Pinewood Technologies secures five year contract with Marshall

Automotive retail software provider Pinewood Technologies has secured a major five-year contract with AM100 retailer Marshall Motor Group, cementing its position as a supplier to a fifth of the top 20 UK dealer groups.

Under the agreement, Pinewood’s systems will be implemented across Marshall's 120 dealerships, marking a significant expansion for Pinewood in the UK market.

Marshall has used Keyloop's DMS Autoline/Drive for many years.

Birmingham-based Pinewood is targeting growth in the UK and USA following the sale last year by its parent Pendragon to US-based dealership giant Lithia and Driveway.

Pinewood's DMS is used in the UK mostly by Pendragon's dealerships, and there has long been some reluctance among other major UK dealer groups to use a supplier owned by their one-time rival.

The latest deal is therefore siginifcant as Marshall Motor Group, part of the Constellation Automotive Group, which includes brands like Cinch, BCA, and Webuyanycar, is the first major non-associated dealership group in the UK to adopt Pinewood's retail solutions.

Bill Berman, chief executive of Pinewood, said: “Entering into a contract with a company like Marshalls, one of the largest franchised dealer groups in the UK, is an extremely strong validation of the Pinewood product suite and it underlines our position as one of the leading automotive retail ecosystem providers in the market.

“Today’s announcement follows the ongoing rollout programme of our system to the UK dealerships of Lithia Motors, our strategic partner, which is progressing well and I am pleased with the progress we are making in this market. We now supply our software to four of the top-20 UK dealer groups and are confident in our pipeline of new customers in the months ahead.”

Avril Palmer-Baunack, executive chairman of Constellation Automotive Group, said: “This partnership will allow us to integrate and upgrade our systems whilst enhancing and accelerating our continuing strive to deliver market leading customer service to our consumer and business partners.”  

This follows the successful deployment of Pinewood's products within Lithia Motors operations in the UK - formerly Jardine Motor Group and Pendragon.

Pinewood earlier this month reported significant progress in the first half of 2024 through executing a roll-out of its system into Lithia UK dealers and expanding internationally.

While around 85% of its revenue is generated from repeat business, the company’s efforts have led to a 3.6% increase in user numbers, now standing at around 34,300.

The growth has been driven by new Lithia UK users as well as an increase in both the UK and international markets.