World’s Largest BMW Dealership Opens In South Florida
Vista BMW has opened in Coconut Creek, FL, as the world’s largest BMW dealership. The 137,000 sq.-ft. facility features BMW and Mini Cooper showrooms, BMW Certified Pre-Owned Cars, a high tech 52-bay service center, a Vista Boutique and Vista Drive-In Cafe.
In a time when consumers think nothing of buying automobiles online, Vista has developed a truly relationship-based dealership. Vista also plans to offer seminars on everything from car care and engine combustion to behind the scenes tours of the country’s most technologically advanced dealership.
Following the model of BMW Corporate Headquarters in Europe, Vista has a highly stylized look, reflecting BMW’s quality engineering. The tiered rotundas that form the entrance to the showroom evoke precision-crafted pistons, and the sleek metal fixtures and grids on the ceiling expose the structural engineering.
Today’s Image-Conscious Youth Desire Sleek, Customized Cars
Today’s teens are reshaping the way cars are bought, sold and customized., according to NADAguides.com, a leading vehicle information web site. “As a result of this resurgence in ‘car culture popularity,’ manufacturers, designers, dealers and marketers are changing the way they do business,” said Mark Perleberg, NADAguides.com. “Automakers realize the importance of building brand loyalty with today’s youth, and as a result, customization has become increasingly important.”
Today, dealerships are more than willing to finance younger car buyers, something they wouldn’t have considered years ago. There’s a wealth of attractive financing packages to help younger consumers afford higher-priced cars they typically couldn’t buy in the past.
Popular teen vehicle choices:Toyota SR5, Subaru WRX STi, Honda Civic, Jeep Wrangler and Ford F-150. Popular parent vehicle choices: Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Ford Explorer Sport, Ford Mustang V-6 and Dodge Neon.
Consumer Demand For SUVs Weakening
Consumer demand for sport utility vehicles is weakening, according to a recent report from the Power Information Network (PIN), LLC. The data show that the number of days SUVs sit on dealer lots before selling has increased substantially over 2003. SUV prices have also declined while average new-vehicle prices have increased, and incentives increased more on SUVs than on any other type of vehicle.
The number of days SUVs are on dealer lots increased from 60 days in July 2003 to 73 days in July 2004, a 22% increase. Days to turn for luxury SUVs increased by 47%, more than double the industry rate, as these vehicles sat on dealer lots for 50 days in July 2004 versus 34 days a year ago. The average SUV transaction price dropped 2% in July versus a year ago, while overall new vehicle prices edged up slightly. Luxury SUVs exhibited the most weakness, as the average price slid almost 5%.
“The data clearly suggest the SUV segment is under exceptional pressure,” said Tom Libby, Sr. Director of Industry Analysis, PIN. “Higher gas prices and a renewed emphasis on cars by some of the OEMs have both likely played a role in this trend.”
The Rolex “Moments In Time” display commemorates the 31st anniversary of the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Each year, hundreds of historic sports and racing cars are entered in 14 races. Showtime Enterprises, Paulsboro, NJ, designed the display to convey a museum quality feeling where visitors can experience the heritage of these cars. “The most dramatic feature of the exhibit, other than the automobiles, centers on the graphic displays that depict the history of the cars and their drivers,” said Karolyn Chebookjian, Sr. V.P., Showtime Enterprises.
STERLING PROMOTIONAL CORP.
Champ Car Soft Zone Installed In Mall
Limelight Media Group, Memphis, TN, has installed the first Bridgestone Presents the Champ World Series Powered by Ford Themed Soft Zone in the Flat Iron Crossing Mall in Broomfield, Colorado.
The Champ Car Themed Soft Zones feature attractive seating. The focal point of each area is a multimedia island display with plasma screens airing content and ads. The display also includes interactive kiosks that allow patrons to interact with the theme sponsor or advertisers. Limelight plans to install Themed Soft Zones in malls around the nation.
Diamond Powersports Launches Mobile Store
Diamond Powersports has unveiled the “Sportbike Innovation In Motion” mobile superstore, a traveling 800 sq. ft. custom showroom for the entire Diamond Powersports’ product line.
Pierre Elliott, CEO, Diamond Powersports, said, “From its bold red exterior design to its cutting edge sporty interior, everything about this ‘Sportbike Innovation In Motion’ mobile superstore reflects ingenuity.”
The mobile store will travel to races and other large motorcycle events. A flat screen TV shows footage of the industry’s best sportbike stunt riders and slatwalls display Diamond’s sportbike accessories.
SignFlash Signage Promotes ‘Lance Day’
Specialized Communications recently used SignFlash dynamic digital signage to provide advertising for “Lance Day” sponsors, Sharrett Subaru, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
The signage featured sponsor’s logos that transitioned one into the other in the lower left corner of the 42” plasma display with a video window that allowed Tour de France footage to be aired along with Sharrett Subaru advertising. The video was switched to live video feed at the time of the Tour de France race during the day and back to pre-recorded footage at other times.
SignFlash is a turnkey solution developed and manufactured by Specialized Communications, located in Smithsburg, MD.
Parts Plus Merchandiser
Parts Plus required a visual system that would display to its customers all of the services available at its franchises, including prices. As the services and prices varied with each location, the system had to be completely flexible; large enough to hold l00 items, small enough to ship via UPS, and graphically appealing. The merchandiser features a sophisticated molded chassis, only 48” x 3l”, capable of holding and pricing up to l00 items. Each unit came supplied with a library of over l00 colorful strips designed to slide into rails and a pricing system featuring an injection molded digit carrier with die cut price tabs. The unit is easy to set up and easy to install. The merchandiser achieved an increase in ticket sales as high as 20% as well as day to day education of both the staff and customer. The Parts Plus Merchandiser was created by International Patterns Inc., 50 Inez Drive, Bay Shore, NY 11706.
Testrite Instrumlent Co., Inc. offers its Presto™ Pop-Ups Frame Kits which consist of 2 l/2' square quads and Velcro (R) binding and a travel bag. The Pop-up display sets up in two minutes. It provides an economical virtual portable billboard. A wrinkle free stretch fabric is available for the 'face'. Kits are available in various sizes with different graphic sizes. There is also an end cap wrap around for a flat look. For more information, contact Testrite Instrument Co., Inc., 135 Monroe Street, Newark, NJ 07l05.
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