Don't Think GPS Helps the Service Department? Think Again.
Most service managers think vehicle GPS is a sales tool.
Something for salespeople to track inventory. Something to recover stolen cars. Maybe something for F&I to bundle.
But not something for service.
That assumption is costing you.
Here's the thing-GPS isn't just for the front end anymore.
With the right system, it becomes a tool that powers your service bay, keeps techs moving, and boosts your bottom line.
Take Ikon’s Connect app. Your service team can use it to instantly locate any vehicle on the lot—whether it’s a customer’s car waiting for work, a loaner that needs returning, or a unit flagged with a low or dead battery. No more wandering the lot. Now your techs can hit the ground running instead of hunting down the next job.
And those dead battery alerts? That’s time saved and frustration avoided—especially on busy days when every minute matters.
It doesn’t stop with locating cars. It’s about locking in customers too.
Ikon isn’t just a GPS. It’s a retention machine.
When customers download the dealer-branded app, they stay connected to your service department. They get maintenance reminders. They see offers. They’re nudged to come back before they forget or shop around.
And behind the scenes? Ikon’s Business Development Center (BDC) is making calls. Real people. Real appointments. In fact, 17% of calls from Ikon's BDC result in a booked service appointment. That’s not marketing fluff—that’s booked work on your schedule without lifting a finger.
More cars in the service lane. More parts sold. More ROs completed.
Service absorption goes up. So does long-term loyalty.
Here’s what many miss—repeat service visits turn into lifelong customers.
A customer who trusts your service team doesn’t go looking elsewhere when it’s time for a trade. They stay in your ecosystem. They call your sales team first. They drive your brand loyalty. Every oil change, brake job, and check engine light builds that connection.
And that kind of loyalty matters more than ever. Especially if your OEM offers incentives tied to retention and service visits. With Ikon’s reminders and BDC scheduling, you’re in a stronger position to hit those OEM targets and unlock extra bonus cash.
So let’s recap.
Ikon GPS gives your service department:
- Real-time vehicle and key location
- Battery status alerts to avoid delays
- In-app reminders to bring customers back
- A U.S.-based BDC driving appointments (17% conversion rate)
- Support for OEM retention programs and incentives
And all of this feeds one number that matters: service absorption.
The more of your total expenses the service department covers, the more stable your dealership becomes. You’re less exposed to sales fluctuations. You’re not living and dying by incentives. You’re running a smarter, more profitable operation.
So if you’re still thinking GPS is just for sales?
Think again.
It might just be the most valuable tool in your service department.
