Huffines Chevrolet Plano shares story through Digital Media

After 85 years of success, and thousands of happy customers in the Dallas Fort Worth area; the Huffines story will be shared by DeliveryMaxx’s digital platform.

On May 5, 1924 Huffines Motor Company opened for business in downtown Denton. J.L. Huffines, Sr. founded the company on two principles which are still the benchmark for all decisions made at the dealerships – treat the customer the way they want to be treated and support the community.

Mr. Huffines always believed that when he sold someone a vehicle he had made a friend. Passed from father to son, to grandson, Mr. Huffines' philosophy has formed the solid foundation on which every Huffines dealerships are grounded, small town friendliness and a strong commitment to please each and every customer.

Through all of this, Huffines had been satisfying customers – many who still shop at Huffines today. The fact that grandchildren and great grandchildren of original customers still shopping at Huffines 85 years later certainly proves the success of their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Today, the Huffines Motor Company has grown to nine auto dealerships in Plano, Denton, Lewisville, and McKinney and has over 800 team members to better serve all their customers automotive needs.  The dealer franchises include Chevrolet, Subaru, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, KIA, and Hyundai.  All of the dealerships include the latest most advanced cars, trucks, and suvs as well as a plethora of pre-owned vehicles.

Ray Huffines, is the dealer principal for the Huffines Auto Dealerships and is guiding the dealerships selling more than 13,000 new and used vehicles a year, still embracing an 88-year-old mission—to treat customers’ right and support the communities in which the Huffines’ dealerships operate.

“The Huffines family has always said if we treat someone how they want to be treated and support the community as well as take care of your employees, success will take care of itself” states Mr. Huffines.

The Huffines Auto Dealerships have been honored with the Consumer’s Choice Award for Auto Dealership Group of the Year for 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The Dallas Morning News recognized with its Top 100 Places to Work for 2011 Award and the Neighbors Choice ‘Go’ section, Best Auto Dealership and Best Auto Repair Facility Award. The dealerships have also been recognized by the DFW Community Newspapers for the Best New Dealerships, Best Pre-owned Dealerships, and Best Repair Facilities Awards. In addition, the Huffines Auto Dealerships have also earned GM’s Mark of Excellence and Standards for Excellence awards, the Chrysler Five Star and Customer Care Standards awards, the Hyundai Board of Excellence Award, KIA’s Dealer Excellence Program Award, and Subaru’s Stellar Performance Award.

“DeliveryMaxx is honored to provide our services for such a great organization like the Huffines Motor Company.  As a kid growing up in Denton, I always knew the Huffines name and I am proud to say that my grandfather, my parents and I have been customers of the dealership” states James Schaefer, Chief Operating Officer of DeliveryMaxx.  “The Huffines name is synonymous with the automotive industry in North Texas.  They have a great story to tell, and we are excited to help them share this wonderful story with the internet community.”

Huffines Chevrolet Plano is located at 1001 Coit Rd in Plano, Texas.  More information can be found by visiting www.huffineschevyplano.com or by calling 972.867.4000.  “We welcome everyone to come see what it is like to be treated how you want to be treated” says, Lee Ingrahm, General Manager of Huffines Chevrolet Plano.

Can Facebook & Social Media Help GM Sell More Vehicles

On May 22, 2012 I wrote a blog asking the public if GM made a wise choice dropping its 10 million dollar advertising spend from Facebook.  (For the entire blog visit: http://deliverymaxx.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/did-gm-make-a-wise-decision-dropping-facebook-as-an-advertising-medium/ )  My position then as it is now is that GM and many automotive dealerships are not utilizing Social Media Marketing correctly in particular Facebook.

In my youth, I lived in a small country town in Texas for a few years.  Often, I would hear the expression, “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig…”Decisions regarding advertising by GM look like they are changing, but marketing strategy looks to be the same when you wipe away the “lipstick”.

Often, I quote Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity which is “doing the same action continuously and expecting different results.”

Companies have two schools of thought as to whether it’s worth the investment for paid advertising on Facebook or bypass it and continue using their business fan page which doesn’t cost anything to use instead.  This blog is not entertaining this debate; it is stating that to take part in this particular debate would be the wrong battle to fight altogether.

Advertising 101 says that the more eyes that view your product will give you the exposure to help you sell your product.  It is a law of numbers.  Marketing 101 tells us that the best message that resonates with your audience will help you sell more of your product.  When GM spends hundreds of thousands of dollars in their next advertising & marketing retreat developing the direction of their message, I can’t help to think about how the answer is right in front of their nose.

Advertising 101

Let’s discuss Advertising 101 first.  The more eyes that view your product will give you the exposure to help you sell your product.  Taking this principle to the core- Facebook has over 900 million active users.  Facebook is the world’s largest URL.  Facebook has captured over 75% of Social Media Users.  Your read this correctly.  FACEBOOK is NOT the ONLY GAME in TOWN!  Business must utilize Social Networking sites to market to their potential consumers.  GM needs to develop a strategy that encompasses all of the market.  Most companies try a shot gun approach without truly diving into the analytics of consumer behavior within the confines of Social Networking Sites.  Web 2.0 will allow companies to create a strategy that will weave throughout the web to reach your desired audience.  The key is to create a net large enough that will reach all of your potential consumers.

Marketing 101

Now for the Marketing 101 discussion, I am not going to pretend to have all of the answers for every company’s needed message that they should deliver to the audience.  However, I will stick to the basics.  If a company has a good product or service, a fair price, and exceptional customer care then their brand and reputation will fly through the air like a Michigan cold front in October. The consumer will be the companies best (or worst if one of the three business principles are not met) marketer.

Business 101

Assuming a company has a good product or service, fair price, and exceptional customer care it is necessary to combined Advertising and Marketing like peanut butter and jelly into a strategy that will create the unique taste the consumer is looking for.  Companies need to look at creating a forum (see advertising 101) for their consumer (see marketing 101) to share the benefits and advantages of their product or service.

Results

Key results for automotive dealerships (but you can replace automotive dealerships with any type of company) include strong CSI scores, increased sales, repeat business, more referrals, additional fixed operation revenue, domination of the web or Search Engine Optimization (SEO) value, published positive online reviews or strong Online Reputation Management (ORM), and overall exceptional Customer Loyalty and Retention.  It is about the emotion of the sale isn’t it?  Why not take advantage of what you do the best, and have your customers work to help you sell more vehicles (or product).

About DeliveryMaxx

DeliveryMaxx understands the needs of Automotive Dealerships.  They create real customized solutions that utilize both traditional media and innovative technology that helps dealerships realize tremendous results in turning “one-time customers” into “LIFE-TIME CUSTOMERS”.

For more information, visit http://deliverymaxx.com