Dahl Automotive Sells Electric SUV to Raise Funds for Chariots4Hope

Dahl Automotive has always been a gracious community partner by supporting many non-profits throughout the

7-Rivers Region. This time, however, they got creative to raise funds as a larger case study by capitalizing on the hype of direct to consumer Electric Vehicle sales. Automotive EV brands like Tesla and Rivian bypass franchise auto dealers and sell direct to consumers. Unlike auto dealers, these brands rarely have sales and service facilities in the local community. As a forward thinking and innovative automotive retailer, Dahl Auto purchased a Rivian R1S electric SUV as a case study to fully understand the complete purchase process provided by the online startup. Executives at Dahl Auto documented the reservation process, communication during production, the vehicle delivery and final document signing to receive a glimpse into the tech-forward online vehicle purchase experience. Dahl then presented the findings to the entire Dahl Automotive sales team in a group-wide gathering. “Throughout this entire process,” explains Tyler Dahl, Vice President of Strategy, “we were able to connect new ways of retailing vehicles to how we currently do business. The most significant learning lesson for us is that we can simplify the purchase process for our customers while maintaining a personal and local relationship that the online retailers simply cannot match. Using our own technology, we can provide a very similar purchase experience as the online retailers from a 100% online purchase process to home delivery. We just get the benefit of establishing a deeper relationship with the customer because we can provide local service and a level of trust that they can hold us accountable to.”

At the conclusion of the case study, Dahl placed the Rivian up for auction online and was able to raise $10,000 over the original purchase price that was quickly donated to a local non-profit chapter of Chariots4Hope. Chariots4Hope is a faith-based, non-profit organization that supports low-income families and individuals to maintain self-sufficiency through reliable transportation and RIDE programs. “Since inception, Dahl Auto and their incredible team members have been big supporters of C4H here in Wisconsin and we were thrilled to learn about this very innovative way to raise local funds through this project,” states Nyhus Shaffer, Executive Director of Wisconsin C4H. “Without partners like Dahl that lend their automotive expertise by donating funds and resources to restoring vehicles to uplift those most deserving of a second chance, our community would not be the vibrant and supportive place it is today.”

ABOUT CHARIOTS4HOPE

Chariots4Hope Wisconsin exists to demonstrate God’s love by helping people remove transportation barriers that enable struggling families or individuals to reach and maintain self-sufficiency. Transportation is a critical component for employment, healthy community, childcare, medical appointments and many other situations in daily life. Major barriers exist in our low-income communities that are creating significant challenges in improving their economic situation and accessing the resources they need to thrive.