Car sales representative vs direct sales representative

The differences between car sales representatives and direct sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a car sales representative and a direct sales representative. Additionally, a car sales representative has an average salary of $44,026, which is higher than the $43,527 average annual salary of a direct sales representative.

The top three skills for a car sales representative include customer service, test drive and car sales. The most important skills for a direct sales representative are customer service, direct sales, and TV.

Car sales representative vs direct sales representative overview

	Car Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$44,026	$43,527
Hourly rate	$21.17	$20.93
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	189,827	159,668
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a car sales representative do?

A Car Sales Representative works at car dealerships primarily to help clients find the vehicle that fits their needs and preferences, securing sales in the process. Their responsibilities include greeting clients, identifying their needs and budgets, showcasing vehicles and promotions, discussing specifications, answering inquiries, and assisting customers throughout the entire procedure, aiming to build positive client relationships. A Car Sales Representative conducts research and analysis to find new business and client opportunities, generate leads, and develop sales strategies.

What does a direct sales representative do?

As a direct sales representative, you are responsible for creating customer awareness of a company's products and services and closing sales. You will perform varied tasks that include assisting in developing and executing marketing and sales plans, conducting research on competing products, and identifying opportunities to improve sales. Additionally, you are expected to answer inquiries about product features, availability, benefits, and pricing. Other tasks that you are likely to perform include attending trade shows, preparing sales proposals for prospective buyers, and preparing sales reports.

Car sales representative vs direct sales representative salary

Car sales representatives and direct sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Car Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average salary	$44,026	$43,527
Salary range	Between $20,000 And $92,000	Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Richmond, VA	Salem, OR
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Maine
Best paying company	Al Hendrickson Toyota Scion	Google
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between car sales representative and direct sales representative education

There are a few differences between a car sales representative and a direct sales representative in terms of educational background:

	Car Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Car sales representative vs direct sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between car sales representatives' and direct sales representatives' demographics:

	Car Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6%	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between car sales representative and direct sales representative duties and responsibilities

Car sales representative example responsibilities.

Coordinate and manage services and requests from clients for BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes for auto body repairs and restorations.
Open, operate and close POS.
Recruit to increase Hyundai and Subaru sales.
Select for Chrysler's MVP program this year.
Assist customers in the selection of Toyota new vehicle selection.
Promote the sale of new Nissan models to prospective buyers.

Direct sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage accounts and create invoices via QuickBooks.
Achieve and maintain high-volume sales output, for cell phones and broadband products to stay employ with company.
Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
Canvass assigned sales territory and solicit orders for new or upgrade cable, broadband and digital phone services.
Generate revenue by selling and upselling services while developing client base throughout territory.
Prospect and generate sales revenue by adding new program residential customers and cross selling and upselling current residential customers.

Car sales representative vs direct sales representative skills

Common car sales representative skills

Customer Service, 47%
Test Drive, 33%
Car Sales, 14%
Customer Satisfaction, 1%
Automotive Sales, 1%
Customer Inquiries, 1%

Common direct sales representative skills

Customer Service, 33%
Direct Sales, 20%
TV, 15%
Work Ethic, 4%
Technical Troubleshooting, 3%
Door-To-Door Sales, 3%

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Car Sales Representative
Car Sales Representative vs Direct Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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