Motor Connect online retail partnerships grow with 30 independent dealers

Motor Connect has grown its online used car retail partnership with 30 independent dealers in the space of three months.

Independents are offered free advertising by the online platform, which takes ownership of vehicles sold via the site, before handling customer experience, vehicle preparation and delivery to the buyers’ door.

Back in Motor Connect said it expected to double its turnover in the coming year to £20m as more buyers embrace online car buying.

And the appeal of its offering – launched by the Cheshire-based business back in September – has seen it grow from zero to 30 dealer partnerships and close-in on a target of listing 5,000 vehicles for sale by the end of 2021.

Steve Corwood, the owner of Motor Connect, said: “We’re front and centre of the used car sector’s digital transformation, as more and more people turn to online to research and purchase a used car.

“Everything we’ve created is hitting the mark – with high demand from customers and a sensible option for dealers to reduce their stock turnover but maintain high volumes of sales.

“Whilst there is still very much a role for traditional showrooms and face-to-face sales, we are offering independent dealers an additional route to market – with sophisticated online listings completely free of charge and taking the hassle out of the vehicle handover process.

“We’re using our experience in both online and offline sales, matched with technology, to enable dealers to do more deals without any distance selling. We’ve reduced our stock turnover to an average of just 23 days.”  

Motor Connect’s business model aims to support used car businesses by providing an additional route to market as more and more consumers turn to online channels to research and shop for a new car.

After being encouraged by take-up in the past three months, the business is now aiming to double its independent car retail partners in 2022.

Corwood said that working collaboratively would help independents as they “face tough trading conditions against large car supermarkets and main dealers”.

He added: “We have ambitious growth plans and we’re in strong position to really drive this digital-first sales model forward.

“With four new hires already, we will be continuing to expand our team further over the coming months – offering a fantastic opportunity for anyone want to join a forward-thinking business.”