James Tew

🚗💼 Why must dealers adopt an omnichannel approach to sourcing stock? That’s the question discussed in our recent webinar in partnership with Cox Automotive Inc. We were delighted to be joined by expert panellists Peter Smyth, Alex Jones, Ben Archer, Philip Nothard and Sally Foote to explore the biggest trends impacting the evolving landscape of dealer stock acquisition. It’s now available to watch on demand (link in the comments). Check out the key takeaways… 🔍 *Consumer behaviour:* consumers are spending more time researching their car-change online, driving increasing volumes to sell their car through online channels. 🧑‍💻 *Blending channels:* dealers must adopt both online and offline channels to source stock due to shifting consumer behaviour. 📈 *Dealer adaptations:* dealers are increasingly buying fresh stock online. At Carwow, we’re enhancing the online experience with initiatives like document collection and transport services to remove the faff for dealers. 📊 *Data-driven decisions:* data is crucial for sourcing decisions. Our expert dealer panellists rely heavily on data to ensure they source the right stock from the right sources for their markets. 🔮 *Future focus:* AI will streamline operations and boost profitability. Carwow is committed to improving every aspect of the car buying journey through technological advancements. So watch this space ;)  #omnichannel #stocksourcing #cardealers #automotive #digitaltransformation #theIMDA

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🚗 Used car market growth includes record number of EV sales 🚗 The UK used car market saw 4.3% year-on-year growth during the third quarter of 2024. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 1,965,811 vehicles changed hands. This included 53,423 EVs, representing a 57% increase, and the highest EV used market share yet at 2.7%. Read more online: https://lnkd.in/e9rpFbte 🔔 Click our follow button to see regular car and fleet industry news and insights, and subscribe to our newsletter 🔔 #BusinessCar #usedcars #remarketing #evs #electricvehicles

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POD ALERT Motor Trade Radio podcast, powered by MOTORS In a packed show, we’re joined by Vertu CEO Robert Forrester and take a look at the week’s big headlines ☑️SMMT’s new car reg figures show market up in May ☑️MOTORS Market View reveals used car trends for May, as EVs stocked by dealers hit a new high ☑️Motor Trader Top 200 shows a dealer group sector in a state of flux JudgeService names the top OEM brands for customer loyalty ☑️The VRA issues a warning on oddly specced “Covid Cars” ☑️And we add another name to the growing list of car brands heading to the UK PLUS [M]enable Moment with our mental wealth guru, Stephen Whitton #AllTheChatterThatMatters with Curtis and Philip https://lnkd.in/eTT-VH5z

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#NewCarSales figures announced today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that new car registrations decreased by 1.9% in November year-on-year, and increased by 2.8% year-to-date. Our Managing Director of Sales, John Cassidy, has commented: “November saw another fall in new registrations as we limp towards the end of a mixed year for vehicle sales. “Although the fuel duty freeze extension will help motorists, there are still significant headwinds facing car owners. While consumer appetite for electric vehicles (EVs) certainly won’t be improved when owners will have to pay vehicle excise duty from next year, manufacturers appear to be backtracking on electrification plans. Many are sharing concerns over the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate targets. This, along with the slow rollout of EV infrastructure, will need to be addressed urgently if the Government wishes to realistically achieve its 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.” You can read the #SMMT’s full release here: UK new car registration data, UK car market - SMMT

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The NFDA | National Franchised Dealers Association reports that EVs are supporting the UK's new car market growth with 22 months of consecutive growth ⚡️ The report shows a 6.2% BEV surge, meaning there are currently 133,062 fully electric vehicles on the UK's streets 🔋 Find out more down below 👇 #ElectricDrives | #ElectricVehicles | #EMobility | #EV | #Sustainability | #NFDA | #EVMarket | #CarMarket | #Battery | #MarketGrowth | #BEV Sue Robinson Murat Omercik Symon Cook Annaluce Cavalmoretti Oliver Nurser

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Pricing to market is a highly effective strategy that seeks to maximise margin and stock turn. 📈 To truly capitalise on this strategy dealers need to consider local retail pricing alongside national guides to gain an edge on local competition. Our VRM 360 solution helps you do this with a single view of multiple data sources. 🙌 Learn more about how you can complete all your essential valuation, pricing and history checks in one easy to use app: https://lnkd.in/gUbg7hKb #OneAutoAPI #VRM360 #LocalRetailPricing #AutomotiveData

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Marketcheck UK provides invaluable insights into the used car market, allowing dealers to 👇 -Track market trends and pricing strategies -Understand inventory dynamics and adjust -Identify high-demand vehicles and adjust stock -Make informed decisions based on real-time data

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🔋UK new car buyers now have more than 125 different BEV models to choose from – an uplift of 38% over the last 10 months While it remains the case that the average BEV has a higher upfront cost than an ICE equivalent, widening choice and huge manufacturer discounting mean that around one in five BEV models now has a lower purchase price than the average petrol or diesel car, especially for buyers able to take advantage of schemes such as salary sacrifice https://lnkd.in/eG_m4UGX

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Last month we asked you to let us know how you use technology in your dealership. 83% of you said that you use data to inform decision making and 17% of you said you use AI to shape vehicle ads. When you become a Close Brothers Motor Finance funded dealer partner, you gain access to our Forecourt Insights tool which allows you to use market leading data to drive profitability. Get in touch with your account manager to find out more 📞 #Technology #Data #Insights #ForecourtInsight

