Dick
Oct 31st, 2006, 8:11 am
I just got the Nov issue of ON and read where my friend George Young got published in the 'RidertoRider' column. All about his take on why the scarcity of BMW dealerships in the US compared to other marques. Makes sense, rider/owner opinion aside. George is pretty well traveled on BMWs, and has been for quite awhile, so I think he's got a vantage point that folks like me don't have. I've got two dealerships within an hour or so, and each fall into a different corporate strategy. Lone Star BMW of Austin is well established, with a good reputation for all tangible thangs related to a dealer (large apparel department, recognized service and parts depts., friendly sales staff, pleasing showroom presentation, nice folks all-round, small personnel turnover). And Alamo BMW in San Antonio, known for fairly high volume sales; no glitz; smallish apparel and service depts., limited parking, etc. Definitely not yet turned the corner on BMW Corporate's dealership upgrade urgings (although that may be changing, as rumors abound of a shop move out IH-10 west toward Boerne).
Anyway, I hope to have *$$ with George this Friday and continue this discussion with him (he maintains a 'winter' residence in the Hill Country and a primary in PA). He has some interesting stories about the small dealerships around the country that have gone above and beyond for the traveling rider, and his efforts in getting the positive word out about those places he is familiar with. He also keeps a K100 in Heidelburg, Germany and in traveling on the continent, is able to see the difference in corporate strategy toward EU dealership numbers versus US numbers.
Anyway, I hope to have *$$ with George this Friday and continue this discussion with him (he maintains a 'winter' residence in the Hill Country and a primary in PA). He has some interesting stories about the small dealerships around the country that have gone above and beyond for the traveling rider, and his efforts in getting the positive word out about those places he is familiar with. He also keeps a K100 in Heidelburg, Germany and in traveling on the continent, is able to see the difference in corporate strategy toward EU dealership numbers versus US numbers.