Nissan Motor (GB) has launched a programme of business consultations to help its dealers survive the economic downturn and prepare for six model launches by 2011.

Supported by business management company APD Group, the manufacturer’s dealers are being visited by a field team carrying out initial assessments, including looking at financial risk on each before drawing up a bespoke business plan.
Nissan and APD will work with the 179 dealers and 11 authorised repairers for up to three years on this
programme.

Richard Clark, Nissan’s manager of new business planning and quality, said: “The purpose is to provide dealers with in-depth support in operational and financial performance and prepare them for the ambitious programme of new model launches.”

He said the goal was to ensure the Nissan network stays “viable and profitable”, but also highlight areas for dealers where “short, medium and long-term opportunities for increased business, improvement in processes, or structural or reporting changes will have a positive impact on their business”.

The progamme is being funded by Nissan.

Scott Elliott, APD Group commercial director, said: “Traditionally, OEMs have been very good at rolling out initiatives which, at best, have a positive impact on 30% of the network. 

“The rest say they haven’t got the time or they’re not interested. However, Nissan has taken a different and more hands-on approach. 

“This is the very opposite of network rationalisation. Instead it’s about ensuring its dealers have the strength to survive the economic downturn and are fully prepared to maximise the opportunties available with the launch of new models.” 

Nissan is launching six models before the end of 2010: the GT-R, 370Z, Pixo, cube and NV200 this year and Qazana next year.