Based on government guidance, it will be 9 May, at the earliest, before UK car retailers can expect to open their doors to the general public. When this happens, social distancing measures will remain as a crucial defence against a second wave of COVID-19. With this in mind, here are some best practice tips we have collated from dealers and ...
Read More »Five things for dealers to do this week
The economy and particularly the automotive industry are almost at a standstill at the moment as COVID-19 holds the country to ransom. However, despite the difficult times, there are still some things that need to be covered off. Here are five things that can help business strategy and performance right now. Check Your Retail Pricing Although the car showrooms are ...
Read More »Use technology to bring your forecourt to customers’ homes
The world changed drastically in March 2020, and retail changed too. The nature of customer demand has been turned on its head, and anybody trying to sell products or services in this environment needs to work to keep up. It’s a challenging and unprecedented time for not only dealerships, but for the motor industry as a whole. Buyers are having ...
Read More »Dealers keep NHS and key workers mobile in the lockdown
These are extraordinary times. First and foremost here at Motor Trader we extend our support to all individuals and families, employees and companies impacted by COVID-19 and our thanks to the key workers and emergency services and their huge efforts to slow and control the spread of the virus. In the April Motor Trader we look at how dealer bosses ...
Read More »Start building now for the end of lockdown
Much like the UK Government, every dealer needs a strategy of how they will exit lockdown. There is no doubt that the current situation is hugely challenging for dealers of all sizes. However, it is the dealers who are proactive in managing their sales pipeline now that will reap the rewards when lockdown ends. After the initial shock of the ...
Read More »Post-crisis motor finance sector could look quite different
The impact of the coronavirus situation on individual finances could mean that the post-crisis motor finance sector could potentially look quite different, says Startline Motor Finance. “With millions of people having to access Government help to support their personal finances, current methods of credit scoring applicants could have much decreased relevance,” said CEO Paul Burgess. “Whenever things return to relative ...
Read More »Check out this dealer survival guide for COVID-19
Abide by the Government rules and close your dealership to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep your staff and customers safe. Exceptional circumstances permit the service department to open and help key workers remain mobile so, where this is absolutely necessary to maintain social distancing and help keep those that will care for us mobile. Remember that the ...
Read More »Worrying times but we are all in this together
These are worrying times for us all. The personal, social and economic impacts of coronavirus on retail businesses and their suppliers spell big commercial challenges for everyone. And ‘social distancing’ will inevitably affect the very ‘people-focused’ nature of dealers. Motor Trader readers face a very difficult time. But amid the anxieties the fact is that motor retail is in a ...
Read More »Coronavirus: step up to the challenge and pull together
Like many business leaders, our senior team have faced a tumultuous few weeks preparing the Group for the likely effects of the government’s measures to tackle the Coronavirus outbreak. In dealing with the many different stakeholders of our business – customers, colleagues, suppliers, and shareholders – I have found the biggest potential issue is fear of the unknown and ensuring ...
Read More »Taking the customer insurance journey in-house
The last six months have seen significant strides forward for the motor industry, with manufacturers taking control of the customer insurance journey in-house, and advancing what has been on offer through the traditional insurance sector at the same time. Take electric and autonomous vehicle pioneer Tesla for instance, which has embarked upon several collaborations with insurance businesses around the world ...
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