The Volkswagen Group is rolling out a new electronic sales lead management system to its UK franchised dealer network. The system, called e-GoodManners, is an electronic version of the GoodManners sales diary dealers have been using for the last 15 years.

It is designed to make the salesperson and the sales department more productive by making sure all opportunities to do business are followed up effectively. Launched in May 2002, there are about 200 automotive retailers using the system. A number of manufacturers and distributors have been evaluating it on behalf of their franchised dealers.

More than 200 businesses will use e-GoodManners, which has been tailored for each Volkswagen brand. Another 140 sites coming on stream later this year with VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda dealers. Each site will be allocated dedicated trainers for sales staff, sales managers, receptionists – dealer principals or managing directors where appropriate.

Phil Drury, of Wakefield Audi who was one of the earliest e-GoodManners users, says the system is customer and salesperson-focused.

Paul Willis, managing director of the Volkswagen brand in the UK, says: “With the retail environment becoming more competitive, it becomes even more important to follow up all leads in a systematic way. e-GoodManners enables this.”