What is the difference between an auto trade store and a 4S store?
2 Answers
Here are the specific differences between auto trade stores and 4S stores: 1. Authorization: 4S stores are authorized to sell cars, while auto trade stores are not. A 4S store is an officially authorized dealer of a car brand manufacturer, usually selling only one brand of vehicles, whereas an auto trade store can sell cars from many brands. 2. Business scope: Auto trade stores generally only sell cars, handle insurance, and provide vehicle loans; 4S stores offer a wide range of services, including car sales, repairs, parts, maintenance, and test drive appointments. 3. After-sales service: 4S stores integrate car sales, repairs, after-sales service, and parts sales, while auto trade stores do not provide after-sales service and lack sufficient after-sales guarantees.
As an average car owner, I recently compared 4S dealerships and auto trading stores when purchasing a car. A 4S store is typically an official brand-authorized dealership, like the Toyota 4S I visited, which exclusively sells Toyota vehicles with complete original parts and formal services, though prices tend to be higher. Auto trading stores are more like small general stores, offering multi-brand new and used cars with flexible pricing that allows negotiation, but after-sales service can be inconsistent. From a trust perspective, 4S stores are more reliable due to brand endorsement, ensuring quicker issue resolution, while auto trading stores are cheaper but require background checks. For routine maintenance, 4S stores charge more but offer longer warranties, whereas auto trading stores may save costs but come with more risks. Overall, choose a 4S store for quality and an auto trading store for savings.
