The Chicago Automobile Trade Association on March 30 surveyed its dealer members to get a sense of their operations during this pandemic, so that the CATA can help them make the most informed decisions for their businesses.
 
The seven-question survey sought information about a dealership’s business hours, whether sales departments were operating, and how service volume compared to January 2020. About 100 survey respondents representing more than 120 area new-car dealerships said the following:

1. Please report the current state of your business
• Completely shut down: 9.4%
• Maintaining service operations and sales by appointment: 89.4%
• Maintaining service operations only; sales closed: 1.1%

 

2. Please provide your active employee headcount (approximate) in these areas of your store over the past 60 days.
• Service staffing down 44% (47% if closed dealerships are counted)
• Sales staffing down 45% (49% if closed dealerships are counted)

 

3. Are your technicians unionized? (represented by Mechanics’ Local 701)
• Yes: 48%
• No: 52%

 

4. Are your parts employees and porters unionized? (represented by Teamsters Local 731)
• Yes: 29%
• No: 71%

 

5. Sales Volume today as compared to 1/31/20
• 10% of volume: 24% of respondents
• 25% of volume: 24% of respondents
• 50% of volume: 39% of respondents
• 75% of volume: 11% of respondents
• 100% of volume: 2% of respondents

 

6. Service volume today compared to 1/31/20
• 10% of volume: 11% of respondents
• 25% of volume: 22% of respondents
• 50% of volume: 40% of respondents
• 75% of volume: 23% of respondents
• 100% of volume: 4% of respondents

 

7. Does your dealership intend to pursue a business loan (and potential loan forgiveness) under the CARES Act?
• Yes: 90%
• No: 10%