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Used Auto Sales Business Plan

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Integrity Auto Sales

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">, auto sales & parts.

There is a need in Lane County for a large selection of quality used cars, and Integrity Auto Sales will sell these top-quality used vehicles at a competitive price. The owner and sales manager have over 30 years of combined experience in new and used auto sales. We will continue to develop our excellent working relationship with local dealers and auctions to bring the savings to the customer.

We will create a purchasing environment that caters to the customer’s needs. We are selling a professional service and an experience in car buying that will bring customers back again, as well as referring friends and family. We estimate an optimistic gross margin over the industry average. We will be successful because of the excellent team we have assembled and the drive and determination of the owners.

Almost everyone needs a car to get from point A to B. Many families have two or more cars. Due to the recent success of the new car market, there is a large inventory of used cars available for re-sale. New car sales have enjoyed the largest single month gain in October up 24%.

Competition

Used car dealers are notorious for unethical sales practices. Customers are inherently cautious and untrusting as a result. The more we can provide a high-quality sales experience, the more successful we will be. Our salesmen will provide a friendly and personal experience for the buyer. We will follow up and ensure customer satisfaction. We will rely on these customers for an excellent reference to other car buyers. This company will build an excellent working relationship with our suppliers and customers.

Integrity Auto Sales provides a unique car buying experience to the customers in the Willamette Valley. One that focuses on customer satisfaction first. We understand that vehicle purchasing is a necessary, but sometimes unpleasant experience. Our goal is to provide the customer with an enjoyable, honest service by satisfying individual customers practical transportation needs with a quality product.

We also believe it is important to have quality vehicles at a low cost, and will back each vehicle with a 30 day limited warranty. Our company will make a profit by generating sales. It will provide job satisfaction and fair compensation to its employees, and a fair return to its owners. Hard work and performance is rewarded through bonuses and commissions. Job satisfaction is very important for employees and owners, we will create a work environment that is enjoyable and profitable for all.

Expectations

• Growth will be moderate to good, cash flows steady with several months of loss in the beginning
• Marketing will remain below 10% of sales. 
• The company will invest residual profits (10%) into financial markets and approximately 50% into company expansion for the first year.

Financial Highlights by Year

Financing needed.

We need $130,000 funding to start. That includes a $100,000 loan. Jonathan will invest $20,000 and Don will invest $10,000. 

Opportunity

Problem & solution, problem worth solving, our solution, target market, market size & segments.

Almost everyone needs a car to get from point A to B. Many families have two or more cars. Due to the recent success of the new car market, there is a large inventory of used cars available for re-sale. New car sales have enjoyed the largest single month gain in October 2001, up 24%.

4.1 Market Segmentation

Our market segmentation will consist of four basic segments; students, retired, families, and singles.

Current Alternatives

Our closest, similar competitors are AA Auto Sales, Big Apple Car Sales, Frank’s Auto Place, Guaranty, R & L Motors, and Sierra Truck, all on Hwy 99 between Eugene and Junction City.

• The primary competitors will be those in and around Junction City. Guaranty is a large, well-established dealer, with approximately 75% of the local market share. Guaranty has a large operation with a well-trained sales staff. Our sales manager is a former Guaranty sales manager, who understands the competition’s operations very well.
• Frank’s Auto Place offers a limited selection, and appears to be unorganized. Frank’s does not offer any competitive marketing and primarily focuses on the $1-2,000 vehicle.

Our Advantages

Keys to success.

To succeed in this business we must:

• Put together a team of experienced professionals.
• Secure an excellent high-traffic location.
• Establish a network of suppliers, in order to buy and sell products that are of the highest reliability and quality, at a competitive price.
• Ensure customer satisfaction by encouraging the two most important values, honor and integrity.
• Create high morale by rewarding employee success with monetary compensation.

Marketing & Sales

Marketing plan.

Our marketing strategy will focus on four segments. Those segments are described in the following subtopics. We will implement a strategy that treats customers as a community. This means our marketing resources will be centered around advertising both sales promotions (events) and personal sales (customer service, friendly atmosphere).

• The marketing budget will not exceed $6,000 per year.
• 100% customer satisfaction, measured through repeat customers, referrals and surveys.
• To achieve a respectable profit margin within the first three-years.
• To achieve a healthy net profit by year two.

The  retired  group will focus on practicality. Cost may be less important than quality and features. This group wants comfortable, nicely equipped vehicles at a reasonable price. They will want a vehicle that will last for years.

Families  will focus on safe, practical vehicles. Something that will last for years, can fetch groceries, carry the kids, and perform long trips. Many will be on a budget, and price may be a big factor. They will shop around and educate themselves on vehicles, shopping for a specific make or model.

The last group is the  singles . They are similar to the students in that they want flashly cool cars, but may be a working professional who can afford to pay more for a higher-quality vehicle.

Sales compensation is based on a percent of profits. We will invest adequate time and resources into training each member of the sales team and into good customer relations. Salesmen will be paid a portion of their salary based on commission. Good performance is rewarded with increased commission and bonuses. However integrity will not be sacrificed for sales. Customer satisfaction will continue to be a top priority. All potential sales will be attended to in a timely fashion and long-term salesperson-customer relationships will take precedence over sales closure.

Locations & Facilities

• The company office is located at 12345 HWY 99, Junction City, OR 97666.
• The office is approximately 1,000 square feet and has ample space for the first three years of growth.
• The 20,000 square foot lot and building is leased from the principal owner.

Integrity Auto Sales sells top-quality used vehicles at a competitive price. Integrity buys pre-inspected vehicles wholesale from well known local car dealers, and auto auctions. Integrity continually maintains a diverse stock of vehicles, providing the widest selection for individual needs.

Vehicles are purchased weekly, to add to the current stock on hand. Each vehicle is thoroughly inspected by an ASE mechanic with over 25 years of experience. Only vehicles that pass this critical 26 point inspection are sold on-site.

Integrity Auto Sales sells all types of used vehicles, from sports cars to RVs. We cater to each customer individually, to satisfy their own practical needs.  We buy only the best used vehicles at or below wholesale in order to bring the savings to the customers. Each vehicle is thoroughly inspected by an ASE mechanic with over 25 years of experience. We also offer an auto finding service to customers. If we do not have the vehicle they want in stock, we will find one for them.

Milestones & Metrics

Milestones table.

	Milestone	Due Date
		Mar 06, 2020
		June 08, 2020
		June 11, 2020
		Dec 13, 2020

Key Metrics

Our key metrics are: 

• # of facebook posts and pageviews 
• # of tweets and retweets
• # of reps that meet and excel their quotas. 
• cogs of our most popular cars
• website page views and shares 
• Follow our customers figure out their favorite cars and features 

Ownership & Structure

Integrity Auto Sales is a privately held corporation. It will be registered as a Subchapter S, with ownership 60%-Jonathan Dinsmore, 40%-Don Mazzioti.

Management Team

Integrity will start with four initial employees. The owner will manage over all operations and the sales manager will manage all buying and selling of inventory. A records clerk and lot attendant will also be hired initially.

Once the gross margin and cash flow will support it, we will hire an additional salesman and lot attendants (tentatively four to six months).

Personnel Table

	2020	2021	2022
Sales Associates (1.33)		$42,840	$131,091
Owner/Manager	$45,600	$46,512	$47,442
Sales	$42,000	$42,840	$43,697
Records Admin	$36,000	$36,720	$37,454
Lot Attendant	$31,200	$31,824	$32,460
Accountant	$36,000	$36,720	$37,454
Totals	$190,800	$237,456	$329,598

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

Key assumptions.

We will accept credit cards and trade-ins of any value. Credit cards will have a negative affect on cash flow in that we may not be paid for several days. Trade-ins will also impact cash flow in that they are an asset and have no real value until sold. We will have to limit the number of credit transactions, and only take in quality trades at a wholesale price to facilitate turning a quick profit. The personnel burden is very low because benefits are not paid to part-timers. And the short-term interest rate is extraordinarily low because of current market rates.

We also assume conservative earnings from selling loans and extended warranties will be made.

The other assumption is that current market conditions will remain for the next two to three years. Low rates will have a positive impact on sales and lending for the short term.

Our cash forecast is extremely unrealistic at the far end of the forecast. We leave it like that knowing that we will revise over time. We call it a cushion, and reassurance, not an accurate forecast. 

Revenue by Month

Expenses by month, net profit (or loss) by year, use of funds.

Almost 90% of start-up costs will go to assets. Start-up costs will be financed through a combination of owner’s investment, short-term loans (VA business loan), and long-term borrowing. The start-up chart shows the distribution of financing.

Other miscellaneous expenses include:

• Legal fees for business establishment (ownership, and no sell agreement).
• Stationary, office supplies.
• Marketing/advertising fees.
• Initial consultation to establish records with an accountant.
• Rent for lot and office.
• Establish a Web page for advertising.
• Expensed equipment (two computers, two desk, Fax/copier, phone lines, and office furniture).
• One month initial start-up investment in vehicles.

Sources of Funds

We will be needing $130,000 to start. $100,000 will be a long term business loan. Jonathan will give $20,000 and Don will give $10,000. 

Projected Profit & Loss

	2020	2021	2022
Revenue	$6,625,500	$9,913,500	$13,275,900
Direct Costs	$5,113,150	$7,702,390	$10,407,481
Gross Margin	$1,512,350	$2,211,110	$2,868,419
Gross Margin %	23%	22%	22%
Operating Expenses
Salaries & Wages	$190,800	$194,616	$198,507
Employee Related Expenses	$38,160	$38,923	$39,702
Leased equipment	$1,200	$1,200	$1,200
Utilities	$6,000	$6,000	$6,000
Insurance	$4,800	$4,800	$4,800
Rent	$48,000	$48,000	$48,000
Total Operating Expenses	$288,960	$293,539	$298,209
Operating Income	$1,223,390	$1,917,571	$2,570,210
Interest Incurred	$4,960	$2,604	$373
Depreciation and Amortization
Gain or Loss from Sale of Assets
Income Taxes	$182,764	$287,246	$385,475
Total Expenses	$5,589,834	$8,285,779	$11,091,537
Net Profit	$1,035,666	$1,627,721	$2,184,363
Net Profit/Sales	16%	16%	16%

Projected Balance Sheet

	Starting Balances	2020	2021	2022
Cash	$67,800	$987,635	$2,502,599	$4,749,528
Accounts Receivable		$0	$0	$0
Inventory	$50,000	$628,850	$864,920	$864,920
Other Current Assets
Total Current Assets	$117,800	$1,616,485	$3,367,519	$5,614,448
Long-Term Assets
Accumulated Depreciation
Total Long-Term Assets
Total Assets	$117,800	$1,616,485	$3,367,519	$5,614,448
Accounts Payable		$447,538	$593,423	$652,440
Income Taxes Payable		$53,697	$71,698	$96,458
Sales Taxes Payable		$0	$0	$0
Short-Term Debt	$38,216	$40,573	$21,212
Prepaid Revenue
Total Current Liabilities	$38,216	$541,807	$686,332	$748,898
Long-Term Debt	$61,784	$21,212	$0	$0
Long-Term Liabilities	$61,784	$21,212	$0	$0
Total Liabilities	$100,000	$563,019	$686,332	$748,898
Paid-In Capital	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000
Retained Earnings	($12,200)	($12,200)	$1,023,466	$2,651,187
Earnings		$1,035,666	$1,627,721	$2,184,363
Total Owner’s Equity	$17,800	$1,053,466	$2,681,187	$4,865,550
Total Liabilities & Equity	$117,800	$1,616,485	$3,367,519	$5,614,448

Projected Cash Flow Statement

	2020	2021	2022
Net Cash Flow from Operations
Net Profit	$1,035,666	$1,627,721	$2,184,363
Depreciation & Amortization
Change in Accounts Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Change in Inventory	($578,850)	($236,070)	$0
Change in Accounts Payable	$447,538	$145,885	$59,018
Change in Income Tax Payable	$53,697	$18,001	$24,760
Change in Sales Tax Payable	$0	$0	$0
Change in Prepaid Revenue
Net Cash Flow from Operations	$958,050	$1,555,537	$2,268,140
Investing & Financing
Assets Purchased or Sold
Net Cash from Investing
Investments Received
Dividends & Distributions
Change in Short-Term Debt	$2,357	($19,361)	($21,212)
Change in Long-Term Debt	($40,573)	($21,212)	$0
Net Cash from Financing	($38,216)	($40,573)	($21,212)
Cash at Beginning of Period	$67,800	$987,635	$2,502,599
Net Change in Cash	$919,835	$1,514,965	$2,246,929
Cash at End of Period	$987,635	$2,502,599	$4,749,528

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Car Dealership Business Plan: Complete Guide

• January 11, 2023

Whether you’re looking to raise funding from private investors or to get a loan from a bank (like a SBA loan) for your car dealership, you will need to prepare a solid business plan.

In this article we go through, step-by-step, all the different sections you need in your car dealership business plan. Use this template to create a complete, clear and solid business plan that get you funded.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary of a business plan gives a sneak peek of the information about your business plan to lenders and/or investors.

If the information you provide here is not concise, informative, and scannable, potential lenders and investors may lose interest.

Though the executive summary is the first and the most important section, it should normally be the last section you write because it will have the summary of different sections included in the entire business plan below.

Why do you need a business plan for your car dealership?

The purpose of a business plan is to secure funding through one of the following channels:

• Obtain bank financing or secure a loan from other lenders (such as a SBA loan )
• Obtain private investments from investment funds, angel investors, etc.
• Obtain a public or a private grant

How to write an executive summary for your car dealership?

Provide a precise and high-level summary of every section that you have included in the business plan. The information and the data you include in this segment should grab the attention of potential investors and lenders immediately. Also make sure that the executive summary doesn’t exceed 2 pages.

The executive summary usually consists of the 5 main paragraphs:

• Business overview : introduce your car dealership: what is your business model (franchise vs. independent business ; new vs. used car dealership), how many cars will you have in inventory? Are you partnering with any car manufacturer(s)? Where would your store be located? Etc.
• Market overview : briefly analyze the car dealership industry in your area ( market size and growth), your competitors and target customers: average income of your target audience , demographic distribution, customer preferences etc.
• Management & people : introduce the management team and their industry experience. Mention your business partner(s), if any. Also give here an overview of the different teams, roles and their reporting lines
• Financial plan : how much profit and revenue do you expect in the next 5 years? When will you reach the break-even point and start making profits? Also include here a small chart with your key financials (revenue, net profit )
• Funding ask : what loan/investment/grant are you seeking? How much do you need? How long will this last? How will you spend the money?

Car Dealership Financial Model

Download an expert-built 5-year Excel financial model for your business plan

2. Business Overview

In the business overview section of your car dealership business plan, you should expand on what your company sells, to whom, and how it is structured. A few examples of questions you must answer here are:

• The history behind the project: why did you choose to open a car dealership today?
• Your business model : Are you franchising or is this an independent store? Are you selling new or used vehicles?
• Products & services : What vehicles / brands do you plan to sell? Are you planning to add any additional services (e.g. car repair & checkups, etc.)
• What is the legal structure of your company? Who are the directors / shareholders?

a) History of the Project

Briefly explain how did you come up with the plan to start a car dealership business. What motivated you to get into this business venture? 

Also try to demonstrate to investors your interest and passion for the car industry and car dealership in general.

For example, you might have worked in a car dealership and/or at a car manufacturer sales department in the past, and found immense growth potential for this type of business in your area.

b) Business Model

Explain in this section what business model you chose for your car dealership. Here are a few questions you must answer:

• Will you start an independent dealership, franchise model, chain store, etc.?
• Will you open a brand-specific dealership?
• Would your car dealership deal in new cars, used cars, or both?
• Do you plan to open an online dealership?
• Would you offer service and repairs in your car dealership?

c) Products & Services

Now that we have briefly introduced what your business model is, you must explain in detail what exactly you intend to sell. There are 2 things here:

• Products (cars): what vehicles and brands do you intend to sell? Why did you choose these vehicles / brands?
• Services : if you offer additional services (e.g. car repairs, checkups), explain what they are

In addition to the products and services , you should also include a list of prices for each. Of course, this doesn’t need to be exact. Car prices fluctuate based on various factors. Yet, you must be able to provide a range of prices for each category (e.g. sedan, luxury cars, vans, etc.).

If you specialize in a specific brand, you can provide a list of prices per model in appendix as well.

The prices are important as they will allow investors to tie your product offering with your financial projections later on.

d) Legal Structure

Explain the legal structure of your nursing home in this section. Are you starting a corporation, a limited liability company, or a partnership? Who are the investors? How much equity do they actually own? Is there a board of directors? Do they have prior industry experience?

3. Car Dealership Market Overview

A complete understanding of the car dealership industry is important for the success of your business.

