Motor Trader The award-winning and longest running UK magazine for car retailing professionals. Your first stop for News, Jobs and Reports for the motor industry.
The big story this month comes from Stellantis, which has outlined plans to overhaul the distribution of its car brands in the UK to be complete by 2027.
It has terminated the current distribution contracts for networks. In the UK. Stellantis distributes Alfa Romeo, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Jeep, Peugeot and Vauxhall cars.
In the UK, the intention is for Alfa Romeo, DS Automobiles and LCV sales for Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën and Fiat to shift move to an agency distribution model from 2023.
This month, we take a close look at dealers and the digital tools and marketing they are using. Over the past year, as a result of the pandemic, dealers have changed the way they do business and keep in touch with customers. In the first lockdown, dealers saw new car sales plummet and used car business was hit hard. Aftersales, too, took a hit despite businesses offering services to emergency services.
Successive lockdowns saw dealers coping much better and with showrooms temporarily closed for business there was an acceleration of digital services across the board.
In the Motor Trader Digital Survey, we looked at a number of touch points for digital and asked dealers how far they had got with these. Test Drives, online service booking, valuations, their use of video and so on.
Technology is increasingly important for dealers but for hundreds of dealers, family values and excellent customer service are pivotal. In our Dealer Insight this month we look Gravells, a long-established group in South Wales. The company was founded in Kidwelly in 1932. Motor Trader caught up with Gravells managing director and third-generation owner, Jonathan Gravell, to talk about the group’s approach to customer service and how it has negotiated the pandemic.
This month we take a look at the latest development from Peter Vardy and the launch of CARZ at eight locations, six of them ex-Vauxhall businesses. After 15 years with the brand, the two parted company. Vardy also launched a new scheme to help it buy more part exchange cars.
A quick look at some of the results stories in Motor Trader this issue sees dealer delivering a strong first half. Pent-up demand for new and used cars is strong and profitability has been boosted by rising used car sales. But already some of the listed groups have flagged up a future adjustment in values that may have an impact on the second half of the year.
Finally, don’t forget to enter the Motor Industry Awards. For over 30 years these awards have been seen industry wide as a benchmark for excellence for UK car retailers and suppliers. There are 25 retail categories and six supplier categories available to enter. The Independent Dealers awards are also open for entries, but time is running out fast. Best of luck!