A new media campaign by the CATA touts the ability to visit Illinois dealership showrooms without an appointment and to receive free service for open safety recalls, no matter where a vehicle was purchased.

 

Illinois on May 29 moved to Phase 3 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase Restore Illinois Plan, lifting the restriction that car-shoppers in Illinois had to arrange for an appointment to visit a showroom.

 

Under Phase 3, businesses must limit customers in their showrooms at one time to five customers per 1,000 square feet, excluding employees. If the square footage of the facility is less than 1,000, the number of people is also less than five, based on percentage.

 

The ads also remind the public that due to excess service capacity, now is a good time to have safety recalls addressed at local dealerships. All safety recall work is performed free of charge, with many new-car dealers offering drop-off and pick-up service and loaner vehicles.

 

"Making sure their vehicle is safe should be an owner’s No. 1 priority," said CATA Chairman Bill Haggerty. "Many people are unaware of open safety recalls, a problem that is compounded when you purchase from a private party or used-car dealer. Getting recall repairs completed is always free and, in some cases, loaner vehicles are provided."

 

For consumers more accustomed to private-party transactions, a visit to a new-car dealership also could result in a conquest sale.