Tag: Marketing

Certified Pre-Owned and Clean CarFax Can Be Deceptive

Buying a car, whether brand new or used can be a very exciting time, especially if you’re a young consumer buying your first ever vehicle. What should be a stress-free and easy purchase, if you’ve already decided on the car that suits you best, usually ends up being a long, drawn out process. The used car market often has very desirable options that on paper and even the photos that dealerships post online seem to be great deals. However, this isn’t normally the case as with automotive purchases you never buy a car sight unseen.

Before eventually buying a brand new 2019 VW GTI, I spent weeks visiting dealerships’ used car lots to try finding my next car. What I saw stunned me, and has forever changed my outlook on car buying and was certainly an experience that for future purchases, if I decided to buy used, will require a list of what to look for before even considering to sit at a negotiating table. So here’s a few basic things I learned from my recent car buying experience that will help young consumers, especially if you’re on your own or don’t have connections to a trusting mechanic or an experienced friend who knows the ins and outs of car buying.

Certified Pre-Owned and Clean CarFax Are Deceptive

For over a decade CarFax has branded themselves as a service and website to help bring transparency to used car buying. While it’s a great tool that can steer you in the right direction and keep you away from cars that have been in accidents, are lemons, or have salvage titles, many cars fall through the cracks. A vehicle may be “clean” on the outside and no accidents have been reported, but day-to-day wear and tear or even minor cosmetic damage will not show up on the CarFax.

In conjunction with CarFax reports, dealerships will sell Certified Pre-owned cars that are still under factory warranty, which together make these cars appear to be ideal purchases. However, this is where deception comes into play as dealers boast a 120 point inspection. Yet from personal experience, a vast majority of the VW GTI’s I saw in person clearly weren’t inspected, or at least from a customer’s perspective fell short of expectations from a car you assume is clean.

One GTI SE that checked all the boxes appeared to be “the one”. Lighting and performance packages were equipped on the car, and being an SE it had leather seats and a power moonroof. With a friend, we drove 70 miles to the dealer and feeling excited, I truly believed I was walking out of the showroom with a deal that day. I should note that even in the pictures the dealer provided on the website, the steering wheel was worn out a bit, which I was a little concerned about since the car only had 36k miles on the odometer.

When we arrived, the car was cleaned and prepped (called the dealer before hand, never do this for a used car) and at least on the driver’s side of the car everything looked good. However, when we did a personal inspection, on the rear quarter panel of the passenger side there was a sizable dent that was alarming to find. There was minor curb rash, but that was on par with most GTI’s I had looked at. In person the steering wheel was more worn out than the pictures had shown, and looking at the engine bay there was a disturbing amount of engine corrosion that shouldn’t be present on a three year old car with less than 40k miles. I’d argue that to some degree a “Clean CarFax” and Certified Pre-Owned for this vehicle was false advertising. This car was abused, and just from the cosmetic damage alone, I had to walk away from that GTI.

Never Call The Dealer Before Arriving To Check Out The Car

Mentioned above with the first GTI, you should never call the dealership to see if the car is still available. Now, for the GTI 70 miles away it was necessary just from the standpoint that it was an hour and half drive and it would have been a wasted trip if the car had sold. Since the car was prepped and cleaned when we arrived, it was more difficult to find scratches in the paint, and from a few feet back the car looked almost in showroom condition. That clearly wasn’t the case as we got closer to inspect the exterior, and as I said earlier, the rest is history.

On the same day, my friend and I were driving back to the Boston area when another potential prospect crossed my radar and we decided to make another trip to a local VW dealer. Making sure it was available, we called while on the highway so that we weren’t going to waste more time. This proved to be a mistake as it gave the dealer time to plan what would be the worst scheme to try getting me into a bidding war with another “interested buyer”.

You’ve probably heard the famous line, “someone else is interested in buying the car”. It’s a lie. After test driving the cleanest GTI I had come across in weeks with no curb rash and almost spotless interior, the other “potential buyer” magically showed up. What tipped me off immediately was when the sales rep handed him the keys and he drove off without a dealer employee in the car with him. Dealers never do this, which is why the fake customer was an employee who wasn’t wearing branded clothing. After about 10 minutes the other “buyer” shows up and is ready to “bid” which was an attempt by the dealership to pressure me into buying that day.

