A pronounced turnaround in sales in June and "excellent seasonal conditions" in agriculture are among the factors returning confidence to the head of a car dealership at Dubbo.
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David Hayes has told of the challenges the coronavirus pandemic posed to Dubbo City Toyota and of recent signs of improvement.
The dealer principal said the second quarter of this year was a "different and stressful period" not only for the business, but its "73 employees and their families".
"There were some tough decisions that had to be made to protect the business for the longer term so we could then focus on protecting all of the jobs, and those were my two main goals during March and April when the restrictions were announced," Mr Hayes said.
"I'm proud to say we haven't laid off any staff due to COVID-19 business effects.
"We did choose to not renew some positions, but we have resumed advertising for a couple of these now."
Mr Hayes said staff had responded well to their suggestions and offers.
"I am grateful for their support, and I know they are grateful for the support we were able to offer as well," he said.
The dealership looked at every single business cost, line by line, during the period and rationalised many along the way, Mr Hayes said.
Finally there was some turnaround.
"The market began to recover in mid-May and came back strongly in June to the point where we exceeded a previous record sales month," Mr Hayes said.
The market began to recover in mid-May and came back strongly in June to the point where we exceeded a previous record sales month.
- Dubbo City Toyota dealer principal David Hayes
"The biggest issue we face right now is that manufacturers and their suppliers take a little while to get rolling again and so we are now suffering from stock shortages which will most likely continue through the third quarter."
He said he was confident of seeing a strong fourth quarter given improved stock supplies and the excellent seasonal conditions currently being experienced.
"I firmly believe that our friends in the rural economy in this region will be the drivers of the recovery beyond COVID-19 and we will all be the beneficiaries of this," he said.
"As for current business conditions, all of our lead indicators are strong against our business as usual benchmarks and even though stock is tight these lead indicators give me confidence that our region is OK."
From March there were entire sectors of the economy forced to shut down for two to three months and Mr Hayes expressed concern for business owners bearing the brunt of the crisis.
"I do feel for any business that is suffering especially those in hospitality or travel as I know they are deeply affected by the pandemic," he said.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
