Fleet operators' top rated car and van retail networks revealed at FN50 awards

Major fleet operators' top-rated franchised car and van retail networks have been revealed at Fleet News’ annual FN50 awards.

AM’s sister title launched its annual FN50 report at an event held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London, last night (November 1) where the efforts of franchised car retailers were recognised in one of 10 awards.

As revealed in the full FN50 report, the performance of BMW UK’s dealerships secured a memorable hat-trick, positioning the German premium brand as the top-rated car franchise for the third time in three years.

The FN50’s consistent top performer was followed by Audi and Mercedes-Benz, which were ranked second and third, respectively.

In the light commercial vehicle (LCV) franchise rankings Mercedes-Benz’s retailers secured the top-placed finish.

Ford, which this year slipped out of the top 10 car retail franchise rankings, skipped above Volkswagen, meanwhile, as it rose one place to finish second.

Mercedes, which recently welcomed the return of Sarah Palfreyman as its new sales director, has now topped the van dealer rankings for three out of the past four FN50 surveys.

Fleet operators asked questions aimed at determining franchised retail networks provision of aftersales services and vehicle delivery to compile the FN50 report.

In what was a challenging period for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across the globe, operators were asked to rank brands’ retail networks in relation to: enquiry response time; overall supply time; the accuracy of delivery date forecasting; level of on-time deliveries; and aftersales service.

Data was also gathered to determine levels of service might determine whether franchised retailers or independent garages will be the go-to provider of SMR in the year ahead.

FN50 survey data indicated that franchised retailers may have done enough from an aftersales point-of-view to maintain those relationships in the year to come.

Just over a quarter (28.8%) of SMR work will be handled by independents in 2023, compared to up to a third (33%) in the previous two years, respondents stated.

In the van and truck sector the outlook is different.

Well over a third (36.7%) of FN50 survey respondents said they expected to turn to independent aftersales providers for their SMR work in 2023 in what remains a more consistent mix of chosen provider.

To read the full FN50 report, click here.