From Zero to 2024 Rookie of the Year: Dick Huvaere’s CDJR’s Online Parts Success

Dick Huvaere’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM (CDJR) knew selling parts online would be a challenge. Before eCommerce, their parts business was predictable—local customers, face to face sales, and steady prices. But the parts team, led by Grant Krasemann (AGM) and Jeremy Nicklow (Parts Manager), took a leap into eCommerce. Less than a year later, they won the 2024 Rookie of the Year award for their impressive success.  

How did they do it? With a determined mindset and a willingness to adapt. They also had strong support from RevolutionParts, which helped them understand the challenges and opportunities of selling parts online.  

Here’s a look at their journey and what other dealerships can learn from their experience.  

Turning early struggles into smart solutions

At first, the team was unsure about adding eCommerce to their parts business. One of the biggest concerns was profit margins. But as they quickly learned, with the right manufacturer incentives, shipping revenue, and marketing strategies, they built a profitable parts eCommerce business in under a year.  

“The money you’re getting through the manufacturer, the return allowance… there’s other things you need to consider,” Jeremy explained.  

Another big challenge was adjusting to the faster pace of online orders, because they knew  people who shop online want their orders fast.

“At first, we thought, ‘What’s the big deal? We have two days to ship.’ But we had to put it in our heads that it’s got to be done now,” Jeremy said.  

That shift in mindset helped the team prioritize speed and efficiency, leading to happier customers and better reviews.  

The partnership that made online sales easier

One of the biggest turning points for the dealership was working with RevolutionParts’ eCommerce expert, Jensay Numa.  

“Just the help from Jensay in general… was huge. We learned so much more,” Jeremy said.  

The RevolutionParts team provided expert guidance on pricing, shipping strategies, and advertising, helping the dealership increase their visibility and grow their loyal customer base.  

“We steadily increased from June to July to August, but once we got on Amazon is when we took off,” Grant shared.  

Even though they struggled at first, consistent coaching and expert advice helped them navigate platforms like Amazon and eBay. That extra push made a big difference. 

Dick Huvaere’s CDJR lifetime online sales

(April 2024 – February 2025)

Growing beyond their hometown

One of the most exciting surprises for the team was the ability to sell parts globally.

“I wanted to go global, and we did it in less than a year,” Grant said. 

At first, the thought of selling internationally seemed like a big challenge. But thanks to RevolutionParts, they found ways to streamline the process and make it easier.  

“I just sent two parts earlier this week to Germany,” Jeremy said.  

“This customer in Germany actually sends me his own shipping labels. I don’t even have to worry about shipping internationally. I just put the label on the part and send it out,” Jeremy explained.  

This global reach is something that only the parts department can do in a dealership. Unlike car sales and service, which are tied to local customers, online parts sales open up an entirely new worldwide market. 

“Going global in under a year was a turning point. eCommerce opened up a whole new world for us, and we’re just getting started,” said Grant. 

Overcoming early challenges  

The team’s early success didn’t come without a few roadblocks.  

“We failed at first,” Grant admitted. But instead of giving up, they leaned on RevolutionParts’ coaching to make improvements. They adjusted their settings, which led to a major increase in sales.  

“We’ve done a lot of backend work, looking at our gross profit between each store and tweaking shipping profits and product margins every day,” Grant said. 

That commitment to constant improvement helped them turn early struggles into long term success.  

How a great attitude helped them reach their goals

When asked about their “secret sauce” for success, the team pointed to their team’s attitude.  

“You have to have patience and flexibility,” Grant said.  

They made it work by staying positive, adjusting when needed, and taking care of their customers.

“I had no doubts that if it was going to work, we were going to make it work,” Grant added.  

Thinking this way helped them grow every day. “If you don’t stay positive and push through, you’ll stop, and nothing will happen,” Grant reflected.

Setting the bar higher for 2025  

Now that they’ve built a solid foundation, Dick Huvaere’s parts team has even bigger goals for the future.  

“We’re aiming for 5,000 orders this year,” Grant said.  

They’ve even made a friendly bet about hitting that target. If Jeremy’s estimate is the closest, Grant owes him a case of beer!   

What every dealership should know before selling online 

For dealerships that are just starting out in eCommerce, Grant and Jeremy have some key advice:  

1. Be patient: Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to build momentum, so stick with it.  
2. Focus on customer service: Online customers have different expectations. Be responsive and prioritize fast shipping.  
3. Leverage manufacturer incentives: Look beyond gross profit. Manufacturer programs can make a big difference.  
4. Invest in marketing: Advertising isn’t optional. “It’s not, if you build it, they will come. You have to let people know you exist,” Grant said.  
5. Work with experts: RevolutionParts provided invaluable coaching and tools to help them grow quickly.  

Ready to take your dealership to the next level?

Dick Huvaere’s CDJR proves that dealerships can win in online parts sales—even when they’re new to eCommerce. Success came when they stayed open to learning, trusted expert advice, and made customers their main focus.

With their rapid growth, worldwide sales, and big plans for 2025, this dealership is just getting started.

Want to see the same success at your dealership? RevolutionParts is here to help! Contact us today to learn how you can grow your online parts business.