Three years after Volkswagen Group UK began implementing agency-style contracts for some of its dealer networks selling electric vehicles, the group is now considering reversing its rollout.
Mercedes-Benz UK has reported strong growth under its agency model, with new car registrations up by 20% year-on-year and a 29% rise in the private retail channel.
Jaguar Land Rover has appointed Angela Shepherd as its new sales director to drive its retail transformation.
Implementing the agency model in the UK automotive market requires a carefully planned and strategic approach to overcome significant challenges, according to Steve Young, managing director at ICDP, in the latest Insight Quarterly report from Cox Automotive.
Andy Goss of Vertu Motors and a former car sales boss of Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche and Toyota, warns the new Labour Government that the ZEV Mandate is a blunt instrument that unintentionally may speed the exit of some franchised dealer groups.
Polestar UK has abandoned the pure agency model and is giving its retail partners more ability to deal with car buyers at their 'Polestar Space' showrooms.
The automotive industry has seen its fair share of challenges over recent years – from Covid impacting dealership visits, to supply chain issues and the knock-on effects of the global computer chip shortage. These constraints have both tested and fortified the industry, says Keyloop’s Graham Stokes.
Jonny Stephens, senior manager at independent management consultancy BearingPoint explores the recent changes in agency programmes
While the pace of electric vehicles (EVs) accelerates rapidly, the industry faces numerous challenges as demand starts to plateau.
The group said it will continue to focus on the used car area in the coming years as the industry moves towards an agency model.
Dealers signal growing anti-agency sentiment amid manufacture U-turns and delays to implement
While some brands may be taking stock, OEMs do not appear to be abandoning their future plans to introduce agency for their car dealer networks in the UK.
Adoption of the dealer agency model appears to be leading to poorer quality vehicle deliveries in at least some instances, says the AFP.
Audi is understood to be postponing the fleet-wide roll-out of fixed-price EV car sales
JLR has cancelled plans to move to an agency model and is instead refocussing its franchised model with an 'elevated concierge levels of client care'.
Dealers appointed to represent the premium car brand Genesis UK have begun trading this month as the business changes tack from a direct-to-consumer model and becomes a standalone business unit beneath the wing of Hyundai UK.
Chris Bond, tax partner and head of motor retail, at BDO UK takes a look at the key issues motor retailers should focus on during the coming year.
The automotive industry faces many challenges and Honda is no exception, tasked as it is with marshalling new launches and an 'agency-lite' approach.
US-based electric car firm Fisker is changing tack and now plans to sell through a mix of direct sales and a dealer presence throughout Europe
A plan to roll out agency contracts has been put on pause by the new head of Stellantis UK to allow her time to rebuild the confidence and trust of its franchisees.
