Paul Haldeman: A Leader in the Car Industry

Strategic Insights -

Paul Haldeman, a native of Yardley, Bucks County, has been a key player in the car industry for over 20 years. As the owner of Haldeman Lincoln Mercury on the Lehigh Street automile in Allentown, Haldeman has successfully navigated the challenges of keeping his products fresh, interesting, and affordable. Recently, he was elected to Lincoln Mercury's National Dealer Council, representing the Philadelphia region, and is serving a two-year term.

Haldeman's experience with the council offers a unique cultural connection between local dealerships and corporate headquarters, allowing him to have his individual voice heard and stay informed about consumer trends. The group meets six times a year with senior Ford management to discuss issues, problems, ideas, and complaints, and to find out what's in the works for the company.

Under Haldeman's leadership, his dealerships have seen significant success, with combined sales exceeding $80 million in 1997. His experience with Ford Motor Co. has given him a deep understanding of the importance of listening to customers and adapting to changing trends. As a result, Ford is helping Haldeman and other dealers to expand their parts and service departments, making them more competitive with the rise of light-repair market competition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul Haldeman, owner of Haldeman Lincoln Mercury, has been a key player in the car industry for over 20 years.
  • Haldeman was recently elected to Lincoln Mercury's National Dealer Council, representing the Philadelphia region, and is serving a two-year term.
  • The National Dealer Council meets six times a year with senior Ford management to discuss issues, problems, ideas, and complaints.
  • Ford is helping Haldeman and other dealers to expand their parts and service departments to compete with the light-repair market.
  • Lincoln Mercury is relocating its headquarters from Detroit to Irvine, California, to establish its own brand identifications, separate from Ford.
  • Lincoln Mercury aims to enhance its image as an upscale fun car for a younger market, while Lincoln will focus on improving its image of "what a luxury car should be".

Statistics:

  • Combined sales for Haldeman's three dealerships exceeded $80 million in 1997.
  • Haldeman represents the Philadelphia region on Lincoln Mercury's National Dealer Council.
  • The National Dealer Council meets six times a year.

Sources:

  • The Morning Call, "Buying a car is fairly easy, but selling cars is harder, Paul Haldeman says"