Articles by Tim Rose - Page 17

Car dealers are working harder to engage customers as new and used vehicle supplies improve while consumers continue to be concerned about the high cost of cars.

A National Tyres and Autocare technician has been fired, and the firm has offered to pay for a service at a Seat dealership, after a customer's car was logged at 18mph above the speed limit during the technician's test-drive. 

Digital transformation advisory ELLA Digital, led by former GForces director Jamie Dixon and former Vauxhall and PSA Group executive Andy Freeman, has signed a strategic partnership with conversational AI provider Conversica.

Steven Eagell Group, the AM100's largest Toyota and Lexus dealer, has started a 'Community Programme' that will help to foster a culture of 'giving back' in its network of dealerships as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.

TrustFord has unveiled its brand-new £10 million Ford dealership in Aberdeen.

GWM Ora UK has appointed two new car dealer partners in the first quarter of 2024, with four new sites set to launch in Abingdon, Scunthorpe, Driffield, and Bridlington.

Robert Deane has been appointed as the new commercial operations director of Volvo Car UK, bringing extensive automotive sector experience from companies like LiveWire and Harley-Davidson.

Online car dealer Cazoo is beginning to sell off its used car stock, transporters and customer care centres as it has announced it will switch to a new business model as a car marketplace, competing with rivals such as Auto Trader, eBay Motors and AA Cars.

Consumers who have witnessed new and used cars become significantly more expensive since 2020 are unlikely to beat a path to dealerships as a result of the National Insurance cut in Jeremy Hunt's 2024 Spring Budget.

Former RJTK and Drayton Motors executive Darren Bradford has set up his own business, REVS (automotive) in Boston, Lincolnshire.

OEMs and franchised dealers face a daunting task to deliver sales mix and volume expectations in the new car market as many private buyers find young used cars much more attractive thanks to recent price drops, according to Vertu Motors, one of the biggest motor retailers in the AM100.

Operating profits fell 17% in Inchcape's retail division during 2023 although revenues rose slightly, while its international vehicle distribution divisions grew rapidly.

Polestar, the manufacturer of electric cars, has secured £750 million to help it make more cars in the future and expand its business.

Tesla is facing criticism from multiple UK fleet operators, prompting the electric car manufacturer to acknowledge areas for improvement in its fleet management approach.

AM's latest Spotlight on Finance and Insurance Report has just been published and it can be read or downloaded here.