The benefits of an agency-style model, where the new car journey is managed online and manufacturers pay a handling fee to retailers, largely outweighs the disadvantages, according to senior executives at dealer groups already experiencing mixed commissions at work in their businesses.
Strong financial reports from across the car retail sector have reaffirmed that businesses have weathered the COVID-19 crisis without the “Darwinian evolution” predicted 12 months ago.
The heads of three exceptional regional hero dealer groups explain the approach to business and customer engagement that underpins their group's success.
Experts from ICDP, ASE and UHY Hacker Young respond to suggestions that motor retail's evolution could leave 'regional hero' dealer groups vulnerable.
With the UK on a pathway to zero emission new cars and London set to expand its ultra-low emission zone this year, Hills Garages looks well placed to continue notching up successes.
Forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to adapt to changing restrictions including showroom closures and shifting sales online, most dealers have unlocked new ways of working, many of which will be here to stay.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on automotive retailers across the board.
It’s fair to say the past 12 months have been challenging for the car retail sector.
Consumer uncertainty is the main hurdle to the car retail sector’s revival after showroom doors reopen on April 12, according to industry leaders.
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will stop in the UK from 2030, as part of the Government’s “green industrial revolution”.
In the latest of the regular ‘Eight questions to…’ Q&A series AM magazine chats to Chris Marsh, group parts manager at Mercedes-Benz truck and van dealer Rygor Commercials.
Some car retailers are feeling the pressure as manufacturers demand they to get their digital houses in order to take advantage of any market recovery ahead of what is expected to be a tough Q4, according to delegates at AM’s first virtual round table (held before 'Lockdown 2').
Icon is a much over-used word in our modern world. Things that have only existed a few years are described as iconic, without having had the time to cement their place in their particular pantheon.
The profile of AM100 dealer group Robins & Day has changed a fair bit since James Weston became its chief executive in 2016.
When Snows Motor Group completed a restructure of its leadership team at the turn of the year its new leaders had no idea they would soon be called upon to fast-track a transformation of the business.
Post-COVID-19, there will be significant changes in car retailing and warranty products are evolving to face the new challenges
Car dealerships in England were allowed to reopen on June 1 as the Government eased its lockdown, but ‘business as usual’ may be a long way off, reports Debbie Kirlew
A unique form of avant-garde branding is helping to set the young company apart from its rivals, reports Tom Sharpe
A strong emphasis on people and a collective willingness to roll up their sleeves is propelling profits at Drayton Motors.
Relationships between franchised car retailers and their manufacturer partners show signs of strain due to shrinking margins, if conversations at the AM Awards 2020 round table meeting are anything to go by.