Therefore, you must cover here 3 important areas:

• Status quo : how big is the car dealership industry in your area? How fast is the market growing? What are the trends fuelling this growth (or decline)?
• Competition overview : how many car dealership competitors are there? How do they compare vs. your business? How can you differentiate yourself from them?
• Customer analysis : what are your target customers? What are their customer preferences?

a) Status quo

When looking at the car dealership industry, try to start at the national level (US) and narrow it down to your service area (a city for example). You should answer 2 important questions here:

How big is the car dealership industry in your area?

How fast is the car dealership industry growing in your area, how big is the car dealership industry in the us.

The auto parts and car dealership industry in the US is huge: it was worth $1.18 trillion in 2021 as per the National Automobile Dealers Association . As per the same report, there were 16,676 light vehicles car dealerships in the US in 2021 which generate an average revenue of $71 million.

Sales are divided between new (52%) and used vehicles (37%) as well as services and parts (11%).

After the US, assess the size of the car wash industry in your city or area. Focus on the zone where you plan to offer your services.

Naturally, you might not be able to get the data for your specific city or region. Instead, you can estimate the size of your market, for more information on how to do it, read our article on how to estimate TAM, SAM and SOM for your startup .

Luckily, NADA publishes statistics per state so you can narrow it down easily. For your city instead, you will need to do work out some estimates. To give you an example, let’s assume you plan to operate in an area where there are already 30 car dealership businesses (in a 25 miles radius for example).

Assuming our business is based in Connecticut, we can use the state’s average annual turnover of $49,661 : we can reasonably assume that the car dealership industry is worth $1.5 million in your area . In other words, there are over 35,100 light vehicles (new and used) being sold in your area each year (assuming the average retail price of $43,000).

Now that we know your area’s market size, let’s look at growth instead.

Fortunately, you can use NADA’s number again as they publish annual reports. Just use your state’s market size growth, and explain the growth (or decline). This can be due to average car prices, or volume.

b) Competition overview

You should discuss both your direct and indirect competition in your business plan. Other car dealerships in the region will be your immediate competitors. Internet auctions, individual dealers, etc., will be your indirect competitors. 

In this section, you should also discuss the essential components of the business models of your main competitors. Your research should be focused on their clientele, the kinds of cars they offer, and their strengths and weaknesses .

A thorough competitive analysis is crucial as it may allow you to discover and address a customer need or preference that none of your rivals is addressing today.

Here are some of the questions that you must answer in this section:

• How many competitors are there in the area where you want to open your car dealership?
• Are they franchises or independent stores?
• Do they partner with specific car manufacturers?
• What type of cars do they offer (luxury, economy, used, new, etc.)?
• What is the average price range of the cars they sell?
• How many employees do they have?
• Do they offer services and repairs?
• Do your competitors offer buyback on the cars sold by them previously to the client?
• What type of offers and discounts do they offer to attract customers?
• How many cars / vehicles do they sell on average per month?

c) Customer analysis

Now that we have a good idea of the car dealership industry in your area as well as competition, now is time to focus on your target audience: customers.

Knowing your customer is extremely important before you get into any business. This is all the more relevant for car dealership where customer preferences and tastes are very different.

For example, if you are planning to get into a luxury car dealership business, you should look into:

• The estimated population of high-income people in your area
• Types of luxury cars that are in demand (hatchback, sedan, SUV, etc.)
• Shopping preference of your target customers (online or offline)
• How frequently do they buy (or exchange) new cars?
• Is their buying decision influenced by offers or discounts?
• What features do your target customers want in their new luxury cars?
• What type of additional services do they expect from their dealers?

4. Sales & Marketing Strategy

This is the section of your business plan where you outline your customer acquisition strategy. Try to answer the following questions:

• What are the different marketing strategies you will use?
• What are your Unique Selling Points (USPs)? In other words, how do you differentiate from your competitors?
• How do you intend to track the success of your marketing strategy ?
• What is your CAC or customer acquisition cost?
• What is your marketing budget?

What marketing channels do car dealerships use?

A few marketing channels that car dealership businesses typically use are:

• Signage, billboards
• PPC ads, Facebook ads, etc.
• Print media
• Loyalty programs
• Online local listing (Google Business)
• Content marketing (share content like vehicle maintenance tips, safe driving tips, etc.) on platforms like blogs, social media, etc.
• Word of mouth, recommendations

You must have a fair and nearly accurate estimate of your marketing budget. Therefore, make sure to budget for marketing accordingly in your financial projections.

What are your Unique Selling Propositions (USPs)?

In other words, how do you differentiate yourself vs. competitors? This is very important as you might need to win customers from competitors.

A few examples of USPs are:

• Products: you may be the exclusive distributor or a car make in your area for example
• Services : you may offer repairs and regular checkups for your customers
• Location : you store is closer to a busy road and/or to where your customers live

Your USPs will depend on your business model, competitor analysis, and target audience. Whatever your USPs are, it should appeal to your potential customers and attract them.

5. Management & People

You must address 2 things here:

• The management team and their experience/track record
• The organizational structure: the different team members and who reports to whom

Small businesses often fail because of managerial weaknesses. Thus, having a strong management team is vital. Highlight the experience and education of senior managers that you intend to hire to oversee your car dealership.

Describe their duties, responsibilities, and roles. Also, highlight their previous experience and explain how they succeeded in their previous roles.

Organization Structure

Even if you haven’t already hired a VP of sales, sales managers, support staff and any other relevant staff members, you must provide a chart of the organizational structure outlining the different teams, roles and their reporting lines.

6. Financial Plan

The financial plan is perhaps, with the executive summary, the most important section of any business plan.

Indeed, a solid financial plan tells lenders that your business is viable and can repay the loan you need from them. If you’re looking to raise equity from private investors, a solid financial plan will prove them your car dealership is an attractive investment.

There should be 3 sections to your financial plan section:

• Your historical financials (only if you already operate the business and have financial accounts to show)
• The startup costs of your project (if you plan to start a new car dealership, or purchase new inventory, expand your store, etc.)
• The 5-year financial projections

a) Historical Financials (if any)

In the scenario where you already have some historical financials (a few quarters or a few years), include them. A summary of your financial statements in the form of charts e.g. revenue, gross profit and net profit is enough, save the rest for the appendix.

If you don’t have any, don’t worry, most new businesses don’t have any historical financials and that’s ok. If so, jump to Startup Costs instead.

b) Startup Costs

Before we expand on 5-year financial projections in the following section, it’s always best practice to start with listing the startup costs of your project. For a car dealership, startup costs are all the expenses you incur before you open your shop and starting making sales. These expenses typically are:

• The lease deposit for the commercial space you rent (if you don’t buy it)
• The design and renovation of the existing facilities
• The inventory costs (the initial stock of vehicles you must buy to sell them at opening)

For example, let’s assume you want to buy 30 light vehicles as a start for inventory, and you take on a loan where you need to put down 15% upfront. Now, assuming these vehicles each cost $50,000 on average, this means you must put down $300,000 yourself. This comes in addition with any other startup cost mentioned above (lease deposit, renovation costs, etc.).

c) 5-Year Financial Projections

In addition to startup costs, you will now need to build a solid 5-year financial model as part of your business plan for your car dealership .

Your financial projections should be built using a spreadsheet (e.g. Excel or Google Sheets) and presented in the form of tables and charts in your business plan.

As usual, keep it concise here and save details (for example detailed financial statements, financial metrics, key assumptions used for the projections) for the appendix instead.

Your financial projections should answer at least the following questions:

• How much revenue do you expect to generate over the next 5 years?
• When do you expect to break even?
• How much cash will you burn until you get there?
• What’s the impact of a change in pricing (say 20%) on your margins?
• What is your average customer acquisition cost?

You should include here your 3 financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement). This means you must forecast:

• The number of vehicles you sell over time ;
• Your expected revenue ;
• Operating costs to run the business ;
• Any other cash flow items (e.g. capex, debt repayment, etc.).

When projecting your revenue, make sure to sensitize pricing and the number of customers as a small change in these assumptions will have a big impact on your revenues.

7. Funding Ask

This is the last section of the business plan of your car dealership. Now that we have explained what type of vehicles your company sells to whom and at what price, but also what’s your marketing strategy, where you go and how you get there, this section must answer the following questions:

• How much funding do you need?
• What financial instrument(s) do you need: is this equity or debt, or even a free-money public grant?
• How long will this funding last?
• Where else does the money come from? If you apply for a SBA loan for example, where does the other part of the investment come from (your own capital, private investors?)

If you raise debt:

• What percentage of the total funding the loan represents?
• What is the corresponding Debt Service Coverage Ratio ?

If you raise equity

• What percentage ownership are you selling as part of this funding round?
• What is the corresponding valuation of your business?

Use of Funds

Any business plan should include a clear use of funds section. This is where you explain how the money will be spent.

Will you spend most of the loan / investment to acquire the cost for the inventory (the vehicles)? Or will it cover mostly the cost of buying the land and building the store?

Those are very important questions you should be able to answer in the blink of an eye. Don’t worry, this should come straight from your financial projections. If you’ve built solid projections like in our car dealership financial model template , you won’t have any issues answering these questions.

For the use of funds, we recommend using a pie chart like the one we have in our financial model template where we outline the main expenses categories as shown below.

Related Posts

How Much Profits can you Make with a Car Dealership?

• February 22, 2023

10 Car Dealership KPIs to Track [+ Formulas]

• January 24, 2023

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Building a Profitable Car Dealership Business from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

• November 16, 2023
• Automotive Lead Generation

If you are passionate about cars and have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, starting your own car dealership business can be an exciting and lucrative venture. However, building a profitable car dealership business from scratch requires careful planning, market understanding , and a solid financial foundation. In this step-by-step guide, we will explore the key aspects of starting a car dealership business and provide valuable insights to help you succeed.

Understanding the Car Dealership Business

Starting a car dealership business requires a comprehensive understanding of the industry and its dynamics. The car dealership industry involves the buying and selling of new and used vehicles to consumers or other businesses. It encompasses various segments, such as passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and luxury automobiles.

As a car dealer, your primary goal is to acquire vehicles at wholesale prices and sell them at a profit. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. To succeed in this competitive market, you will need to establish strong relationships with suppliers, manage your inventory effectively, negotiate prices, and provide exceptional customer service .

Let’s delve deeper into the key aspects of the car dealership business.

The Basics of the Car Dealership Industry

The car dealership industry is a complex and multifaceted sector that requires a deep understanding of market trends and consumer preferences. It is essential to keep up with the latest developments and technological advancements in the automotive industry to stay ahead of the competition.

When it comes to the types of vehicles you can sell, the possibilities are vast. From compact cars to SUVs, from electric vehicles to hybrid models, the choices are endless. Understanding the different vehicle segments and their unique characteristics will help you cater to a wide range of customer preferences.

Moreover, the car dealership business is not limited to just selling vehicles. Many dealerships offer additional services such as maintenance and repairs, financing options, and extended warranties. These value-added services can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Key Players in the Car Dealership Market

To navigate the car dealership market successfully, it is crucial to be aware of the key players in the industry. Understanding their roles and characteristics will help you identify opportunities and develop a competitive edge.

Franchise Dealerships are one of the major players in the market. These dealerships have exclusive rights to sell new vehicles from a specific brand or manufacturer. They often offer additional services like maintenance and repairs, making them a one-stop-shop for customers.

Independent Dealerships, on the other hand, are not affiliated with any particular brand. They typically specialize in selling used vehicles and have more flexibility in terms of inventory selection and pricing. This flexibility allows them to cater to a broader range of customer budgets and preferences.

In recent years, online car marketplaces have gained significant popularity. These platforms connect buyers and sellers, facilitating transactions and providing extensive vehicle listings. Online car marketplaces offer convenience and a vast selection of vehicles, making them a preferred choice for many customers.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these key players, you can position your dealership strategically and differentiate yourself from the competition.

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Profitability Factors in the Car Dealership Business

While the car dealership business can be profitable, several factors contribute to your success. It is essential to consider these factors and implement effective strategies to maximize profitability .

Market Demand plays a crucial role in determining the success of your dealership. Assess the demand for vehicles in your target market. Are there specific vehicle types or brands that are highly sought after? Understanding market trends and consumer preferences will help you make informed decisions regarding your inventory selection.

Location is another critical factor. Choose a strategic location that ensures visibility, accessibility, and proximity to potential customers. A well-chosen location can significantly impact foot traffic and customer reach.

Pricing Strategy is a delicate balance. Set competitive prices that attract buyers while still allowing for a reasonable profit margin. Conduct market research and analyze your competitors’ pricing strategies to determine the optimal pricing for your vehicles.

Effective Inventory Management is essential to minimize holding costs and maximize turnover rate. Keep track of your inventory, analyze sales data, and adjust your purchasing decisions accordingly. Maintaining a diverse inventory that caters to different customer preferences can also help attract a wider customer base.

Customer Experience is a key differentiator in the car dealership business. Provide exceptional customer service and build long-term relationships with buyers. A satisfied customer is more likely to become a repeat customer and refer your dealership to others.

By considering these factors and implementing effective strategies, you can increase the profitability of your car dealership business. Remember, success in this industry requires continuous adaptation to changing market dynamics and a relentless focus on customer satisfaction.

Planning Your Car Dealership Business

Identifying your target market.

It is essential to identify your target market before launching your car dealership business. Consider factors such as demographics, income levels, preferences, and local competition. By understanding your target market’s needs and preferences, you can tailor your inventory and marketing efforts to attract the right customers.

Moreover, conducting market research will help you identify trends, predict demand, and adjust your business strategy accordingly.

Choosing the Right Location

The location of your car dealership can significantly impact your success. Look for areas with high foot traffic, easy access, and visibility. Consider the proximity to major roads, commercial hubs, and residential neighborhoods.

Additionally, check local zoning laws and regulations to ensure that your chosen location allows for car dealership activities. Consult with a real estate professional to find the best-fit location for your business.

Deciding on New or Used Cars

Another critical decision is whether to focus on selling new or used cars . Both options have their advantages, and your choice will depend on factors like market demand, available resources, and competition in your area.

Selling new cars might require establishing partnerships with specific manufacturers, meeting certain sales quotas, and complying with brand guidelines. On the other hand, selling used cars allows for more flexibility in terms of pricing, selection, and sourcing.

Legal Considerations for Car Dealerships

Necessary licenses and permits.

Before opening your car dealership, you must obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally. Consult with your local licensing agency or business regulatory authority to identify the specific requirements for your area.

Common licenses and permits typically include a dealer license, salesperson license, and potentially additional permits for vehicle storage, display, and vehicle registration.

Understanding Zoning Laws

Car dealerships are subject to zoning laws, which regulate the types of activities that can take place in specific areas. Ensure that your chosen location is zoned for car dealership activities or obtain the necessary permits or variances.

Consult with a legal professional or local zoning authorities to navigate the zoning regulations and avoid any potential issues.

Insurance Requirements for Car Dealerships

Obtaining comprehensive insurance coverage is crucial to protect your car dealership business from potential risks and liabilities. Insurance requirements may vary depending on your location and the type of vehicles you sell.

Common insurance policies for car dealerships include general liability insurance, inventory insurance, garage liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. Consult with an insurance professional to design an insurance package that suits your specific needs.

Financing Your Car Dealership Business

Startup costs for a car dealership.

Starting a car dealership requires a significant upfront investment to cover various expenses. These may include:

• Property or lease costs for your dealership location.
• Initial inventory purchase.
• Licensing and permit fees.
• Office equipment, furniture, and signage.
• Marketing and advertising expenses.
• Insurance premiums.

Ensure you have a detailed business plan and secure adequate funding to cover these startup costs and sustain your business until it becomes profitable.

Securing Financing for Your Business

If you don’t have the necessary capital to finance your car dealership business, securing financing options can be a viable solution. Explore traditional banking options, government-backed loans, or private investors who specialize in financing car dealership startups.

Prepare a comprehensive business plan, financial projections, and supporting documents to increase your chances of obtaining financing. Demonstrate your knowledge of the industry, market analysis, and strategies for profitability to instill confidence in potential lenders or investors.

Managing Cash Flow in the Car Dealership Business

Effective cash flow management is vital in the car dealership business to ensure ongoing operations and sustained growth. Some key practices include:

• Implementing a robust accounting system to track revenue, expenses, and inventory.
• Regularly reviewing financial statements to identify trends, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
• Establishing relationships with reliable suppliers and negotiating favorable terms.
• Minimizing holding costs by optimizing inventory turnover.
• Being diligent with expenses and prioritizing cost control measures.

By continuously monitoring and managing your cash flow, you can navigate potential challenges and position your car dealership for long-term profitability.

Starting a profitable car dealership business from scratch requires careful planning, market understanding, and financial preparedness. By following this step-by-step guide, you can make informed decisions, overcome challenges, and build a successful car dealership enterprise. Remember to continuously adapt to market trends, provide exceptional customer service, and prioritize profitability to thrive in the competitive car dealership industry.

Want to improve your sales and move cars off the lot faster? Book a test drive with AutoRaptor to see how our simple dealership CRM software can help you close more deals effectively.

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Car Dealership

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Open a Car Dealership and Thrive in the Market

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on December 20, 2021 Updated on July 1, 2024

Investment range

$29,750 - $112,600

Revenue potential

$500,000 - $2 million p.a.

Time to build

1 – 3 months

Profit potential

$200,000 - $300,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Here are the most important considerations when you are starting your car dealership business:

• Location — The location should align with the demographics of your target market. For example, luxury car dealerships might do better in affluent areas, while economy models might sell better in more diverse economic areas.
• Licenses — You will need a dealer license to sell new and used cars. Many states also require car dealers to have a surety bond , which provides financial assurance that the dealer will adhere to state regulations and laws.
• Specialization — Specializing in certain types of vehicles, brands, or service offerings can help your car dealership stand out and attract more customers.
• Insurance — Consider different types of insurance, such as general liability, property, garage keepers, and inventory insurance, to manage the risks associated with car dealerships.
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
• Franchises — Here are some of the best franchises to consider: Ford Motor Company , Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc ., and General Motors (GM) .
• Online presence — Take your car dealership business online and create a professional website where you can showcase your vehicles and add specifications.
• Inventory management — Invest in robust inventory management software to track inventory in real-time.

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your car dealership today!

You May Also Wonder:

Is owning a car dealership profitable?

The new and used car industry in the United States is worth over a trillion dollars, and even a small used car dealership can tap into a share of that. You can markup used cars between 25% and 45% so your profit margins will be healthy.

What car has the highest profit margin?

The Ford F-Series and Range Rover have the highest profit margin. Next is the GMT 800. 

What is the most profitable part of a car dealership?

Used cars tend to be more profitable than new cars. It’s best for car dealerships to bring in revenue from new cars, used cars, and repairs.

What is the growth potential of car dealership?

The growth potential of a car dealership is really unlimited. You can expand to multiple locations in your area, or even across the country. 

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Every business, including a car dealership, has pros and cons that you should consider before deciding whether it’s right for you.

• Socializing — You’ll meet and work with a lot of people every day
• Steady demand — Somebody is always in need of a quality ride
• Good money — Cars have big profit potential that can drive growth
• Startup costs — An inventory of cars does not come cheap
• Long hours — Most dealerships are open 10–12 hours six days a week

Car Dealership Industry Trends

Hybrid and electric vehicles are among the hotter trends in the car industry. Tesla and its electric cars have been in the spotlight for years, and seem to be popping up everywhere lately. Market research firm Statista reports that Tesla sales amounted to almost two million in 2023. Eco-friendly auto options such as superior fuel efficiency and lighter-weight cars made of composite materials are in demand, as are digital safety features such as forward-collision warnings and automatic emergency braking.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/502208/tesla-quarterly-vehicle-deliveries/ ))

Despite a 40% price increase since March 2020, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumers are flocking to the used car market due to supply chain disruptions for new cars. This presents a significant opportunity for the smart and aggressive entrepreneur.(( https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t01.htm ))

Another industry trend is the ongoing shift to the online marketplace, which is no longer just for new cars. Shift, Vroom, and Carvana are major online players in this market, selling nearly 250,000 used cars combined in the first half of 2021.(( https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-28/used-car-sales-vroom-carvana-shift-thrive-during-pandemic#xj4y7vzkg ))

Industry Size and Growth

• Industry size and past growth — Market analyst IBISWorld values the US new car market at an incredible $1.2 trillion(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/new-car-dealers-united-states/ )) and the used car dealers market at $173.1 billion(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/used-car-dealers-united-states/ ))  
• Growth forecast — Car sales have yet to recover from the pandemic-driven slump, but are predicted to grow 2.6% in 2024 alone.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/267128/outlook-on-worldwide-passenger-car-sales/ ))
• Number of businesses — The US is home to almost 70,000 new car dealers(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/new-car-dealers-united-states/ )) and more than 130,000 used car dealers.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/used-car-dealers-united-states/ ))
• Number of people employed — New car dealers employ more than 1.1 million people(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/new-car-dealers-united-states/ )), while used car dealers have only around 260,000 employees.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/used-car-dealers-united-states/ ))

Trends and Challenges

• Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and pure battery electric vehicles are gaining popularity
• Direct-to-consumer vehicle sales are increasing
• Consumers would rather buy a car online than go physically to a dealership
• Rising car prices due to tight supply and high demand
• Growing consumer preference for ride-sharing apps
• High fuel prices

Consumer Spending

• Average consumer spend — The average American household spends $10,728 a year to own and operate a new vehicle. Most of these costs go towards insurance and car payments.(( https://newsroom.aaa.com/2022/08/annual-cost-of-new-car-ownership-crosses-10k-mark/ ))
• Potential customer base — A majority of US households own at least one car.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/551403/number-of-vehicles-per-household-in-the-united-states/ ))
• Average prices — Automotive research company Kelley Blue Book says the average price of a new car in the US topped $47,000 for the first time in December 2021(( https://www.kbb.com/car-news/average-new-car-price-tops-47000/ )) and has remained pretty much the same during the last couple of years. According to this company, a used car sells for an average of $25,328.(( https://www.kbb.com/car-news/averaged-used-car-price-down-4-since-last-year/ ))

Price Differences Across the Country

• More expensive — The five states where it’s most expensive to buy a used car are Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
• Less expensive — The five states where it’s least expensive to buy a used car are Vermont, New Hampshire, Ohio, Hawaii, and Rhode Island.(( https://www.iseecars.com/used-car-prices-by-state-study ))

What Kind of People Work in Car Dealerships?

• Gender — 71% of car dealers in the US are male, while 29% are female.(( https://www.zippia.com/car-dealer-jobs/demographics/#gender-statistics ))
• Average level of education — 41% of car dealers hold a bachelor’s degree.(( https://www.zippia.com/car-dealer-jobs/demographics/#degree-level-types ))
• Average age — The average age of a car dealer in the US is 41 years old.(( https://www.zippia.com/car-dealer-jobs/demographics/#age-statistics ))

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Car Dealership?

Startup costs for a car dealership range from around $30,000 for a small used car lot to well over $100,000 for a large new car dealership. The biggest expense is, of course, the initial inventory of vehicles, though you can start small with just a handful of used cars and a great website.

Startup Costs	Ballpark Range	Average
Setting up a business name and corporation	$150–$200	$175
Licenses and permits	$200–$300	$250
Auto dealer bonds	$100–$500	$300
Insurance	$100–$300	$200
Business cards and brochures	$200–$300	$250
Website setup	$1,000–$3,000	$2,000
Location rental security deposit	$3,000–$8,000	$5,500
Initial inventory	$25,000–$100,000	$62,500
Total	$29,750–$112,600	$71,175

How Much Can You Earn From a Car Dealership?

Markups on used cars range from 25% to 45%, while the average markup on a new car is 8% to 13%. You can use our markup calculator to calculate your sale price and how much revenue and profit you will earn with different markup percentages. When you work by yourself, your profit margin should be around 40%. The average price of a used car is about $25,000. But at least initially you will probably be handling lower-priced cars, so let’s assume you start selling used cars for an average price of $10,000.

In your first year or two, you could run your own used car lot and sell 50 cars in a year, bringing in $500,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $200,000 in profit, assuming that 40% margin. As your brand gains recognition, sales could climb to 200 cars a year. But due to your new staff, your margin would fall to around 15%, the industry average. With an expected annual revenue of $2 million, you’d have a pre-tax profit of $300,000.

What Barriers to Entry Are There?

There are a few barriers to entry for a car dealership. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Costs — All those cars will cost a pretty penny, even used
• Competition — You will face competition from physical and online dealers

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a car dealership, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an Opportunity

Research car dealerships in your area to see what they offer. Maybe there’s no used car dealership that offers warranties or focuses on lower-priced used cars. You’re looking for a gap in the market in a particular part of town that you can fill.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as only used trucks or classic American models like Mustangs and Camaros.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away.

What? Determine What Kind of Cars and Additional Services Your Dealership Will Offer

First, determine what kinds of cars you want to specialize in. You can offer used cars, new cars, or both, but you also need to determine if you’re going to offer value-priced models or higher-end models. Then determine what else you might offer, such as:

• Financing options
• Repair and maintenance services

In addition to a car dealership, you can also incorporate a motorcycle dealership into your business.

How Much Should You Charge for Cars?

The typical markup for used cars ranges from 25% to 45% and the markup for new cars is between 8% and 13%. If you specialize in used cars, your price will depend on what price you can acquire cars for. You’ll need to know the value of various models, so you’ll want to keep the Kelley Blue Book nearby, to provide value estimates. You should purchase cars at below market value so that you can mark them up to a reasonable price. For new cars, you’ll be marking up from the wholesale price offered by the manufacturer.

Once you know your costs, you can use our profit margin calculator to determine your markup and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify Your Target Market

Your target market will depend on what type of cars you decide to specialize in. If you sell used cars that are lower priced, your customers may be younger, so you are more likely to find them on sites like Instagram or TikTok rather than Facebook.

Where? Choose Your Car Dealership Location

You’ll probably want to rent a location that has a big enough lot for you to park your cars, and it should be big enough for you to grow. You can sell cars online, but you still need a lot to store them. It should also have a structure that you can use as an office.

You should choose a location with a lot of road traffic but you also need a great website to make online sales. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on Craigslist , Crexi , and Commercial Cafe .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Car Dealership Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better
• The name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “cars” or “used cars,” boosts SEO
• Choose a name that allows for expansion: “Premier Automotive Group” over “Electric Car Dealership”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Discover over 300 unique car dealership name ideas here . If you want your business name to include specific keywords, you can also use our car dealership name generator. Just type in a few keywords, hit Generate, and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that set your business apart. Once you pick your company name and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Car Dealership Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive summary — A brief overview outlining the business’s mission, goals, and key highlights to provide a snapshot of the entire car dealership business plan
• Business overview — A comprehensive description of the car dealership, including its history, mission, vision, and key objectives, to give readers a clear understanding of the business
• Product and services — Detailed information on the range of cars and related services offered by the dealership, emphasizing unique selling points and value propositions
• Market analysis — An in-depth examination of the automotive market, identifying target demographics, market trends, and potential opportunities for the car dealership
• Competitive analysis — Evaluation of competitors in the automotive industry, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to position the dealership effectively
• Sales and marketing — Strategies for promoting and selling cars, including advertising, promotions, and customer relationship management to drive sales and brand awareness
• Management team — Introduction and background of key individuals responsible for managing and steering the car dealership, emphasizing their expertise and roles
• Operations plan — Details on day-to-day operations, from inventory management to customer service, ensuring a smooth and efficient running of the dealership
• Financial plan — A comprehensive financial overview, including projections, budgets, and funding requirements, providing a clear picture of the dealership’s financial health and sustainability
• Appendix — Supplementary materials such as charts, graphs, and additional data supporting the information presented in the business plan

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!

Choose Where to Register Your Company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to a car dealership.

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind that it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.

Choose Your Business Structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your car dealership will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.

Here are the main options:

• Sole proprietorship — The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General partnership — Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) — Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corporation — Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corporation — This refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. A corporation or an LLC can elect to be an S Corp for tax status. In an S Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

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Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number or EIN. You can file for your EIN online, or by mail/fax. Visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund Your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans — This is the most common method, but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and a strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans — The Small Business Administration can act as a guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants — A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Venture capital — Offer potential investors an ownership stake in exchange for funds, keeping in mind that you would be sacrificing some control over your business.
• Friends and family — Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding — Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal — Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a car dealership. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.

Step 8: Apply for Car Dealership Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a car dealership requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You need to meet the requirements of your state to get a dealer license, and you need an Auto Dealer Bond as required by your state.

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your car dealership as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability — The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business property — Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment breakdown insurance — Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation — Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property — Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto — Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability — Protects against claims from clients who say they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) — This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.

Essential Software and Tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats — from marketing to sales to accounting — which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as CDK Global and vAuto , to manage your inventory and sales.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , FreshBooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences of filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop Your Website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

However, people are unlikely to find your website unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Professional branding — Create a consistent and polished brand identity across all marketing channels to establish trust and recognition.
• Local SEO — Optimize your online presence with a user-friendly website and leverage local business platforms like Yelp and Google My Business to boost visibility.
• Direct outreach — Forge partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to tap into corporate sales and local promotions.
• Social media targeting — Engage audiences on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn with tailored ads showcasing vehicle highlights and customer testimonials.
• Content marketing — Launch an automotive blog and develop useful guides and infographics to position your dealership as an expert in the field.
• Customer testimonials — Feature stories from satisfied customers to enhance credibility and attract potential buyers.
• Experiential marketing — Host test drive events and participate in local community activities to offer direct product experiences and strengthen community ties.
• Referral and loyalty programs — Implement systems to reward loyalty and referrals, encouraging ongoing customer engagement and retention.
• Digital advertising — Employ targeted advertising and pay-per-click campaigns to attract interested buyers effectively.
• Video marketing — Use video content to enhance online visibility and engage a broader audience.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Today, customers are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your car dealership meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire.

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its strong USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your car dealership could be:

• Reliable cars for less, guaranteed
• Upscale used cars for your luxury life
• Family cars that keep your family safe

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain but your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a car dealership, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in a car dealership for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in cars. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting small, you may not need any employees right away. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a car dealership would include:

• Salespeople — Selling cars, customer service
• Finance manager — Working with lenders to get customers’ financing
• Marketing lead — SEO, social media strategies
• General manager — Managing staff, ordering inventory

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need.

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.

Step 13: Run a Car Dealership — Start Making Money!

In good times and bad, people buy cars. It’s a trillion-dollar market, and with hard work and determination, you could grab your share and make a great living. It’s also important to keep up with the trends, such as going digital and maintaining a strong online presence to attract consumers who prefer to shop online.

Start small, build a name, add to your inventory, and grow your business. One day you could be that celebrity local auto dealer with an acre of cars. Now that you have the knowledge you need, you should be off to the races on your entrepreneurial journey!

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Car Dealership Name
• Create a Car Dealership Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund Your Business
• Apply for Car Dealership Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Car Dealership — Start Making Money!

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• Sample Business Plans
• Retail, Consumers & E-commerce

Car Dealership Business Plan

A car dealership is a company that sells new or used vehicles to the general public under the terms of a dealership agreement with a carmaker or its sales subsidiary. Car dealerships are rewarding because they are connected to both the wholesale and retail markets.

Are you looking to start writing a business plan for your car dealership business? Creating a business plan is essential to starting, growing, and securing funding for your business. We have prepared a car dealership business plan template for you to help in start writing yours.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free car dealership business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write a Car Dealership Business Plan?

Writing a car dealership business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section of the business plan intended to provide an overview of the whole business plan. Generally, it is written after the entire business plan is ready. Here are some components to add to your summary:

• Start with a brief introduction: Start your executive summary by introducing your idea behind starting a car dealership business and explaining what it does.
• Market opportunity: Describe the target market in brief, and explain the demographics, geographic location, and psychographic attributes of your customer. Explain how your car dealership business meets its needs. Clearly describe the market that your business will serve.
• Mention your services: Briefly describe the services that a client can expect from your business like new and used cars, maintenance and repairs of the car, car rental services, etc.
• Management team: Name all the key members of your management team with their duties, responsibilities, and qualifications
• Financial highlights: Provide a summary of your financial projections for the company’s initial years of operation. Include any capital or investment requirements, startup costs, projected revenues, and profits.
• Call to action: After giving a brief about your business plan, end your summary with a call to action, for example; inviting potential investors or readers to the next meeting if they are interested in your business.

Ensure you keep your executive summary concise and clear, use simple language, and avoid jargon.

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2. Business Overview

Depending on what details of your business are important, you’ll need different elements in your business overview. Still, there are some foundational elements like business name, legal structure, location, history, and mission statement that every business overview should include:

• The name of the car dealership business and the concept behind it: new car dealership, used car dealership, small car dealership, luxury car dealership, private seller, online retailer, or something else.
• Company structure of your car dealership business whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership firm, or others.
• Location of your car dealership and the reason why you selected that place.
• Ownership: Describe the owners of your dealership business and mention their roles in running it. Whose shares in the corporation are they, and how each owner helps in the business?
• Mission statement: Add a mission statement that sums up the objectives and core principles of your business. This statement needs to be memorable, clear, and brief.
• Business history: If you are already running this business, including an outline of the business’s history and how it came to be in its current position. If you can, add some personality and intriguing details, especially if you got any achievements or recognitions till now for your incredible services.
• Future goals: It’s crucial to convey your aspirations and your vision. Include the vision of where you see your business in the near future and if you have any plans of opening a new franchise of your business in the same city in the future.

This section should provide an in-depth understanding of your car dealership business. Also, the business overview section should be engaging and precise.

