Business View Magazine | June 2022

93 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 “When I started selling here, we were selling a new Datsun for under $2,000. I’ve seen a lot of things evolve in the car business, safety being the biggest.” There have been many changes on the administration side as well. “When I started back in 2000, I could do things by hand,” Cox says.“Now, with the banking and everything online, the money turns so fast. You can buy a car, and the next day we will have the money in our bank. That’s how fast it is.” Valued partnerships with lenders such as Iroquois Federal are pivotal in the process. “The entire staff at Iroquois Federal has made banking with them over the years pleasant and easy, “Knight says. But although these efficiencies are beneficial, there are still some parts of the experience that have to happen in person. He quips, “They still have to kick the tires. That computer cannot kick the tires and that computer cannot fix the car.” Looking to the future, electric vehicles continue to draw interest from the public, although Knight believes it will be a few years before they are the main choice in small communities. He suggests, “People are getting more and more interested all the time. People are asking about EVs and hybrids, but as far as being a mainstay in the community, I think we’re a few years down the road. All the dealerships are going to have to put in charging stations and it’s going to be quite expensive. So, I think we’ve got some challenges there.” Lucas offers his perspective, reporting, “People are constantly asking about EVs. As far as the hybrid, as soon as one comes in, it is sold very quickly. There’s a big demand, with the price of fuel today.” Over the next few years, Knight is hoping to see a return to more normal levels of inventory, although he clarifies, “I’m not really excited about going back to the business model we had. I think the manufacturers built too many cars, and they forced them on the dealer. There have been 303 N Gilbert St, Danville, IL 61832 (217) 446-9067 | www.napaonline.com Proudly Serving Danville “Thank you, Carmack Car Capitol for your ongoing partnership with Iroquois Federal” Call Iroquois Federal for any of your banking needs. 217-446-0184 | www.iroquoisfed.com CARMACK CAR CAP I TOL