Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine is the daily operations publication serving the retail automotive industry. This automotive publication serves dealer principals, officers and general managers with the latest best practices.
Page 41 of 62
april 2012
customers. He said the main lesson he's learned in the business over the years is to "follow up, follow up, follow up." He keeps in regular contact with his cus- tomers and watches the service log and makes a point to chat and sometimes have coffee with his customers who come in for service.
Hugh Evans Chuck Clancy Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Cartersville, GA F
or Hugh Evans, Chuck Clancy Chrysler Jeep Dodge has been his home away from home for the past
23 years. Evans, who is 70 years old and the top salesman at the dealership, works every day the dealership is open, most days bell-to-bell, and he rarely takes a day off.
Evans is a soft-spoken, likeable man who isn't quick to toot his own horn, but his numbers speak for themselves. His average for 2012 so far is 25 vehicles per month. Robert Loehr, general manager and co-owner of Chuck Clancy Chrysler Jeep Dodge, said Evans is a hard-working, extremely focused and dedicated sales- person. Loehr joked, "A tough month for him is 19 or 20 cars."
Many of his sales (an estimated 70 to 80 percent) are to repeat and referral
In addition to being a top performer at the dealership, he's also one of the top Chrysler salespeople in the nation. Chrysler has recognized him several times for being an outstanding performer by naming him a 30/30 Sales Club Member. To continue membership in this club, Evans must sell 30 new Chrysler vehicles per quarter and meet certain training and employment requirements, which he did throughout 2011.
This is quite an accomplishment, consid- ering less than 5 percent of Chrysler sales professionals were able to maintain their membership in the club for the entire year. By the end of February, Evans had already sold the necessary 30 new cars to preserve his 30/30 Club membership for the first quarter of 2012.
Evans' dedication to his craft has made him a student of the auto industry, which Loehr believes is a huge part of Evans' success. Loehr said, "He just loves the industry and truly is a student of this industry. At 70 years old, he still keeps up on all his tests [on new models and product knowledge] … I really believe his student mentality to our ever-changing industry, along with great customer
service and hard work, is why he's [so successful]."
He continued, "It goes back to that old adage people say, 'If you fall in love with your job, you'll never work another day in your life.' I watch [Evans] work, and I don't know whether he's playing or work- ing because he's blurred the line of the two. When you blur the line is when … you really achieve higher levels than most. At 70 years old, in a young man's game, to be in the top 5 percent nationally, what more can you say? … It's just refreshing."
While many people in their 70s have plans for retirement, Evans doesn't see it in his immediate future. "No, I don't think [I'll retire soon]. I just enjoy working … I enjoy meeting people," he said. He reminisced with a laugh, "I've met a lot of people over the years."
Even though Evans makes work look like play, he makes sure to take long weekends to visit family in North Carolina every few months. Two of his four children live there. Plus, he has eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild to keep up with.
Congratulations to Hugh Evans, Sales Professional of the Month, and thank you to Robert Loehr for bringing him to our attention.
NOMINATE A SALES PROFESSIONAL OF THE MONTH
Each year, Auto Dealer Monthly recognizes 12 sales professionals for their achievements. Each monthly winner is automatically considered for the Sales Professional of the Year. Dealers, General Managers, and General Sales Managers are encouraged to reward a top achiever in their organization by submitting their name for nomination. To nominate your sales professional, send his or her name, dealership information and a testimonial on why you think they should be considered. You must include your name, position and contact information as supervisors will be interviewed and sales information verified. Nominations can be e-mailed to Editor@AutoDealerMonthly.com
39
