Simoniz System 5

[EPT]

I recently went to my Toyota dealer for a quick oil change and pick up a TRD air filter.While I was there the finance guy was explaining why I should consider Simoniz system 5(Dupont Teflon).First he showed a card with the system and without,spilled some coffee on it and the treated side showed no ill effects while the other side stained.That is the interior and the exterior application protects from just about anything and as he stated you will not have to wax your truck for at least 5years(just a good wash will do) .It sounds all good and all being that I am around a salty environment during the summer(New England saltwater fishing guide) and a salty sand during the winter.Any insights on this miracle product would be most helpful.Good and bad.Oh yea the cost with taxes is $630.

[Rustywrenches]

Sounds like snake oil to me.

[fins]

you can Scotch Guard your interior with the same results and for much cheaper. You can also us a good polymer polish for your exterior with same and cheaper results.

[direwolf]

Simoniz System 5 is a silicone-based paint protectant, designed to shield car finishes against acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings, insects and other potentially damaging environmental contaminants. The product is applied at the dealership, either by hand or using an orbital buffer - standard equipment in any dealership's prep department.

After the EPA banned the use of lead-containing auto paints in the late 1980s, most car manufacturer warranties dropped protection against environmental damage. Ford and General Motors offer coverage against acid rain, but the warranty is limited to one year or 12,000 miles.
Simoniz saw a niche for a new after-market sales opportunity and developed a product that allows F&I managers to add up to $300 in profit to each new vehicle sale by coveting a much broader list of environmental hazards and extending warranty coverage five years - with no mileage limits.

"It's a great addition to new car gross," says Randy Crisorio, president of Tampa-based UDS (United Development Systems). In addition to being a veteran F&I consultant and trainer, Mr. Crisorio also is the Florida distributor for the System 5 product.

"It's an easy, non-confrontational sale, and the profit potential is double that of most other paint sealant programs because people are willing to pay more for the additional protection they receive," says Mr. Crisorio. "Acid rain is a major problem in many parts of the country, and consumers don't realize that paint damage is not included in their manufacturer warranties until the damage has occurred."

Why has the lack of warranty protection against environmental damage to car finishes not caused public protest? Mark Trahan, director of Simoniz System 5, calls it a case of silent suffering on the part of consumers.
"Dealers weren't about to stand up on the desk and announce that something so basic was not covered by the factory warranty. Now, F&I managers are willing to point out the non-coverage because they can offer a solution. In fact, the sales process for the Simoniz System 5 is an education for the consumer that lets them know what isn't covered, and to show them a program they can take advantage of that will protect their car against these Contaminants.

"And if for some reason the program isn't effective, Simoniz System 5 is covered by Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, an A-rated carrier of property and casualty insurance."

The Simoniz name is a strong selling tool both for F&I managers and customers, says Mr. Crisorio of UDS. "In some cases, all you have to do is lay down a Simoniz brochure in front of the customer to get their attention and interest, the name is that powerful and the product is that powerful."
Marvin Noah, business manager at Watson Quality Ford in Jackson, MS, says the sales cycle starts in the showroom. "Once the salespeople have mentioned the subject of paint damage to the customer, it's easy to bring it up again in the F&I office."

Of the 120 new vehicles sold each month at Watson Quality Ford, about 25% of buyers opt for Simoniz System 5 protection, Mr. Noah reports.
"Our customers are very receptive to the Simoniz System 5 product," says Mike Cromer, F&I manager at St. Petersburg Jeep-Chrysler-Plymouth, "because they experience these conditions - acid rain, bird droppings, bugs - on a daily basis. Right now, we're in the middle of love bug season. Their bodies are very acidic. Within 72 hours, love bug residue will start eating into the paint if you don't wash them off right away."

Of the 200 new cars sold by his dealership each month, approximately 30% of the customers buy the Simoniz System 5 protection, Mr. Cromer reports. He says the five-year warranty is the product's strongest selling point. "It's a very good F&I product that has definitely helped our bottom line," he says.

Mr. Trahan points out that Simoniz System 5 distributors are all F&I trainers. Presently, about 300 dealerships are selling the System 5 product, he says. He says that some of the larger dealerships are adding as much as $25,000 a month to gross profits with the product.

"Small dealerships can add $3-4,000 a month," says Mr. Trahan, "and in a small dealership, that's a significant addition to the bottom line.
"We're trying to rebirth the Simoniz brand at the dealer level, says Mr. Trahan. "From a marketing standpoint, it helps us enrich our market base by introducing a new customer to the Simoniz brand tight at the point where they buy a car."

[DrQ]

I had it put on one of my other cars and it works as advertised. Four years later the clear coat is as good as new and I've only waxed it once in all that time. Nothing sticks to it, including tar and bird sh!t. Sure, if you wax your vehicle every week you may get similar protection. I've got better things to do with my time. I picked up my 5.7 Cmax 4x4 last week and will be having the Simonize treatment applied tomorrow. IMHO it's worth it, but to each his own.