Despite this GTI being clean with 17k miles on the odometer and right around $21k, I left for a number of reasons, with being disrespected at the top of the list of why I walked away. Never let your emotions get the best of you, and don’t fall into these traps dealers use if they suspect you’re young and inexperienced. Luckily for me, I’m accustomed to the auto industry and wasn’t phased or felt pressure to make a deal, but best of all, I wasn’t taken advantage of.

Be Leery About 1 Owner Lease Vehicles

Two GTI’s that would eventually shift my interest towards a new car were brought in from out of state. Both low mileage, one owner lease vehicles looked to be very promising options. One from Pennsylvania, the other from Tennessee. Living in Massachusetts, it didn’t dawn on me at first as to how and why these two GTI’s made their way up to the Northeast. While the CarFax was clean and both Certified Pre-Owned, quickly the same cosmetic issues that made me walk away from the first car, became apparent almost instantly. One had significant curb rash, with a chunk of the tire on the outside wall missing. I’m not a mechanic, but judging from the severity of the curb rash, it wouldn’t have surprised me if the GTI would have needed a realignment.

While the CarFax didn’t specify whether both were auction cars that were purchased by local dealers, it could have certainly been the case especially in the condition both were in. Lease vehicles aren’t always clean or taken care of by their owners, which is why even with lower mileage, you have to be on the lookout for mechanical issues and cosmetic damage.

While I could have overlooked some of the minor things, I wanted a clean car. It became evident after weeks of searching that buying used just wasn’t going to work out. Despite having a few more horror stories, this time trying to secure a brand new Rabbit Edition GTI, I can truly say I’m happy with my decision to go new. Yes, I could have found a more fun car with all the features I wanted, but after a few months of ownership of my Cornflower Blue GTI, I have absolutely no regrets.

I hope some of my experiences and some of the things I dealt with help with your car buying process. More experienced professionals who’ve purchased numerous cars in their lives probably have a much longer list of what to look for, but if you’re a young car buyer with limited resources and connections to acquire the car you want, these three basic things to watch out for will steer you in the right direction, and most importantly will keep you away from getting taken advantage of.

Porsche Commercial: Creating A Connection

What lacks from most automotive advertisements is emotion, passion, and a connection between the driver-to-be and the car. Vehicles are often more than just objects to people. For some, cars are a means of transportation, going from one destination to another, but for others, vehicles are a way of life. Some of you may ask, “How can there be such a relationship where the driver is completely engaged with the car?” Certain brands have built and engineered cars that make the driver feel as if they’re one with the car they own, and feeling very connected to the road through the twists and turns on a back country road. These machines grasp the imagination and excitement of drivers and kids of all ages.

Porsche’s commercial, presumably from 2005, pulls at the heartstrings of car enthusiasts. At one point or another in a person’s life, they looked out the window daydreaming of the sports car they’d own when they got older. No doubt that the Porsche 911 was on a poster in kids’ bedrooms, as even today, the 911 is an exotic car many only dream of owning. In a commercial that is primarily music with very limited dialogue, the kid is drawn in by the Porsche’s presence as it passes his school. He’s so captivated that immediately after school he rides his bike to the nearest Porsche dealership just to get a close up look at the new 911.

When he’s allowed to sit in the cabin, his emotions can easily be felt by the viewers. Even today as adults, we space out when we finally get to touch the car that’s been at the center of our dreams for years, or for one split second, we see ourselves driving it. Porsche’s commercial hits all the right notes that no doubt motivated people to buy the car immediately, or work harder to obtain their aspirations of owning a 911.

While there are a few funny moments when the kid asks for the salesman’s business card, or when he says he’ll see him again in 20 years, it still ties into the message, which is the connection to the car itself. Emotion and feeling are often the greatest motivators in life, yet car commercials of today don’t express what the consumer is feeling. Instead, it’s marketing the features of the car, or the add-ons that can be seen on most models in 2016, that’s taken precedence over what the consumer desires.

Owning a car should be fun, especially when consumers buy exactly what they wanted. A Porsche 911 is the car that enthusiasts want because it hugs the road, offers performance and luxury, and gives the owner many years of smiles and memories. These feelings haven’t died as some have suggested, including the Washington Post which had an article saying car culture is shrinking in the United States. Enthusiasts beg to differ as car shows and events are growing at a rapid rate across the country. Car enthusiasm isn’t dying, it’s being awoken.

