Buyers benefit from new Ron Lewis programs

When it comes to the numbers, Ron Lewis Automotive Group has much to be proud of. According to Steve Peterson, vice president of sales, the Group has six locations, representing eight franchises, offering 62 different makes and models. In total, these dealerships employ 250 people.

The man responsible for starting all of this is Ron Lewis, a member of the Pittsburgh community for 37 years, who opened his first dealership in Pleasant Hills in 1976. One success followed upon another. The eighth and most recent dealership, Waynesburg Chrysler Jeep Dodge, opened in 2008.

Peterson came on board in 1986, when Ron Lewis Automotive purchased Morrow Ford Lincoln Mercury in Beaver Falls.

The Pleasant Hills Chrysler Jeep dealership, where it all began, remains the flagship of Ron Lewis Automotive. It was at this location that the basic mission was first established, and that is to give a great experience to every customer, every time he or she enters the dealership. “To do this,” said Peterson, “we have to make sure we have the right employees, the right procedures, and the right products.” The successful growth speaks to how well the mission has been accomplished.

Not content to wait for the economy to upturn, as it most certainly will at some point in the future, Ron Lewis Automotive has launched major marketing programs to benefit buyers of either used or new vehicles. “Both efforts are aimed at the greatest concerns of consumers who buy new or used cars,” said Peterson. “For new vehicles, the top concern is price. For used vehicles, the top concern is mechanical condition.” The marketing programs kicked off in January, and are ongoing at every Ron Lewis Automotive dealership.

On new vehicles, said Peterson, Ron Lewis dealerships guarantee the customer the lowest price on any make and model the dealers represent. If that proves not to be the case, the dealership is willing to pay $1,000 to the customer.

An added incentive for new-car and truck buyers are the warranties offered by the manufacturers. As one example, Chrysler, said Peterson, already has a lifetime unlimited mileage warranty on every new car sold.

As for used vehicles, every one sold by Ron Lewis Automotive now comes with a warranty for 100,000 miles, which is included in the price. This warranty, said Peterson, is backed by the dealership, not any second party.

Why the generous warranty offer? “In today’s market,” said Peterson, “you have to do something to separate yourself from the pack. We want to eliminate the average consumer’s fears about buying a used vehicle.”

What buyers need to understand, explained Peterson, is that Ron Lewis used vehicles undergo thorough testing. “Any vehicle that doesn’t pass our checklist, that isn’t safe or roadworthy enough—that we wouldn’t put our families in—is sent off for auction.”

On the new-car front, Peterson said all locations have a lineup of exciting new products for 2008. At Pleasant Hills, these include such new, more fuel-efficient sport utility vehicles as the Jeep Patriot, the Jeep Compass, and the all-new Jeep Liberty, with its classic, chiseled grille.