Colorado Springs dealership shifts to virtual sales, offers free oil changes for essential workers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The financial impacts of COVID-19 have hit almost every kind of business, including the automotive industry, but Phil Long Ford in Colorado Springs says buyers will win in the end.

Because automotive sales are down, the deals are better than ever due to manufacturers' efforts to maintain revenue, a rep with Phil Long says.

This unique contrast, plus the importance of transportation for essential workers, has forced the dealership to rethink how they do things.

"Our sales are down about 25% year over year for the month of April", says Kevin Shaughnessy, Vice President of Dealer Operations for Phil Long Dealerships. "Most of our employees are employees based on productivity, so when our productivity drops, our employee head count drops."

But this isn't the first time the dealership has experienced adversity. In fact, the company was built upon it.

"Phil Long came back from World War II as a combat hero, and founded Phil Long Dealerships in 1945," says Kevin. "This year we're actually celebrating our 75th anniversary, so we've been through a lot." 

In order to survive the hard times, the dealership says they've learned to adapt.

"We've quickly had to pivot to operate our entire business electronically", says Kevin. "We're delivering the vehicle and doing the paperwork signing right from the driveway."

Online traffic sales at Phil Long Ford have climbed by 28%. Kevin says the demand for reliable transportation is there, especially for essential workers.

"We recognize there's a lot of people depending on their transportation on ways they didn't even a month ago," says Kevin

To thank essential workers for their hard work during the COVID-19 outbreak, Phil Long Dealerships are now offering essential workers free oil changes and safety inspections through the month of April.

"We're one community, we're all in this together, and we're going to get through this together", says Kevin.

Essential workers employed in Colorado can walk in to any Phil Long Dealership in the state to take advantage of this special offer.

You can also book the service online ahead of time, just make sure you bring proof of employment at the time of your appointment.