3. Market Analysis

Market analysis provides a clear understanding of the market in which your car dealership business will run along with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. Your market analysis should contain the following essential components:

• Target market: Identify your target market and define your ideal customer. Know more about your customers and which services or cars they prefer.
• Market size and growth potential: Provide an overview of the industry. It will include market size, trends, growth potential, and regulatory considerations. Highlight the competitive edge and how your car dealership business is different from the rest.
• Competitive analysis: Identify and analyze all other dealerships in the local market, including direct and indirect competitors. Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and explain how your business can offer qualitative services.
• Market trends: Analyze current and emerging trends in your industry, such as changes in technology or customer preference as in the shift towards automatic cars. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.
• Regulatory environment: Describe any regulations or licensing requirements that affect the car dealership, such as insurance, dealer’s license, zoning permits, or safety codes.

Some additional tips for writing the market analysis section of your business plan:

• Use a variety of sources to gather data, including industry reports, market research studies, and surveys.
• Be specific and provide detailed information wherever possible.
• Include charts and graphs to help illustrate your key points.
• Keep your target audience in mind while writing the business plan.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section of a car dealership business plan should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

• Create a list of the services that your car dealership will offer, which may luxury cars, new cars, used cars, maintenance, repairs, etc.
• Describe each product and service: For each service, provide a detailed description of what it entails, and the qualifications of the professionals who will provide the service.
• Emphasize safety and quality: In all descriptions of services and products, emphasize the importance of safety and quality. Explain how your car dealership will ensure that all services and products are delivered with the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

Overall, a business plan’s product and services section should be detailed, informative, and customer-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

• Develop your unique selling proposition (USP): Clearly define your unique selling proposition – it might be your pricing, the range of vehicles you offer, after-sales service, digital experience, specialization in vintage, hybrid, or sports cars, or any other aspect that distinguishes you from the competition.
• Determine your pricing strategy: Develop a pricing strategy that is competitive and affordable, yet profitable. Consider offering promotions, discounts, or packages to attract new customers.
• Marketing strategies: Develop a marketing strategy that includes a mix of online and offline marketing tactics. Consider social media, email marketing, content marketing, brochures, print marketing, and affiliating with online car buying/selling options.
• Sales strategies: Mention your sales strategy as in – offer incentives and promotions to attract new customers, or partner with other businesses to establish referral programs that can help you generate more business. Consider offering incentives for referrals or special discounts for partnerships.

Overall, the sales and marketing strategies section of your business plan should outline your plans to attract and retain customers and generate revenue. Be specific, realistic, and data-driven in your approach, and be prepared to adjust your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

When writing the operations plan section, it’s important to consider the various aspects of your business processes and procedures involved in operating a business. Here are the components to include in an operations plan:

• Hiring plan: Tell the staffing requirements of your car dealership, including the number of employees needed, their qualifications, and the duties they will perform. Also mention the perks you will provide to your employees.
• Operational process: Outline the processes and procedures that you will use to run your car dealership business. It includes the scheduling of appointments, meeting with clients, and everything else.
• Inventory management: Provide details on how frequently new vehicles will be purchased, how the inventory will be cycled, and how the dealership will make sure it has a variety of automobiles to suit the demands of its clients in your inventory management plan.

By including these key elements in your operations plan section, you can create a comprehensive plan that outlines how you will run your car dealership business.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of the individuals responsible for running the car dealership business. This section should provide a detailed description of the experience and qualifications of each manager, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

• Key managers: Describe the key members of your management team, their roles, and their responsibilities. It should include the owners, and senior management including their education, professional background, and any relevant experience in the industry.
• Organizational structure: Describe the organizational structure of the management team, including reporting lines and how decisions will be made.
• Compensation plan: Describe your compensation plan for the management team and staff, including salaries, bonuses, and other benefits.
• Board of advisors: If you have a board of advisors for your business, then mention them along with their roles and experience.

Describe the key personnel of your company and highlight why your business has the fittest team.

8. Financial Plan

When writing the financial plan section of a business plan, it’s important to provide a comprehensive overview of your financial projections for the first few years of your business.

• Profit & loss statement: Create a projected profit & loss statement that describes the expected revenue, cost of products sold, and operational costs. Your business’s anticipated net profit or loss should be computed and included.
• Cash flow statement: Estimate your cash inflows and outflows for the first few years of operation. It should include cash receipts from clients, payments to vendors, loan payments, and any other cash inflows and outflows.
• Balance sheet: Prepare a projected balance sheet, which shows the assets, liabilities, and equity.
• Break-even point: Determine the point at which your car dealership business will break even, or generate enough revenue to cover its operating costs. This will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to make a profit.
• Financing needs: Estimate how much financing you will need to start and operate your car dealership business. It should include both short-term and long-term financing needs, such as loans or investment capital.

Remember to be realistic with your financial projections, and to provide supporting evidence for all of your estimates.

9. Appendix

When writing the appendix section, you should include any additional information that supports the main content of your plan. This may include financial statements, market research data, legal documents, and other relevant information.

• Include a table of contents for the appendix section to make it easy for readers to find specific information.
• Include financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. These should be up-to-date and show your financial projections for at least the first three years of your business.
• Provide market research data, such as statistics on the size of the industry, consumer demographics, and trends in the industry.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Provide any additional documentation related to your business plans, such as marketing materials, product brochures, and operational procedures.
• Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your car dealership business should only include relevant and important information that supports the main content of your plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This car dealership business plan sample will provide an idea for writing a successful business plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you are still confused about how to write an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, then download our car dealership business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a car dealership business plan.

A business plan is essential for anyone looking to start or run a successful car dealership. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your car dealership business.

How to get funding for your car dealership business?

There are several ways to get funding for your car dealership business, but one of the most efficient and speedy funding options is self-funding. Other options for funding are:

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your car dealership, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought options for startups.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your car dealership business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and idea better than you, so we recommend you write your car dealership business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your car dealership business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any car dealership business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Used Car Dealership Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Used Car Dealership Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Used Car Dealership business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Used Car Dealerships.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Used Car Dealership business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Reliable Motors is a used car dealership located in Portland, Oregon. We specialize in offering a wide selection of high-quality used vehicles to customers in our local area. With a focus on exceptional customer service and competitive pricing, we aim to become the preferred choice for individuals looking to purchase reliable pre-owned vehicles.

Reliable Motors is run by Otto Masterson. Otto has 12 years of experience in vehicle sales and dealership operations. His customer-centric approach, and strong understanding of the local market will ensure that our firm is successful.

Product Offering

Reliable Motors offers a diverse inventory of used cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans from various makes and models. Our selection includes vehicles that are carefully inspected, tested, and certified to meet our stringent quality standards. We also provide vehicle history reports and offer extended warranties for added peace of mind. Our knowledgeable sales team is committed to assisting customers in finding the right vehicle that suits their needs and budget.

Customer Focus

Our primary target market includes individuals and families in Portland, Oregon who are looking to purchase a reliable used vehicle. We will cater to customers with various budgets, offering a range of price points to accommodate different financial situations. Additionally, we will also establish partnerships with local businesses, such as car rental companies and auto repair shops, to provide them with fleet vehicles and maintenance services.

Management Team

Reliable Motors’ most valuable asset is the expertise and experience of its founder, Otto Masterson. Otto has been in automotive sales for the past 20 years. Throughout his career, he has developed a strong base of repeat customers, many of whom have stated that they will buy their next car from Reliable Motors once the company is established and running. Otto’s customer-centric approach, and strong understanding of the local market will ensure that our firm is successful.

Success Factors

Reliable Motors will achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Quality Inventory: We will ensure our inventory consists of well-maintained and reliable used vehicles that meet our strict quality standards.
• Competitive Pricing: We will offer competitive prices to attract customers and provide value for their money. Our pricing strategy will consider market trends, vehicle condition, and fair market value.
• Exceptional Customer Service: We will prioritize customer satisfaction by providing a personalized and hassle-free buying experience. Our knowledgeable and friendly sales team will assist customers in finding the right vehicle that meets their needs and budget.
• Transparent Processes: We will establish trust by providing accurate vehicle information, pricing details, and facilitating open communication.
• Strong Industry Partnerships: We will collaborate with reputable suppliers, finance institutions, and service providers to enhance our offerings and provide additional benefits to customers.

Financial Highlights

Reliable Motors is seeking $1,000,000 in funding to establish and grow the business. The funds will be allocated as follows:

• Inventory acquisition: $800,000
• Renovation and setup of the dealership facility: $100,000
• Marketing and advertising expenses: $50,000
• Working capital: $50,000

The projected financials indicate steady revenue growth and profitability within the first three years of operation

Company Overview

Who is reliable motors.

  Reliable Motors is run by Otto Masterson, a 12 year veteran in vehicle sales and dealership operations. After working for several dealerships around town, he surveyed his most loyal customers to see if they would be willing to switch to his new dealership once it is established. Most of his customers responded enthusiastically, which motivated Otto to finally launch his business.

Reliable Motors History

Once he canvassed his loyal customer base and located a potential location, Otto Masterson incorporated Reliable Motors as an S-Corporation in April 2023.

The business is currently being run out of Otto’s home office, but once the purchase of the dealership location is finalized, all operations will be run from there.

Since incorporation, Reliable Motors has achieved the following milestones:

• Found a location and made an offer of purchase
• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Hired an architect to design the lot, the service area, and the office building
• Determined equipment and fixture requirements
• Began recruiting key employees

Reliable Motors Services

Reliable Motors will provide the following services to its customers:

• Vehicle Sales: offer an inventory of used cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans, catering to various customer preferences and budgets.
• Financing Assistance: assistance with financing options through partnerships with local banks and financial institutions.
• Trade-ins: Customers will have the option to trade in their current vehicles, allowing them to apply the value toward their purchase at Reliable Motors.

Industry Analysis

The used car industry is experiencing steady growth, driven by factors such as rising new car prices, improved vehicle reliability, and a growing preference for cost-effective transportation options.

The used car industry is expected to grow over the next several years. According to a recent report by IBISWorld, the used car dealerships industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.2% from now until 2028. This growth is due to increasing environmental consciousness, which has caused many consumers to avoid purchasing new automobiles. This increase in demand and industry growth ensures that Reliable Motors will achieve success.

This industry presents a significant opportunity for Reliable Motors to cater to customers seeking quality used cars at competitive prices.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Reliable Motors primarily targets individuals in the Portland area who are in the market for a reliable and affordable pre-owned vehicle. By understanding our customers’ needs and providing a personalized buying experience, we aim to build long-lasting customer relationships.

Customer Segmentation

Reliable Motors will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• First-time car buyers
• Professionals
• Individuals

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Reliable Motors faces competition from both direct and indirect competitors in the used car dealership industry. Direct competitors include other local dealerships offering similar vehicle options. Indirect competitors include online marketplaces and private sellers.

AutoWheels is a used car dealership that carries a large variety of used cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. Their line of car brands include Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, and Toyota. AutoWheels’ focus is offering clean, newer model used cars with affordable monthly payments. The dealership offers flexible financing approval for buyers with any credit score or financial situation.

AutoWheels partners with Portland Precision Auto Care for its automotive maintenance and repair needs. This partnership enables AutoWheels to offer services that include Car and Truck care, Electronic Services, Electrical Services, General Services, Heating and Cooling Services, Engine & Transmission, Miscellaneous Services, Transmission Services, Undercar Services, and Brakes.

James Rivers Automotive Outlet

Located in Portland’s Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood, James Rivers Automotive Outlet is a member of the James Rivers Family-Owned and Operated group of dealers in Portland. The dealership carries a large inventory of new, certified pre-owned, and pre-owned line of cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. Their line of vehicles are in all price ranges and body types. James Rivers Automotive Outlet also offers trade-in evaluations at their other franchised stores – James Rivers Honda, Acura, and Toyota. The dealership also offers affordable financing options.

Eastside Used Cars

Established in 2011, Eastside Used Cars is a family-owned used car dealership. The dealership is fully internet based and all sales are by appointment only, in one of two locations: Sandy and Gresham. The dealership claims to have the best prices in the market, offering wholesale prices to the public. Customers may also expect to receive top dollar for their trade-ins.

The dealership currently offers an inventory of 175 vehicles, ranging in price from $6,990 to $60,800. It offers a variety of finance options for consumers with all levels of credit, but outside financing is welcomed.

Competitive Advantage

Reliable Motors holds the following advantages over the competition:

• Rigorous Vehicle Inspection : Each vehicle in our inventory undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure its mechanical and cosmetic condition, providing customers with peace of mind.
• Customer-Centric Approach : We prioritize customer satisfaction by offering personalized assistance, transparent pricing, and a hassle-free buying experience.
• Extensive Inventory : Our diverse inventory caters to various customer preferences and budgets, ensuring a wide range of options to choose from.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Reliable Motors will offer a unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Client-focused automotive sales, where the customer is treated fairly, with transparent pricing and a variety of financing options
• Service built on long-term relationships
• Top-quality automotive repair and maintenance, at competitive prices

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Reliable Motors is as follows:

Reliable Motors understands that the best promotion comes from satisfied customers. The Company will encourage its customers to refer other businesses by providing economic or financial incentives for every new customer produced. This strategy will increase in effectiveness after the business has already been established.

Social Media

Reliable Motors will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. The company will create social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. It will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Website/SEO Marketing

Reliable Motors will invest heavily in developing a professional website that showcases current inventory, and provides valuation tools for potential trade-ins. It will also invest heavily in SEO so that the firm’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Reliable Motors. Operation Functions:

• Otto Masterson is the Owner of Reliable Motors. In addition to providing inventory management and sales, he will also manage the general operations of the business.
• Otto Masterson is joined by a full-time administrative assistant, Mandy Bobo, who will take charge of the administrative tasks for the company. She will also be available to answer incoming calls and make service appointments.
• As the company builds its customer base, Otto will hire more sales professionals to grow our business further.

Milestones:

Reliable Motors will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 6/2023 Finalize location purchase
• 7/2023 Design and build out Reliable Motors
• 8/2023 Hire and train initial staff
• 9/2023 Kickoff of promotional campaign
• 10/2023 Launch Reliable Motors
• 11/2023 Reach break-even

Reliable Motors’s most valuable asset is the expertise and experience of its founder, Otto Masterson. Otto has been in automotive sales for the past 20 years. Throughout his career, he has developed a loyal customer base, many of whom have stated that they will switch to Reliable Motors when it comes time to purchase a new vehicle. Otto’s customer-centric approach, and strong understanding of the local market will ensure that our dealership is successful.

Though he has never run his own business, Otto Masterson worked his way up from automotive sales associate to sales manager, where he gained an in-depth knowledge of the operations (e.g., running day-to-day operations) and the business (e.g., staffing, marketing, etc.) sides of the industry. He also already has a starting customer base that he served while working for other auto dealerships. He will hire several other employees who can help him run the aspects of the business that he is unfamiliar with.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

Reliable Motors’s revenues will from vehicle sales, with additional income generated through financing options and after-sales services. Key costs include

The notable cost drivers for the company will include inventory acquisition, overhead expenses, marketing expenses, personnel costs, and facility maintenance.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of clients:
• Year 1: 400
• Year 2: 500
• Year 3: 750
• Year 4: 1000
• Year 5: 1250

Financial Projections

Income statement.

