Dealership Develops A Personal Touch

For 22 years, Chris Burns has serviced the limousine industry as the sales and leasing manager for Fred Beans dealerships, headquartered in Doylestown, Pa.

Chris Burns has been selling vehicles to the limousine industry for 22 years as the sales and leasing consultant for the Fred Beans family of dealerships headquartered in Doylestown, Pa. What makes Chris unique in the industry is he has kept adding more and more brands to his sales portfolio over the years.

From its humble beginnings when Fred Beans took over ownership of the J.J. Conroy Ford dealership in 1975, to today where the mega-dealership now consists of 19 different brands through 14 dealerships, Burns can pretty much offer a diversified array of fleet vehicles to suit any operator in the industry. The company is Pennsylvania’s largest privately held automotive group.

Need a new Lincoln Continental or Ford Transit? How about all GM brands, Chryslers, Toyotas, Hyundai or Nissans? Burns has them all in his quiver and can deliver anywhere in the country.

Having the lion’s share of vehicles is one thing, but to Burns, it’s really all about the customer. “Our commitment to service has made the difference, and although we have so many brands to sell to the industry, taking care of the customer has made us successful and is supported by our repeat and referral business over the years.”

It also helps to keep loyal customers and build new business when you have top-notch service centers that repair every type of vehicle, including motorcoaches. “We service sedans, vans, stretches, trucks, and buses — all large vehicles — and my guys know they need to get them in and out fast so operators can get them back out on the road.”

With 19 different brands and 14 dealerships, Fred Beans offers the industry a wide variety of vehicles, as showcased recently on the exhibit floor of the LCT-NLA Show East, held Nov. 13-15 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City.

On the state of industry fleet vehicles, Burns says he sees new people entering the business and some expansion by veteran operators. He is enthusiastic about the new Lincoln Continental, rolling out nationwide to solid reviews by operators. He notes the Ford Transit is doing brisk sales, as operators move into larger vehicles to expand their transportation services.

Family Affair

From the beginning four decades ago until today, Fred Beans has been known for his friendly hands-on approach with customers that has filtered down to his family, which is involved in the business, and staff at his many dealerships. Beth Beans-Gilbert is vice president of the dealerships and Barbara Beans manages the company’s fleet group. Jennifer Beans-Keiser manages the Autorent division.

Personal Touch: Chris Burns delivers a new 2017 Lincoln Continental to Bob Euler, CEO, King Limousine & Transportation Services, King of Prussia, Pa.

Like any successful family business, the company supports numerous local and regional charities. The Fred Beans Charitable Fund provides financial support to organizations and initiatives of all types. Because his family has risen in the ranks of the business, the company takes part in the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

It’s no doubt then the company logo “Fred Beans Family of Dealerships” represents not only its numerous brands, but also his daughters’ involvement in the business, and how it treats its employees, community, and customers — like a warm extended family.