Community Partnerships for Auto Dealers
Great dealerships are more than sales floors—they’re neighbors. Community involvement builds relationships that no ad campaign can match. In fact, 82% of consumers say they prefer to buy from brands that give back locally.
Sponsorships That Matter
Local sponsorships put your dealership name where your customers already are—youth sports games, school plays, county fairs, and parades. These touchpoints create goodwill and brand familiarity that pay off when it’s time for a new car.
Example: A Chevy dealer in Anoka sponsored a youth baseball league. The visibility translated into dozens of conversations at games, and the team’s parents became some of their most loyal service customers.
Hosting Dealership Events
Turn your lot into a community hub. Events like “Car Care 101” clinics, EV education workshops, and charity fundraisers position your dealership as approachable and service-oriented—not just sales-focused.
A Ford store in Duluth hosted a winter driving safety clinic, drawing 200 attendees and generating 40 service appointments in one weekend.
School & Nonprofit Partnerships
Support scholarships, donate to local fundraisers, or organize volunteer days for staff. These investments demonstrate long-term commitment to the community. Even small efforts, like providing vans for local nonprofits, strengthen ties and goodwill.
Building Long-Term Trust
Community marketing isn’t a quick ROI tactic—it’s a relationship builder. The effects compound over years, building brand equity that traditional ads can’t buy. A dealer with a decade of local involvement will always have an advantage over a chain that just moved in.
Amplifying Community Efforts
Don’t keep your efforts hidden. Share event photos, sponsor highlights, and customer stories on your website, social media, and email campaigns. This multiplies the impact and reinforces the dealership’s role as a community partner.
Dealerships that give back drive more than sales—they build roots. At Moon & Marrow, we help auto dealers design community strategies that strengthen visibility and trust.
Want the bigger picture? Read our full guide to Automotive Dealership Marketing in Minnesota.
Ready to connect beyond the sale? Contact us today and let’s build a community strategy with backbone.
