Pye Motors has become the first Ford main dealer to sign up to dealer management systems provider Pinewood Computer Solutions, after dropping its existing supplier Kalamazoo.

The Cars DMS system will be used at Pye's three Ford dealerships in Lancaster following approval last year by the carmaker. Installation will be completed by May.

Gary Williams, Pye IT and development manager, said; “There were a number of factors behind our decision to replace our existing DMS system but the main one was that it simply wasn't performing to a level we were happy with.

“Even though we are the first Ford main dealer to choose Pinewood, we are happy with their commitment and satisfied with their track record with other major franchise dealers.”

Neville Briggs, Pinewood managing director, said: “Since gaining approval from Ford we have been working to make inroads into the dealer network.

“We have been helped not just by our own strengths but by the fact that Kalamazoo has been withdrawing support for some of its older products. This has caused many dealers to look at replacing their DMS system – we expect to announce more Ford deals soon.”