Automotive News Canada - May 2017 - 15

* MAY 2017

Tackling service is an advantage
Dealership adapts
to the economic
downturn in Alberta
By HARRY PEGG
CALGARY CORRESPONDENT

CUSTOMER SERVICE IS ONE
of the most important aspects
of a dealership's business, and
in today's market consumers
don't take to waiting for service.
Improving customer experience is one of the big reasons
behind an expansion that has
doubled the number of service bays at Advantage Ford in
Calgary.
Owner and dealer princi-

pal Gerry Wood says Alberta's
current economic downturn
has actually brought some positive change for customers.
"It has caused us to look in
the mirror. We're better in services. We're listening better
and we're making transactions
easier."
Wood, who owns two other
Ford dealerships along with
an FCA franchise and a Honda
store in the Calgary area, says
the truck business has been
strong, but "we're off a bit on
the bottom line, about 20 per
cent from 2014, but that was an
extremely good year."
Indications are that 2017
will be a good bounce-back
year, so "we're very optimistic."

Gerry Wood, owner of Advantage Ford, added service bays
to cut wait time for customers. Along with that came 20 new
technicians. ( P H O T O : A D VA N TA G E F O R D )

The addition to the dealership, which cost "between $7
and $8 million" expanded the
service area to 18 bays from
10, plus two wash bays and an
automated wash.
There are new hoist systems and new state-of-the art
equipment.
The reorganization made the showroom area more
open, added storage
space to the parts
area and improved
traffic flow in the
service drive-in.

The reorganization, which added eight service bays, also made
the showroom area more open and added storage.
(PHOTO: HARRY PEGG)

tional team."
The new bays
allow a no-appointment-necessary
business model,
he says. "If we're
really busy, there
might be a 45- to
60-minute wait."
TWENTY NEW HIRES
McLenehan says
General managthe changes to the
er Jeff McLenehan
Advantage Ford
parts department
said 20 more techGeneral Manager
bring a lot more
nicians have been
Jeff McLenehan
storage, meaning a
hired to handle the
customer wanting
increased capacity.
to
add
accessories
can usually
"We were having trouble
have them installed the same
fulfilling the quick-do-it-now
day and is less likely to go to
requirement," he says. "We're
an aftermarket outlet.
doing a much better job of it
"Our game plan is to be way
now. We're building an excep-

Electra Meccanica eyes
EV roadster concept

Jeff McLenehan
General manager,
Advantage Ford
more in the accessory business," he says.
Overall, "we're very happy
with the first quarter of this
year. It was pretty doom and
gloom last year." - ANC

canadianblackbook.com

Two-seat Tofino deliveries to start in 2019
while the single-seat Solo continues
to undergo certification procedures

Trust the source
that's trusted by
the industry.

By STEVE MERTL
VA N C O U V E R C O R R E S P O N D E N T

THE COMPANY BUILDING THE THREE-WHEELED
electric Solo single-seat commuter vehicle says it also wants to
build a more expensive and racy two-seat roadster.
The car's Porsche-like lines conjure affiliate company
Intermeccanica and its Roadster,
which is based on the classic 356
Porsche Speedster.
The Vancouver-based company showed a computer rendering of the Tofino at the recent
Vancouver International Auto
Show.
Named for a popular resort
The Tofino is a two-pasvillage on Vancouver Island, the senger electric car with an
Tofino will have a battery-electric estimated maximum range
powertrain capable of hitting 100 of 400 kilometres.
km/h in less than seven seconds,
a top speed of 200 km/h and 400-kilometre range.
The asking price for the Tofino will be $50,000, compared
with about $20,000 for the Solo, with deliveries to begin in 2019,
the company said.
In the meantime, the Solo commuter is still undergoing certification procedures in the United States and Canada. Electra
Meccanica has booked about 500 preorders and spokesman Jeff
Holland said deliveries would begin in May.
Electra Meccanica has a tiny downtown Vancouver showroom and was set to open a second space in an upscale suburban Richmond, B.C., neighbourhood in April. - ANC

Our game plan is to be
way more in the accessory
business.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive News Canada - May 2017