Luxury car manufacturers are experiencing high volumes in sales, and for those who aren’t, it’s time to start reviving the emotion, joy, and excitement that once drew customers toward the brand. Instead of trying to be funny, or marketing your cars for what they aren’t, be real. Consumers are human beings with emotions, and their buying decisions are made through those emotions. Start appealing to the younger generations, get them excited for the vehicles you offer.

By not bringing your cars to life, you become like every other high volume seller. Bring back the emotion and appeal that has a lasting impact on consumers, and you’ll begin to see a loyal following that will continue to buy from your brand. Only then will you find the voice that speaks up amongst the rest on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Toyota YouTube Marketing: Redundancy In Advertisement

In the previous article of this mini-series where we take a look at Youtube marketing by car manufacturers, Hyundai was the center of attention, as their 15 second adverts gave no reason to consumers as to why they should buy a vehicle from the Korean automaker. Toyota now finds themselves in the BostonAutoBlog spotlight, magnifying Hyundai’s bland marketing campaign, by going one step further in advertising technology or features that all or most car manufacturers offer in today’s market. Toyota has always had a loyal following, but if their goal is to increase sales, they’re missing big in their recent onslaught of 15 second videos.

Before we analyze the video above; is this the state the automotive market is in right now, marketing pre-existing features that any car company offers? In this 15 second clip, LED headlights are the main focus, with the spokesman saying, “How do you make Camry’s headlights stand out even more? Skip ahead a few hours”. It sounds like a punchline to a corny joke, one which won’t break the ice if you’re at a table surrounded by strangers.

Most cars come with LED headlights or you can order them to modify the current car you own. Toyota’s LED’s can’t even hold a candle to three year old used Audis or BMWs which would be in the same price range as a new Camry. Worst of all, as a consumer, why would I be attracted to a Camry after watching this quick ad? Yes, by now we should all know Toyota’s reliability record, but there’s no need to start marketing features that buyers wouldn’t find relevant.

The corny jokes don’t end there, it continues with yet another quick ad. At this point, you have to wonder if the same marketing firm that worked with Hyundai, moved onto Toyota a few months later. Toyota’s are not known for their handling, and as someone who has driven a Rav4 in the past, you don’t feel very connected to the road. If great handling is the focus of the commercial, there needs to be actual footage, and not a guy playing with a toy car who then places it in the driveway.

While 15 second clips on Youtube are the norm for automakers now, less information about the vehicle being marketed is presented. Even though there’s a risk of viewers pressing the skip ad button, it would be better to extend these ads to 30 seconds to offer potential buyers selling points as to why they should buy a Rav4 or a Toyota Camry.

The last video worth highlighting, might just be the worst of them all. People who buy a Toyota Prius purchase them for one reason, it’s environmentally friendly. Toyota has been marketing the Prius like a race car, or during the Super Bowl, a getaway car. It’s time to go back to their roots and advertise the Prius for what it is. It’s not “agile”, it’s not “fun”, and it certainly doesn’t need racing decals as the car doesn’t deserve racing credentials.

What’s lacking in this commercial? Fuel efficiency. Isn’t that why people buy a Prius? What YouTube marketing has done is take common sense and a well thought out commercial out of the equation. There’s no selling points, no facts about what the car can do, no demonstration as to why it’s “agile”, and there are no legitimate reasons as to why I, or anyone else should buy one.

Hyundai and Toyota have made the ads that popup before watching a video cringe-worthy. These two manufacturers can offer better in terms of marketing to the masses, as their cars speak for themselves. Both their reliability ratings and customer satisfaction should be the main focal points of these ads, not the technology or features within the cars.

If Ford, Chrysler-Fiat, GM, Mazda, Kia, and Honda are watching, they should take notes. Hyundai and Toyota have left the door open for better YouTube advertising that grabs consumers’ attention, thoroughly goes over what their cars offer in terms of reliability, safety, and performance, and not worry about the technology within the vehicles. What is truly lacking in the automotive market is passion, emotion, and excitement.

