Introduction

Sir Walter Chevrolet, a cornerstone automotive retailer in North Carolina, redefined its dealership operations by embracing Tekion’s all-in-one Automotive Retail Cloud. Seeking to modernize processes, eliminate system fragmentation, and deliver top-tier customer experiences, the dealership achieved remarkable operational improvements and outstanding business results.

The Drive for Change

Operating with a patchwork of disparate technology solutions—Dealertrack for DMS, VinSolutions for CRM, and Xtime for Service—Sir Walter Chevrolet grappled with inefficiencies, data silos, and cumbersome workflows. Leadership recognized the need for a unified digital solution to cut complexity, enable seamless collaboration, and empower teams to deliver faster, more transparent service to customers.

Implementation Success

The transition to Tekion yielded immediate, tangible benefits. Staff left behind “dashboard hopping” and the burden of maintaining numerous third-party integrations. Tekion’s platform consolidated multiple functions, saving significant time and operational costs. The organization saw its best sales month in seven years, attributed to streamlined workflows, improved customer experience, and optimized processes—all on a single cloud-native system.

Key Features and Advantages

Truly Unified Platform & Workflow

• Consolidated sales, service, and parts into one seamless, integrated system
• Eliminated over 10 third-party integrations and redundant tools
• Internal note system ensures instant, department-spanning collaboration and communication

AI-Powered CRM and Communication

• Built-in AI tool, Lead Snapshot, summarizes customer leads for faster prioritization and follow-up
• Enhanced communication platform improves visibility, reduces missed opportunities, and saves time

Accelerated Deal and F&I Process

• Data auto-flows from CRM to credit applications and desking, reducing manual entry
• F&I builds deal menus earlier, cutting deal cycle time and improving customer satisfaction
• Boosted PVR on the back end by $300–$400 per vehicle

Service Efficiency and Trust

• Instantly shares videos, photos, and recommendations with customers—building transparency and confidence
• Reconditioning times improved from 10+ days to 5.8 days, with a goal under five
• Clear communication between advisors and customers raised hours per RO from 1.2–1.3 to 2.0–2.1

Actionable Insights & Operational Visibility

• Consistent reporting and analytics provide real-time performance tracking for management
• Cross-departmental data visibility supports immediate, informed decision-making

Culture and Operational Impact

Tekion’s platform has catalyzed a new culture of teamwork, accountability, and speed at Sir Walter Chevrolet. Employees benefit from reduced manual effort and easier access to information, allowing them to focus more on customer relationships and value-added activities. Enhanced transparency and digital communication tools have fostered a customer-centric environment, contributing to top 2% national CSI rankings and enabling ongoing growth.

Conclusion

Sir Walter Chevrolet’s adoption of Tekion marks a pivotal evolution in automotive retail. By replacing disconnected legacy systems with Tekion’s unified platform, the dealership achieved a measurable rise in efficiency, profitability, and team morale, as well as exceptional customer satisfaction. As a vocal Tekion advocate, Sir Walter Chevrolet’s experience underscores the power of a modern, fully integrated DMS—in transforming both business operations and customer outcomes.