Dealer's Digest

Stop the Service Leak: How to Convert Your New Car Sales Into Six-Figure Service Absorption RevenueS in 2025

Charles Stilwill — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:47:59 GMT

Your service drive is not just a support function for the dealership - it’s the definitive engine of your dealership's financial power. In 2025, Fixed Operations accounts for a striking 47.3% of total dealership gross profit - a solid half of your revenue base. High Service Absorption rates are essential because they ensure your gross profit covers your entire operational overhead, insulating your business from volatile variable sales margins. This stability is the core of sustainable dealership profitability.

Why Transparency Wins the Deal (and the Return Buyer)

Charles Stilwill — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 15:30:00 GMT

In the dealership world, we often talk about closing the deal. But in today’s car-buying environment, the more important challenge is creating the conditions for that customer to come back again—and bring others with them.

The foundation of that repeat business? Trust. And trust begins with transparency.

How to Position Insurance Savings with Ikon

jim.anani@ikontechnologies.com (Jim Anani) — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:30:00 GMT

Insurance costs are through the roof. Thieves are getting smarter. And Ikon gives your F&I team a way to turn those pain points into a close.

Rising Car Prices = Rising Theft Risk

jim.anani@ikontechnologies.com (Jim Anani) — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:53:43 GMT

Inventory is hard to get, expensive to hold, and even harder to replace. And now thieves know it, too.

5 Reasons to Switch Your Legacy GPS Provider

Charles Stilwill — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 16:00:00 GMT

If you're still using a legacy GPS provider like LoJack, it’s time to ask: is your current system helping you grow your business, or holding it back?

Add $20K Back to Your Bottom Line—Without Selling a Car

jim.anani@ikontechnologies.com (Jim Anani) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:36:08 GMT

Nearly 49% of your dealership’s gross profit comes from service.

When a Fraudster Takes a Car Off Your Lot, You're in a Race Against the Clock

Charles Stilwill — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:34:35 GMT

You think the deal’s closed. Docs are signed, the car’s gone, and everything checks out—until the bank calls.

4 Out of 10 Stolen Vehicles Come from Dealer Lots

jim.anani@ikontechnologies.com (Jim Anani) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:00:00 GMT

That’s not a scare tactic. It’s reality. And the numbers don’t lie. According to NICB, nearly 97 vehicles were stolen every hour in 2024. A shocking portion of those—roughly 40%—were swiped straight from dealerships.

Don't Think GPS Helps the Service Department? Think Again.

Charles Stilwill — Wed, 28 May 2025 16:55:05 GMT

Don't Think GPS Helps the Service Department? Think Again.

Most service managers think vehicle GPS is a sales tool.

Something for salespeople to track inventory. Something to recover stolen cars. Maybe something for F&I to bundle.

But not something for service.

That assumption is costing you.