Pick-up and delivery of vehicles, remote service truck among new programs
Customer-focused projects fill Curt Gottschalk’s day at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, and he enjoys every minute.
“I enjoy the challenges,” he said. “I enjoy something different every day. I don’t like to get into a routine of the same thing over and over.”
Earlier this year, Curt accepted a new role as the auto dealership’s manager of special projects.
Project No. 1 is pick-up and delivery of vehicles. It’s a service the dealership provided for customers for years, but only when requested. Once Ford started a national television campaign about pick-up and delivery, requests ballooned, and Krapohl needed a systematic approach. Curt, along with a team, built it, and the number of pick-ups and deliveries continues to grow.
“Society has changed,” Curt said. “People are busy, so they are looking for convenience. This program offers that.”
Customers will be asked if they’d like pick-up and delivery when scheduling service appointments but in the near future, they will have the ability to schedule it electronically along with appointments. Certain restrictions apply.
Project No. 2 is adding a mobile service truck to make runs to businesses, schools or customer homes to do light repairs. A Ford Super Duty is on order, and like a commercial fleet vehicle modified for business customers, it will be fully equipped with tools and equipment for repairs.
In fact, part of the objective of mobile service is for the commercial sales side of the dealership. “When part of a fleet goes down, those customers want to get it back on the road as soon as possible,” Curt said.
Another project will benefit electric vehicle owners. Chargers are being installed around the dealership, including a main one near the service area. Customers who drop off an EV for service will have their vehicle returned with plenty of charge.
“We’re jumping all in for EVs,” Curt said.
Krapohl General Manager and Co-owner Mark Smith said Curt was a logical choice to take on a variety of special projects.
“We’ve known Curt since he worked here 25 years ago on the service counter as a college student,” Smith said. “He understands dealerships and the needs of every department, and he’s an excellent project manager.”
Curt was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, and he’s lived in Beal City for years. He worked at dealerships after graduating from Northwood University and then was in manufacturing for several years. He was glad to see so many familiar faces when he returned to Krapohl.
“(Service Manager) Jeff Slocum and I worked together at another dealership for a short period of time, and we’ve always stayed in contact,” Curt said. “I’ve known Mark and Tom for a long time and back when I started here, Mark’s dad, Brian, was the manager.
“The people here are unique. They are long-term, family orientated. Everybody gets along, and we work well together. To me, that’s a story for success.”
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