Navigating New Government Regulations: Text Marketing Strategies for Used Car Dealerships

Imagine you’re running a used car dealership, and it’s been a quiet month. Even with a solid lineup of vehicles, foot traffic is down, and your go-to advertising methods just aren’t pulling in the leads you need. Then you take a chance on something different: text blast marketing. Within moments, you’re getting calls, customers are asking about your latest deals, and your lot finally feels alive again. That’s the potential of text blast marketing, a strategy that can shake up how used car dealers reach new shoppers. Essentially, it’s sending out mass texts to keep people in the loop on sales, promotions, or any other big news. In an ultra-competitive auto market, dealers have to get creative. Text blasts shine by delivering immediacy and impressive engagement in a world where email inboxes overflow and phone calls can feel intrusive. Texts, on the other hand, get a whopping 98% open rate, with most being read in under three minutes—a prime way to connect with folks quickly and effectively.

In a recent Supreme Court decision, the “Chevron doctrine”—once giving agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) power to interpret ambiguous laws—was overturned. This shift is a big deal for businesses that lean on text marketing, including used car dealers. The Chevron doctrine originally stemmed from Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (1984) and required courts to defer to agencies’ interpretations of unclear statutes. As a result, organizations such as the FCC had leeway to craft and enforce regulations based on their expertise. But now that the Supreme Court has reversed this doctrine, courts will do the interpreting themselves, potentially affecting how text messaging rules get enforced down the line.

The Court’s ruling brings a few notable changes. Since judges will independently interpret laws rather than relying on agency input, there’s a higher chance of differing takes on text messaging regulations. Plus, future rules from the FCC and similar agencies can expect more legal challenges, which may create an unpredictable regulatory landscape—tough news for any dealership relying on text-based outreach. Staying in step with these developments will be crucial. Dealerships should keep an eye on relevant court decisions and regularly fine-tune their compliance measures. Having a flexible approach is key; ongoing reviews of how your team handles texts can help you adapt quickly to new legal standards. And of course, choosing the right tools matters. Selly Automotive’s CRM streamlines text blasts to your contacts and also sends out price drop notifications automatically, so your customers never miss a deal.

Given the fierce competition in used car sales, standing out often comes down to how effectively you communicate. Text blast marketing offers a fast, cost-friendly way to reach customers, and in today’s on-the-go culture, it’s hard to beat. By staying informed about legal shifts and taking a proactive stance on compliance, you’ll keep your text marketing both powerful and legitimate. Ready to discover how it all works? Explore Selly Automotive’s CRM for a firsthand look at how modern text marketing tools can boost your dealership’s bottom line.