Motor vehicle theft in the United States jumped nearly 11% from 2021 to 2022, translating into nearly a million vehicles stolen. And while only 12,000 of those thefts impacted dealer lots, as far as we’re concerned, that’s 12,000 too many. With tight profit margins in an already competitive industry, the last thing your car dealership wants to deal with is inventory loss.
So, how can you boost car lot security and inventory retention at your dealership? With a car dealer tracking device. GPS technology improves the efficiency of other security protocols, provides real-time vehicle tracking solutions, and offers a variety of other benefits to your dealership.
How GPS Devices Benefit Dealerships
Depending on their location and layout, auto dealerships can struggle to maintain proper car lot security and prevent theft. Criminals could break into your lot and steal vehicles at night. Dealership staff may start to worry when a customer hasn’t returned from a test drive. Or maybe you just have a large lot with an extensive inventory that you find challenging to manage.
GPS technology offers a range of benefits to dealers in terms of lot security and fleet management.
Prevents Theft
Of course, the principal reason to invest in GPS technology for your lot is to prevent inventory theft. The best tracking devices offer around-the-clock security with smart alerts that let you know when a problem occurs.
If a car makes it off the lot, real-time tracking can help you locate the vehicle — whether it is just on the other side of the dealership or miles away in a customer’s garage. This provides an extra layer of protection when your security system or sign-out process misses something.
Offers Synergy With Other Security Systems
The best use of GPS tracking devices is in tandem with other security systems. For example, you may employ a human security guard at your dealership. Since no guard can patrol every section of the lot at all times, they often rely on technology to assist them. GPS solutions can alert your guard to potential issues and provide real-time tracking to shorten emergency response times.
Similarly, GPS offers synergy with video surveillance systems. When you get an alert that a car has moved off the lot, you can look at your security cameras to see who may have taken it. Or, if you see an unauthorized person leaving the property on a security camera, a GPS device helps you track down where they take the vehicle.
Provides Real-Time Inventory Audits
Beyond auto dealership security, GPS devices can help keep track of your vehicles for everyday business reasons. You may have a lot that is large, out of the way, or split between multiple locations. Under these conditions, keeping track of a constantly rotating fleet of cars and trucks during business hours can prove difficult.
Gone are the days spent wandering around the lot looking for a specific car. GPS solutions can help you monitor dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of vehicles throughout the day. Real-time GPS location services allow you to check where a vehicle is parked from the convenience of your phone. You can also know when a car leaves your lot for repairs, cleaning, or a test drive.
Tracks Vehicle Performance
Finally, GPS technology can help you keep tabs on a vehicle’s location and what’s going on under the hood. The best dealership GPS solutions perform health checks on a vehicle’s vital functions, such as battery levels, fuel gauges, engine light codes, and even recalls. Smart alerts notify you when it’s time for maintenance or servicing, saving you time, money, and effort.
Improve Your ROI with SafePoint GPS
SafePoint GPS technology offers a host of benefits to your dealership, from improving car lot security to streamlining inventory maintenance. Contact us today for more information about how our GPS solutions can boost ROI in car dealerships.
