Bread and Butter Cars

9/13/2022

Podcast Episode: 0114
What is a Bread and Butter Car?

We all know why the milk is always at the back of the store and why you have to travel through women's clothes to get to the men's section. But what is the milk which brings customers into dealership rooms? Either you were inspired by a Halo product or you can't get that one model out of your mind. And that one model is what makes up the Bread and Butter.

For the longest time, new models were a thing every year for automakers. But soon enough they all found out that one of their models would sell better than the others. Before too long this product would be updated with new technology and features to bring in even more new customers. Over time this main product became the face of the company, that one model which everyone knew and was the main reason for most consumers coming to the showroom.

Today companies have come to terms with their bread and butter products, the ones that bring in the most customers. These have become the face of the company and the ones which the company depends on the most. If they fail with their new design, or have major issues at the beginning, this could break the company.

Even in today's market, some companies still have not wised up to the fact that a good product should be kept similar to the original and only get updates. A complete overhaul can ruin the model and bring down the entire line. But, once you get the formula correct, you best stay with it and ride it as long as you can. This is the product which will guarantee profits and help develop new models to fill the voids in your lineup. Without this product, a company has no face and no real value to the customer.

Without a bread and butter vehicle, companies would not be able to bring you your halo models. So, next time you're at the dealer, take a look to see which product you think they depend on the most. It is probably the one you and many others, came in to see.

How do you take your bread and butter?

Everett J.