This time, in our monthly advice series for automotive managers and business leaders, Sewells' managing director Gail Harrison encourages AM readers to reflect and identify how they can lead from the front and ensure their teams are aligned with the strategy.
Professor Jim Saker, regular Automotive Management contributor and president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, ponders on the consumer's perception of the name above a dealership's doors.
Flattened consumer spending, persistently high interest rates and supply chain disruptions stemming from geopolitical tensions have forced auto manufacturers (both budget and luxury) to negatively adjust their forecasts, writes Adrian Stalham of Sullivan & Stanley
The gap between a brand’s ambitions and the practical realities of those in the dealerships and retail networks must be acknowledged, according to Max Tuttle.
The safety of autonomous vehicle advanced technology has come into close focus in recent years, writes Damian Lewis of Viasat.
Convenience and proximity are key aspects for car buyers, as Carwow's head of research Sarah Blewett outlines some of the marketplace's latest findings.
Electric vehicles have been around for a decade yet owners are driving around in circles when finding specialist technicians to fix their motors, according to Marc Russell, chief commercial officer of FixMyCar.
In this month's people management topic from Sewells, managing director Gail Harrison hopes that automotive managers will reflect on the importance of getting value from team meetings.
A report by the Resolution Foundation urges the government to align its policies with the swiftly evolving EV landscape to make adoption more accessible, writes Fraser Brown of automotive consultancy MotorVise.
Cybercrime is an ever-evolving threat for every business, and the automotive industry is not immune, according to Gary Higham, Zuto's chief technology officer.
Providing car loans and other forms of motor finance is a critical role of dealerships that must continue in the future as buying habits and technology advance, believes Mike Allen, the managing director of Cambria Private Capital, a firm that invests in and provides advisory services to automotive startups and scaleups.
The Government's aims for zero carbon motoring will need to do more to convince a general public which is happy to be greener if it doesn't cost them more money or time, notes AM's regular columnist Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry.
Dealerships risk a halt to their car loans provision in 2025 if they've not put staff through the Specialist Automotive Finance accreditation programme, warns Lisa Watson, sales director at Close Brothers Motor Finance.
Gail Harrison, managing director of Sewells, offers crucial coaching tips for automotive managers with a reminder that their solution is not necessarily the best one and harnessing the brainpower of employees pays dividends.
Steve Young, ICDP managing director and an AM Awards judge, ponders on the task for OEMs and franchised networks to ensure they adapt to change in the aftersales model if they want to avoid leaving an open goal for an increasingly professional and capable set of independent aftermarket players.
Paul Bentley, former operations director at Lookers and now a non-executive advisor at customer loyalty experts MLP, explores the topic of giving customers a reason to stay in touch.
Andy Goss of Vertu Motors and a former car sales boss of Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche and Toyota, warns the new Labour Government that the ZEV Mandate is a blunt instrument that unintentionally may speed the exit of some franchised dealer groups.
AM's regular columnist Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, notes that external factors are increasingly forcing a change of thinking in a traditionally insular motor industry.
Simon King of Autotech Recruit discusses the challenges the industry is facing when recruiting, how these issues can be overcome through applying new methods and technology to attract talent
Recent developments in government policy are raising concerns that could stall the momentum of the transition to electric vehicles, writes Fraser Brown of automotive consultancy MotorVise.
James Hosking, AA Cars, argues that in tackling fears head-on, dealerships have the potential to not only increase sales but also build lasting relationships with customers.
The dynamic landscape of the automotive industry means that business leaders must manage the risks of change fatigue in their workforce and ramp up their communication, according to Sewells managing director Gail Harrison.
Vendigital’s Sheena Patel argues that the industry needs to come together to outline and define higher levels of standardisation
There has been much discussion recently about the evolving strategies that dealerships must adopt to remain competitive in the automotive market – a space that is continuously evolving and changing at speed, says PHM Group’s Tom Carr.
The automotive industry has seen its fair share of challenges over recent years – from Covid impacting dealership visits, to supply chain issues and the knock-on effects of the global computer chip shortage. These constraints have both tested and fortified the industry, says Keyloop’s Graham Stokes.