We should get excited when we see your commercials. There should be a desire to want to drive and buy your vehicles. Every time your vehicle passes us by on the street, our first thought should be that great commercial you marketed that created an emotional connection. It’s time to start marketing your cars as if you love them as much as the consumer. Without passion, you become a Toyota who is trying to crack corny jokes, or Hyundai who is in an identity crisis as they’re not sure whether to brand themselves as a company that offers luxury vehicles, or a company that has reasonably priced cars for the middle class.

Hyundai YouTube Marketing: Right Idea, Poor Execution

YouTube has become a major component in digital marketing for car companies, as video content’s ability to grab consumers’ attentions is well worth the investment of money and time. Hyundai and Mazda are the two manufacturers who use YouTube advertising the most, and their short 15 to 30 seconds videos pop up on the screen before your video starts. While Mazda has been pushing a message that resonates with those who love driving, Hyundai on the other hand, has taken a different approach by pointing out the features their vehicles offer. Unfortunately, that marketing campaign swung and missed as they had the right idea, but executed poorly.

You’re probably familiar with these 15 second blurbs that Hyundai has been advertising for the past few months. With such a short window of time, there’s very little a spokesperson or influencer can say to entice consumers to do further research into the car and possibly buy it. No matter who was behind the wheel of the new Genesis, the lack of creativity, thought, and selling points is why this video, and the rest in the campaign, failed to get the reception the manufacturer was looking for. In this particular video, the woman is pointing out the touch screen navigation system that comes with the Hyundai Genesis. She further says that when she was shopping, she couldn’t find a car that offered this amount of technology standard.

While the target audience appears to be middle-aged women, the average female consumer would be aware that most cars come with the technology, and that Hyundai is not offering anything different from other manufacturers. In related videos, a panoramic sunroof and automatic rear lift gate are also noted in other 15 second videos, but again, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes Benz offer the same. The woman ends each video with a similar question, ‘Does your car have this feature’? In 2016, it’s very likely 50% or more of the viewers have at least one of these features in their car already, leaving each video valueless to the consumer.

Over the years, Hyundai has changed and evolved into a respectful car manufacturer. They’ve been named one of most reliable car companies on the market, they offer an array of models that target different types of consumers, and their cars have improved in quality and overall build each year. Their selling point should be quality, instead of the features they offer. Every car company in the 21st century has become the same as they all have similar safety and tech features, which is why Volvo, the standard barer for safety, had to completely change their marketing and advertising for the brand.

To be more effective. Hyundai should have made longer videos highlighting why their cars are better than Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. While they are extending the brand to become more high-end with the Genesis product line, pushing reliability should be the cornerstone of their advertising. Selling luxury is one thing, but selling durability and quality is quite another, which is needed in the automotive market with the endless amounts of recalls.

Hyundai’s biggest miss was the platform they decided to use for the ad campaign. Facebook would have been better as they could have targeted women, both single or married, with or without children, which would have received a better reception. By going the YouTube route, they’re reaching thousands of people who are already brand loyal with competitors or may already know that these features are available on many cars.

Hyundai’s vehicles speak for themselves. Their improvements are well noted by consumers, and the features they’ve put in their cars is icing on the cake. With longer videos, more in-depth looks at the car, and using other platforms for 15 second adverts, Hyundai will get the conversion rates they’re looking for.

Mike Cerra is a social media marketer in the automotive industry, serving the Boston area. If your dealership is in need of social media services, you can contact him at mikecerra26@hotmail.com.

Live Streaming and Video Content For Dealerships

Just over 10 years ago, a website by the name of YouTube was created, forever changing the Internet and the digital world as we know it today. Fast forward to 2016 and we now have live streaming apps: Facebook Live, Periscope, and Meerkat which all achieve the same goal; reaching followers and customers in realtime. While used by individuals and media for the most part, businesses in any sector can see results by going live, as they can answer questions and go in-depth on their products by showcasing and testing them for their followers to see. One industry that up to now refuses to take part in going live or using any native video content of their own, the automotive industry, could see massive growth in sales by posting videos to their social media platforms.

Car dealerships as a whole are very hesitant towards experimental marketing. Anything that strays from traditional marketing is often looked down upon as it’s immediately perceived to not work or could have a negative impact on the dealership’s reputation. Live streaming or video content that is created and further promoted on Facebook will be anything but negative, and in fact will yield positive results, more overall reach, and more engagement. Most importantly, by going live, you now show the audience that you’re in fact human instead of a company web bot.

