Action Auto Bucks National Trend

Despite challenges, Action Auto has increased sales and kept its lots stocked with inventory in 2022

Thanks to supply chain issues and inflation’s impact on demand, 2022 has been a rough year for auto sales. Autoweek recently reported that sales were down more than 19% in 2022 compared to the first half of 2021.

Michael Lindsey, chief operating officer with Action Auto, is first to admit it’s been a challenging year for keeping inventory and sales figures up.

Despite these obstacles, however, Action Auto has managed to increase sales and maintain the inventory to meet diverse customer needs. Lindsey said his company is ahead of both their yearly projections and where they were at this point in 2021.

“Action Auto has focused on having a broad mix of inventory, so we’d have something for every customer’s needs and budget,” he said. “This helped us achieve higher sales figures even with fewer vehicles in inventory.”

Action Auto—which has locations in Oxford, Tupelo and Columbus in Mississippi, and Decatur and Florence in Alabama—is a buy-here, pay-here car dealership that sells, finances and manages collections for customers regardless of their financial background or situation.

Action Auto’s Tupelo lot has been instrumental to the company’s success as the home of its new in-house reconditioning shop. Earlier this year, Action Auto opened the shop to perform vehicle repairs and upgrades before they hit the lot for customers.

“The reconditioning shop allows us to enhance the condition of the cars in our inventory in a cost-efficient and timely manner, giving our customers more options to choose from when they step onto the lot,” Lindsey said.

The in-house shop lets Action Auto prioritize particular vehicles to fill inventory gaps. Lindsey said it also means the dealership can complete mechanical work at the lowest cost and pass this savings on to customers.

Lindsey also credits Operations Director Crystal Elliott, who leads the company’s sales and collections teams, with Action Auto’s success.

“Crystal and the sales team’s ability to match our customers with a car that fits both their needs and their budget is apparent in both their excellent performance and overall production this year,” Lindsey said.

Elliott focuses on training the dealership’s sales and collections teams on how to best interact with potential and existing customers.

“Even with all the challenges of the past couple years, our lot staff and collections teams have worked incredibly hard to genuinely serve our customers and create an enjoyable experience for everyone,” Elliott said. “I’m so excited to see how we finish out these last few months of the year.”

For more information about Action Auto, visit their website www.actionautous.com.