US Auto Sales Rose in February

Data: Auto Sales Rose in February

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A new report from S&P Global Mobility shows US auto sales rose slightly in February. The sales figures were helped by an increased supply of new and used vehicles on lots across the nation.

Here are some of the key takeaways from S&P Global Mobility’s report:

• Total Sales: The report estimates a total of 1,098,000 light vehicles were sold in the US in February 2023. In February 2022, this figure was 1,045,624.
• Electric Cars: Battery electric vehicles accounted for just over eight percent of cars sold in the last month. A year ago, they held less than six percent of the market.
• Annual Sales Prediction: S&P Global Mobility’s analysts predict a total sales volume of 14.8 million for 2023 - a seven percent increase over 2022.

Was February a good sales month for your dealership? Do you agree with S&P Global Mobility’s assessment that 2023 should be a strong growth year for the auto industry? Share your thoughts below!

PPC Ads: How to Promote a Spring Sales Event

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March is here - which means spring is just around the corner. If your dealership is planning a big sales event, you’re probably wondering how you should market it to maximize your results.

At fusionZONE, we recommend using PPC advertising to generate leads and encourage people to come to your showroom.

Here are a few tips that will help you ensure your PPC campaign is a roaring success:

• Create a Custom Landing Page: Do not send the people who click on your ad to your home page. Instead, send them to a landing page that features all the information they need to know about your spring event. You can even add an RSVP form to the page.
• Use a Countdown Customizer: Google Ads allows you to add a countdown timer to your PPC ads. Using it makes it clear to shoppers when the event starts and instills a sense of urgency that encourages them to take action.
• Use Your Email List to Target Users: Import your dealership’s email list into Google Ads and use it to target your PPC campaign. People who have already interacted with your company are much more likely to attend your event and purchase a vehicle than those who do not have an existing relationship with you.

Need some help with your PPC campaign? Get in touch with the fusionZONE team! We’ve been helping dealerships drive sales with Google Ads for years, and we’d be happy to assist you too!

Bill: Businesses Can Sell Electricity for EVs

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Georgia is moving closer to passing a bill that would give repair shops and other businesses the right to charge EV owners for electricity. If the proposal succeeds, we may soon see other states pass similar laws.

Here’s what you need to know about the proposed bill in Georgia:

• The Terms: The bill will allow stores that own EV charging equipment to sell electricity by the kilowatt hour. The state would then collect an excise tax on the transaction.
• The Objective: According to Rep. Rick Jasperse, the sponsor of the bill, the main goal of the proposal is to maintain funding for transportation infrastructure as the state shifts away from carbon-based fuels to renewable fuels. 
• The Current Status: The bill has already unanimously passed the House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee. The House Rules Committee will debate the matter in the coming weeks.

Do you want the fusionZONE team to keep you updated on the passage of this bill? If so, all you need to do is click that subscribe button. We’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing!

How to Lower Your Website’s Bounce Rate

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According to CXL, the average bounce rate for auto industry websites is nearly 52 percent. That means you can generally expect just over half of the people who visit your auto dealership’s site to leave without taking any further action.

If your performance reports show your website has a bounce rate that is significantly higher than that, it’s time to take action to get your results closer to the industry average.

Here are a few ways you can reduce your bounce rate:

• Shorten Your Loading Times: If your website takes a long time to load, most people will leave in a matter of seconds. If you want them to stay, boost your loading times by optimizing your images and eliminating the use of redirects.
• Create More Readable Content: If your content is hard to read, people will leave your site quickly. Make your text more easily digestible by using short paragraphs and plenty of relevant subheaders.
• Use Enticing Calls to Action: Encourage users to take further action on your website by using calls to action such as, “Call today to get $50 cash back!” or “Deal ends today. Click here to learn more!” 

Want to learn more? Check out this fusionZONE blog! It’s filled with advice you can use to lower your bounce rate.

Report: Construction Industry Momentum is Slowing

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New data from the Dodge Construction Network indicates construction industry momentum may be slowing down. The news could have a negative impact on equipment sales.

Here are a few of the key facts and figures from the Dodge Construction Network’s report:

• The Slowdown: The Dodge Momentum Index - a measure of nonresidential building projects in planning - fell by 8.4 percent in January. 
• Current Momentum Levels: Despite the slowdown, momentum in the sector remains strong. It is currently about 35 percent higher than it was twelve months ago. 
• The Future: Sarah Martin, the associate director of forecasting for Dodge Construction Network, says labor shortages and high material costs could cause industry momentum to continue to slow throughout 2023.

Do you want to make sure your equipment dealership continues to succeed despite this industry slowdown? If so, consider pairing fusionZONE with Karmak! Contact us today to learn more!

LinkedIn Unveils New Engagement Features

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LinkedIn has announced it plans to roll out a suite of features designed to help companies better engage with their followers on the platform. 

Here’s an overview of just a few of the tools that are coming soon to LinkedIn:

• Improved Activity Section: Images, videos, and articles in the Activity section will now appear in a more visually engaging way.
• Newsletter Scheduling: Companies will now be able to schedule their newsletters up to 90 days in advance. 
• SEO Meta Titles: Businesses will have the option to add SEO titles to their articles and newsletters.

When can you expect the new features to be available to your company? According to LinkedIn, they will be “available to all members in the next few weeks.” So, stay tuned!

While you wait patiently to receive access to the tools, don’t forget to follow our LinkedIn page! It features tons of tips and best practices you can use to take your company to the next level!

fusionZONE Upcoming Events

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Mastermind Webinar Series | March TBD, 2023 | 2:00 pm EST

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our latest webinar Compliance for Dealerships: FTC Safeguards Rule with CorePlus. Weren't able to attend? No need to sweat, click here to view a recording of our event where we discuss how your dealership can effectively prepare for the fast-approaching FTC Safeguards Rule that goes into effect on June 9th. 

It was great seeing everyone and we hope to see you at our next event in March! To stay up to date on our latest events, be sure to subscribe to our calendar. 

Digital Dealer Conference & Expo | May 1-3, 2023 | Tampa, FL

?? Calling all automotive professionals, we're heading to Tampa, FL for Digital Dealer Conference & Expo and we'd love to see you there! Join us for this 2.5-day experience designed to power professional growth and connections within the automotive industry. Plan on attending? Please let us know so we can coordinate a time to meet up.

Thanks for reading and we'll see you next time! ??