This study explores the effectiveness of operational strategies in enhancing the competitiveness of car dealerships in Recife, Brazil. Adopting an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, the research involved semi-structured interviews and structured surveys conducted with managers from four franchised dealerships. The study developed and applied quantitative performance indices—such as the Sales Efficiency Index (SEI), Cost Efficiency Index (CEI), and Overall Dealership Performance Score (ODPS)—to measure dealership performance across key operational areas. Findings reveal that in the context of Recife, basic operational consistency and digital adaptability play a more decisive role in dealership competitiveness than sustainability initiatives or premium customer experiences. These results challenge the universal applicability of global best practices and underscore the need for locally adapted strategies in developing markets.