		FY 1	FY 2	FY 3	FY 4	FY 5
Revenues
	Total Revenues	$360,000	$793,728	$875,006	$964,606	$1,063,382
Expenses & Costs
	Cost of goods sold	$64,800	$142,871	$157,501	$173,629	$191,409
	Lease	$50,000	$51,250	$52,531	$53,845	$55,191
	Marketing	$10,000	$8,000	$8,000	$8,000	$8,000
	Salaries	$157,015	$214,030	$235,968	$247,766	$260,155
	Initial expenditure	$10,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
	Total Expenses & Costs	$291,815	$416,151	$454,000	$483,240	$514,754
EBITDA		$68,185	$377,577	$421,005	$481,366	$548,628
	Depreciation	$27,160	$27,160	$27,160	$27,160	$27,160
EBIT		$41,025	$350,417	$393,845	$454,206	$521,468
	Interest	$23,462	$20,529	$17,596	$14,664	$11,731
PRETAX INCOME		$17,563	$329,888	$376,249	$439,543	$509,737
	Net Operating Loss	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
	Use of Net Operating Loss	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
	Taxable Income	$17,563	$329,888	$376,249	$439,543	$509,737
	Income Tax Expense	$6,147	$115,461	$131,687	$153,840	$178,408
NET INCOME		$11,416	$214,427	$244,562	$285,703	$331,329

Balance Sheet

		FY 1	FY 2	FY 3	FY 4	FY 5
ASSETS
	Cash	$154,257	$348,760	$573,195	$838,550	$1,149,286
	Accounts receivable	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
	Inventory	$30,000	$33,072	$36,459	$40,192	$44,308
	Total Current Assets	$184,257	$381,832	$609,654	$878,742	$1,193,594
	Fixed assets	$180,950	$180,950	$180,950	$180,950	$180,950
	Depreciation	$27,160	$54,320	$81,480	$108,640	$135,800
	Net fixed assets	$153,790	$126,630	$99,470	$72,310	$45,150
TOTAL ASSETS		$338,047	$508,462	$709,124	$951,052	$1,238,744
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
	Debt	$315,831	$270,713	$225,594	$180,475	$135,356
	Accounts payable	$10,800	$11,906	$13,125	$14,469	$15,951
	Total Liability	$326,631	$282,618	$238,719	$194,944	$151,307
	Share Capital	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
	Retained earnings	$11,416	$225,843	$470,405	$756,108	$1,087,437
	Total Equity	$11,416	$225,843	$470,405	$756,108	$1,087,437
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY		$338,047	$508,462	$709,124	$951,052	$1,238,744

Cash Flow Statement

		FY 1	FY 2	FY 3	FY 4	FY 5
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
	Net Income (Loss)	$11,416	$214,427	$244,562	$285,703	$331,329
	Change in working capital	($19,200)	($1,966)	($2,167)	($2,389)	($2,634)
	Depreciation	$27,160	$27,160	$27,160	$27,160	$27,160
	Net Cash Flow from Operations	$19,376	$239,621	$269,554	$310,473	$355,855
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS
	Investment	($180,950)	$0	$0	$0	$0
	Net Cash Flow from Investments	($180,950)	$0	$0	$0	$0
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING
	Cash from equity	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
	Cash from debt	$315,831	($45,119)	($45,119)	($45,119)	($45,119)
	Net Cash Flow from Financing	$315,831	($45,119)	($45,119)	($45,119)	($45,119)
	Net Cash Flow	$154,257	$194,502	$224,436	$265,355	$310,736
	Cash at Beginning of Period	$0	$154,257	$348,760	$573,195	$838,550
	Cash at End of Period	$154,257	$348,760	$573,195	$838,550	$1,149,286

Used Car Dealership Business Plan FAQs

What is a used car dealership business plan.

A used car dealership business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your used car dealership business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Used Car Dealership business plan using our Used Car Dealership Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Used Car Dealership Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of used car dealership businesses , some examples include: Franchised dealership, Independent dealerships, and “Bad Credit” dealerships.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Used Car Dealership Business Plan?

Used Car Dealership businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Used Car Dealership Business?

Starting a used car dealership business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Used Car Dealership Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed used car dealership business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your used car dealership business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your used car dealership business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Used Car Dealership Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your used car dealership business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your used car dealership business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Used Car Dealership Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your used car dealership business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your used car dealership business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful used car dealership business:

• How to Start a Used Car Business

Where Can I Get a Used Car Dealership Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free used car dealership business plan template PDF here . This is a sample used car dealership business plan template you can use in PDF format.

How to start your used car business by utilizing APIs

• March 9, 2024

Joses Peter

• No Comments

If you’re considering going into the used car industry, you’re entering a lucrative yet competitive market. Understanding the ins and outs of starting your own used car business is crucial for success.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to start a used car dealership business, from understanding the industry to leveraging API technology to maximize efficiency and profitability.

Used Car Dealership Business

Operating a used car dealership business involves buying, selling, and sometimes trading used vehicles. Simply put, it’s a place where you can purchase or sell a used car. It’s a dynamic industry that requires a deep understanding of automotive market trends, customer preferences, and legal regulations.

Steps on starting a used car business

So, how can you get started? Here are the basic steps to follow to set up your dealership:

Think and act like an entrepreneur

Starting a car dealership comes with the understanding that you’re about to become an entrepreneur and need to prepare your mindset for that. Not only that, you need to make some serious changes to your lifestyle as well. Check out how other entrepreneurs act and think, you can also take entrepreneurial classes. Taking this step before any other gives you a sense of detail and responsibility.

During this process, you should focus on getting experience with selling cars, business license requirements, and surety bonds, and you’ll need to learn the difference between selling new cars and used cars – as a salesperson, working side-by-side with dealers, whatever role you can get, try to get one. It’s best to start on the right foot.

Arrange Capital for Startup Costs

Every small business for new and used car sales needs funds, and before starting up a used car business, you need to find a way to get some means of funding. Apart from the car inventory that you definitely need to build, you also need to cover startup costs for:

• Business registration
• Car dealer license
• Office supplies and furniture
• Workers; salespeople, accountants, etcetera
• Website and mobile applications with Vehicle APIs .
• Marketing, and more.

You may also encounter lots of expenses during startup, so you need to consider costs.

Choose market location

The next step to take in owning a car dealership is choosing the right location for your used car business. There are several factors you need to consider before choosing the right location to set up your dealership, the most important of which is the current market trend.

What kind of cars are more profitable to invest in the long run? What is the demand for those cars now? Where do you see demand in the coming years? What age group are interested in these cars? What about income levels? Ask yourself questions like these to figure out what vehicle brands or types of cars your dealership will be centered on.

When you figure out what your niche should be, you can now start searching for a suitable location to launch your business. Make sure to be very careful when making this step as it is a really important part of your business’ journey.

Create a solid business plan and set financial goals

Creating a comprehensive business plan is essential for success in the used car dealership industry. This foundational document serves as a roadmap, guiding entrepreneurs through all they need to start, grow their businesses, and meet their business needs. To begin, entrepreneurs must clearly outline their:

Company details , including their vision, mission, and values. This clarity helps set the tone for the business and aligns all stakeholders towards common objectives.

• T arget market area,  this is crucial for identifying potential customers and tailoring marketing strategies accordingly. Whether focusing on a specific geographic region or niche demographic, understanding the target market’s needs and preferences is paramount for success.

Clear financial goals and strategies for growth. Entrepreneurs must define measurable objectives, such as revenue targets, profit margins, and market share aspirations.

By establishing these benchmarks, businesses can track their progress and adjust strategies as needed to stay on course. Additionally, outlining strategies for growth enables entrepreneurs to identify expansion opportunities, whether through diversifying inventory, expanding into new markets, or enhancing customer service offerings.

You can consider yourself halfway through the process as soon as you complete your business plan! Next, you should think about how you can make a profit with the business.

READ ALSO: 5 Types of Vehicle Data API Every Dealership Needs

Making Profits in the Car Dealership Business

Now that you have everything scripted and figured out, the next step is to decide how to get cars to fill up your inventory and how to make profits. This involves sourcing vehicles, implementing sales strategies, getting a website/mobile applications, and optimizing operations for profitability and growth. Let’s take a look at these points in more detail:

Locate car auctions exclusive for dealers

Now, the used car dealership business model involves buying used vehicles at a cheaper price and selling them with some profit. For startups, the easiest way to get great deals is by visiting dealer-only car auctions around you. These cars are usually sold at cheap rates and discounts to licensed dealers and you can take advantage of this.

Sure, these cars may come as damaged, but that’s where the next step comes in.

Have an experienced mechanic

Next, you can partner up with an experienced mechanic with good knowledge in inspecting and fixing the cars on your used-car lot. Some auction vehicles may have severe damages, so it is recommended to place the highest importance on this step.

With these vehicles properly fixed and in road-worthy condition. You can now begin sales.

Provide Warranties on Your Vehicles

I know what you may be thinking. Including warranties as extra-cost add-on products means that these vehicles will be more expensive than planned and car shoppers may not like that. Wrong!

Contrary to popular belief, around 66% of American drivers purchase an extended car warranty. Offering warranty coverage also gives consumers some protection, in terms of repairs.

Create a website/mobile application and utilize APIs

Creating a professional website or mobile application for your auto dealership is essential and must provide accurate information about your business. However, ensuring accuracy in providing vehicle data is paramount. By utilizing APIs, you can access real-time and reliable information about each vehicle in your inventory.

What are APIs? They are like bridges between you and an infinite source of vehicle information. Vehicle Databases offers several vehicle APIs including:

• VIN decoding APIs
• Vehicle history APIs
• Market value API
• Vehicle specifications API
• Classic VIN decoding API
• License plate API
• Auction history API
• Sales history API
• Vehicle media API, and more

Imagine showing your customers everything they need to know about all vehicles in your inventory with the VIN and integrated APIs. This ensures transparency and builds customer trust, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Accuracy vehicle data also streamlines the buying process, reducing the likelihood of disputes or returns. Need more information on APIs and how you can get started? Get a free demo and 15 free credits now!

Place Adverts and Build Your Online Presence

At this point, you need to get the word out to get a successful business. You can start by using advertising channels to reach potential customers. Consider online platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and local classified websites. Additionally, explore traditional methods such as newspaper ads, radio spots, and flyers.

Leverage social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) to showcase your inventory, share success stories, and engage with your audience. Regularly post high-quality images and videos of the cars you have for sale.

Calculate a “Bottom Dollar” for Each Vehicle

Determine the lowest price at which you’re willing to sell cars in your inventory. Consider factors such as acquisition cost, refurbishment expenses, and desired profit margin. Be realistic about market conditions and adjust your pricing strategy accordingly.

Try to stay informed about market trends and competitor pricing. Analyze similar vehicles in your area to understand the prevailing rates. Remember that pricing too high can deter buyers, while pricing too low may impact profitability.

Prioritize Customer Service

Here are some tips:

Free Inspections and VIN Reports: Offer free vehicle inspections or provide Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) reports. These services build trust with potential buyers and demonstrate transparency.

Integrated Vehicle History APIs: Use APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to access vehicle history data. Share relevant information with customers, such as accident history, maintenance records, and ownership details.

• Hire Assistants and Salespeople: Invest in a skilled sales team. Friendly, knowledgeable staff can guide customers through the buying process, answer questions, and address concerns. Excellent customer service leads to repeat business and positive referrals.

Keep the car lot and showroom neat and attractive

The last tip for the day is to keep your used car lot and showroom organized and visually appealing. Arrange vehicles in an orderly manner, ensuring they are clean and well-presented. Regularly wash and detail the cars to enhance their visual appeal.

If you can keep these in mind, you can be sure to have a good start and operate an independent car dealership successfully.

Statistics About Used Car Dealerships

• Total used-vehicle sales in December 2023 were estimated to be around 2.6 million units, up 2.1% from December 2022.
• Retail used sales accounted for approximately 1.4 million units.
• The average car dealership receives 166 qualified sales leads each month.
• Approximately 13.3% of sales prospects do not make it into the car dealership’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
• The average close rate for car dealerships is 12.5%.
• Car dealerships miss approximately 8.5% of calls from potential sales prospects.
• In 2023, franchised light-vehicle dealers in the United States sold 13.7 million light-duty vehicles, contributing to a total sales value of over $1.2 trillion.
• The U.S. used car dealer market had a size of $138.1 billion in 2021. Despite initial pandemic-related challenges, used car sales rebounded and exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
• The overall used-vehicle market likely finished 2023 near 35.9 million units, slightly below the previous year’s figure. Retail used sales likely closed out 2023 at 19.0 million units.
• Cox Automotive forecasts used-vehicle sales volume to reach 36.2 million units in 2024, with used retail sales estimated at 19.2 million units. The market is expected to regain some normalcy, although supply constraints may persist due to lower new-vehicle sales in previous years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used car businesses can be highly profitable for dealers, with successful operations generating significant revenue. However, profitability depends on various factors such as market conditions, inventory management, pricing strategies, and customer service quality. You also need to be able to provide accurate vehicle information to consumers at all times. Visit Vehicle Databases to get access to accurate APIs for your business needs.

To succeed in the used car business, it’s essential to prioritize customer satisfaction, maintain transparency, and offer quality vehicles at competitive prices. Additionally, staying informed about market trends, investing in marketing efforts, and leveraging technology like APIs can contribute to success.

Yes, buying and selling used cars can be a profitable venture. By sourcing quality inventory, accurately pricing vehicles, and providing value-added services such as warranties and inspections, dealers can generate profits from each sale.

Owning a used car business has the potential to be profitable, but success depends on various factors including market demand, competition, location, and operational efficiency. By implementing effective strategies, offering excellent customer service, and staying adaptable to market changes, dealerships can achieve profitability and long-term success in the industry.

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Car Salesman Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Automotive Industry » Car Dealership

Are you about starting a car salesman company? If YES, here’s a complete sample car salesman business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE to get started .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a car salesman company. We have analyzed and drafted a sample car salesman marketing plan backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for car salesmen. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Why Start a Car Salesman Business?

Starting a business or rather a career in auto sales can be very rewarding, but it is also not a job for everyone. A car salesman business is ideal for a car enthusiast who is equipped with good business sense.

Your day -to-day activities in this line of business may include checking invoices, speaking with prospects, negotiating deals, and managing a sales force. You need to possess a strong sales culture and interpersonal communication skills if you wish to go far in this business.

You do not need special skills to run this business; you only need to have a strong sales and management background. Profit rest entirely on the dealer’s wholesale pricing and cost of inventory, bonds and insurance and other overhead. In general, a dealer can make between 2% and 3% of the sticker or invoice price of the vehicle.

There are so many laws and regulations governing the sale of vehicles, and most dealerships depend on good customer service to fuel future growth. But you can increase the odds of making more money by specializing and putting together a detailed business plan.

A Sample Car Salesman Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Businesses in this industry sell new and used passenger vehicles, provide repair and maintenance services and offer financing and insurance options. A report has it that this industry is highly cyclical in nature and is vulnerable to economic shifts such as fluctuations in employment, overall consumer spending and financing rates.

Within the five years to 2018, statistics has shown that this industry has trended upward, as per capita disposable income and consumer confidence have grown, which have encouraged consumers to increase spending on discretionary purchases. From 2018-2023, experts expect revenue is to keep growing, albeit at a slightly slower pace than during the previous years.

Also note that this industry has moderate barriers to entry. Entrepreneurs willing to venture into this industry must be prepared to comply with state regulations, manufacturer franchise agreements and start-up costs. Have it in mind that every state has different licensing requirements and regulations for car dealers and salespeople.

Worldwide, car dealers sell about 95 million new vehicles per year. The Chinese automotive market, based on unit sales, is more than three times larger than the three other BRIC nations combined. The US car dealer industry includes about 46,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $1 trillion.

It’s very important to note that consumer spending and interest rates drive demand for cars. The profitability of individual companies relies on the volume and mix of cars and services sold.

Bigger companies can offer a wider selection of cars and have advantages in marketing, purchasing, and finance, but smaller companies can compete favourably by offering superior customer service or serving a local market.

2. Executive Summary

Green Generation Cars is a new sales and leasing Service Company being made available to vehicle buyers throughout Downtown Cincinnati and the State Of Ohio. We will sell top-quality environmental friendly vehicles at competitive price.

We will be successful because we plan to offer something different to what the industry is already used to; environmental friendly cars. We at Green Generation Cars expect an optimistic gross margin over the industry average. We will be able to achieve this due to the new alternative we bring to the industry and our diversified workforce.

We boast of a workforce of people from different backgrounds, but with the hunger to present our prospective customers with an experience they won’t forget in a hurry. Our goal is to provide our customers with an enjoyable, vehicle use experience.

Our plan is to focus on our target market, courageous early-adopters who see themselves as “energy pioneers,” and environmentalists.

We at Green Generation Cars have an excellent advantage over other car sales businesses in Ohio. We will stand out as the preferred alternative to fossil fuel transportation systems. As visibility of our vehicles increase, sales among environmentalists and the younger generation will increase by 50% each month thereafter.

Profits made initially will be used to settle any overhead costs related to purchasing , then to the rapidly expanding photovoltaic recharging station and mechanic’s garage, then to pay off the initial investments. All our inventories will be bought in advance to stock the showroom floor and to outfit every executive, sales person, and mechanic with a zero emissions vehicle.

As our profit margin increase, we will then invest back into research and development opening the doorway to a secondary market role for Green Generation Cars to become a patent holding company and clearing house. Green Generation Cars was founded by a group of friends, headed by Mr. Sebastian Crooks in July 2018. This unique company was established to address the need for niche sales of new and pre-owned environmentally friendly automobiles.

Mr. Sebastian Crooks boasts of a degree in Environmental Resource management from Yale University. He has led many movements to ensure a sustainable environment for all citizens of America.

He started the Cleaner Sky movement in 2014 to grow the awareness of the implications fossil fuel powered engines have on the atmosphere and global warming. Mr. Sebastian has been in the sales and leasing field since 1994. Having completed nearly 15 years at various local dealerships, he has a complete knowledge and experience in this industry.

3. Our Products and Services

We plan to offer Downturn Cincinnati an alternative to the normal car driven on its streets. Our plan is to drive our zero emissions vehicles and hybrid automobiles around. We believe it will be the best way to get the younger generation and environmentalists involved with a more sustainable form of transportation.

