The last Triple Crown Winner in the automotive industry that I can remember was Lexus. That was in the mid ninety’s when they had new car, pre-owned residuals and service satisfaction, all 3 at the top. That is an extreme rarity. That comes from dedication to a brand and focus on the customer.

I had the privilege of being there, co-writing the certified program, to watch that happen. Looking across the board at the makes and models competing out there today and looking at the stamina that it takes from within a dealership to make a brand prosperous, I like the odds on Buick and Lincoln. They have been an underdog for a long time. Those people that have stayed and hung with it and made the turn to arrive at the home stretch, should be commended. It’s tough to get up every day as a general manager, sales manager and sales person and go to a store to work and support your family that you know is going to get less traffic than the dealership next door to you. Yet you stay, you continue to bump and grind every day, day in and day out, knowing that it is your intestinal fortitude, along with the brothers and sisters of yours hanging with you, that are going to make Buick and Lincoln succeed.

I had the privilege to be general manager of 2 Buick stores prior to becoming a new car dealer myself. I have always had a soft spot for Buick and I have driven many, many Lincolns, in the day when a Mark and Town Car where a symbol of quality and prestige.
Don’t give up guys, keep going. It would be nice if the factory would go out and look through its ranks and pick out those who are truly dedicated to the brand and the customer and get in the trenches with them.

You have proven that you’ve got it all and that you can pull it into the home stretch. I am proud of you.

Till next time