Back in the 1990’s, car dealerships would have time slots on local television stations, usually 30 minutes. They’d have a salesman in front of cars discussing the price, performance specifications, and options that came with the model. Today in the 21st century, when video content can reach thousands of people without great expense, there’s dealerships who shy away from live streaming or recorded video altogether, with very few companies posting videos on YouTube at the very least.

While YouTube has the ability of going viral, your videos will not be targeted directly to consumers in your dealership’s area. With Facebook, you can promote to and target people within your region, state, and even city your dealership is located in. Whether you record live or not, your chances of going viral are much higher as your followers and customers can easily share, like, and comment.

In terms of specifics, you could do a weekly video discussing certain models, trim levels, and varying prices. Since cars have different features, engine types, and drivetrains, your content can help customers choose the car that fits their specific needs. Consumers who aren’t quite sure which car brand they should go with, would benefit greatly by your videos, especially if the model you’re reviewing is a rival to one of the brands they’re looking at. For example, you’re the General Manager of a Hyundai dealership and you want to increase sales of the Elantra GT. With a video taking an in-depth look at the Elantra GT, you could pry consumers away from buying a Honda Fit or Volkswagen Golf.

The possibilities are endless. There’s no need to hop on the YouTube train when you could go in a completely different direction and reach potential customers within minutes. With Facebook promotions, your videos are seen on people’s news feeds, rather than hoping an intrigued potential buyer searches on YouTube, with the possibility the video they watch isn’t from your dealership. Live streaming and videos is what the market responds to, and by not advertising and marketing in the year we live in, you’re setting yourself up for shrinking sales year after year.

Mike Cerra is a social media marketer in the automotive industry, serving the Boston area. If your dealership is in need of social media services, you can contact him at mikecerra26@hotmail.com.

The Most Important Aspect of SMM: Being Human

Oftentimes businesses of any size, big or small, make the biggest mistake in their social media marketing strategies. They fail to appear human, and in most cases resemble web bots spewing external links or emotionless posts across all social media platforms. Hard selling, irrelevant content, and lack of engagement with followers and potential customers is far too common among industries, leading to missed opportunities to snatch undecided consumers who haven’t made the commitment to buy into your product or service. In today’s marketplace, you have to be open, friendly, and willing build relationships with your customers and followers, or you’ll begin to see post by post that engagement and growth on social media will dwindle.

Being human on social media, is really all about having the same mindset or emotions as the consumer. If you’re selling a Subaru, you must know what owners of that brand do on a daily basis. Whether that’s hiking or off-roading, or taking on the very worst mother nature has to offer, Subaru owners want a dependable car that can get them out of any situation life throws at them behind the wheel. By not affectively communicating to these consumers, your voice will not be heard. You must create emotions behind what you’re selling. A Subaru owner looking to trade up from an older model, might be more enticed to buy a brand new Outback if you cater your marketing efforts to that person, or others like him or her. By speaking their language, both literally and emotionally, you’ll begin to see results as you’re no longer hard selling, but actually being informative.

As an owner of a Volvo S40, I wanted to join a group or fan page on social media to share my enthusiasm for my car. When I couldn’t find one, I created one myself. Within about six months I built a following of 250 Volvo S40 enthusiasts, organically. By being human, evoking the same emotions other S40 owners had, engagement numbers and total reach were much larger than the current following I had. Getting Likes, comments, and shares became easier by the day because the content was catered to those who love their car. Being human, and understanding where your customers or followers are coming from, is exactly what’s needed in social media marketing, and that’s my attitude when running my own accounts.

Stop using social media platforms as another stage to hard sell. While consumers are using Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and even Snapchat to make buying decisions, their influences are not from companies who hard sell or throw their products in the faces of consumers. Social media is your opportunity to build a community, a community of loyal consumers who will buy from your business for the rest of their lives. By not building your bridges now, consumers will find another path to being treated with value and catered to specifically. Your social media efforts today, will dictate where you are five to ten years down the road when digital marketing becomes the main focal point of a marketing strategy.

Mike Cerra is a social media marketer in the automotive industry, serving the Boston area. If your dealership is in need of social media services, you can contact him at mikecerra26@hotmail.com.

