Terry Burns said running an auto dealership is all about building relationships with customers over many years.
So after weeks of Michigan’s auto showrooms being closed to reduce the spread of the infectious new coronavirus, auto dealers are “very excited” to welcome back their friends and get back to selling cars.
“We know some customers have contacted us and they would like to buy a vehicle,” said Burns, executive vice president for the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. “It’s going to be nice seeing our friends and new customers in the showroom again.”
Starting Tuesday, May 26, auto dealerships and retail businesses across the state will be allowed to operate via appointment only, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday, May 21.
Burns said Michigan auto sales were down more than 83 percent for the month of April, as showrooms were among the non-essential businesses closed in late March to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Losses were tracking similarly in early May, ais dealers were only operating the service and repair portions of their businesses.
So when Whitmer said data shows Michigan is ready to phase in these sectors of the economy, Burns called it great news.
“We are very excited that the governor has seen fit to allow that to happen,” he said. “If she thinks it’s the proper time, we’re ready to go and ready ti implement the safety procedures we’ve been working on for weeks.”
Gov. Whitmer temporarily suspended activities not deemed necessary to sustain or protect life on March 24 -- two weeks after declaring a state of emergency related to COVID-19.
Auto showrooms were forced to close during that time, though auto businesses could continue to provide repair services as long as they followed recommended safety protocols.
Since parts of their businesses could remain open, auto dealers have been able to tweak safety precautions and social distancing measures to determine what works best.
Burns said scheduling appointments will work well because it will make sure every customer is with an employee at all times. They can be greeted, guided to the proper entrance and exit, and shown the inventory -- most of which is outdoors.
“It gives the customers assurance that someone will be with them,” Burns said.
The Michigan Automobile Dealers Association is a statewide non-profit trade association that represents more than 600 franchised new-vehicle dealerships in the state.
As of Thursday, May 21, Michigan has reported 53,510 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5,129 deaths associated with the virus. New cases have largely trended down in recent weeks, which has triggered a phased reopening of the state.
