Dealers “adept at navigating challenges” as sales increase

Dealers have seen a 4.4% increase in enquiries and a 20% increase in sales against the same month last year. The data from iTrackLEADS also shows a 16% increase in test drives. Despite supply issues, handovers rose 46%. Adrian Favill, director of iTrackLEADS, said: “It is heartening to see the data point toward a positive… Continue reading Dealers “adept at navigating challenges” as sales increase

Hotel complaints management tool rolled out to car dealers

JudgeService has launched a new customer feedback service for dealers. The Resolution software platform was developed by JudgeService for its clients in the hospitality sector as a complaints management tool. It enables hotels to capture live feedback and customer reviews in one place, where performance can then be analysed and issues resolved. Originally created for… Continue reading Hotel complaints management tool rolled out to car dealers

Hedin Mobility buys four Mercedes-Benz Retail Group dealerships

Hedin Mobility, the Swedish dealer group which has tabled a bid for Pendragon, has entered into an agreement to acquire four dealerships in South London from Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK. The acquisition marks Hedin Mobility Group’s first fully owned operation in the UK – Europe’s second largest car market in terms of registered passenger cars.… Continue reading Hedin Mobility buys four Mercedes-Benz Retail Group dealerships

Dealers report consumers increasingly cautious about buying cars

A third of Brits (32%) are planning to hold on to their current vehicle for longer than planned because of the cost-of-living crisis. Research from Close Brothers Motor Finance found that 11% of drivers opted to buy a cheaper car. Nearly all dealers (88%) believe that the cost of living crisis has influenced consumers to… Continue reading Dealers report consumers increasingly cautious about buying cars

ICDP advises dealers to push back hard on agency concerns now

Automotive consultancy ICDP boss Steve Young has advised dealers to ‘push back hard’ now on areas of concern with the agency model being introduced by carmakers. Young said that unless carmakers and dealers can sort out the detail on agency it will result in an ‘unholy mess.” Young, speaking at the Motor Trader EV Summit… Continue reading ICDP advises dealers to push back hard on agency concerns now

EV and PHEV uptake opportunity for dealers to boost tyre sales

The uptake of new EVs and PHEVs could make franchised dealers better placed to promote themselves as the first port of call for replacement tyres. For most car owners the preferred outlets for new tyres are the big name fast fit operators (40%) and local independents (30%). Although 16% of owners return to the franchised… Continue reading EV and PHEV uptake opportunity for dealers to boost tyre sales

Dealers are feeling more negative about the used market

The number of dealers feeling negative about the used car market has almost quadrupled in a month. According to this month’s Startline Used Car Tracker 49% say they are pessimistic in outlook compared to 13% in October. The percentage who are optimistic has fallen from from 23% to 8%. Dealers whose view of the market… Continue reading Dealers are feeling more negative about the used market

Lack of service plan sales could lose dealers 20% of service work

Franchised dealers who fail to sell cars with service plans are losing one in five customers to independent garages for servicing work. According to new consumer research from JudgeService, most owners (41%) the most popular place to get their car serviced is the dealer they purchased from, but only if they also took out a… Continue reading Lack of service plan sales could lose dealers 20% of service work

Majority of buyers most confident buying used from franchised or independent dealers

Stereotypical perceptions of used car salesmen are no longer relevant according to V12 Vehicle Finance (V12VF). V12VF said that the role is becoming more collaborative than ever, with levels of respect and transparency at an all-time high. A customer survey carried out by V12VF – featuring 1,002 dealers – backs up the view, with 69%… Continue reading Majority of buyers most confident buying used from franchised or independent dealers

BLOG eBay Motors on used car values and where they are going

“The old adage ‘what goes up must come down’ doesn’t seem to apply to used cars, at least not for the time being. The unprecedented increase in average used car values that we’ve seen in the last 12 months shows no sign of a major reversal. Our expectation is that this new level of pricing… Continue reading BLOG eBay Motors on used car values and where they are going