EFG Launches New Vehicle Service Contract
DALLAS — EFG Companies announced the launch of Power x2, a vehicle service contract that doubles the benefit of the manufacturer’s powertrain warranty. In a survey, the company found that 90% of consumer respondents said the product would cause them to seek out a dealer that offered it.
According to the survey, conducted by a third-party research firm, 62% of consumers said the manufacturer warranty significantly affects what make and model of vehicle they consider purchasing. And with little differentiation between new vehicles offered for sale on dealership lots, operators need to provide consumers with a value-driven reason to come to their retail location vs. their competitors.
The new offering also represents the company’s response to consumers keeping their vehicles longer than historical norms. According to EFG’s study, 48% of respondents expect to replace their cars every four to seven years, which could extend their ownership beyond 100,000 miles. By doubling the benefits of the manufacturer’s warranty, dealerships have the opportunity to use this trend to their advantage.
Seventy-two percent of survey respondents stated that they would go out of their way to purchase a vehicle from a dealership that is less convenient to them if that dealership doubled the benefits of their manufacturer’s powertrain warranty as a complimentary offering.
“In this highly competitive market, we know that dealerships need showroom traffic now, whether online or at their physical location, not six months to a year from now,” said John Pappanastos, president and CEO of EFG Companies. “Power x2 provides dealerships with an immediate means of capturing market share based on current consumer wants and needs by moving past the price game to a more value-based conversation that motivates car shoppers to a transaction.”
More Industry

Nebraska Rooftop Changes Hands
The Gregg Young Automotive Group has sold its second dealership to Janssen Auto Group, both in Plattsmouth, Neb.
Read More →
Penske Auto Group Deal a Record
The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.
Read More →
War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices
Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.
Read More →
Bridge the Maintenance Gap
With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.
Read More →
California Store Has New Owner
The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.
Read More →
BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy
BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.
Read More →
Auto Affordability Inches Up
The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.
Read More →
Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →