PRESS RELEASE – January 1st, 2011

Suzuki of Wichita is the #1 Volume Suzuki Automotive Dealership in the United States

Wichita, KS – Suzuki of Wichita has become the NUMBER ONE dealer by sales volume for the 2nd consecutive year (2009, 2010).  Suzuki of Wichita’s sales performance outscored some 350 U.S. Suzuki retailers, securing the #1 Suzuki sales title.

“We’re extremely excited to be the #1 Suzuki dealership in the U.S.,” said Scott Pitman, Operating Partner.  “We did a lot of research prior to partnering with Suzuki, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the decision. With our new Suzuki Square facility we expected to attract significant numbers of value-conscious car and SUV shoppers.  Throughout our sales history, the community has responded very well to value in Suzuki cars, trucks and SUV’s.  Everywhere you look in Wichita lately you see Suzuki’s.”

“We’re delighted by the performance of Suzuki of Wichita, said Koichi Suzuki, executive vice president, American Suzuki Motor Corporation.  “When Suzuki of Wichita joined our family of dealerships, we knew the team’s enthusiasm for our products, in combination with their commitment to the community, would result in positive results. Since Day One Scott and his team of professionals have worked hard to meet – and exceed – our already high expectations.”

Finally a Dealership that Speaks your Language

Suzuki of Wichita has achieved similar results when compared to the local dealer community in Wichita, quickly becoming the #3 volume New Car Dealership (based on new unit sales at a single facility) in the Wichita Market (according to Polk data for 2009).  “When you price new cars less than most used cars and have America’s #1 Warranty, people take notice,” says Pitman.  “People generally dread shopping for a car; we make it Fast, Fun, Stress-Free, Hassle-Free and Drama-Free…We talk the buyers language!  All of our salespeople are Non-Commissioned so they aren’t here to high pressure you, ultimately if you are interested in seeing numbers on a vehicle of your choice, interest rates, trade value, etc. you get to work directly with a decision maker; we have found that customers love this process.  Once you do find the perfect car and we agree on numbers you are all done; no waiting around for the finance manager to see you and try to sell you more stuff, we eliminate this whole process and talk price and financing all up front.”

Customer Satisfaction

Not only is Suzuki of Wichita a top selling dealership but they are also a top dealer in both Sales Satisfaction and Customer Satisfaction according to JD Powers and a winner of Suzuki’s prestigious Presidents Club Award.

You can find Suzuki of Wichita at 11610 E. Kellogg in Wichita (on Kellogg just east of Greenwich Road) or online at www.RideHomeHappy.com.  Their toll free telephone number is 888-559-4277.

About Suzuki

The Brea, Calif.,-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 400 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states.  With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer.  Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 193 countries and regions.

Suzuki of Wichita: Pleasantness

Pleasantness

The stereotypical car-buying experience can be tense, with customers feeling as if they are in an uneven contest with salesmen to get the best deal.

That’s why Scott Pitman, the operating partner of Suzuki of Wichita, strives to do the opposite, stressing a relaxed, pleasant experience.

Pitman said the rule used at his business is simple: “We want to be called the Golden Rule Dealer — do unto others the way you want to be treated, not he who has the gold rules,” Pitman said.

Such behavior is part of the company culture, enforced and demonstrated by Pitman and senior managers on down.

Much of the pleasantness comes from changing the incentives in how the money is made.

Pitman had made the traditionally opaque car-buying experience largely transparent. On new car sales, he posts a “limited negotiation” price that includes a margin he can live with. On trade-ins, he uses third-party valuations such as Carfax, Kelley Blue Book and others.

The sales force is not paid on commission, Pitman said. They are salaried, but they are paid incentives based on how many cars they sell, overall company performance and customer service reviews. The company leaves iPads around the store, including in the service area, so customers can immediately make their feelings known about the customer service.

He also is toying with the idea of a system where customers can text top managers if there is a problem or concern that is not being addressed.

As far as “Anemic Dealer Network” is concerned, remember, we offer Free Shipping on certain models!!

Check out the article!

Suzuki of Wichita’s Fixed Operations (Service, Parts, and Detail) have had not only a record breaking month in volume, but also customer satisfaction as well. This is due primarily to the exemplary team of all-stars working under the leadership of John Muir, South African Rock-Star and “Godfrey” look-alike (just Google Mark Strong from the new Robin Hood). Gary Bugg, the Life-Coach and Primary Cheerleader for the dealership (or would that be Yell-Leader…?) said of the Service Department, “Under John’s direction, the Service Drive is making every effort to show customers that relationship makes the difference, and the kind of relationship we’re seeking is one that benefits the customer.”

The Service Department currently has a Year-to-date CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) score of 982 out of a possible 1000, giving them the #1 CSI average in the USA. This is a full 80 points ahead of their District average (902), and 81 points ahead of the National Average (901). CSI surveys are received by customers for any warranty repairs offered by Suzuki. 66% of the surveys Muir and the Service Department have received have been perfect scores–1000/1000 (45 out of 68 received YTD). Scott Pitman, President and Chief Evangelist of Suzuki of Wichita, commented, “John is a breath of fresh air for our Fixed Operations. We have tried for a long time to find a perfect fit for his position, and he has been an even better fit than we had hoped. He does everything expected of him and a lot more. I have always said ‘Hire Fun People,’ and people LOVE John–He’s very fun, and that’s important because getting your car serviced or even repaired can sometimes be a ‘not fun’ experience. It can be tough to have so many happy customers in the Service Department, but the fact that their CSI scores are so high obviously means they’re doing a lot of things right.”

When asked about his personal success with Suzuki of Wichita, Muir was quick to redirect the credit to his team, saying “Most of our success this month is due to the attitudes of the guys here.” He went on to describe a new method they have been using to keep themselves motivated and looking at things from the customer’s point of view. “Would I?” asked Muir, “This is the question I have posed to my team here in relation to our service. When we are through helping a customer, I want every member of my team to ask themselves, ‘If I were that customer, Would I continue to service my vehicle here?’.”

I asked, “So have you ever heard that you look like the villain from the new Robin Hood?” After his laughter subsided, and we looked up a picture, John said in a thick South-African accent, “Wow, that’s kind of eerie. Does that mean I’m a villain?”

If we could base our answer on CSI results, the answer would be, “No.”

Is John a part-time Actor?

Suzuki of Wichita is the #1 Suzuki Dealership in the USA

Wow.  We have the greatest fans and community in the USA (you all are #1).

Thank you so much for supporting our Suzukian efforts here at Suzuki of Wichita.

Here is a July 2010 Update:

• #1 Volume Suzuki Dealer in the USA (We have sold more new Suzuki’s than any other dealers in the USA Year to Date)
• #1 Ranked JD Powers Combined Sales & Customer Satisfaction Suzuki dealer in the USA Year to Date (1944 score out of a possible 2000)
• #1 Ranked Presidents Club Suzuki Dealer Year to Date
  
• #1 Ranked Suzuki Business Score Card Suzuki Dealer Year to Date (ranking Suzuki dealers in key categories including:  Inventory Control, Customer Satisfaction, etc.)

We’re pumped up and excited.

Thanks from the whole team at Suzuki of Wichita.