Mazda Is Putting The Driver First With “Driving Matters”

While everyone is looking toward the future of the automotive industry and the inevitable development of autonomous cars, Mazda is focused not only on the here and now, but more importantly, the driver. For any car enthusiast, the thought of having a computer take control of the wheel and drive you to your destination is not something that makes you feel good. As drivers, we believe that having the car in our control is not only the best way to transport ourselves, but it’s a freedom and a privileged to drive and own a car that we enjoy and love. For the time being at least, Mazda is marketing to the car enthusiast that drives for fun, not because it’s a chore.

Mazda’s new tagline is, “Driving Matters”, replacing the old and very worn out “Zoom zoom”. By coming up with ads that create an emotion and desire to drive, consumers who love getting behind the wheel now have an automaker who has their best interest in mind. Starting with the new MX-5, Mazda wanted to recapture the youth and memories of former Miata drivers by making a commercial that’s basically a flashback to all the major milestones throughout the owner’s life. With the redesigned MX-5, they can relive their 20’s now that the kids are older or out of the house.

Another ad from Mazda has a businessman who’s been travelling for work, spending far too much time on planes and not enough time with his car. Once he lands ands gets back to his Mazda 6, it seems as though everything is right with the world. This isn’t just about driving, but a pride in ownership of a car that you love. “Driving Matters” and unfortunately, not many other auto manufacturers are putting the driver first, and instead focus on the technology they put inside their interiors. When it comes to daily drivers, there’s only a few features that should be noted when advertising to consumers. Is it comfortable, does it have a decent amount of horsepower, and is it reliable? That’s it. Thankfully Mazda’s commercials have a simple concept, and that’s putting you, the driver first.

Boston Car Deals: 2014 Ford Fusion At Herb Chambers

If you are looking for a great car deal to kick of the month of September, consider looking at Herb Chambers Ford of Braintree and Westborough. Right now both dealerships still have 2014 Ford Fusion’s in their inventory, including the SE, SE Hybrid, and Titanium trims, offering both comfort and fuel efficiency. These Ford dealerships are looking to clear out inventory to make room for the 2016 model years, so you can find some great offers if you’re in the market for a Fusion.

The SE trims get 22 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. All come with power windows, power seats, power moonroof, and Bluetooth Connectivity. Priced under $23,000 they’re currently $6,000 below MSRP, which means you”re paying less, and getting more.

The SE Hybrid models get 44 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway. They come with the same interior features, power windows, Bluetooth Connectivity, and power moonroof. Priced between $22,600 and $25,000, you’ll be saving $5,000 to $7,000 below MSRP.

Lastly the Titanium trim. Located at Herb Chambers Ford of Braintree, you’ll have to act fast before someone else takes advantage of this offer. Originally priced at $36,375 and now $28,998, you’ll be saving close to $8,000. Comes with power windows, power and heated leather seats, power moonroof, Bluetooth Connectivity, 8″ LCD monitor for a center console, and best of all, the Fusion Titanium comes with AWD so you’ll have no problem getting through the snow this upcoming winter.

Below are the links and a picture that will lead you to each individual Fusion if you’re interested or want more information on the cars listed. The links will be embedded in the titles.

2014 Ford Fusion SE

2014 Ford Fusion
2014 Ford Fusion

2014 Ford Fusion SE

2014 Ford Fusion
2014 Ford Fusion

2014 Ford Fusion SE

2014 Ford Fusion
2014 Ford Fusion

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE
2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE
2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE
2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE
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2014 Ford Fusion Titanium

2014 Ford Fusion Titanium
2014 Ford Fusion Titanium

There’s No Excuse For Unsold Inventory In The Automotive Industry

So far heading into the month of September, 10 million cars have been sold this year, excluding the month of August as we’ll find out overall sales in the early part of September. Despite this number, there’s still vehicles with a 2014 sticker on the new inventory lots of car dealerships across the country. In the year 2015 with social media marketing, blogs, and YouTube, there’s absolutely no excuse for not finding owners for older model year cars. These vehicles aren’t just base trims or entry level vehicles by brands, you’ll be surprised at what you can find if you visit cars.com or local dealerships’ websites.

I’ve compiled a list of cars that would shock any car enthusiast, luxury car owner, or the average consumer looking for a quality car. All of these cars are 2014’s, and priced anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000. As a side note, some of these cars are selling for $7,000 – $9,000 below MSRP.