To further emphasize the point, members of the board of directors will drive around in a totally electric automobile borrowed from the showroom – an all-electric Toyota RAV4 sports utility vehicle. Instead of plugging into a standard outlet that provides electricity from a coal or gas power plant, all our automobile batteries will be recharged using photovoltaic cells – solar power.

A solar-powered passenger electric car like this conserves energy. Below are the few cars we will be selling and leasing at Green Generation Cars, as we hope to add more as the industry grows.

• Toyota Prius
• Electric Chevy Volt
• Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
• Ford Focus Electric

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision at Green Generation Cars is to establish a car dealership with a respectable gross margin in environmentally-friendlier automobiles.
• Our Mission is to provide early adopters and the younger generation within the State of Ohio and the united states with environmentally-friendly automobile choices and to help other automobile buyers become aware of the growing menace caused by burning fossil fuels.

Our Business Structure

Mr. Sebastian Crooks will act as the company president for the first five years for a minimal salary of $36,000 in exchange for his commitment of energy and know-how. The board of directors which comprises of industry leaders will be compensated for their services by a return of profits on their investment.

Two sales staff will work the sales floor for the first year compensated solely by commissions earned on a 5% pay scale. Also three mechanics, specializing in alternative energy vehicles, will be paid $3,200 monthly.

The mechanics’ salaries will steadily increase every year by 5% to reflect the increased human capital acquired by the mechanics’ maintenance experience. The maintenance and secretarial staff will take care of administrative matters and sales room decorum. Below are the professionals we plan to employ to achieve our business visions and goals.

Garage Manager

• Human Resources and Admin Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Information technologist
• Accountants/Cashiers
• Maintenance and Secretarial staff

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

• Boosts management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counselling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; and developing incentives
• In charge of fixing prices and signing business deals
• In charge of providing direction for the business
• Establishes, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Charged with signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Admin and HR Manager

• In charge of overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Tasked with maintaining office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Makes sure operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out induction for new team members
• In charge of training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• In charge of arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily office cum business activities
• In charge of managing the daily activities in the car garage
• Ensures that proper records of cars are kept and the garage does not run out of cars
• Ensures that the garage facility is in tip top shape and cars are properly arranged and easy to locate
• Interfaces with third – party suppliers (vendors)
• Controls distribution and supply chain inventory
• Supervise the workforce in the garage sales floor
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• In charge of supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Finds out mechanical problems often by using computerized diagnostic equipment
• Tests parts and systems to ensure that they are working properly
• Repairs or replace worn parts
• Uses testing equipment to ensure that repairs and maintenance are effective
• Explains to clients the car problems and the repairs done on their vehicles
• Adheres to checklists to ensure that all critical parts are examined

Information Technologist

• Manages the organization website
• Handles ecommerce aspect of the business
• In charge of installing and maintenance of computer software and hardware for the organization
• Manages logistics and supply chain software, Web servers, e-commerce software and POS (point of sale) systems
• Manages the organization’s CCTV
• Handles any other technological and IT related duties

Accountant/Cashier

• In charge of preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
• In charge of financial forecasting and risks analysis
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
• Tasked with developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Tasked with administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the organization
• Serves as internal auditor for the organization

Maintenance and secretarial staff

• Makes sure that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In centre, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the human resources and admin manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries
• Tasked with cleaning and washing all the cars in the garage at all times
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Cleans both the interior and exterior of the garage facility
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the garage manager

6. SWOT Analysis

We at Green Generation Cars had to employ the services of SOS consulting to perform our swot analysis. Through their rigorous research and analysis, which had to include talking to our prospective customers and diverse workforce, they were able to note that people obtain an automobile as a result of a change in the individual’s life situation (marry, divorce, lose a spouse, move, win the lottery) or investment/tax situation (sell house, large wage increase, receive inheritance).

The need can arise anytime, but spring and summer months are when most people are thinking about upgrading their transportation. They also provided us with the information that people investigate car sales and leasing services anytime they are planning to get new cars.

They either walk through the car dealerships where they have shopped in the past and/or a place that has been highly recommended. Those buyers, who do not know any dealer lots personally, will begin asking their friends, family, co-workers, etc., for recommendations. To further emphasis on their findings, below is a summary of what they believe are our strengths, weakness, opportunity and threats in this industry.

Our core strength at Green Generation Cars rests on our team of experienced professionals. We have also established a network of suppliers in order to buy and sell products that are of the highest quality. We will also make sure our customers are always satisfied by encouraging the two most important values, honour and integrity. We also plan to increase workplace morale by rewarding employee success with monetary compensation.

According to our swot analysis, our major weakness is simply fact that environmental friendly cars are not yet popular amongst the Ohio populace. Also since we are a new car dealership business in Downtown Cincinnati and we don’t have the financial capacity to compete with multi – million dollars dealers in the country, we might find it hard penetrating the market.

• Opportunities

The growing awareness of the effect of carbons emitted from our everyday use of fossil fuels has created a demand we at Green Generation Cars plan to fill. People are becoming conscious of the environment and the dangers their activities pose to the earth. Global warming and climate change being showcased every day on our televisions have grown an awareness that will make our services and products acceptable and appreciated by our customers.

Just like any other business, one of the major setbacks that we are going to face at Green Generation Cars will be convincing people to patronize our services. But we believe that the opportunity we have in this industry far outweighs this threat. Another threat that might befall our business according to our swot analysis will be the arrival of a new car dealership outlet in the same location where ours is located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trend

Green Generation Cars is bound to be affected by forces and trends in the market. These include economic, competitive, legal/political, technology, and customer issues.

• Economic Environment

According to our research, positive forces for our business include the generally prosperous economy that is currently in place, full employment, rising wages, and low inflation, leading more people and businesses to be willing to consider a new car for themselves.

The strong stock market means people are making more money, primarily in the form of capital gains. Also, even though corporate downsizing is mostly seen as a negative trend, it has positive implications for Green Generation Cars.

• Legal/Political Environment

Indeed the new tax laws for automobile deductions are gradually becoming complicated for the average sales person to stay current with and understand. Car leasing is a way to save money and taxes.

• Technology Environment

We at Green Generation Cars acknowledge that some technological advancement like computer programs can make financial recordkeeping and tax preparation simple. We have employed an accountant, Mr. Fred Kendell from Midas Accounting to run the financial end of the business, including learning and updating auto sales and leasing software.

• Customer issues

We also know that as long as there is competition in the marketplace, a need will remain for sales professionals. Pricing may no longer be a point of negotiation as clients are more likely to buy from someone they like and trust than from someone who rubs them the wrong way. The more reason we will careful train our staff, to align them with the company’s visions and missions.

8. Our Target Market

Our customers at Green Generation Cars are divided into three groups: early-adopters, the younger generation, and cost-conscious-new-automobile-buyers.

• Early-adopters

We at Green Generation believe this particular set of customers will likely be our first because these people will eagerly try buying a car that operates on alternative fuels in addition to being an automobile pioneer. We believe that this type of customer will range widely in age but will share an interest in car engineering and maintenance. We also believe that these customers can be reached easily by advertising in magazines marketed to automobile enthusiasts, engineers, hobbyists, mechanics and scientists.

• The younger generation

These set of customers will likely set out to buy zero emission cars because these automobiles affect their future. They all know that environmentally friendly automobiles will not pollute their air or guzzle their gas. The younger generations are now witnessing the cumulative and destructive effects that carbon-based-fuel systems are having on the environment and global eco-political structures.

• Environmentalists

Our customers at Green Generation Cars will also include environmentalists. We believe that this set of customers exercise their purchasing power for the obvious environmental benefits. We believe these customers can easily be reached by direct marketing campaigns to local conservation groups, outdoors athletic clubs, and environmentally-sensitive political parties.

Our competitive advantage

Our Competitive Advantage at Green Generation Cars is the particular niche and market we are trying to fill. We have an edge over other operators in the industry because of our specialization in zero emission vehicles. Green Generation Cars will grow from four board directors plus two sales persons, one IT personnel, an accountant and one mechanic

Our media strategy will focus on direct marketing to local groups and clubs, as well as advertising in magazines. Sales prospects will be finalized in person, through mail-order, over the phone, and via the Internet. We also believe that as the visibility of our cars increases, sales among environmentalists and the younger generation will increase by 60% each month thereafter.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Source of income

Most of our inventory will be bought in advance to stock the showroom floor . Green Generation Cars is expected to grow in sales at a rate of 15% per month, starting from the conservative estimate of eight cars sold. Note that this financing will come initially from the executive board, giving room for plenty of opportunity for credit to cover unforeseen expenses, if necessary. Growth will be rapid and produce profits almost immediately.

10. Sales Forecast

Payroll alone in our early business stages to be about $51,000 for one mechanic and one accountant, while all sales staff operate on commission. Indeed margins are very hard to put together as the average per unit costs do not include marketing costs, promotions, or salesman commissions. But our overall average per unit revenue over per unit costs is based on past sales from other dealerships.

We hope to attain a margin that high in the future. We also anticipate a heady monthly increase in sales starting small (selling 8 cars in the first month). The gross margin within the first year will be modest, rising in the second and third year. Our major budget items will include salary, rent, sales and marketing expenses , utilities (including costs of photovoltaic cell maintenance), insurance, taxes and licensing.

Green Generation Cars net profit is also expected to reach outstanding levels in the first year, rising in the second and the third year. All of these profits can then be fed back into research and development opening the doorway to a secondary market role for Green Generation Cars to become a patent holding company.

• Marketing and Sales strategy

Just like we stated above, our media strategy will focus on direct marketing to local conservation groups, outdoors athletic clubs, and environmentally-sensitive political parties, as well as advertising in magazines marketed to automobile enthusiasts, engineers, hobbyists, mechanics and scientists, and through good ratings in consumer protection reports.

We also acknowledged that our board of directors as industry leaders and our employees will all bring their professional expertise and avocational contacts to Green Generation Cars and provide a solid foundation of connections for future marketing ventures.

We also plan to develop a one-page newsletter to be mailed quarterly to select target customers and prospects in our database. The newsletter can be used to update clients on available vehicles, leasing information, and tax related benefits.

Green Generation Cars will also put together a news release which will be sent to newspapers and magazines announcing the launch of Green Generation Cars. Our President Mr. Sebastian Crooks is an important member of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

He will also make himself available for speaking engagements at other community or civic organizations. Becoming a sponsor in a community event is also another low-cost way of increasing awareness and building goodwill in the community. We will also reward our customers for their repeat business. This can be accomplished by offering a discount special price to past customers who returned.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Promotion strategies will differ depending on the target market segment. Due to the importance of word-of-mouth/referrals among all market segments when choosing a pre-driven car dealership, we have put together plans to create awareness, stimulate trial, and build referrals.

A cost effective campaign focused on direct marketing, and advertising is being proposed. Our publicity and advertising strategy was effectively and carefully designed to communicate our brand. Below is how we plan to promote Green Generation Cars;

• Put adverts on community based newspapers, radio and TV stations
• Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
• Make use of the internet and social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Google+ and other platforms to promote our business.
• Make sure we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Downtown Cincinnati
• Share our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around Downtown Cincinnati
• Advertise our business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
• Brand all our official cars and ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Green Generation Cars is a zero emissions car selling firm established to provide the people of Ohio with an alternative to fossil fuel powered vehicles. Our plan is to encourage impulse buying, which is we believe it is very necessary we maintain a flexible pricing strategy.

Our projection for this niche market is compared to a collection of standard business ratios for other auto sales industries. Our experienced management understands that the prices we keep will tell a lot about our brand. Our plan is to bring to the people of Cincinnati cars that are environmental friendly and will still serve them well. We believe that our unique products will be priced slightly above the industry average.

• Payment Options

For both business and consumer clients, Green Generation Cars will be well positioned as a full-service car sales and leasing service. Unlike products which are produced, then distributed and sold, car sales and leasing services are produced and consumed simultaneously in a real-time environment.

This is why we plan making the services available in a convenient manner to our clients. Green Generation Cars will maintain extended hours and meet with clients in their home or office, whichever is more convenient. This flexibility is especially attractive to elderly customers.

Car buyers can contact Green Generation Cars by telephone, fax, and e-mail. We also anticipate a 20% mark up over cars obtained from dealer auctions and fleet companies. The leasing industry norm for the leasing portion of the business is 10%. We have also partnered and registered with the necessary financial institutions in the country and we hope to make use of that relationship. We will accept;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment through point of service machines
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Our goal at Green Generation Cars is to grow a business that will serve the needs of our customers and also ensure a balanced positive cash flow. With our diverse workforce and experienced board of directors, we plan to build a classic business that will invest residual profits into company expansion. We went through a great deal of hurdles to estimate our startup costs and overheads for the next three years.

It is believed that all new entrants in the industry operate with negative profits through the first two years. We at Green Generation Cars plan to avoid that kind of operating loss by understanding our markets, our competitors, industry direction, and the products we sell. Outlined below are the ways we plan spending our start-up cost;

• The Total Fee for Registering the Business in Cincinnati: $900.
• The budget for insurance, permits and license: $10,000
• The Amount needed to acquire a suitable Facility for 6 months in Oklahoma (face lifting of the facility inclusive): $75,000.
• The Cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (fridges, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al): $20,000.
• The Cost for Equipment: $15,000
• The Cost for inventory : $3,000,000
• The Cost of Launching a Website: $700
• Our marketing and publicity budget – $150,000
• The cost for our opening party: $6,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al): $7,000

From our detailed analysis above, we will need $3,284,600 to start Green Generation Cars. We have also put plans in place to raise the funds.

Generating Funding / Start up for Green Generation Cars 

Green Generation Cars was founded by five friends led by Mr. Sebastian Crooks. These experienced men, Adam Kendell, Pete Lennon, Otis Craig and Martins Mist are all from different walks of life and they are ready to invest their years of experience in Green Generation Cars. Thus, we have restricted the sourcing of the startup capital for the business to just three major sources.

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sale of stocks
• Generate part of the startup capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate part of the capital from the bank (loan facility).

Note : This group of friends has been able to raise $2,000,000 , and they are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $1,200,000.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Our strategy to build customer sales includes telemarketing and encouraging clients to refer future clients. Networking within business groups, civic groups, church groups, etc. is important, even if the business results are not immediately felt.

We understand that people will always want to obtain financial and auto sales and leasing services from someone they trust. Groups may also offer the opportunity for the business person to give a talk to the membership—an excellent public relations opportunity.

We at Green Generation Cars also plan to build our business capacity steadily based on the assumption of roughly $278,000 in annual payroll, 10% current and long-term interest rates, a 30% tax rate, and an available inventory totalling $8,988,048. Assuming demand does not outstrip supply, these conservative assumptions project immediate success for Green Generation Cars.

We are also prepared for our suppliers to release new products within the next 8 months; drastic increase in the price of inventory could threaten the stability of our business. Such fluctuations would only be threatening if they were industry-wide. Barring monopolistic manipulations of the supply of inventory, success is just around the corner. Also objectives have been set for Green Generation Cars so that actual performance can be measured against them.

Each subsequent year, new objectives will be set for these benchmarks, and actual performance will be measured against them. If actual performance falls short of objectives, investigation will be made into the cause, and plans adjusted accordingly. We at Green Generation Cars will keep track of the source of all new clients so as to measure the effectiveness of each type of promotion.

Checklist/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting feasibility studies: Completed
• Leasing, renovating and equipping our facility: Completed
• Generating part of the startup capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of software applications, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with banks, financial lending institutions, vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress

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• Business Plans Handbook
• Business Plans - Volume 06
• Used Car Business Business Plan Business Plan

Used Car Business BUSINESS PLAN

BUDGET CARS

145 Water Street Alpena, MI 49707

This business plan addresses all relevant concerns by presenting a comprehensive account of a month-by-month marketing strategy coupled with an extensive report on all aspects of the needs of a successful used car center. The care and detail of the financial figures assures a well-thought and carefully considered proposition. Note the effort to make the lender comfortable and familiar with the staff.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Industry description, market definition, marketing plan, company structure, financial plan, resumes and personality profiles.

