Car Dealers - 3/19 - Motor Trade Insider

The web and social media – some car dealers may have already missed the boat

October 5, 2010 By In51der 1 Comment

In car dealerships around the country there are probably discussions going on around how they increase their exposure to social media but perhaps more importantly how they manage and maintain it. It is all very well setting up Facebook and Twitter accounts or having innovations like live chat but if there is not the effort and investment made in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: Car Dealers, car sales, customer service, facebook, Featured, internet car sales, internet marketing, new car buying, social media, twitter, Used car buying

Perception and transparency are key when it comes to ex-rental cars

October 4, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

Ex-rental cars are again set to be cause for debate in the car sales arena. The recent report by the OFT has again highlighted how dealers need to clearly communicate to buyers that a car they are selling is an ex-daily rental car. At present the trade mainly view the situation as; if a customer asks they will be told if not, then it doesn’t … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: Car Dealers, car sales, consumer advice, customer service, ex hire cars, ex rental cars, Featured, Used car, Used car buying, used car prices, used cars

After a turbulent September the hard work really begins

October 1, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

It’s the end of a rather turbulent September for most in the car business. There are those, especially in the main agent world, who are well short of their new car targets even with some last minute pack deals. There are also independent sellers who have struggled to locate suitable stock at competitive prices and even those that did have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car makers, car manufacturers, car sales, economy, Featured, motor trade recession, new car buying, new car sales, Used car, Used car buying, used car prices, used cars

UK new car registrations look bleak for September

September 30, 2010 By News Leave a Comment

Jittery car dealers are predicting worse than expected new car registration figures for September, with some calling the market as much as 20% down on September last year. September 2009 was 11.4% up on the same month in 2008 with 367,929 units being registered but let’s not forget that this figure was boosted by scrappage registrations and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car manufacturers, car manufacturing, car sales, economy, Featured, motor trade recession, new car buying, new car registration, new car sales

Inside the…VW polo

September 29, 2010 By In51der 2 Comments

The VW Polo has always been a popular car but it is now more popular than ever. Car buyers looking to downsize and economise have moved over to the Polo not only because of the well known VW build quality but also because it is a very economical car to own and run. In the latest car registration figures for August 2010 the Polo joined its big … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Reviews, Consumer, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car makers, car manufacturers, car sales, economy, Featured, new car buying, new car sales, Used car buying, used car prices, volkswagen, vw, vw polo

Swings and roundabouts for new car buyers when it comes to the VAT rise

September 29, 2010 By MTI Leave a Comment

Buyers are worried that they will have to pay the extra 2.5 % VAT on their new car even though they ordered them this year while the rate is still at 17.5%. The extended lead times currently being experienced with many car manufacturers is creating nervousness amongst customers and franchised dealers, who can certainly do without the negative … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer, Manufacturers, Tax & Insurance Tagged With: Car Dealers, car manufacturers, car sales, Featured, new car buying, new car registration, new car sales, vat increase, vat new cars

Do more clicks on car adverts really mean more sales?

September 28, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

As our hunger for greater technology becomes ever more ravenous I wonder if there is a breaking point where it will simply become information overload and people will go running back to “the basics”. I spoke with a dealer recently who had paid an internet marketer to critique his website and suggest any improvements to help him gain more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car sales, customer service, Featured, internet marketing, seo, used car prices

Are some car makers set to waive the VAT hike?

September 28, 2010 By MTI Leave a Comment

It is rumoured that some car makers are set to waive the vat hike if cars ordered this year are not delivered on time. Of course this will be down to the individual manufacturers and the franchised dealers, but there could be a heck of a lot of goodwill created by this gesture. If a new car has been ordered for late year delivery … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car makers, new car buying, new car registration, new car sales, vat, vat increase

Car sales and the X-factor

September 27, 2010 By In51der 3 Comments

Selling used cars seems like a simple process; you buy for one price and sell for a higher one. OK that may be over simplifying a not too complicated business, but if car sellers stick to some basics of preparation, presentation and price (the three P’s) they can usually be sure to turn a profit most of the time. With the knowledge many car … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car dealerships, car sales, customer service, Featured, profit, Used car buying, used car prices, used cars

Credit where credit is due

September 24, 2010 By In51der 2 Comments

Although showroom footfall is a little light for the time of year, some car dealers are still reporting brisk trade. Others are saying that they are fighting for every deal and many customers will just not commit and more of the ones that do either want a lot more for their old car or too much off the new one. There are also some wider parallels … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Car Dealers, Car Finance, Consumer Tagged With: Car Dealers, car dealerships, Car Finance, car sales, economy, Featured, motor trade recession, new car buying, Used car buying

The goose that laid the golden egg stopped laying

September 23, 2010 By In51der 1 Comment

Franchised car dealers are becoming increasingly concerned about how they make sure their aftersales business remains profitable. They are under pressure like never before from the likes of Nationwide and Kwik-Fit (although that may change after the recent report by the BBC’s Watchdog) and other independent service centres who appear to be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Car Repairs, Consumer Tagged With: Car Dealers, car service, car service cost, customer service, economy, Featured, non dealer car servicing

There is still an alternative to marketing online

September 22, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

Is traditional media making a comeback? why are adverts always on at the same time? There is a feeling in the trade right now that we have to do something different, showroom footfall is down, cars are taking longer to build and customers have more alternatives than seemingly ever before. If dealers are sharp enough to get their presentation … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Manufacturers Tagged With: advertising, Car Dealers, car makers, car manufacturers, car sales, economy, Featured, motor trade recession, new car buying, online marketing, Used car buying

