First Impressions and Their Lasting Impact

Everybody knows how vital first impressions are with people, but it is interesting to consider what they mean with vehicles. More than anything the context and location of where you first see a car for the first time can have an impact on how your perceive its design. Did you first see it against a beautiful backdrop, a crowded highway or a shopping center. Did you catch a quick glimpse as you were driving and preoccupied with traffic or did you get a good look as it rolled by slowly as you walked downtown. Did you see a fully loaded model with the sports package or the cheap entry level option?

Does your first impression of a car have a lasting impact on how you see it later on? Are there any cars that you were disappointed by at first but then changed your mind the more you saw them?
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MattDarringer - 6/13/2014 9:25:19 AM

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Making a good first impression is crucial with customers. At our stores we pay attention to lots of details that make a good first impression. Keeping them clean in dusty Bakersfield is one thing. Our sales people greet the customers and say "What would you like to drive?" because getting the person behind a shiny new car and driving it makes them like it more than if they are staring at window stickers.

Some cars make a terrible impression no matter what you do. The Mitsubishi Mirage is one, but you do get a brand new car for the price of a used one...of course it drives like a used car...

VWs make an excellent first impression usually.

gkearns56 - 6/13/2014 10:20:28 AM

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@Matt: What auto companies are you selling their product for - just curious how that initial impression stacks up with your customers.

MattDarringer - 6/13/2014 10:48:47 AM

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I don't sell cars on a lot. I am with a group of investors who own interests in dealerships. Hyundai and Kia are a gold mine. We dumped our interest in Jaguar because you can't make a profit as a dealer. Porsche/Audi/VW make money, but if VW continues to implode like it is, we may divest. Ford is pure money. Fiat and Chrysler/Jeep sort of make money. We follow up with customers who have done a test drive, who did not buy, to discover their experience. We'd love to bring a Mini store to Bakersfield. We are hoping to attract an MG store. The cars I sell are vintage flips and those are usually made to order.