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Knowledge Cafe |
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This book was published in 1949 and is just as valuable today as it was ground breaking then. I first found it as a brand new salesman in 1972 and I have read it about 15 times. I've probably given 50 copies of it away over the years. It is a very powerful book for anyone in sales, and especially for someone who may be struggling with sales. I highly recommend it. With the link above, you can buy it for a few bucks. In the last few years, I have been buying all the rare hardcover copies that have become available including extremely rare signed copies. You can see them here: www.delsoutlet.com.
Frank Bettger (Bet-cher) will inspire you to new heights! |
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Kevin's Corner |
Let's talk a little about computer programmers for cars & trucks (sometimes called "chips").
There are literally a hundred different brands available. The brand I prefer is Superchips. It is a unit that plugs into the ECM port on the truck. The model I sell the most is the Flashpaq Tuner which comes with three options: Economy, Tow and Performance. They are available for gas or diesel; however, I sell many more to diesel truck owners.
The way the programmer works is it has enhanced programs that are loaded into the vehicle computer and it stores the original factory specs in the programmer. After the unit is plugged into the ECM port, first it scans the computer to make sure there are no pre-existing codes. Then it gives you options such as shift point adjustment, tire size adjustments for speedometer calibrations for larger or smaller than stock tires, removal of speed limiter, rev limiter adjustments and offers fan adjustments to turn on the fan at different temperatures than the factory set.
For example, let's use a 2007 Ford 6.0 liter diesel. On tow safe mode (always recommended when towing), you get 47 horsepower with 81 ft lbs of torque. On economy mode, you can expect an increase of 5-7% better fuel mileage and 88 horsepower and 132 ft lbs of torque improvements. In performance mode, there is an almost 100 horsepower increase with 160 ft lbs of torque.
Any time the truck needs to go to the dealer and you want the factory computer back to original settings, simply reverse the install procedure and the original settings will be transferred back to the truck's computer while the programmer will store the optional settings for future use. This is about a 5-10 minute process. It is very important to choose a unit that won't mess with other options and functions of the truck computer. That's why I prefer Superchips. Also check with your dealer about potential warranty issues. Some dealers actually install such products, along with lift kits, wheels & tires and other accessories and other dealers won't touch a truck with modifications. So always consult your dealers' service department prior to modifications.
Last, there are over a hundred manufacturers of this kind of product and it can be very confusing until you are fully familiar with what the programmers are and how they are best utilized. Don't make a costly mistake. Find a local supplier that is knowledgeable and rely on them to help you get the best setup. You'll be glad you did.
Courtesy of Kevin Snedeker, VacaValley Truck & SUV, our truck accessory expert. | |
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| Greetings! |
Welcome to the Commercial Truck Success Idealetter!
Published every other week, the Idealetter is be a brief one-page thought starter and news source for busy commercial sales professionals and managers with numerous links to the Commercial Truck Success website and many other links to useful information, tools and inspiration!
Please feel free to offer comments and suggestions for future topics that are of interest to you. Also, please forward this to others you wish to share it with. There is a forward email link at the bottom of this page. I wish you success! Keep up the good work! And, never stop learning! - Terry Minion, Editor |
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Great Dealer Websites |
| This is a new spot in the IdeaLetter where we share great dealer commercial websites that we find or are sent to us. Since we also build websites for commercial dealers, we are always looking for those who stand out ahead in website thinking.
This time the spotlight is on:
Here's some things we liked about their site:
- This is a separate website from the retail store and has a separate URL address.
- Good domain: winkelfleet.com
- Great graphics
- Truck with body changing on home page is interesting.
- Links to retail site.
- Nice header and relatively easy to navigate.
- Address, phone, fax and toll free number in header on every page!
- Multiple menus. Easy navigation.
- Good inventory photo arrays with multiple photo angles.
- New AND used commercial inventory links and easy to use.
- Right side menu has links to large photos of upfitted trucks that may compliment certain trades such as, traffic control, landscaping, refrigerated, catering, and much more.
- The "Gallery of Possibilities" Wonderful.
- Staff with names, position, phone, fax, cell phone, email link. (NEED PHOTOS!--Make it human!)
- Contact us has information plus a form which is better than most.
- Service & parts informational links with contact names and numbers.
We think this is a great dealer commercial truck website. We really do appreciate a good commercial website. This one should be doing a good job for the dealership!
If you see a dealer commercial truck website that you think is a good one, please send it on to us. Email address at bottom of page |
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More Power To Ya! Superchips |
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With the advent of computers on vehicles controlling various mechanical operations, it became harder to improve performance or economy from what the factory set as a standard. Never to leave things alone for very long, companies like Superchips find creative ways to make adjustments to the onboard computers in order to enhance the driving experience for those who just have to have it.
Superchips was founded in England in 1983 and was one of the first companies to specialize in tuning vehicles with computer controlled fuel-injection systems. While Superchips originally focused on serving the British racing community with high-end tuning solutions, the company eventually began to provide power to enthusiasts throughout the world. Now, Superchips sells thousands of hand-held tuners per year from its Sanford, FL headquarters, manufactures every single product in the USA and is the world's best-selling performance programmer.
