Spartan Auto Group to add online sales team

As cars are becoming more technologically advanced, so is the world of auto sales. The family-owned Spartan Auto Group of Lansing is staying on the forefront of that trend by expanding their staff to include a new Internet sales department.
 
“Automotive sales are moving more toward the Internet,” says Derek Criscuolo, general sales manager for Spartan Auto Group. “Everything is moving toward the time of response from when a customer sends a request. With blogging, Facebook and Twitter, it has turned into something you don’t do as a part time thing, or can just add to someone’s job.”
 
Spartan Auto Group will be adding three new positions dedicated to Internet sales. In addition, approximately seven employees will be added across their existing departments to add to their 120-member staff. According to Criscuolo, the company’s emphasis on building great relationships with customers makes a wide variety of candidates appropriate for their sales positions.
 
The Criscuolo Family has owned Spartan Auto Group since 1984. The company now operates Lansing’s Spartan Toyota and Lexus of Lansing, and has expanded with two locations in Ann Arbor and one Monroe dealership. Criscuolo says Spartan Auto Group’s customer service has been key to the business’ success.
 
“Our owner [Rosario Criscuolo] has always preached customer relationships,” Criscuolo says. “Our mission statement is, ‘relationships, not salesmanship.’ That’s important, especially in the community like Lansing, which is a big city with a small town feel.”