With Saskatchewan gradually reopening, Curtis Nelson is confident about the future as commercial trade at Nelson GM on 210 First Avenue West slowly resumed to expected averages.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not too bad,鈥� Nelson recounted in conversation on June 11. 鈥淚t鈥檚 getting closer to business as usual.鈥�
At this time, Nelson鈥檚 lot located on one of Assiniboia鈥檚 main thoroughfares is short of new inventory. Nelson鈥檚 lack of new inventory is partially owed to high sales, but also because GM ceased production in March to address the presence of COVID-19
General Motors, along with Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, announced on March 18 they鈥檇 suspend production in Canada, Mexico and the United States beginning on March 19 to stem the spread of the virus. The three companies announced they鈥檇 restart production on May 18, but the automakers planned to develop graduated programs as their manufacturing lines reopened.
鈥淭he lot will fill up again,鈥� Nelson promised. 鈥淥ur GM rep is giving us more vehicles than anyone else in the province. He said because we sold inventory at a comparatively faster pace than other dealers during the COVID period, we earned extra inventory allotment.聽 Luckily, we are able to source new product from other dealers to look after our customers in the next few months. Even though there may not be a lot of inventory on the lot we are still able to source what our customers are looking for in most situations.鈥�
Along with other companies in Assiniboia and elsewhere in Saskatchewan, employees lost their jobs on a provisional basis, but they are slowing returning to Nelson GM as the province鈥檚 economy restarted.
鈥淲e did lots of layoffs in March 鈥� about 60 to 70 per cent of our staff,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淎s the economy has picked-up, we are bringing back our staff.鈥�
Also, Nelson GM has expanded into marine parts, as more people in the region are heading for the lakes in Saskatchewan, Montana and elsewhere. Nelson GM will offer boat detailing, inflatable towables, fish finders, trolling motors, lifejackets and all parts and accessories for local boating needs.
鈥淲e can usually order and receive marine products within two days from BC and Ontario. The first order goes through today,鈥� Nelson said as he discussed a recent purchase of boating supplies worth almost $10,000.
The arrival of electric vehicles will also transform Nelson GM鈥檚 sales strategies and vehicular inventories in the near future.
鈥淭here鈥檚 going to be a lot more electric vehicles coming down the line,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淕M is heavily invested into electric. In three to four years, there鈥檒l be big changes to the industry.鈥澛犅犅�
鈥淢oving forward, we are hoping to grow our sales by expanding our product lines in parts and taking advantage of GM鈥檚 new powertrains in the automotive sales side,鈥� Nelson continued. 鈥淕M鈥檚 new 3.0L Duramax engine in half tons has really taken off.鈥澛�
Many customers have been concerned about electric vehicles being underpowered and impractical.
However, Nelson argued the technology energizing electric vehicles has dramatically shifted upwards. 鈥淭he ability for customers to get 30 mpg with a full-size truck in real world conditions and 35 mpg on the highway is really turning heads right now,鈥� Nelson explained, adding 鈥淭his is a fluid industry. We鈥檝e got to be able to change with the times.鈥�
Nelson GM is also making financial gains by leasing more new vehicles rather than solely depending on traditional sales. According to Nelson, paying $20,000 over a couple of years for a $60,000 truck makes sense, especially if the buyer wanted to switch vehicles within 2-3 years. 聽
鈥淭he lease rates and residuals for GM are really aggressive right now,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got the highest lease penetration in Saskatchewan according to the GM Financial rep. We looked at the opportunity that leasing now provides for our customers and our sales team has ran with it.鈥�
