Grimes Motors
History
Charlie Grimes started with a used car
lot in 1959 currently located at 1000 Madison. His son, Leland
"Butch" joined him in the automotive business in 1959. They had a one
man service bay in 1962 located across the street at 1019 Madison. In
1964 they joined Chrysler Corporation with a Dodge franchise. In the
mid-1980's they purchased two more lots which joined 1000 Madison,
expanding their lot display. In 1993 Leland and Carol Grimes
purchased 21 acres east on Madison Street. The entire dealership
moved to a new facility in August of 1995 where we are currently
located.
Nature of work product or
service
Sales and service of new and used
automobiles. Dodge franchise
Qualities
Sales People-Must have the ability to
work with the public. They must be able to handle rejection and
overcome objections. They also must be available for long working
hours 6 days per week.
Service Technicians - They must be
highly trained in automotive repair. They must also be willing to
continue their training in order to keep up with the everchanging
automotive technology
Management - Must have the patience and
ability to work with the public. They must have the ability to
compromise with the public and employees. They must also be willing
to accept each day and understand that each day is different. It is
not easy to plan a day; one must be able to adjust to
inconsistencies.
Changes in technology
Sales - Consumers can now price and
specify an automobile over the internet. This has affected our
average gross profit per new vehicle sale.
All vehicles are ordered via satellite
on our Chrysler computer. All warranty claims, and just recently,
technical books and parts books are now on the Chrysler computer. The
service bays now have a computer in their area. This is a new system
which was installed in March of 1998.
We now have 5 personal computers in our
offices along with the two Chrysler computers. 5 years ago we had one
personal computer and one Chrysler computer.
All sales transactions and paperwork
are done via a personal computer in the F&I (finance and
insurance) office along with transmitting credit information to over
10 financial institutions via a fax machine. Ten years ago we
communicated with the financial institutions by phone.
Vision for 2020
By 2020 we will probably be
communicating with our customers via the internet. We will probably
order and finance their purchases totally via the internet. Our
personal contact with them will probably exist only when their new
vehicle arrives. This will be for new vehicles only. Used vehicles
will also be on the internet but customers will probably come into
the dealership more in order to "check out" a used vehicle. With the
computer being our main source of communication, more than likely
each salesperson will need their own personal computer.
Grimes Motors
P.O. Box 258
Charleston, IL 61920
345-4455
Special thanks to Mrs. Jane Cox, General
Manager, for supplying information to assist us with this
project.
Team members: Kendra Cox, Mandy
Knorr, Ashley Wells, Lacey Ard
Return to Charleston, IL: A 2020
Vision