Take a look inside one smaller Volkswagen dealership that aims to fill a void in the brand's Canadian retail network.
Volkswagen aims to boost sales and service outside major urban centres with the recent launch of the first of 25 smaller satellite stores planned for Canada.
“It has been a great addition to our group. From an operational point of view, it runs like a full dealership with its own equipment and tools. It’s more a smaller dealership in a smaller city with a smaller population. Josh Buchanan is general manager of both locations, and after three months in the dual role, he’s pleased with the store’s performance and the reception from the Okotoks community.
South Trail VW and Okotoks VW, combined, have received “solid customer satisfaction scores,” said Thomas Tetzlaff, VW Canada spokesman.“We’re going all-in with this endeavour,” he said, pointing to EV chargers on the dealership’s wall. “We will be an EV dealer; we’re just waiting for vehicles.” “We saw there was opportunity in Okotoks, so it made sense to go ahead,” Ricciuto said. While customers generally are willing to drive long distances to buy cars, they aren’t willing to drive “that hour” for service, he said.