• Mission —The mission of Budget Cars will be to buy and sell a desirable mix of quality used cars, trucks, and vans, and to create a friendly atmosphere where Budget Cars will be known for being your family used car center.
• Legal Status/Location —The legal status of Budget Cars is a subchapter "S" corporation. The location is in Alpena, Michigan.
• Products and Services —The products that Budget Cars will offer are quality used cars, trucks, and vans at below market value. The services that will be offered are in-house financing provided by area banks with approved credit and a full automotive detail center that will recondition all units for sale.
• Market and Sales Strategy Due to several different factors (season changes, market changes, opening date, etc.), our advertising strategies are going to vary accordingly. We are going to be consistent with our advertising in the "Out and About" section that runs every other week in the Alpena Journal and at least one ad once a month in the Daily Herald. January 15, 1997—Our goal is to open the doors and start our advertising in the "Out and About" section of the Alpena Journal , $40.00 each run, reaching 5,000 homes, and an ad in the Daily Herald . February—First week, buy the front page of the Daily Herald, $525.00, reaching 17,000 homes and continue with every other week in the Alpena Journal . Also concentrate on 3 spots a week in the classifieds, about $27.00 per week. March—This month we'll continue our "Out and About" section, 3 spots a week in the classifieds, and at least one ad in the Daily Herald to keep in contact with the out county. April—"Grand Opening" will be held this month. With the snow gone and everyone ready for a cookout, we'll have our "Family Festive." Included in this will be a tent, grilling hot dogs, contacting acquaintances with "Victorian" cars, and asking them to bring them to the lot for display. Also, the "Out and About" section and the ads in the classifieds will be run along with an ad in the Daily Herald . May, June, and July—We'll start with a little radio advertising, maybe sponsoring a morning weather program and continuing with our "Out and About" section and an ad in the Daily Herald . As for the classifieds, we'll determine at that time if they are worth using. August, September, and October—Still keeping with radio, sponsor a local high school sport and continue the "Out and About" section and an ad in the Daily Herald . November—We'll go with the "Out and About" section and the ad in the Daily Herald and determine if it's time to advertise in the classifieds. December—Have a coloring contest for the kids, with prizes that tie in with the holidays, advertising in the Alpena Journal and the Daily Herald. Budgeting $575.00 a month, a total of $6,900.00 a year, this should be a realistic dollar amount and provide us with plenty of exposure.
• Management Team and Responsibilities —The management team members are Ben Heath, Margerie Heath, and Peter James, with Ben ultimately being the leader. Margerie's responsibilities will include F&I, bookkeeping, answering and routing phone calls and payroll. Peter will be maintaining and operating the automotive detail center. Ben will be responsible for the buying and selling of automobiles and overseeing all operations. The number one responsibility of our management team is to create a friendly atmosphere where our customers come first. They will always be courteously acknowledged with a friendly smile and a handshake.
• Our main objective is to buy and sell 180 quality used vehicles in the first year of operation, with an increase per year of 60 vehicles, ultimately reaching an average of 300 cars per year.
• We project $171,000.00 in gross profit for the first year, making that a $950.00 per unit gross after marketing sales expense is deducted, increasing accordingly with the number of units sold per year to reach our $315,000.00 gross profit by the fourth year.
• Profit Projections —Budget Cars will have a net profit in the first year of operations.
• Balance Sheet Projections —We are projecting an increase of net worth of the business by $39,154.05.
• Initial Products and Services —When we first open in January 1997, if the weather is typically like most northern Michigan winters, there will be snow on the ground. Purposely the inventory will be minimal and focus on 4x4 trucks, utility units, and a family budget row of used cars that will satisfy the second car needs.
• Need for the Product and Service —With the prices of new vehicles reaching an average of $20,000.00 plus, and continually raising each year, the used car, truck, and van market has become stronger. That's why Budget Cars is opening their doors in January 1997 to take a share of the market which is wide open in this area.
• Major Suppliers —A majority of the vehicles that Budget Cars will offer will come from auctions and new car dealerships. The auctions will be our major suppliers of late model vehicles and the new car dealerships will be an access to the vehicles we can offer between $3,000.00 - $7,500.00. Other vehicles will come from trade-ins and private purchase units.
• Background of the Industry —Immediately following World War II, there were roughly nine buyers for every new car produced. Sales personnel merely had to find out who could afford a new car. "Afford" was defined as paying cash. This condition existed until the early 1950s when supply began to discover that some new terms were creeping into the retail salesperson's vocabulary. Words like "overallowance," "discount," "deal," and "terms." The emphasis, however, was still not on product but on price. In addition, the asking price was no longer final. There was also, if you could haggle a little, a taking price. It was possible to bargain with the dealer for the first time. During the 1960s, other new merchandising techniques were introduced. "Sticker price," "fleet price," "hard sell," "50 over invoice," "high-powered advertising," and "free" accessories were but a few new innovations. The buyer was becoming better educated, better able to buy—thanks to 24- and 36-month payments—but still confused and fearful of price. "Good deals" became "bad deals" after talking to friends and neighbors. Caution became the watchword when buying a car. The advent of the 1970s brought more confusion to buyers with new procedures like leasing, 48-month payments, credit unions, rebates, and consumer advocates. However, in defense of the consumer, books on "How to Buy a Car," "Invoice Prices U.S. Cars," and "Used Car Buyers Guide," were published and sold by the millions. During the 1970s automobile salespeople became conditioned to the notion that customers were interested in only one thing—the very lowest price. The automobile showroom atmosphere didn't change very much from the 1970s to the 1980s. Most retail salespeople saw the business of selling automobile as an "us against them" hard-sell game. Those who sold popular Japanese products became arrogant and insensitive to their customers and those of us who sold American vehicles continued with the approach that price, and price alone, sells vehicles. As the 1980s came to a close, however, the winds of change began to impact the retail automobile marketplace. Today, in the mid 1990s, the business of retailing automobiles is quite different than it has ever been in the past. In today's marketplace, 5 out of every 6 cars sold in the United States are used.
• Trade Association Assistance —Federal Register offers assistance with compliance guidelines for used car rules and (NADA) National Auto Dealers Association offers assistance.
• Industry Trends —Vehicle sales seems to be a trend with our Michigan seasons. While the sun is shining and the temperatures are warm, outdoor family activities become more popular, encouraging camping, vacations, and sight seeing. These activities increase the demand for minivans, station wagons, and sport utility vehicles. As the kids head back to school and the weather turns cold, road conditions deteriorate. This creates demand for a more rugged, durable unit such as light duty trucks and vans. The extra security of four-wheel drive is also more popular during this season.
• Number and Kind of Businesses in the Area in the Industry —There are four new car dealerships in Alpena that offer a line of used vehicles. There are also three used car lots in town offering a very limited selection of units.
• Government Regulations —An important regulation of the government is to obtain and maintain a class "B" license. The Federal Trade Commission also publishes rules and regulations for operating a used car lot. The used car rule has four basic components. (1) Prepare and display a Buyers Guide on each used vehicle offered to the consumer. (2) To include a special disclosure in the contract of sale. (3) To identify the final warranty terms in the contract of sale. (4) To give the purchaser a copy of the Buyers Guide that includes the final warranty terms.
• Business Cycle —Ups and downs go with any industry, but with the sale of used vehicles there seems to be more of a plateau. When the economy is good, sales are great. When the economy is sluggish, used cars are still in demand because of their price factor.
• Customer Profile —Budget Cars will be focusing on three customer profiles. One being a first-time buyer, age 16-25, next being the middle-class family looking for a second car, and third, age 50 and over low-income adults.
• Buying Decision Determinants —After presenting to the customer quality used vehicles that have been safety checked, backed with a warranty and a competitive low price, the main determinant that we believe will bring the customer to the close is working one on one with the owners and their honesty and reputations.
• Customer Awareness of Product/Service —Our advertising campaign will ensure that the customer knows who and where we are. Our up close and personal interview process will be a thorough, detailed, step-by-step explanation of our product and commitment to our customers' needs.
• Geographic —Our primary source of customer base will come from the local and surrounding counties. Starting from our location in Alpena, all of the counties are within a thirty-mile radius.
• Population —The total population of our targeted customer base is 93,945 people. Using Alpena as a comparison, according to the Census taken in 1990, the total population of Alpena County was 21,265. The number of 18- to 25-year-olds was 1,547, the number of people 25-54 was 8,344, leaving a total of 6,273 over the age of 55. The percentage of population that was over the age of 18 at that time was 76%.
• Sales —A statistic taken in 1990 determined the number of vehicles available per occupied housing unit in Alpena County. Of 8,580 housing units, 777 had no means of motorized transportation, 3,132 owned one vehicle, 3,346 housing units owned two vehicles, and 1,325 had three or more. In order for Budget Cars to reach its projected first-year goal of 15 units per month, only 2.4% of the Alpena market needs to be cornered. Any units sold to customers within the rest of the targeted counties will be additional business.
• Market Growth —An estimated population increase throughout our targeted counties can only mean more people with a need for transportation. There was a population increase from 21,265 to 27,912 in Alpena County by 1995.
• Jenson's Sales and Service Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Eagle, and used vehicles
• Alpena Ford Mercury Ford, Mercury and used vehicles
• Boji Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile GMC Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, GMC Trucks, and used vehicles
• Miller Chevrolet Cadillac Geo Chevrolet, Cadillac, Geo, and used vehicles
• Car Trade Center
• Thunderbird Auto
• Jake's Auto Parts
• Strengths and Weaknesses of the Competition —Jenson's Sales and Service is selling new and used cars on a more relaxed approach. Alpena Ford Mercury is aggressive in both new and used vehicle sales, with the majority of their used cars being higher priced program cars. Boji's is focused on new car sales. Miller offers new and used vehicles but are not very aggressive. There are three older used car lots in town that maintain a "B" license. Selling cars is not their main source of income. Very little, if any, priority is given to car sales.
• Pricing —Budget Cars is in a better position than our larger competitors because the overhead is much lower. All deals will be conducted between the owner and customer with no commission paid salesperson taking a cut from the profit made on the deal. The clean-up and reconditioning of all vehicles will be completed in-house. This way we will be able to beat the larger dealers' prices every time and still make enough profit to maintain business expenses and build capital for future expansion. Our main goal will be to sell more for less and be known as "Your Family Used Car Center."
• Marketing Overview —Budget Cars plans to focus on young first-time auto buyers, familes with second car needs, and low-income adults aged 50 and over. To capture this market we plan to advertise with the local newspaper and radio. But, more importantly, is the support and participation that we will show in community activities.
• Marketing Objectives —Budget Cars's main marketing objective is to focus on the customers' wants and needs and, at the same time, maintain a marketable selection of vehicles at all times. This will allow us to effectively influence and persuade them to buy.
• Advertising —Our main advertising strategy is to let our potential customer know that we are aware of their wants and needs and have quality inventory and prices. To prove it, we will let them know that if we don't have what they're looking for, we'll get it.
• Marketing Budget —From the time that Budget Cars takes possession, until the point of sale, the marketing budget will average $300.00 per unit. This includes the driver's expense, a safety check, repair work, if needed, reconditioning, and all forms and documents used to track market trends.
• Facility Requirements —The ideal facility for Budget Cars is a highly visible location with a lot large enough to hold 30 units and enough space for customer parking. Also, we will need a building large enough to house a reconditioning center and a sales floor with several private offices.
• Reconditioning Department —The equipment needed for this area will be a rug doctor, shop vacuum, stripping wheel, six-foot ladder, hose and nozzle, buffer, heat gun, miscellaneous small tools, and a plow vehicle for snow removal.
• Office and Sales Department —The equipment needed for this area will be two desks, nine chairs, one computer and printer, one fax machine, two phones, copy machine, two calculators, and a coffee machine.
• Labor Requirements —Budget Cars will have two salaried owners as their main operators. Ben will be manning the sales and Peter will take care of the reconditioning department. Margerie, a full-time employee, will be handling the office duties.
• Legal Status —Budget Cars will be a subchapter "S" corporation.
• Accountant —William P. Johnson of William P. Johnson Company PC CPAs, Alpena, Michigan, will be Budget Cars' accountant.
• Insurance —Cheryl Booker and Robert Ordowski of The Floyd Agency, Alpena, Michigan, will be Budget Cars' insurance agents.
• Consultant —Phillip J. West of Alpena Community College, Alpena, Michigan, has been a consultant for Budget Cars.
• Start-Up Costs —The start-up cost for Budget Cars will be $9,994.00. This figure includes office supplies, $377.00; marketing and reconditioning, $4,215.00; accounting and legal, $1,350.00; rental security deposit, $1,100.00; insurances, $1,575.00; gas expenses, $300.00; car phone and pager, $100.00; Chamber of Commerce dues, $177.00; and improvements to location, $800.00.
• Sources/Uses of Funds —Personal funds, a $25,000.00 ten-year loan and $150,000.00 of floor plan will be used to operate the business.
• Cash Flow Projections —Budget Cars foresees no cash flow projection problems.
• Profit/Loss Projections/Breakeven Analysis —The Company expects to have a gross profit the first year of $60,237.00.
• Balance Sheet Projections —Budget Cars projects an increase of net worth the first year to be $39,154.05.
• Business Location —Budget Cars will be located in Alpena, Michigan.
• Location Costs —The lease of the building will be $600.00 per month for two years.
• Licenses, Permits and other Regulations —Budget Cars will need a class "B" dealership license, a sales tax I.D. number, and a city permit for the opening.
• Insurance Needs —Budget Cars will need Fleet Insurance, Workman's Compensation, Renters' Insurance, and will be carrying health insurance for the shareholders.

Income Statement

This chart is a projection of our monthly cash flow after expenses. These figures have been meticulously researched and should be very close to the actual amounts. A start-up cost of $9,994.00 has not been included with these calculations.

Projected Yearly Gross Profit

This chart shows the average gross profit per unit and the profit potential with volume. Budget Cars has established goals in gross profit and volume for the next four years.

(with sales marketing expenses deducted)

15	162,000	171,000	180,000	189,000	198,000	207,000
17	183,600	193,800	204,000	214,200	224,400	234,600
18	194,400	205,200	216,000	226,800	237,600	248,400
20	216,000	228,000	240,000	252,000	264,000	276,000
23	248,400	262,200	276,000	289,800	303,600	317,400
25	270,000	285,000	300,000	315,000	330,000	345,000

Projected Monthly Material Expenses

This chart shows the materials required monthly for the clean-up and reconditioning of 15 safety-checked units.

(These figures are included in the Sales Marketing Expense.)
2 Gallons	Tire Dressing	25.00/Gal.	50.00
2 Gallons	Interior Cleaner	10.50/Gal	21.00
2 Gallons	Mag Wheel Cleaner	15.50/Gal	31.00
1 Gallon	Window Cleaner	9.00/Gal	9.00
1/4 Gallon	Miracle Wax	24.00/Gal	6.00
1/4 Gallon	Rubbing Compound	16.00/Gal	4.00
1/2 Gallon	Bug Remover	10.50/Gal	5.25
4 Each	Buffing Pads	4.50/each	18.00
3 Each	Stripping Pads	8.50/each	25.50
6 Each	Interior Paint	4.50/each	27.00
6 Each	Semi Gloss Paint	3.00/each	18.00
1/4 Gallon	Interior Deodorant	21.00/Gal	5.25
3 Gallons	Wash Soap	12.50/Gal	37.50
1 Each	Chamois	20.00/each	20.00
2 Gallons	Mineral Spirits	5.00/Gal	10.00
1/4 Package	Razor Blades	12.00/each	3.00
1 Case	Paper Towels	18.00/Case	18.00
5 Each	Wax Applicator	2.00/each	10.00
1/2 Roll	Polishing (Cheese) Cloth	30.00/Roll	15.00
6 Each	Touch up Paint	4.00/each	24.00

Class "B" Licensing Requirements

This list includes the necessary steps to take when acquiring a Class "B" Dealers License.

Original Application Assumed Name and/or Corporate Filing Fingerprint Cards Sketch or Photo of Business Location Zoning Approval Sheriff or Police Signature Repair Facility or Service Agreement Sales Tax License Secretary of State Branch Designation Fleet Insurance 2 Dealer Plates (Minimum) $10,000 Vehicle Dealer Surety Bond

Number of Vehicles Available per Household

This chart shows the number of vehicles per housing unit in Alpena County. We only need 2.4% of this market to reach our first-year gross profit goal.

Ashland	245	8	89	99	49
Botten	544	24	158	248	114
Cathro	199	0	40	92	67
Grass Island	244	25	73	107	39
Herron	316	20	140	112	44
Hubbard Lake	763	40	241	333	149
Lachine	2,896	492	1,256	888	260
Leer	1,092	33	350	505	204
Long Rapids	449	43	162	172	72
Metz	108	2	43	31	32
Ossineke	470	34	166	198	72
Polaski	521	36	163	208	114
Posen	257	3	98	122	34
Presque Isle	200	7	63	91	39
Sprat	276	10	90	140	36

Resumes and personality profiles of Budget Cars's management team.

