Paragon’s Brian Benstock discusses record-breaking sales numbers and shares his outlook on future industry trends

The Paragon team out of New York is proving that sales teams are still relevant and necessary in today’s digital landscape. On today’s show, we’re pleased to welcome Brian Benstock, Partner General Manager and Vice President of Paragon Honda and Paragon Acura to discuss their record sales performance. We’ll also get his take on the auto industry as we settle into the third quarter of the year.

Benstock begins the conversation by sharing details of his Honda’s team recent success. The Paragon team achieved an all-time record, finishing number one in the nation with 825 new Honda sales. That was a 34.4% increase overall from 2019 and a 124.5% increase in certified pre-owned sales over May 2019. He says he’s blessed to be in a great market at an unprecedented time.

Benstock says the key to success, was simply luck. He says purchasing Hondas and Acuras during the pandemic, actually, helped. Also, contributing factors for Paragon included the federal $1.7 trillion COVID relief package, stimulus checks, and low-interest rates helping the economy.

For Paragon, Benstock says, they are continuing their digital effort and preparing for electrification, which is going to dramatically change the way car dealerships look and feel. He also says, customers are at the forefront of the change and are experiencing the best environment ever to be a consumer in the history of the world. We are not competing against each other, but competing with the experiences that customers have. We aren’t going back to the way things were.

Customers want shared control of the process. Benstock says you must take the risk out of buying online. It’s a good direction to consider. Benstock adds that he’s no longer a new or used car dealer, but a provider of transportation.

Benstock wraps up the conversation by sharing what direction he’s headed in the buy-sell market. He says he’s not done in the automotive business. He loves the change because it creates incredible opportunities. Paragon is in the car business for the long run.

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