New car supply issues may lead to innovation

September 21, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

With the continuing issues around new car supply showing no signs of easing in the near future what are dealers likely to do to be able to combat this? It is not quite as simple as just fixing a single problem. The obvious reason for the lack of cars is the scrappage effect; car makers were clearly overwhelmed with the global success of the various … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car lead times 2010, car makers, car manufacturers, car sales, economy, Featured, motor trade recession, new car buying, new car sales, Used car buying

A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm

September 20, 2010 By In51der 1 Comment

At MTI we want to promote best practice in the car trade and we are convinced that the majority of dealers work tirelessly to achieve this. OK the reputation of the trade has had a sustained battering but I can’t think of any other industry which has made the investment and commitment to deliver better products, facilities and service especially … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car manufacturers, consumer advice, customer service, Featured, new car buying, Used car buying

No atmosphere at the auctions as decent cars become scarce

September 16, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

Standing at the auction yesterday I couldn’t help noticing how the hall seemed completely bereft of atmosphere. The usual suspects were all in attendance of course, milling about chomping on bacon rolls as usual, but the distinct lack of quality cars being entered meant I stayed only a short while. The tell tale signs were obvious; on the rare … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Auctions, Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: car auctions, Car Dealers, car sales, economy, Featured, motor trade recession, Used car, Used car buying, used car prices, used cars

Brisk business at the car auctions down to short supply

September 15, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

Although the auctions are doing brisk business at present, there is a feeling that this is mainly down to short supply. There is expected to be a flood of cars later in the month as contract hire and lease cars are de-fleeted, meaning more choice and therefore a cooling of prices on the trade market. Since the end of scrappage the value of small … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Auctions, Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: car auctions, Car Dealers, car sales, economy, Featured, motor trade recession, used car prices, used cars

If the job’s done right everyone’s a winner

September 14, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

Selling cars is a very skilled business despite what many people might think. To be able to match an appropriate car with a suitable owner and get the price bit right takes training and experience with a liberal dose of personality and communication skills. During leaner times and occasions like we now find ourselves in, where supply has become … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: Car Dealers, car sales, customer service, Featured, motor trade recession, new car buying, Used car buying

3 days, 70 miles and £7,000

September 13, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

When it comes to buying new cars it seems that there is still a long way to go before buyers and sellers can reach an agreement around price and, as they both have a vested interest in being at opposite ends of the pricing scale if you like, then perhaps they never will. More worrying is that despite major improvements both in technology, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: buying a new car, Car Dealers, car sales, consumer advice, customer service, Featured, new car buying, new car registration, new car sales

Never buy a car for friends or family

September 10, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

When you are in the business of selling cars, never, ever sell to friends and family it nearly always ends in tears. For some reason when serving a family member or friend they always expect that it be the cheapest, lowest mileage and cleanest example previously owned by a little old local lady who only went to the shops and back, and of course … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Auctions, Blog, Car Dealers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car sales, Featured, Used car buying, used car prices

Lead times lead to confusion

September 9, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

The fact that many car makers are struggling to supply new cars within an acceptable time frame is causing real concern for many dealers and they are losing customers to rival brands as a result. Even the ultra efficient Germans BMW, Audi and VW are being affected along with many others and sales personnel now have the unenviable task of trying … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car lead times 2010, car makers, car manufacturers, car sales, Featured, long lead time premium cars, new car buying, new car lead times, part exchange valuation, part-exchange, profit, trade-in, used car prices

Caution pays when buying a used car

September 8, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

During an economic downturn or periods of economic uncertainty it is more important than ever to ensure that any car you buy or service you pay for is legitimate. We in the trade always look a little more closely at part exchanges and all the supporting paperwork. For example when someone says their car has a “full service history” is that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: Car Dealers, car sales, consumer advice, customer service, economy, Featured, motor trade recession, Used car buying, used cars

As used car prices heat up could demand swing back to new cars?

September 6, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

As the trickle of part exchanges arrive at action the distinct lack of cars has begun to re-heat demand. Most of the major auction houses have had many more buyers for far fewer cars and as a result some cars have been making, what we call in the trade, 'Brewster’s'. This was kind of predicted and may very well be only be temporary in nature … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car manufacturers, car sales, Featured, new car buying, Used car, Used car buying, used car prices, used cars

Plate change mundanity

September 3, 2010 By In51der 1 Comment

I know we probably say it every year about this time and sorry for being boring but things just aren’t the same! I visited a few showrooms on the 1st in the hope that all staff would be far too busy to have time for me and look incredulously at me whilst exclaiming “don’t you know it’s the 1st of September?!” Well at the places I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: Car Dealers, car sales, Featured, new car buying, new car registration, new car sales

Driving green could take you into the red

September 2, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

Car makers and their franchised dealer networks are facing a dilemma; they want to sell “green” cars that help the planet and reduce co2 emissions but in reality are still failing to appeal successfully to the majority of the car buying public and are thus still some way from getting buyers to consider them in any great numbers. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer, Environmental, Manufacturers Tagged With: Car Dealers, car manufacturers, car manufacturing, economy, environment, Featured, green

Q couldn’t make it up!

August 31, 2010 By In51der Leave a Comment

We always scratch our heads when we don’t receive good service, OK we probably don’t we just get upset, but for the purposes of this article we scratch our heads. A situation which happens far too regularly and doesn’t seem to go away maybe illustrates why getting the service part right is so vital. Here’s the story, see if it sounds … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: audi, audi q7, Car Dealers, car sales, customer service, Featured, new car buying, new car sales