Credit solutions provider Capquest has expanded into the motor finance sector by purchasing the business operations of British Credit Trust (BCT).
Ford used last week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to unveil new voice-activated apps and announce further initiatives.
Winners’ citations and photos from the AM Awards 2014, the UK’s flagship motor retail event.
McLaren Automotive has released performance figures and pricing for the new 650S ahead of its global debut in Geneva.
AM has confirmed its full line-up of plenary session speakers for this year’s Aftersales Conference and has announced conference moderator as Christopher Macgowan.
Jacqui Kaye is the brand manager or dealer principal for two Corkills Volkswagen operations in Lancashire, a full dealership in Wigan and a used car and authorised repair site in Southport. Since she was appointed to the role in October 2011, both VW businesses have seen profitable growth. In her first full year, combined net profit increased 92.3% at the two operations.
Peter Jones is this year’s AM Hall of Fame inductee. One Lookers director said: “He is the best all-round leader I’ve ever seen. Others I’ve worked with have very developed strengths in certain areas, but Peter is excellent in every area, has bags of humility and is living proof that you can get consistent record-breaking results by being a popular, nice guy that everyone would walk over hot coals for.”
Holdcroft impressed the judges by taking the strategic decision to allow its fleet business to stand alone, away from the group’s retail dealerships.
Customer satisfaction scores, accounts, sales and aftersales growth, and finance and add-on penetration all show Swansway Group is a growing business that evolves to remain well ahead of the average motor retailer.
The award for business leader of the year goes to Eddie Hawthorne, acknowledging his leadership of a business to which he has dedicated more than 20 years. So often has Arnold Clark Automobiles been either shortlisted or a winner, its name has become synonymous with the AM Awards.
Investment from Indian parent Tata Motors since it acquired the company in 2008 has secured Land Rover a place as a truly great carmaker.
The financial results for Arnold Clark Automobiles have been strong, with turnover rising steadily and pre-tax profit climbing quickly.
AM Awards 2014 – Best Retail Group (up to & including 10 sites): Peter Vardy
Among considerable competition from car manufacturers and dealer groups, Peter Vardy Academy leads the way in fulfilling the essential requirements the judges were looking for: a defined need, an actionable plan to address that need and measurable positive results.
Listers Group's simple philosophy, firmly centred around customer care and satisfaction, has served them well in more than 30 years of trading.
One of the best-selling cars of all time in the global market, the Golf is in its seventh generation and has been recognised for its overall balance and outstanding achievements in safety, fuel efficiency, dynamics and comfort.
Macrae & Dick ‘goes the extra mile’ for customers, even if that means delivering cars from Scotland to locations as far apart as Epsom and the Orkneys. The AM Awards’ judges singled out the clear results from its deliberate, focused initiatives in customer service
Tates Motor Group (www.tatescars.co.uk) topped the competition with a good mobile site and simple navigation on desktop or mobile.
With an average score of nine out 10, Kia’s decision to post all customer reviews on the independent review site Reevoo was the right one.
The efforts of every member of the team at Livery Dole have contributed to the turnaround story and the business has a clear plan for the future to maintain success.
Audi has laid the foundations for further sustainable growth through disciplined management of its brand image, consistent investment in its product portfolio, which now stands at 49 models, and an unswerving focus on delivering an excellent customer experience.
Kia’s campaign, although not unique, was selected by the judges as the digital initiative of the year. The depth of the brand’s commitment to transparency of customer experience acknowledges that consumers’ search journeys will often start before they are ready to go through the normal channels of the manufacturer or dealer website and that the opinions of people ‘like me’ are most sought-after early in the search funnel.
Rybrook Warwick’s total sales in the aftersales department increased by almost 8% in 2013 and direct profits increased by 7%. Growth has come from retail parts, labour sales, customer satisfaction and a focus on continual staff training.
A ‘like’ on Facebook is just the tip of the iceberg in Mercedes-Benz Retail Group’s plan to fully integrate social media into its business.
Williams finished 2013 at 118% of her financial targets - all delivered with a personal style that particularly impressed the auditors.
Arnold Clark Automobiles is a used car powerhouse. The judges were impressed by its committed focus to developing the retail journey and to making sure customers were getting the best deal possible.
Barnetts Volkswagen does everything right. From a vibrant and modern showroom and excellent customer care to great staff morale and financial results, it ticks all the boxes of what a modern dealership should be.
An engagement programme with team-building, incentives and changes to team structure and roles including an “Xtra Time” team that would rotate on and off the floor increased turnover 26% and gross profits 41% between January and September 2013.
Used car experts agree that the Nissan Qashqai remains the best investment for dealers seeking an in-demand, fast-turning mainstream SUV to fill a space on the forecourt.
The leisure vehicle market is unique. The lifestyle choices offered by its products are as diverse as the range of vehicles available. One consistent factor that remains within its target consumer group is that ‘people enjoy leisure time’. The growth in leisure sales outlets has influenced a revival in the UK holiday industry. Manufacturers constantly evolve products to suit the needs of a modern and active lifestyle. This is great news for the future of the industry, retaining existing customers and attracting new customers and forward-thinking retailers to the marketplace. Global enthusiasm for recreational 0vehicle touring is continuous. World markets including China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Australia and New Zealand are among many expanding distribution networks for leisure vehicles. This is great news for manufacturers and the related industries that support many thousands of jobs across Europe. The future looks healthy.
