Quest Motor Group has credited its new Ecommerce platform for helping it to the most successful month of car sales in its history.

The Essex-based, family-run Citroen, Suzuki and Vauxhall franchisee set the new record in January, just five months after the introduction of a new ‘omni-channel’ approach to online and offline vehicle sales, underpinned by GForces’ NetDirector Auto-e ecommerce platform.

Quest highlighted its intention to drive its used car sales volumes to over 200-per-month with the help of online retailing in annual accounts for the period to May 31, 2019, which revealed a turnover of £34.2 million (2018: £32.8m).

Despite traditionally being a tough month for sales, Quest reported 203 used car sales last month, with 13% of those transactions made entirely online.

Conor Judge, group marketing manager at Quest Motor Group, said: “Within just a few months we have adopted a truly ‘agnostic’ approach to online and offline sales, accommodating more readily the needs and preferences of our customers.

“Our staff communicate openly about the various options that customers now have for transacting with us.

“We also encourage the opening of accounts and placing deposits online, which can be valuable in countering potential concerns that some customers have about a pressured sales situation in a dealership environment.”

The 95-year old Essex retailer has collaborated very closely with GForces to overhaul its entire sales approach.

Quest’s website now enables customers to reserve, purchase and finance any used car available at its Braintree and Maldon sites.

Every aspect of the buying journey can be fulfilled entirely online, from a guaranteed part-exchange CAP valuation, to finance application and authorisation by Automotive Compliance.

Customers can arrange to part-exchange their existing vehicle, receive finance decisions and sign paperwork in one digital process.

The platform also integrates tools that strengthen customer relationships, including online chat services, stock imagery and video uploads.

“Our customers are reserving cars online from an average 34 miles from the dealership, while the average distance for customers ordering cars through HP finance is 50 miles,” Judge added.

“Significantly, transaction data gathered from our online transactions in January 2020 also reveals that 42% take place outside our standard dealership opening hours.

“It’s been transformational for the reach and effectiveness of our sales process. GForces’ team of ecommerce experts has been advising us on the adoption of best practice, ensuring we make the most of the web solution and optimise our sales approach across the wider business.”