Chevy Camaro 2SS, Ford Mustang GT Premium, Nissan 370Z Nismo, BMW 328d iXdrive, BMW 428i Xdrive, Infiniti O50, Cadillac ATS, Volvo XC70, and Ford Fusion Titanium. These are just a few of the 400+ cars in a 20 mile radius of my area that haven’t been sold yet, and that baffles me. The Cadillac ATS is currently priced at $34,000, $7,000 below MSRP. So for the price of a new Ford Fusion Titanium, you could own an American luxury car.

For the car enthusiasts out there, a 2014 Chevy Camaro 2SS convertible is selling for $41,000, $8,000 below MSRP. For $4,000 more you can go with the 2014 Nissan 370Z Nismo. There’s other options out there that will save you money besides buying a new 2015-2016 model.

Car dealerships can offer no excuse for this. They’re already losing $7,000 – $9,000 right off the bat, and who knows how much more if the buyer can talk down the price. The solution to this problem is using social media, preferably Facebook and Instagram, a blog, and a YouTube channel. Your consumers are all on these platforms, reach out to them by posting and sharing great content.

The automotive industry, primarily on the local level, will have to face reality and understand that social media marketing is not only the present, but the future of selling vehicles. The Millennial generation is now the second largest consumer group in the automotive sector, which means to reach them, you have to go mobile and digital. Consumers of the social media age like being drawn in by picture and video content. Dealerships have it all wrong right now with their advertising, and it’s safe to say that their newspaper ads and radio commercials are a big waste of money and time. They also can’t track the ROI as they can with social media.

Any consumer group is within your grasp. But you have to be willing to meet them halfway on social media. Quality vehicles aren’t selling, and that’s a problem. Thankfully you have the right tools at your disposal, but are you willing to make a full commitment to see the results you desire?

Still Holding Onto Old Inventory? Use Social Media And A Blog

Every year, car dealerships struggle to sell aging inventory. With the 2016 models arriving at your local dealer’s lots, 2014 and 2015 models will have to be sold to make room for current and new models. Buying a car during this time of year is great, especially if you’re looking to save some money by purchasing a 2014 or 2015 new vehicle. In my area alone, there’s over 400 cars from the 2014 model year that still haven’t been sold, which presents an opportunity for frugal shoppers.

For most car dealerships, they’re losing money every day these vehicles sit on their lots. Instead of waiting for the consumer to walk through your showroom’s doors, go on the offensive by promoting your cars through the use of social media and a blog if your dealership has one. You might ask, “Why”? By not sharing a photo of the vehicle and going into detail about the benefits of ownership, your customer is unaware that this car is on your lot.

At a local Ford dealership, there’s a 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium priced around $29,000 ($7,000 below MSRP). The Fusion comes with a power moonroof, power and heated front seats, leather interior, an LCD monitor in the dashboard, and gets good gas mileage (22 MPG in the city, 31 MPG on the highway). It’s fully loaded and is the premium trim for the Ford Fusion model. This sedan should have already had an owner by now.

Another vehicle I see at dealerships that remain in the new car inventory is the 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT. A hatchback that will meet the standards for a college student with decent sized cargo room, power seats and mirrors, good fuel economy (24 MPG in the city and 33 on the highway) and comes in at a fair price of $20,553, considering the amount of features the Elantra GT has.

It shouldn’t be difficult to move these cars off your inventory lot. Without giving consumers a reason to buy, they’ll overlook that model and search elsewhere, possibly at a rival dealership, and as a consequence, you miss out on a sale.

I believe that in the automotive industry, marketing and selling are two distinct divisions within an advertising department. Marketing through the use of social media takes on the role of attracting consumers, while your sales representatives push the customer into making a buying decision. Even in 2015 people are buying cars because they have to, but with Facebook and Instagram, a desire to purchase the vehicle, or at least test drive it, can be made possible.

Instagram photos are like commercials for Oreo cookies. A consumer doesn’t have a need to eat a cookie until they see it on their screen. Social media marketing creates an appetite, and one that might be strong enough to drive them to a purchase. Without Facebook, Instagram, and a blog, you’re not offering anything of value, and as a result, you’re still finding it challenging to get rid of 2014 and 2015 models off your lots.