Donalds Group has acquired Wright’s Mazda dealership in Norwich, joining existing Mazda dealerships at Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Peterborough. The company plans to revamp the workshop facilities while the showroom has recently been overhauled to meet the latest Mazda corporate standards. Donalds Group opened its first dealership in 1950. It now operates a network… Continue reading Donalds Group acquires Wrights Mazda in Norwich
Author: Motor Trader Online News
No fall in used car values in ‘most scenarios’ says Auto Trader boss
Used car values are set to remain stable over the coming year due to a shortage of vehicles caused by low new vehicle sales in recent years. Auto Trader CEO Nathan Coe said he did not see a fall in used car values “in most scenarios” because the market was still short of vehicles, and… Continue reading No fall in used car values in ‘most scenarios’ says Auto Trader boss
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