flooded, additionally supplied free inspections for partially flooded autos, drop-offs and pickups on the city’s airport, and even space for storing in its showroom.
A lot of key workers, together with the primary troubleshooting technician, couldn’t get to the dealership due to freeway closures. Sooner or later, the dealership will enhance cross-training to make sure it’s higher ready to handle comparable employees shortages, Magnuson mentioned.
DELIVERING, NOT DEALING
Murray Chevrolet-Buick-GMC was simply above the flood zone in Merritt. With computer systems down and enterprise at a sudden halt, Antonenko and his employees devoted a lot of their time to emergency aid.
Gross sales Supervisor Jason Leech introduced meals to folks digging out mud-filled basements. Service Supervisor Brian Nicolls secured the dealership, which closed for a number of days, then shuttled recent water and meals to family and friends.
“I’m very pleased with my complete staff,” mentioned Antonenko. “I actually stayed for 3 days, aiding buddies and shuttling provides. Then, I volunteered time with Samaritan’s Purse — an incredible group — aiding with demolition, elimination and emotional assist.”
The dealership relied on texting to replace clients as to when new autos could be delivered and relating to delays and the dealership’s reopening. Antonenko additionally inspired employees to have one-on-one chats with buddies and neighbours whose houses have been destroyed.
“For essentially the most half, we simply needed to share with individuals who have lived by means of difficulties,” he mentioned.
THIRD-PARTY PARTS
Elements provides additionally dried up just about in a single day within the affected zones due to landslides that impacted — and in some instances closed — all main highways. Magnuson mentioned that when his dealership misplaced entry to Ford’s components depot in Edmonton, work was both delayed or clients got the selection to have components from third-party suppliers put in. Most clients have been understanding, he mentioned.
“Everybody on the market knew what we have been up in opposition to,” Magnuson mentioned.
Normal Motors sellers additionally quickly misplaced entry to the components depot in Langley, B.C., however by early December, the automaker started transport from Edmonton. When clients agreed to it, the dealership used third-party components sourced from the Maple Ridge, B.C.-based Lordco aftermarket chain.
The components squeeze started to ease when the primary provide street, the Coquihalla Freeway, reopened to important business visitors Dec. 21 after being closed for greater than a month.
Sellers are actually working to safe autos for individuals who misplaced theirs through the flood. In Merritt, Antonenko mentioned he has secured two autos and expects a further dozen orders as drivers attain settlements with the Insurance coverage Company of British Columbia, the provincial insurer.
Antonenko mentioned whereas his dealership’s generosity helped construct goodwill, enterprise considerations took a again seat.
“We have been simply attempting to be buddies with folks as a substitute of a only a enterprise,” he mentioned. “That’s a small city. “