In the fast-paced world of automotive sales and service, Wayne Pitman Ford Lincoln continues to adapt to the industry’s changing trends while maintaining its values of community, transparency, and respect.
A cornerstone of the Guelph community since 1976, as it enters its fifth decade of operation, Wayne Pitman Ford Lincoln’s business model has fostered enduring relationships with customers spanning generations, explains Doug Bricknell, the operations manager.
Central to the dealership's success is its commitment to community engagement.
“It's not all about the dollars and cents,” Bricknell says. “It's about giving back to the community that supports us. We do as much as we can to support a wide array of causes, organizations, and events. We hope this resonates with people when they are making decisions about their vehicle. That’s what supporting local is all about.”
The dealership is also involved with local co-op programs, which partner with local high schools and colleges, to provide students with hands-on experience working in a real shop with experienced automotive technicians.
“That first-hand experience is so valuable to those students, and we are happy to provide a place for them to learn in a welcoming environment,” he says, adding that they are proud that some of the students have continued to be fully licensed technicians and now work at Wayne Pitman.
The program welcomes a diverse range of students and so does the dealership, with Bricknell noting that about half of their staff identifies as female, something the company is proud of.
“There is room for everyone in the auto industry. Automotive business is key to the Guelph, Ontario, and Canadian economies. We need people to get involved, particularly in the skilled trades, to help the industry sustain success. There are many rewarding, respectable, and interesting careers to be had in the car business.” he says.
As Guelph continues to grow and change, Wayne Pitman Ford Lincoln is determined to grow and adapt with it.
With many residents being environmentally conscious and wanting to experience the latest technology for themselves, the dealership is aspiring to be a leader in electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid technology, signing on with Ford Motor Company to be a Model-E Certified Elite Dealer.
“We're preparing ourselves to be a go-to destination for electrified vehicles, where people can feel comfortable and confident dealing with our team who are knowledgeable about the product. Naturally, people are going to have a lot of questions about EVs and hybrids. It's new technology. So, we want to be prepared to handle that.”
The dealership is investing training and education on EV ownership for their staff, as well as significant vehicle charging infrastructure upgrades that will be available to the public.
In addition to three fully electric models (Mustang Mach-E, F150 Lightning, and E-Transit) Ford and Lincoln also produce traditional hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, offering 50 to 60 kilometers of all-electric range. They provide a natural stepping stone between a traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle and a fully electric vehicle. Bricknell noted that one couple that charges their plug-in hybrid vehicle at home was still on the original tank of gas they had started with a year after purchasing their car.
“There are always going to be growing pains with anything new, but we are excited to see adoption of the technology continue to grow. We will continue to sell and service ICE vehicles in addition to our electrified members of the Ford and Lincoln line up. It is important for consumers to have choices that align with their values and we hope they choose us.”
To learn more about Wayne Pitman Ford, visit their website here or stop by the dealership located on Woodlawn Road.
This article was sponsored by Wayne Pitman Ford Lincoln, a 2023 GuelphToday Reader Favourite.