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Ladies: Patience, personality help with sales FROM PAGE 5
ternet sales since April. Her inexperience in the auto industry was a benefit, she said, because it made buyers trust her more because they believed she was less likely to pull the wool over their eyes. “All the things I was looking for with my family, I know what they’re looking for,” she said. “I sympathize a lot with other women who have gone through a divorce and raising kids. I love helping people that are going through a hard place in their life and getting them into a vehicle.” Like Fradenburg, the other female sales reps in Tupelo haven’t been in the industry for many years. Denton was a waitress. Jennifer Eaves worked in parts and accounting at Barnes Crossing Hyundai before asking to move to sales. Little sold cars 15 years ago be-
fore taking time off to raise daughter. She started back last month. Jasmine Jefferson worked in retail for years and said she got burnt out. She was good at sales so she switched to the auto industry. “It takes patience, a great personality and great people skills to sell cars,” Jefferson said. McCoy also is new to car sales, but she’s catching on quickly. She previously was a licensed hair stylist for years. “It’s just a different product,” she said. “You still have to sell yourself.” McCoy’s advice to women looking to get into the business: “Do not let your lack of knowledge of cars intimidate you.The potential to make money is there. I think women really have a great advantage in this industry.” carlie.wells@journalinc.com
Sales: Worse appears to be over for dealers FROM PAGE 4
2008, then the bottom fell out,” Lehman said. While the economy is recovering still, the worst appears to be over. Last year, the industry was rocked when the deadly Japanese tsunami sharply reduced Japanese automakers’ supply of vehicles. Toyota and Honda were hit especially hard, but have since returned to full production. That’s also helped overall vehicle sales, Lehman said. “The car business is good right now,” he said. New-vehicle sales are expected to come in between 14.1 million and 14.4 million for 2012. The industry sold 8.4 million vehicles in the first seven months of the year, up 12 percent from the same period in 2011, according to Autodata Corp.
2009, we saw the bankruptcies of GM and Chrysler, that was unprecedented. Now we have about 150 dealers. ... so there’s less competition.” After that shakeout, remaining dealers were able to pick up market share, he said. The U.S. had 17,770 dealerships at the end of June, unchanged from the end of 2011, but down 15 percent from 20,985 in 2007. Chrysler and President Barack Obama’s auto task force stripped nearly one-quarter of the automaker’s dealers of their franchises in 2009. GM cut ties with a smaller number, while Ford bought out more than 100 Lincoln dealers in its ongoing reinvention of the luxury brand. Lehman said six Chrysler and 14 GM dealerships were either forced to close or The Associated Press contributed to this report. decided to close that year. “Everything was blowing and going in dennis.seid@journalinc.com
Encouraging Christian business leaders to seek, understand, and fulfill God's plan and calling for their life, using Christ-centered biblical truths as our guide. The Fellowship includes all denominations, races, and genders.
LUNCH MEETINGS & SPEAKERS Thursday, Sep. 27, 2012 Rev. Raigan Miskelly
Sr. Pastor, Columbus First United Methodist
Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012
Mr. Fred Jackson News Director American Family News Network
TIME
12:00 noon-1:00 p.m. (buffet opens at 11:30 a.m.)
LOCATION
Summit Conference Center 852 North Gloster Street • Tupelo, MS
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are required by the Monday prior to meeting date. Please call Mary Alice at (662) 844-8989 or email at maryalice@createfoundation.com to make a reservation.
COST
$15.00 per person at the door (check or cash) OR pay by phone by calling Mary Alice at (662) 844-8989 OR pay online at www.createfoundation.com. Click the donate online button. Select The Fellowship from the drop down menu & follow the directions. Mont Berry Mark Burleson Tillmon Calvert Mike Clayborne Julianne Goodwin
STEERING COMMITTEE Lisa Hawkins John Heer Ed Holliday Shane Hooper Trentice Imbler
Octavious Ivy Zell Long David Rumbarger Heywood Washburn Mitch Waycaster
www.thefellowshiptupelo.com
Document: F017CDF090712.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 295.27 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Sep 05, 2012 11:16:06;JPC 72 DPI
BUSINESS JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 2012