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.
Car sales representative responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real car sales representative resumes:
- 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.
- Top seller in add-ons and service contracts, high CSI score.
- Hire onto the new car lot to sell new Chevrolet vehicles.
- Promote Honda standards for superior customer, employee, and Honda dealership management.
- Maintain profeciency and knowledge on the current line of vehicles offer by Nissan.
- Acquire knowledge of vehicles inside the Hyundai line as well as knowledge about the competitive vehicles outside of the Hyundai line.
- Assist individual with purchasing Honda vehicles.
- Represent Simms Chevrolet at local community events and establish long-term business growth.
- Approve all coursework and accreditation for full certification as a Toyota sales professional.
- Provide merchandising assistance to customers by building displays, negotiating placement, replenishing permanent secondary displays and using POS materials effectively.
Car sales representative skills and personality traits
We calculated that 47% of Car Sales Representatives are proficient in Customer Service, Test Drive, and Car Sales. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Self-confidence, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Car Sales Representatives that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 47%
Provided Excellent Customer Service Direct Customer Contact Processed Customer Credit Applications Responsible for Custom Orders on Vehicles Closer on Vehicle Sales
- Test Drive, 33%
Demonstrated vehicle functionality, explained options, and accompanied prospective customers on test drives.
- Car Sales, 14%
Work with customers on all aspects of the new and used car sales process, including evaluating leasing and financing options.
- Customer Satisfaction, 1%
Focus on customer satisfaction and retention methods while remaining efficient and business friendly.
- Automotive Sales, 1%
Results-oriented, customer care and service automotive sales professional.
- Customer Inquiries, 1%
Responded to general customer inquiries regarding vehicles that we had in stock.
"customer service," "test drive," and "car sales" are among the most common skills that car sales representatives use at work. You can find even more car sales representative responsibilities below, including:
Physical stamina. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a car sales representative to have is physical stamina. Their role and responsibilities require that "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are often on their feet for a long time and may carry heavy sample products." Car sales representatives often use physical stamina in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "managed used car inventory, maintaining the physical and virtual lots. "
Self-confidence. Many car sales representative duties rely on self-confidence. "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be confident and persuasive when making sales presentations," so a car sales representative will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways car sales representative responsibilities rely on self-confidence: "used self confidence and knowledge of vehicles to ensure customer satisfaction. "
Customer-service skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of car sales representatives is customer-service skills. This skill is critical to many everyday car sales representative duties, as "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to listen to the customer’s needs and concerns before and after the sale." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "help customers to obtain qualifications needed to be approved for a motor vehicle. "
Interpersonal skills. For certain car sales representative responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of a car sales representative rely on this skill, as "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to work well with many types of people." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what car sales representatives do: "utilized strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills with employees and customers to ensure maintained and increased customer satisfaction and profitability. "
The three companies that hire the most car sales representatives are:
- The Hertz Corporation137 car sales representatives jobs
- Giant Eagle45 car sales representatives jobs
- George's16 car sales representatives jobs
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Compare different car sales representatives
Car sales representative vs. Sales and leasing consultant
Sales and leasing consultants are specialists in rental properties who interact with potential clients. They present houses, apartments, and other assets to clients persuasively. They assist residential landlords searching for tenants and promote unoccupied properties with various advertising and media techniques. The skills necessary for this job include taking criticism, being competitive, problem-solving, and being proactive and persistent. They should also be able to embrace technology and be well-informed.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between car sales representatives and sales and leasing consultant. For instance, car sales representative responsibilities require skills such as "hertz," "telephone calls," "professional appearance," and "comprehensive knowledge." Whereas a sales and leasing consultant is skilled in "building rapport," "customer accounts," "sales training," and "nissan." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Sales and leasing consultants tend to reach similar levels of education than car sales representatives. In fact, sales and leasing consultants are 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Car sales representative vs. Car sales consultant
A sales development representative qualifies leads at the sales funnel's initial stages. Sales development representatives need to conduct research for prospective clients and qualify the leads before handing them to the sales team. They develop sales strategies to attract buyers or solicit potential customers. They need to build relationships with their customers to determine their needs and qualify the viability of interests to drive sales. Also, they collaborate with the sales executives making certain that corporate targets and goals are met.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, car sales representative responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hertz," "telephone calls," "professional appearance," and "repeat business." Meanwhile, a car sales consultant has duties that require skills in areas such as "necessary paperwork," "strong negotiation," "chevrolet," and "building rapport." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Car sales consultants tend to reach similar levels of education than car sales representatives. In fact, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Car sales representative vs. Sales development representative
In a sales representative internship, an intern's duties depend on the directives of a supervising staff or manager. Typically, they are responsible for gaining industry insights while performing clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documents, greeting visitors, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also participate in communicating with clients through calls and appointments to offer products and services, ensuring client satisfaction. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to familiarize and abide by the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a car sales representative is likely to be skilled in "test drive," "car sales," "automotive sales," and "customer inquiries," while a typical sales development representative is skilled in "sdr," "lead generation," "account executives," and "linkedin."
When it comes to education, sales development representatives tend to earn similar degree levels compared to car sales representatives. In fact, they're 1.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Car sales representative vs. Sales representative internship
Types of car sales representative
Updated January 8, 2025
