A Smart Approach to Year-End Inventory Pushes.
In the world of recreational vehicles and vessels, the seasonal shift often brings more than just new models—it also brings opportunities. As manufacturers gear up to deliver next year’s inventory, they frequently roll out incentives to help dealers move out the previous year’s stock. These incentives usually come in the form of manufacturer-to-dealer (M2D) rebates, providing dealerships with a valuable tool to boost sales and reduce flooring balances.
But when these incentives hit, one question tends to rise to the surface:
“What’s the best way to manage these rebates inside Lightspeed?”
Understanding Manufacturer-to-Dealer Rebates
M2D rebates are most often applied after the sale is completed, typically issued as a credit against the flooring balance of the sold unit. Occasionally, rebates may be issued in advance, but this is less common. Either way, it’s important for dealerships to track and apply these credits efficiently within their DMS.
Lightspeed Makes It Simple
Lightspeed offers a streamlined way to account for these rebates directly through the Major Unit Inventory system.
Dealers can enter the rebate value on a unit-by-unit basis or leverage Lightspeed’s mass update functionality to apply rebate values across large batches of inventory. This tool is found under the System Menu > Data Updating and helps save time—especially during a manufacturer rebate campaign when multiple units qualify.
Some dealers prefer to enter rebate values directly into each major unit record before finalizing a sale. Doing so means less manual updating over time as rebate campaigns shift. Both approaches are valid and supported in Lightspeed.
Seamless Accounting Integration
One of the most powerful aspects of using the Manufacturer to Dealer Rebate field is its integration with Lightspeed’s accounting tools. Through Major Unit Sales Category Mapping, the rebate value posts directly as a credit alongside the unit’s flooring balance. When paying off the flooring, simply select both the credit and the associated debit to reconcile the transaction in one clean step.
The Bottom Line
Using the Manufacturer to Dealer Rebate functionality in Lightspeed does more than save time—it ensures accurate accounting, cleaner reporting, and greater flexibility when navigating manufacturer incentives. Best of all, it helps move inventory more effectively, which is what every dealer wants as new models hit the showroom.
Bryan Tierney
Bryan Tierney's journey with Lightspeed began over thirty years ago, sparked by a childhood passion for the Powersports industry. After spending Saturdays at a local motorcycle shop with his dad, he started working behind the parts counter, where his path to Lightspeed began. Today, Bryan is a vital contributor to Lightspeed's success, having authored numerous blogs, presented at major events, led webinars, and conducted thousands of product demonstrations. His dedication to the recreation industry, fueled by the same excitement he had as a young boy, makes him an invaluable asset to the team.
