At Bilia Drammen, the largest branch in the chain, Short Shift has gone from a test project to becoming a natural part of operations. Sales Manager Martin Grøv Rugeldal started at Bilia in the summer of 2024 after seven years at Birger N. Haug, where he had already tested the system. The experience from there convinced him – the screen is not meant to replace the salesperson, but to function as an extra helping hand in the showroom.
– Days in stock, turnover rate, and profitability. Let those words sink in. Those are the three things that determine whether you're running a healthy business or just getting by. Short Shift's used car system helps us get control of all three.
Martin Grøv Rugeldal, Sales Manager for Used Cars
When Martin suggested testing Short Shift's used car system at Bilia as well, the response from management was exactly as it usually is when new investments come up: cautiously skeptical, to say the least. The first question was, of course, whether they would sell more cars with the screen. Regional Manager Prabhjot Singh Jhooti also admits he was skeptical at first, mostly because he's not particularly tech-savvy. But you have to be open to trying new things.
The test period didn't last long before the system convinced them. Customers started using the screen on their own. Many began searching for cars while the salespeople were busy with other customers. Some booked test drives directly from the screen before they even had a chance to say hello properly.
When customers take the lead
In a showroom with many cars, it's easy to lose track – for both customer and salesperson. When a customer comes in and wants to browse alone, it's nearly impossible to remember the differences between all the models just by walking around. Before, they had to bring customers into the office to show alternatives on the PC, but that often breaks the flow of the customer meeting.
With Short Shift's platform, everything happens right there, in the middle of the showroom. The customer can use the screen to search by car type, price, model year, equipment, and color – just like online, but physically in the store. The salesperson can stand alongside and tailor the display to the customer's needs and preferences. It is invaluable when cars are located indoors, outdoors, in storage, and across different locations.
Automatic and customized
The system automatically pulls in data from the dealer's own platforms and requires no extra work. Price, specifications, fuel consumption, financing options, the actual vehicle registration document with all technical data, and even the car's exterior dimensions are displayed right on the screen. For salespeople, this means zero duplicate work – they don't have to enter data in multiple places, and the information is always correct.
The system can be customized for each dealer. At Bilia Drammen, for example, they print their own sales posters directly from the system. If they have campaign models or cars that have been in stock too long, they can feature them prominently on the screen – including across multiple dealerships in the group.
The customer journey also gets a boost. When it is cold outside and the car might be under a layer of fresh snow, the salesperson can show it on the screen indoors first. While the customer explores the details, the salesperson can prepare the car for a test drive. The screen also attracts customers when the sales department is closed, including during evening tire changes and workshop appointments. This has generated more inquiries the following day.
Part of everyday life
After a few months with Short Shift's program, the conclusion is clear. Regional Manager Jhooti notices that salespeople spend more time with customers and less on administration – exactly as it should be.
– The system is simple, fast, and 100 percent intuitive. There are no downsides – only benefits. For us, it has become a natural tool in the workday, almost like an extra colleague who always has control of the inventory.
Martin Grøv Rugeldal
At Bilia Drammen, Short Shift has gone from being a test project to becoming a permanent part of operations. In an industry where margins and time are crucial, success depends on using tools that help good people perform even better. The experience has been so positive that the entire Bilia Volvo network has now implemented the system at all nine sales locations.
– It's almost impossible to run a modern used car dealership without this system.
Martin Grøv Rugeldal, Sales Manager for Used Cars