Since its launch in late 2020, GM has refined VINView, McNeil said. A vehicle leaves the factory and travels to a dealership.
Nienow had assured customers that dealers didn’t have FedEx-level car tracking data. “You can sell more confidently on your incoming units if you know they’ve shipped already,” he said.
The epidemic and global microprocessor shortage drained stockpiles, making the instrument vital. Customers frequently call Donohoo Chevrolet in Fort Payne, Ala., for updates.
“Customers are used to waiting a few days for a vehicle. It’s usually there “said he
LaFontaine Automotive Group, which participated in an early VINView test, had 40 sales employees tracking 2,000 in-transit automobiles across six GM locations in Michigan.
In fact, Ryan Hutchings, inventory manager at the group’s GM stores, says all salesmen can do it themselves.
LaFontaine can also give shoppers an exact arrival date for a selected vehicle, rather than a broad timeframe.
GM executives believe the technology will reduce dealer inventory needs in the future.
‘It helps us as an OEM to run leaner,’ McNeil added.
GM executives said dealers will always have some inventory, but how much is unknown. By year’s end, Chevy expects to have some Bolt EVs and EUVs at regional centres for dealers to use, albeit the fastest-selling Bolts will be on dealer lots.
GM is still working on a regional lot allocation plan, McNeil added.
“We’ll start with EVs — Bolt and Bolt EUV — and then branch out because we see a lot of potential,” he stated.
GM hasn’t elaborated, but dealers believe retaining certain automobiles off-site but nearby has benefits in a typical market.
“It’ll be terrific in a year or two,” said Robert Simmons, executive general manager of LaFontaine’s GM dealerships. “Right now, we want it all.”