Our Customers - Getting to know you

If you were born between the late 70s...maybe into the early 80s...you are a member of a powerful consumer category known as Generation Y, aka, Millennial Generation, a demographic  chronologically following Generation X.   Experts in the field suggest Gen Y having birth dates roughly around the late 70s...possibly early 80s to the early 2000s.   While we have a better definition of Gen X in terms of age, as they were born between the early 60s through the early 80s.  BTW, Gen X was preceeded by the "baby boomers".  

The dates for the 'Millennials' is not that well defined.

It's believed that Gen Y has an evolved method of shopping.  This process is influenced as much by the 'shopping experience' as it is by the product itself.  While it's wise to be neutral in many situations, Gen Y expects more.  Earlier models for the prioritization of their buying motivations,

 

Historically we've focused on the following buyer motivations:

 

• Quality and Durability
• Safety and Security
• Performance and Engineering
• Comfort and Convenience

These still stand as a reliable framework for adapting a presentation to the customer's, Gen Y customer's, needs.  As it turns out...Gen Y, Millennials have their own framework based upon a new level of research that they carry out before they visit the showroom.

Before making a purchase, Gen Y conducts research—a lot of it:

• 86% use search engines
• 87% visit the auto manufacturer's website before visiting a dealership
• 88% visit vehicle-reference sites to compare features and prices before making a purchase

By the way these stats hold for all demographics these days.  The big difference with the Millenials is that the actual experience, that begins with the first contact with the dealership...carries much more weight with them.

Interesting concept, i.e., a great 'experience' may have just as much, maybe more influence over the buying decision than the pure feature, function, benefit orientation of generations of the past.

HPD (Honda Performance Development) - Need Some Proof?

How great is it to be driving a Honda with the knowledge that much of the inherent reliability is performance/stress tested for the entire world to see.  I'm talking about the testing that takes place on the IZOD IndyCar Series circuit, where Honda is one of two engine suppliers.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) is the Honda racing company within North America. Located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for high-performance Honda racing cars and engines. As one of two engine suppliers to the IZOD IndyCar Series, Honda won the 2012 Indianapolis 500 with driver Dario Franchitti; and competes in prototype sports-car racing under the HPD banner in the American Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship. HPD offers a variety of race engines for track applications from prototype sports cars to karting; and showcases "fun-to-drive" products for professional, amateur and entry-level racers.

This month, May, HPD celebrated 20 years of on-track achievements and innovation.  Over the following weeks,  HPD will mark this occasion with remembrances of the early days at HPD; the evolution of the company from struggling motorsports newcomer to dominant force in CART and IndyCar competition; and its eventual expansion into an all-encompassing auto racing company. 

In my experience, yes Honda cars and trucks are indeed "fun-to-drive", and drive any Honda car or truck and you can experience the quality of the product.  Here at Hendrick Honda Bradenton we've mapped out a six mile demo drive course that exposes the customer to a wide variety of driving situations.  You are invited to stop by our dealership anytime you find it convenient for a no obligation test drive of any one of our 500+ vehicles.  Then you can be the judge of quality, performance, comfort and convenience, and value..in a nutshell the best overall quality product in the car market today. Just sayin'!  Have some fun...drive a Honda today!

An Economic Engine for the U.S. Economy - Honda

Honda has been an engine of growth for the U.S. economy for more than 50 years

Following an operational strategy of building products close to its customers, Honda has invested $1.2 billion into its U.S. manufacturing plants over the last two years alone, bringing Honda¹s total U.S. capital investment to more than $14 billion.

At Hendrick Honda Bradenton we certainly realize and have benefited from Honda's investment in the U.S.  And so too have the businesses that support them,  and us in conducting our business of making happy customers. 

Our unique customer orientation

What do you suppose the Honda customer wants in a car?  Most of our customers know what they want and we have a product line to fit their diverse requirements.

Then...what motivates the new car buyer most, to even begin looking for a new car or truck?  Is it:

• Style,
• Comfort/Convenience,
• Performnace/Engineering,
• Safety? 

Or a combination of these.

What factors will most influence your decision to take action?  3rd party sources, friends, relatives, industry experts, your sales person, your own experience?

Honda has given us a high quality product, a superior product by many measures.  A productd  that's drawn a smart market.  Our customers are savvy.  Energetic, wise, smart, successful.  They deserve the facility we've built to service their automotive needs.  We've built a welcoming store to sell from and we just keep growing. 

Time and methods change.  Do you find the sales process has become more a process of  'matchmaking' than force fitting product to people?   Less emotion, and more common sense.  Topics like TCO..Total Cost of Ownership are the factors that the smart buyer recognizes.  Our profession has evolved into a consultive business.  Training is ongoing...as the product evolves, driven clearly by customer demands not by disjointed guesswork, as more technology is embedded into the process...the consultive process goes beyond the sale/delivery.

International Motorsports Hall of Fame - Rick Hendrick is now a Member!!!

 The International Motorsports Hall of Fame is  in Talladega, Alabama.  It  is the Canton, Ohio of motorsports.  (The Professional Football Hall of Fame is in Canton, Ohio) 

It is a place where the best of the best in Motorsports are enshrined. 

On May 2, 2013,Rick Hendrick, chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame as a member of the 2013 class.  Other inductees included Dale Inman, Don Schumacher and Rusty Wallace.

As stated in the International Motorsport Hall of Fame website, " They are the drivers, riders and pilots that took us along as mankind continued its quest to break through new limits.  They are the designers, engineers, and builders that shaped the motorsports world.  They are the great leaders like Henry Ford, Enzo Ferrari and Ferdinand Porsche that built empires that still achieve at the highest level today."

All of us at Hendrick Honda Bradenton take great pride in our leadership. 

Congratulations Mr. Hendrick!