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