Pitmans LLP managing partner John Hutchinson advised Ridgeway throughout the group’s July 2016 acquisition by Marshall Motors Group in the third largest deal of its kind in the UK ever.
The NFDA has a crucial role as the voice of the franchised retailer. Over many years the NFDA has developed a strong relationship with the government which allows us to effectively lobby on dealers’ behalf on important issues.
The manufacture of cars and commercial vehicles has increased enormously worldwide – more than 25% in the last decade alone.
For car dealers to be continuously successful, their customers have to have a satisfying experience at each stage of the sales process – from when they first research a vehicle online, through to when they step into the dealership and drive off after their third service.
For dealerships offering insurance is an easy upsell to customers that are buying a car, but research shows that once the policy expires over 70% of consumers look elsewhere for a renewal.
Not everyone has the same view of what’s attractive, particularly with second-hand cars. Beauty is in the eye of the seller and there can be a tendency to embellish.
Whether you are a large franchised dealership or a smaller independent garage, you probably have a DMS and/or Enquiry Management System (EMS) in place.
Next April see the introduction of a completely re-imagined tax system for new cars, replacing the current format which sees the tax paid on a vehicle determined by its CO2 emissions.
What Brexit means for car dealers; JLR and Steven Eagell interviewed and our guide to outsourcing – the August issue of AM is out now.
When was the last time you looked under the bonnet of your car? As a dealer it might have been half an hour ago. But for your customers, this is likely to be a different story.
Philip Nothard looks at the future impact of data and digital devices on the automotive retail industry.
Knowledge is power, or so the saying goes anyway. If that holds true, then today’s motor industry should be more powerful than it’s ever been.
Needing more and varied parts to fulfil aftermarket demand raises logistical challenges whilst the rise in self-diagnosing vehicles offers opportunity.
Rupert Pontin says the only way for dealers to examine how they source, present and price their stock is by using as much market intelligence as possible.
Paul Black, chief executive of sales-i, argues that data can help dealers carve out more profits in a competitive market.
Car manufacturers and franchised dealers must work together to attract young talent to the motor retail sector.
CAP’s Philip Nothard examines whether PCPs have rendered the 10-year-old car worthless.
Motor retailers that invest in digital technology at the expense of people skills run the risk of neither working, says Professor Jim Saker.
By creating a buzz in the showroom and offering incentives such as discounts, potential customers are more inclined to make a purchase, resulting in greater sales and greater profitability for the dealer.
Buyers are making one or two visits at most, because they gain so much information from an online knowledge-base that dealership visits become a final-stage formality. What’s worse? Retailers are failing to capitalise on even that interaction.
