Sullivan-Parkhill Automotive

8 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 SULL I VAN-PARKHI LL AUTOMOT I VE reflects. “As car dealers, we’ve always been adaptable.” Looking ahead, both of the company’s stores are investing in electric vehicle infrastructure and chargers. Parkhill says, “We are prepared for the future charging demands people will have. We are ready for that.” Taylor adds that they have a lot of customers come in and specifically inquire about electric vehicles. He notes, “There is definitely an interest in it. And then completely on the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s a lot of people that have reasons not to have interest in it.” The biggest concern seems to come from ‘range anxiety’. “The range may be 400 miles,” says Parkhill, “but that’s not accounting for driving 80 with the AC on and your heated seat on at the same time. So that’s the biggest combatant for electrification. If we can get over that hump, people will adjust to it but it’s going to take time. I think the future of the EV is having one in the household and still one gas engine in the household for quite a bit of time.” Tucker shares, “The technology going into these cars is fascinating. What you saw in films years ago, you’re seeing come to fruition in vehicles now.” Plans are already underway for Sullivan- Parkhill’s big centennial celebration next year, in 2023. Parkhill believes his great-grandfather, T.D., would approve, stating, “I think he’d be excited about some of the changes going forward, especially about the electric vehicles. Actually, about the future of automobiles in general at this point. Just like in 1923, things are starting to really ramp up. There were so many brands of cars being built back then and everybody was trying to be the first one to build a better mousetrap, so to speak. And I think we’re seeing a little bit of that again. It’s exciting to watch and be a part of – and we’re up for the challenge.”