Superchips original products were EPROMs (or "chips") which could be installed in place of the original OEM EPROMs located in your vehicle's on-board control module. These chips, just like the tuners of today, keep the entire vehicle safety and emissions systems intact, but modify the fuel, spark and transmission settings to deliver dramatic power, torque and driveability improvements. With the advent of OBD-II vehicle control module in the early 1990's, most domestic vehicle manufacturers installed under-dash ports ("ALDL ports") which allowed dealers and service techs to "re-flash" the vehicle's control module to change engine settings without replacing an EPROM.
So, today, instead of chips, Superchips primarily sells hand-held tuners which achieve the same dramatic drivetrain improvements, without the hassle of popping the hood, pulling out the vehicle control module and replacing a chip. Installation is quick and easy, taking just 10 minutes and requiring no tools or mechanical skills whatsoever.
Superchips offers a complete line of hand-held tuners to cover most domestic cars and trucks. While they are famous for the incredible power gains (12% increase in HP on gas vehicles, up to 150 HP increase on diesels), their engineers and calibrators design the products for driveability. No more downshifting on big hills, they tune throughout the powerband for consistent performance from 500 to 8,000 RPM. In addition, their customers rave about the fuel efficiency gains, even while picking up, on average, 50-60 extra horsepower.
You can get Internet updates for your tuner at the www.superchips.com website and upload them to your tuner via your computer.
Also see the Kevin's Corner article about Superchips to the left.
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Announcing . . . Commercial Truck Locator.com |
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Join the revolution! | |
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NTEA Work Truck Show - March 4,5,6 2009 |
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Keynote Speaker: Mike Rowe of Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs and Deadliest Catch
The Work Truck Show
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Educational Sessions & Special Events Begin March 3
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500,000 sq ft of Class 1-8 Vocational Trucks and Equipment
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More than 40 Intensive Programs on Truck Upfitting, Regulatory Complicance and Business Improvement.
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Technical and Engineering Support from Hundreds of Exhibiting Companies.
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Green Truck Summit
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Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Curriculum.
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Newest products and trends
If you only went to one show this year, this would be the one to go to!
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A Great Idea For Your Customers |
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This is one of the best signs I have ever seen on a truck. It is adhered to the front service body compartment on an 8' Royal Truck Body unit with the single front door (a split door on many brands). The fact the front door is a single door allows this sign to be used this way. It is large enough to get noticed and read within about 10'. There is one on each side of the truck.
Another thing I liked about this sign was they put some photos of jobs they've done at the top and bottom which adds color and interest and spurs the curiosity factor. Then in the center is the information on the company. This is not a magnetic sign so it will remain on the vehicle. It is very classy looking on the truck and serves to advertise services in a very interesting way.
What a great idea for you to share with your clients. Maybe even offer to buy them a sign like this with their truck purchase. Your customers will love the response they get from this effective sign. |
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SVE MidBox for Ford F150 & GM Colorado/Canyon |
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Here are some shots of the SV Engineering MidBox on the Ford F150 and the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon with composite toppers from Brand FX. This makes the MidBox a sweet package indeed. A great work package with economy of operation, smaller size for easier maneuverability and a lot of options that can appeal to a wide range of clients. Eight-Eight percent of the MidBox units sold are sold with drawer assemblies. It's not wonder since that truly makes this a great work truck selection. In addition, there is still a great deal of space in the bed area and with the addition of the composite topper from Brand FX or the metal topper from A.R.E. products, you have a fully functional work package. Add a bed slider and increase the possibilities even more.
The MidBox is now available on the Ford F150 with power door locks utilizing the factory key pob and using factory door locks to make it extremely convenient.
Although I think of these units for contractors, the handyman (or woman), light road service, installation, small businesses like screen replacement, lawn maintenance and much more, this truck is also quite useful for the ranch, fishing trips, trips towing the trailer and lots of other recreation and around the homestead uses. This vehicle serves a very wide market. Anyone who wants to carry some tools, parts with them in the drawers, along with space in the bed for who knows what will make excellent use of this product.
Best thing to do is to put a few in stock so you can really show it off. I recommend stocking it in a similar equipped version of these photos. Stocking it without the topper will not have the same draw. Let people see the serious functionality of this truck and the lower operational costs of the lighter duty truck. Don't forget lower cost maintenance on tire replacement, brakes, etc. It all adds up to Value with a capital "V". Check out the www.midbox.com website along with the www.svefleet.com website for more information including downloadable brochures. You can also reach them at 877-374-5559. Plan ahead, so you can get them when you need them. |
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Redesigned and Improved |
Check out the redesigned and improved Commercial Truck Success reference website at www.comtrk.com. New larger size, center line main menu, easier navigation. Growing daily with currently over 120 pages, over 1,000 photographs and hundreds of links to suppliers and product websites all across the country for common and not so common bodies and other applications.
Keep telling us your thoughts on making it better and we'll keep changing it for the better. It will be expanding dramatically in the next 30-90 days, so keep looking! |
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Here's Something Fun! |
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Here's something that is totally fun!
Anti-Boredom Fun
If you liked that, here's another fun video:
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Need some ideas? |
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Now you can subscribe via email to the daily Commercial Truck Success Blog. Subscribe Now! |
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New Commercial Truck Dealer Success Website! |
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