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.

This Billboard hangs above the new “Bridge” area to remind us and our customers what we’re here for.

Kaizen means “Continual Improvement” in Japanese

Here’s a close up!

We even have one mounted in our back stairwell!

Better money and more fun than a part time job!

At Suzuki of Wichita we realize that our best form of advertising is you, our satisfied customers!  The highest form of flattery (we like to call it our standing ovation) we can earn from a friend of the dealerships is a referral of a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member.

Realizing this, we have developed a program to thank you for sharing your positive experiences with others and recommending us to them. Our commitment is to treat your referrals with the same level of respect and dedication to satisfaction we gave you.

The team at Suzuki of Wichita is excited about having you endorse us with your friends, family and co-workers.

Just think, successfully referring a couple of friends, family, co-workers per month and you could receive $2400 or more per year as our way of saying, Thank You!

When you refer us a friend, we will reward each of you with $100 each ($200 total reward).  Of course, we do require that your referral mention the fact that you referred them during the time of their first visit.  We pay all referral rewards once the vehicle is purchased, delivered, outside of our 72 Hour Love it or Leave it Money back guarantee, and we are paid by the customer or lending institution (say that 5 times fast).

BEST PRACTICE: The best way to secure your referral reward is to contact us directly with the name and contact information for your referral.  This is the best way to ensure that there is no confusion on “how they heard about the dealership.”  This also allows your referral to be routed to the Non-Commissioned Salesperson of your choice.  PICK YOURS HERE

CONTACT US:  888-559-4277 or contact@ridehomehappy.com

Please include in your email:  Your Name, Your address (where to mail a check), Your referral’s name and contact info:  Phone, Email, etc.

EARN DOUBLE REWARDS: If you would like to earn DOUBLE REWARDS ($200 each, $400 total reward), then simply visit the dealership with your referral for their first visit and purchase.  Help us explain the dealership, the process and introduce them to the Non-Commissioned tour guide of your choice and we will DOUBLE THE REWARD (since you are doing most of the hard work and heavy lifting).

Relax.  Our Salespeople are All Non-Commissioned

Most salespeople in our industry get paid a percentage of the dealership profit.  Thus, the more they “make” on you the more they keep (We call this “The Sins of Commission”).  Our salespeople are salary based with customer service and volume incentives (nothing to do with profit everything to do with customer service).  This allows them to simply focus on YOUR NEEDS and WANTS and NOT on your pocketbook.

No Sharks Video HERE

  Our “No Gimmicks Pricing” is the price that everyone pays.  We don’t hide Military, College Grad, Owners Loyalty, or other hard to qualify for rebates in our price.  We certainly don’t advertise “total of lease payments” as the selling price of a car.  Our price is for everyone, No Gimmicks.  As a matter of fact, you may even qualify for a lower price if you are Military (Thank You), College Grad (Congratulations), a Suzuki Owner (Thank You) or if your catch is in a really good mood today.

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

Check out the article!