Re: Making Audi A Player

["George S Achorn III" <coolidge@nicom.com>]

Shaun Mullen Wrote:

>AoA is well aware of its many dealer network problems.  Given its spotty
>record, whether it has the will to act on these problems over the long
>haul is something else altogether.  I am aware, however, that AoA is
>trying to weed out less enthusiastic dealerships where possible, and is
>leaning on more enthusiastic, higher volume dealerships to build
>Audi-only showrooms.

	Most of my experience is with the Autohause establishments in the
Harrisburg and Lancaster areas of PA. They both have Audi, VW and Porsche,
and the mix is very complimentary. All bases are covered between the three,
except maybe trucks. When you walk into the dealership there is a great
feel of German heritage in engineering. As you walk through the showroom
you can check out an A8, 911 Turbo, or a Jetta Trek. They have a huge
accessories shop next to their parts counter and the original store in
Lancaster has a museum downstairs equipped with a Formula V racer, a 57 356
Speedster, a 356B Coupe, a 79 Beatle with 75 miles on it, a split window,
Dustin Hoffman's old orange Karmann Ghia convertible etc, etc etc. 
	I'm spoiled I know. But this is a great model dealership in my eyes. I
have the usual complaints like the service guy is clueless etc etc, but the
setup works and their numbers show it. Contrarily a certain VW dealer near
the U of Maryland usually has about 1 or 2 VWs visible from the road. If VW
and Audi along with Porsche could focus on turning most major markets into
a large dealership containing the three, it'd be successful in my opinion. 
	These Audi/Toyota or Audi/Lincoln or other random dealers like that have
no room in today's market with Used Auto Superstores that now even stock
new cars.
	That's my 2 cents. Later-G