Auto Dealership Lighting 101

It’s time to buy a new car, and you can see the one you want sparkling under the dealership’s lights. Individuals have different reasons for buying a car, but they all expect the vehicle to look great. That’s where your lighting comes into play. Car dealerships know the importance of lighting and using it to create the perfect environment.

The right auto dealership lighting will encourage buyers to purchase a vehicle, while also saving on energy costs.

The car lot is a crucial part of any auto dealership, but it’s not the only area you want to ensure has plenty of efficient lighting. Other areas include,

• Signage on the building
• Marquee signs
• Displays
• New and used car lots
• Visitor and employee parking areas
• Indoor showroom
• Interior offices
• Service bays
• The building’s exterior

Lighting is used strategically throughout the entire buying process in auto dealerships. It’s needed to get the dealership noticed by the customers passing by, to the showrooms that feature the vehicles, and interior offices when customers sign for their new car. It’s important for safety too, through the building’s exterior and parking lots.

There are considerable financial benefits to retrofitting parking lot or car lot lighting. In The Financial Benefits of Converting Parking Lot Lighting to LED, we review not only the energy savings, but maintenance savings, and the added performance value.

Dealership lighting should provide an attractive environment that draws customers in the door and to their new car. Lighting should highlight the vehicles and special lighting can even be used to show off the newest models. The longer a customer spends in your showroom, the more likely they are to drive away in a new car.

Auto dealerships need to consider a few factors as they upgrade their current lighting. Auto dealerships need to show off their products to customers while staying energy efficient to keep their utilities down.

1. Signage

An auto dealership’s signage often gives customers their first impression. Clean and bright signs indicate the dealership is open for business and cares about the details. You want your signage clearly visible at all times.

2. Bright Outdoor Lights

Most car buyers find their vehicle in the outdoor lot and not in the showroom. It’s also the first place most customers start looking for a new car. Outdoor lighting should be bright, highlighting the vehicles. Bright light makes the car lot look and feel welcoming, while also improving everyone’s safety.

3. Use Uniform Lighting

Auto dealerships with successful lighting practices often partner with a professional lighting service provider. It helps to ensure the lighting is uniform across the dealership.
You want to avoid dim areas and spaces with too bright lighting. Customers are more likely to stay and make a deal when the lighting stays at the same brightness level whether they are in the showroom or an office.

4. Pay Attention to Showroom and Accent Lighting

Dealerships will want to show off their latest models and bestsellers to their customers. Having accent lighting around certain cars will highlight their best products and models in the showroom. Accent lighting with a high color rendering index (CRI), will be able to show off the color of the vehicles.

5. Keep Service Areas Well-Lit

Mechanics are one of the key ways dealerships help their customers post-sale and keep them coming back. Having well-lit service and maintenance areas help employees do their jobs and improve their safety. Customers feel better about leaving their vehicle in a well-lit service area. The lighting gives the impression the dealership employs exceptional maintenance practices in everything they do.

6. Automated Lighting and Lighting Controls

Having a well-lit auto dealership doesn’t mean foregoing energy-saving steps. Lighting controls throughout the auto dealership ensure that the auto dealership is well lit throughout the day. Lighting controls can be adjusted throughout the day plus turn off automatically. At nighttime exterior lighting can turn on and lighting in offices can turn off when not in use

You can also automate lights to reduce brightness when the dealership is closed. Even reducing brightness by 10% results in significant energy savings.

7. Transition to LED Lighting

Metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and fluorescent lighting fixtures give off harsh lighting that doesn’t accent the cars well enough. The fixtures consume large amounts of energy resulting in high utility costs.

Transitioning to LED lighting is easier than you may think. It will also dramatically reduce energy usage and the associated costs. LED lighting has another advantage. It comes with color rendering technologies and lighting control systems that will make vehicles in the showroom and out on the lot look their best.

Proper lighting for an auto dealership is crucial to sustaining their business. LED lamps are the best way to keep bright and shiny lights throughout the interior and exterior of the dealership while conserving energy.

When you are ready to transition to energy-efficient LED lighting we are here to help. Contact Action Services Group today and see how we can help you.  Call 610-558-9773, emailing [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below.