CAREER GOAL

To own and operate a successful used-car dealership that I can devote all my energy and enthusiasm to.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Pine Country Ford, August 1986 - October 1990/July 1996 - Present (Sales Manager / Consultant)

*Create and maintain a diverse customer base *Conduct telephone interviews with potential customers *Maintain a thorough knowledge of all current inventory *Determine which inventory is marketable and contact buyers that may be interested *Persuade buyers into a oneon-one meeting *Recognize and satisfy customers' wants and needs *Assist customers in determining which vehicle and financing terms best fit their needs *Be the connecting link between the buyer and dealer while settling on a price which satisfies all parties involved

Alpena Ford Mercury, January 1991-June 1996 (Sales Consultant / Sales Manager)

*Oversee all sales operations to include showroom, display lot, and reconditioning shop *Appraise trade-in vehicles and offer a fair price that will encourage a sale and create a marketable trade-in *Order new vehicles from factory for retail and dealership inventory *Create a positive, enthusiastic atmosphere for the subordinate sales consultants that will promote increasing sales and high moral *Devise and carry out marketing plans to include advertising & promotions that will ensure growth and sales *Recognize customer needs and limitations through brief descriptions provided by sales consultants *Request and accept dealer trades that will satisfy a multitude of parties involved *Interact with the public on a constant daily basis in a positive, friendly, honest manner *Create and maintain a consistent marketable lot that will stimulate sales and growth through consumer tracking, market trends, and analyzing area economic status

United States Marines, March 1982 - July 1986 (Medical Administration Specialist)

*Decipher doctor-prepared patient charts and type them for future reference *Monitor, maintain, file, and organize patient records to ensure quality care *Operate all office equipment to include multi-line telephone, computer, printer, copy machine, facsimile machine

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

University of Miami, Miami, Florida - December 1989, Used Vehicle Management

Ford Division Increasing Sales through Prospecting Course - April 1987

Ford Division Compact and Full-Size Light Truck Selling Course - March 1987

Ford Division National Walk Around Course (First place in competition) - February 1987

Roger Bolt Advance Sales Course - October 1986

Roger Bolt Professional Sales Course - November 1986

Alpena Community College, Alpena, Michigan - September 1981-June 1982, Business Management

*Psychology *Public Speaking

Central High School, New York, New York - September 1981-June 1982

*Algebra *Geometry *Accounting *English *Government *Economics *History *Social Studies

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

*Ford Division Legend Leaders 300/500 Leadership Recognition Award 1995 *Top 10% Customer Satisfaction Diplomat Society Honors 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994 *Ford Division Recognition for being the Top Salesperson for Alpena Ford 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, promoted to Sales Manager in 1994 *Ford Division Recognition for being the Top Salesperson for Pine Country Ford 1986, 1987, promoted to Sales Manager in 1988 and in 1989 won Ford Division Professional Sales Managers Award, Top 10%

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

*Sunday School Teaching *Camping *Horseback Riding *Participating in outdoor activities with family *Gardening *Handy work around the house

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Summary of Predictive Index Results

Name: Ben Heath Survey Date: June 12, 1996 Report Date: June 24, 1996

Ben is an engaging, stimulating communicator, poised and capable of projecting enthusiasm and warmth, and of motivating other people.

He has a strong sense of urgency, initiative, and competitive drive to get things done, with emphasis on working with people in the process. He understands people well and uses that understanding effectively in influencing and persuading others to act.

Impatient for results, and particularly impatient with details and routines, Ben is a confident and venturesome "doer" and decision-maker who will delegate details and can also delegate responsibility and authority when necessary. Ben is a self-starter who is skillful at training and developing others. He applies pressure for results, but in doing so, his style is more "selling" than "telling."

At ease and self-assured with groups or in making new contacts, Ben is gregarious and extroverted, has an invigorating impact on people, and is always "selling" in a general sense. He learns and reacts quickly and works at a faster-than-average pace. Able to adapt quickly to change and variety in his work, he will become impatient and less effective if required to work primarily with repetitive routines and details.

In general terms, Ben is an ambitious and driving person who is motivated by opportunity for advancement to levels of responsibility where he can use his skills as team builder, motivator, and mover.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

To maximize his effectiveness, productivity, and job satisfaction, consider providing Ben with the following:

• Opportunities for involvement and interaction with people
• Some independence and flexibility in his activities
• Freedom from repetitive routine and details in work which provide variety and change of pace
• Opportunities to learn and advance at a fairly fast pace
• Recognition and reward for communications and leadership skills demonstrated
• Social and status recognition as rewards for achievement.

Prepared by: John Harper Copyright © 1994 by Profiles, Inc. All rights reserved.

PETER JAMES

Occupational goal.

Seeking employment with a professional establishment that provides a challenging stimulating work atmosphere to individuals who demonstrate a positive self-starting attitude.

• Alpena Ford Mercury, 1/17/95-Present Employer (Automotive Appearance Enhancement Technician) *Clean and detail engine compartments. *Strip excess finishes and imperfections with low RPM power wheel. *Repair minor scratches and discolorations of surface paints. *Rustproof over spray removal. *Paint Protection application. *Apply new finishes. *Perform interior cleaning and minor repair. *Apply dye to carpets and upholstery. *Operate industrial debris extractor. *Apply after market and OEM accessories.
• American Waste Systems, 1/14/94-11/9/94 (Route Coordinator) *Maintain continuity of 10 collection routes by filling in and training new drivers for routes with short callings. *Organize route changes for maximum efficiency and make changes in computer automated route sheets. *Complete route audits and analysis.
• Jackson's Disposal Service Inc., 1/6/91-1/13/94 (Collection Route Driver) *Operate manual and automatic transmission heavy trucks *Operate Clark Pneumatic Forklift. *Operate industrial recycling equipment such as cardboard baler, paper shredder, and glass crusher. *Operate FCC licensed two-way radios. *Operate front end loaders.
• Holiday Inn of Alpena, 7/11/90-10/12/90 (Night Auditor) *Investigate cashier discrepancies *Credit card collection. *Complete computer automated audits. *Computer interfacing. *Accounts Payable/Receivable. *Word processing. *Facsimile sending & receiving *Modem communication. *Automated telephone switchboard operation.
• United States Marines, 8/9/84-2/23/90 (Food Service Shift Leader, 4/1/89-2/20/90) (Shift Supervisor 3/10/88-4/1/89) (Night Auditor 1/1/86-3/10/88) (Desk Clerk 10/15/84-1/1/86) *Operate Wang Mainframe Computer. *Operate NCR cash register. *Utilize manual and computerized telephone switchboards. *Prepare City Ledger Accounts. *Accounts Payable/Receivable. *Bank deposits. *Assign Duties. *Prepare schedules. *Train personnel on computer. *Complete employee performance reports. *Meal preparation and stock ordering. *Calculate amount of food required for each day's consumption.
• ASB Leadership School, June 7, 1989-July 6, 1989 *People/Resource Management
• Alpena Community College, August 28, 1988-June 1, 1989 *Mathematics *Music
• Community College of the Marines, October 15, 1984-February 23, 1990 *Hotel/Restaurant Management
• Alpena High School, September 1, 1982-June 1, 1984 [Diploma 3.5 GPA] *Accounting *Algebra *Art *Geometry *English *Drafting *Physics

*Own and operate Acer 7100 personal computer with Microsoft Windows/Works & MS DOS. Also Installed Drivers for a Canon BJC 4000 Ink Jet Printer that is used with this computer. *Clean driving record with a commercial Class B endorsement. *Own & operate various Multi-Track sound recorders and mixers. *Perform extensive automobile repair & Car Stereo installations.

*Playing Guitar *Sound Recording *Operating my personal computer *Electronics *Automobiles *Home remodeling

Name: Peter James Survey Date: September 11, 1996 Report Date: September 11, 1996

Peter is an intense, results-oriented, self-starter, whose drive and sense of urgency are tempered and disciplined by his concern for the accuracy and quality of his work. His approach to anything he does, or is responsible for, will be carefully thought-out, based on thorough analysis and detailed knowledge of all pertinent facts.

Strongly technically oriented, he has confidence in his professional knowledge and ability to get things done quickly and correctly. With experience, he will develop a high level of expertise in his work and will be very aware of mistakes made either by himself or anybody doing work under his supervision. Peter takes his work and responsibilities very seriously and expects others to do the same.

In social matters, Peter is reserved and private, with little interest in small talk. His interest and his energy will be focused primarily on his work and, in general, he is more comfortable and open in the work environment than he is in purely social situations. In expressing himself in his work environment he is factual, direct, and authoritative.

Imaginative and venturesome, Peter is a creative person, capable of developing new ideas, systems, plans, or technology, or of analyzing and improving old ones. He relies primarily on his own knowledge and thinking, with little reference to others, relying as much as possible on himself alone to get things done. He will find it difficult to delegate, feeling strongly that if he is to be sure that something is done right, he must do it himself.

When, as a supervisor, it may be necessary for Peter to delegate details, he will follow up very closely and will be quick to spot and correct mistakes. His primary concern is to get things done right and quickly, and in accomplishing that goal he will be demanding of himself and others. While he may be perceived by other people as a rather aloof person, he will earn their respect for his knowledge of his work and the soundness of his decisions.

To maximize his effectiveness, productivity, and job satisfaction, consider providing Peter with the following:

• Opportunities to broaden the technical knowledge of his work with learning experience in increasingly responsible positions
• As much autonomy as possible in expressing his ideas and putting them into action
• Recognition for tangible results obtained, rather than for political or selling skills

MARGERIE HEATH

To contribute the skills and abilities needed in the successful formation and continued operation of a profitable business.

Henderson Real Estate, June 1996-Present - Smith Realty, May 1987-June 1989 [Receptionist/Sales Agent]

*Receive and route phone calls *Arrange and store of documents *Prepare legal documents and business forms with word processor *Greet customers *Build and maintain a customer base *Identify the needs of customer requests *Present a list of available options *Conduct tours of properties of their interests *Acting as Liaison between Seller and Buyer to reach a result which is suitable to all parties

Hidden Valley Resort, June 1984-May 1996 - Duchess Inn, July 1987-January 1989 (Waitress/Hostess/Bartender/Supervision)

*Provide people a with warm, friendly atmosphere *Take orders and relay them to the kitchen staff utilizing a data processor *Fulfill orders and beverage requests in a quick and orderly manner *Monitor dining area and recognizing patrons' needs *Prepare guest check on computer *Process payment and provide correct change to guest *Recognize personnel shortages and take necessary action *Delegate responsibilities to co-workers *Train new personnel *Credit card collection *Prepare bank deposits

Michigan State University, September 1984-February 1987 *Business Administration/Psychology

Northern High School, September 1980-June 1984 *Business *Accounting *Algebra *Geometry *Pre-Calculus *English *Typing

*Maintain a valid real estate license *Teach Sunday School Courses *Full-time parent *Outgoing *6 year Cheerleader *Awarded for top monthly sales October 1995 *Caring *Enthusiastic

*Camping *Riding bike *Participating in outdoor sports of all kinds *Cooking *Playing cards *Gardening

Name: Margerie Heath Survey Date: July 10, 1996 Report Date: July 10, 1996

Margerie is a patient, stable, and cooperative person who will do her work as instructed and will depend on management and professional training to provide the necessary guidelines. She has the patience and tolerance required for routine work and can be relied on to do such work consistently and in a relaxed manner.

She will focus on the details of her work and will handle them with somewhat better-than-average accuracy. In work involving repeated contact with people, Margerie will be pleasant and agreeable, helpful and cooperative. She derives satisfaction from being of service to others, works comfortably under close supervision, and likes to feel part of a secure team.

Fairly easygoing, Margerie works at a steady, relatively unhurried pace and is comfortable doing the same things in the same way repeatedly. In the event of change in her work and responsibility, she needs to be given time to learn the new work thoroughly, which is best done with some opportunity for practice. Once having learned, she retains well.

In social terms, Margerie is unassuming, friendly and pleasant in general contact. She is a patient and willing listener, particularly with people she knows well and with whom she feels at ease.

Dependably consistent and steady in her work habits, Margerie will need close support and encouragement from supervision when she is required to work under pressure or in changing conditions.

To maximize her effectiveness, productivity, and job satisfaction, consider providing Margerie with the following:

• Thorough, careful training in all detailed aspects and routines of her job
• Opportunity for repetitive practice doing what she has been trained to do
• A stable, familiar work environment and organization, with assurance of security provided by helpful, supportive management
• Expressions of recognition for long service, cooperation and work well done
• Assurances of stability, security, and continuity of relations with familiar coworkers

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How to Start a Car Flipping Side Business

Survey the Landscape

The easiest way to start a car-flipping business is by going after local buyers. Getting a handle on the most popular used cars and trucks in your immediate area should be pretty easy. Zeroing in on the best price points to pursue is a little trickier. Request used car sales statistics from the department of motor vehicles to get a clearer picture of industry trends in your state. Once you’ve accurately gauged local demand, you can come up with an effective business plan.

Devising a Strategy That Works

There are a number of different ways to build a car-flipping business that consistently rakes in the dough. Most flippers buy a used car, register it and sell it to the highest bidder within a short time frame. Cars and trucks that can be sold for between $2,000 and $4,000 are a good place to start. You can move on to more expensive models later once your business is on firm ground. It’s also wise to specialize in a particular class of vehicle such as sub-compact sedans when you’re first starting out.

Start-Up Costs to Consider

Depending on where you live, starting a car-flipping business can cost as little as $500. Every jurisdiction has a limit on how many cars you can flip before you’re considered a dealer. If you have to register as a dealer, start-up costs can rise significantly. You should have at least $2,000 on hand when you get started to ensure success. If your credit is decent, you can borrow that first car payment from your local credit union.

Required Resources and Materials

At a minimum, you’ll need a home office to keep track of expenses and revenue. A decent PC, an all-in-one printer and a filing system for hard copies of paperwork will suffice. You’ll also want a garage to store cars while they’re waiting to be sold. A few cleaning products like Armor All wipes and a shop vacuum are a must. If you plan on tuning up cars before you re-sell them, the usual tools like floor jacks and ratchet sets are required.

Being Aware of Laws and Regulations

To begin with, many states have restrictions on how many cars you can own in any given year without being considered a dealer. In Vermont, the limit is 12. In other states, flipping more than one car in a calendar year is enough to qualify you as a dealer. Research your local regulations and base your business in a neighboring state if need be. Look up the tax ramifications of selling cars for profit before you start.

Protecting Yourself from Liabilities

The key to making it in the car-flipping game without suffering show-stopping setbacks is paperwork. When you buy or sell a car, you need to establish a rock-solid chain of custody via registrations and bills of sale. Have a local attorney advise you on the best way to draft sales contracts to ensure that you don’t have problems down the line. Know that there’s a de facto “lemon law” called the warranty of merchantability  that’s applicable to car sales made by dealers.

Making the Right Business Contacts

Most successful car flippers rely on the expertise of a few different specialists to make wise decisions. If you’re not great at fixing cars, find an affordable mechanic that you can trust. A competent lawyer can help you to navigate various local laws and ordinances. Local business owners can be a great way to funnel customers to your venture. The point is that you should network with as many professionals as possible.

How to Find the Right Cars to Flip

Tracking down the actual merchandise that you’ll be selling is pretty simple. Craigslist is the best way to get the goods since you can negotiate pretty easily if you know what you’re doing. Use Google Alerts to notify you of cars that meet your criteria. Government auctions are another great way to find amazing deals on used cars. Use sites like  SaferCar  and  Lemon Checks  to vet potential purchases to avoid being scammed on damaged vehicles.

Where to Sell the Cars

The best way to move cars is by listing them on digital exchanges like Craigslist,  Autotrader  and  CarGurus . If you want to accelerate the flipping process, you should meet prospective buyers at their homes or workplaces for test drives. Parking cars next to main thoroughfares with a “For Sale” sign in the window is another way to go. Get to know local business owners that will allow you to use their lots to display your cars.

Operational Issues & Tricks of the Trade

It should go without saying that you’ll get a better price on your vehicles if you give them a makeover before you flip. You should sign up for member accounts with parts vendors like  Advance Auto  and  AutoZone  to get discounts on windshield wipers and cleaning supplies. When listing your cars online, take many high-quality photos of your merchandise to attract only serious buyers. Give yourself some breathing room in the cash reserves department to avoid being forced to sell at a loss.

Marketing the Outfit the Right Way

While you don’t need to brand yourself or your operation to succeed in the car-flipping game, doing so can substantially boost your profits. You should set up a basic site where you can list cars that you’re currently selling using WordPress or Squarespace. Printing up a few business cards that you can hand out is never a bad idea. The idea is to establish your reputation as a reliable source of decent used cars at fair prices.

Growing the Business Incrementally

If you want to earn more while working less, flipping increasingly pricey vehicles is a wise idea. If you sell just one car per month at an average profit of $3,000, you’re looking at a healthy side income. You can quickly go from flipping vehicles in the $4,000 range to selling luxury models that run $30,000 by consistently reinvesting profits in the business. However, you may find that sticking to the lower end of the used car price range is more lucrative.

Taking the Business to the Next Level

At some point, you may want to make your car-flipping concern a full-time business. To do so, you’ll need to become a registered dealer. This will typically require a license from your state and a surety bond at the very least. You could also stretch your income by tracking down cars for other vendors and earning a finder’s fee. At the end of the day, there’s no limit to how much money you can make flipping cars if you keep your eyes peeled for deals.

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4+ SAMPLE Used Car Business Plan in PDF | MS Word

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