Green Dealer Story

Congratulations on earning the Green Dealer Award! What prompted you to join the Honda Environmental Leadership Program?

Thank you. It's a collective honor. Everyone has contributed to our store being a sustainable business. It's a recognition of what we've done all these years. We were doing so many green initiatives already; it made sense to me to take advantage of a program that makes things easier.

How has the Green Dealer Program aligned with your store's forward-thinking legacy?

Original owner Lori Manly famously says, "We're not in the car business, we're in the people business. We just happen to sell cars." Doing the right thing is just smart business. People notice when you do things the right way, and it helps solidify our standing in the business and our community.

You also use the battery storage output strategically, correct?

Yes, we turn off the AC in the afternoon so the battery can recharge before it goes into night charge. My sales guys go home later, so the stored energy carries the showroom through the rest of the evening. Especially in the summer, it makes a huge difference in how much later in the day we run out of battery. One small step – not running the AC for two hours a day - has delivered tremendous savings.

Tell us some specific actions you take to reduce expenses.

Every dollar saved is a dollar you can put to better use. We line-item expenses for that reason. It's a mistake to look at things short-term because nothing gets less expensive. We use the Green Dealer utility statement because it shows when things are out of whack. For example, if I get a spike in electricity use, I can track down what is causing the issue, fix it immediately, and stop wasting money.

How do sustainability practices contribute to Honda's electrified future?

Recently, we found a way to eliminate 90% of paper and toner. We invested in software that drops information into the DMS. The process works because we've eliminated unnecessary waste, and the consumer has a streamlined and modern selling process. This all contributes to being an effective dealership of the future.

You mentioned the utility statement. What other Green Dealer tools do you utilize?

We love the dashboard because it highlights where we can make improvements. A nice surprise has been how our involvement in the Green Dealer Program has positively impacted our employees. They appreciate our commitment to sustainability and view our store as a great place to work because we're pushing toward the future.

What advice would you give to other dealers about the Honda Environmental Leadership Program?

It's not as daunting as it seems. You don't have to get it all done in a day. It's not difficult; it's just a process. Coming up with ideas on your own is hard, and it's not necessary because the program provides you with a roadmap. If you make sustainable, incremental changes, you're going to make money. It's so worth the effort.

Take Advantage of Honda Environmental Leadership Program Benefits

Green dealers nationwide support Global Honda's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. To participate, visit greendealer.honda.com and / or contact representatives at greendealer@ahm.honda.com or 877-658-0345.