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How well are you managing your Vulnerable Customers?   Under Consumer Duty, dealerships are required to deliver good outcomes for all their customers, including those who might be vulnerable.   As well as having specific policies in place, the FCA wants to see real evidence of how motor dealers are recognising, supporting and providing for vulnerable customers on a day-to-day basis.   If the FCA wanted to see your evidence, could you provide it?   If your answer to that questoin is 'no' or 'maybe', Ingeni can help!    Our award-winning policy management system includes a short, confidential questionnaire (filled in by the customer) which flags up to your salespeople if there is any potential vulnerability.   Plus, we have all the up-to-date policies, procedures and training in place to ensure that your business and your sales teams are confident in doing the right thing by vulnerable customers.   For advice and support on how to successfully manage Vulnerable Customers, get in touch on [email protected] or on 01787 221909. We're here to help!  

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This week’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Transport News Brief lead comment, Rising new van uptake but the pressure is on Last month was the busiest October for the new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market in three years, according to SMMT’s latest figures, with 2.4% growth and almost 27,000 vans, pickups and 4x4s joining UK roads. Demand was also at its greenest in 2024, with electric van deliveries rising for the first time in five months, up 61.8% to 2,263 units. Fleets opting to decarbonise should be celebrated, but too few are in comparison with the UK’s mandated levels this year, with EVs representing just 5.6% of all new LCV registrations since January – a considerable distance behind our 10% ambition. It is a concern as manufacturers have made big investments to grow the choice of EVs for fleets, with more than 30 exciting and competitive models. It was welcome and necessary that the Plug-in Van Grant will continue to be available in the next financial year but, evidently, further intervention is going to be needed. Every lever will need to be pulled, especially with the mandate for EV sales planned to rise to 16% of the market next year. Fleet operators need to be confident that going electric is operationally viable but chargepoint infrastructure, certainly that which is suited to the specific needs of vans, is lacking, and remains a worry for operators that want to decarbonise. Among the actions needed is regulatory review to treat all zero emission vans equally and safely – from MOT testing and drivers’ hours to tachograph and speed limiter rules – to avoid discouraging investment. It was positive this issue was raised by Sarah Edwards MP at the House of Commons last week with Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh stating that review, initiated by the previous government, is being continued. It was disappointing for the pickup sector, though, that government is not reflecting HMRC’s decision on double cab taxation in February and will, from April 2025, treat those with a payload above one tonne as cars for capital allowances and benefits in kind. It is set to put the future of new pickup market at serious risk, heaping costs on industries which depend on these vehicles, including farming, construction, utilities and the self-employed. In a tough environment for businesses to invest, it needs to be easier and not harder for operators to replace old vehicles in their fleets, which is the quickest path to decarbonising road transport.

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It's been four months since Evolution Funding won THREE categories at the Car Finance Awards 2024, including: 🏆Best Broker (For the ninth consecutive year!) 🏆Best Service for Dealers 🏆Best Technology Partner Why are we telling you this? My Car Credit is part of the UK's largest motor finance broker, Evolution Funding. This means we can combine our award-winning technology with our broad panel of 30+ lenders to provide a quick and straightforward application process and the best rate based on your circumstances. As Evolution Funding continues to grow and redefine the motor finance space, so will My Car Credit. This will allow us to continuously drive improvements in our technology, making the car finance process easier and faster than ever before. ❤️ Representative APR 11.9%. Information correct at time of publishing - Sep 2024. Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 823324). We are a credit broker, not a lender. #cfawards #carfinanceawards #carfinanceawards2024 #evolutionfunding #carfinance #vehiclefinance #motorfinance

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Best time of the morning with a cup of Yorkshire tea, writing up an in-depth dealer review and the strategic plans to deliver the next level of advanced transformational used car retailing. #automotive #automotivemarketing #usedcars #cardealers #cardealerships #spanishmarket #velocity #digitalmarketing #automotiveexcellence    

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Yesterday’s #NewCarSales figures announced by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that new car registrations increased by 1.1% in June year-on-year, and 6.0% year-to-date. Lisa Watson, our Director of Sales, has commented: “Though June shows another consecutive rise in registrations, all indications suggest that consumer confidence is stalling.   “When breaking down the figures, especially for electric vehicle (EV), the data remains highly inflated by fleet registrations, as private buyer demand continues to fluctuate. Many will be keeping a close eye on the general election outcome in the hope that further incentives are introduced, which will be essential to encouraging consumers to make the switch to EV. This will also be a key component for the next government meeting the UK’s net zero ambitions.    “Although the market is looking positive, and the news of lowering fuel prices should aid demand, the fears of a pricing rebound coupled with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis could lead to dips in demand in the months ahead. Dealers will need to continue to make use of all available insights and data to ensure their forecourts are best stocked to meet buyers’ needs.” To read the #SMMT’s full release, visit: https://lnkd.in/d6yxFgm

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Don't let outdated ideas and misconceptions cloud your judgement towards invoice factoring for your bodyshop. Read our latest blog, Invoice factoring myths for bodyshops debunked: Separating fact from fiction, and get a fresh perspective on the incredible benefits it can bring to your business. Follow the link: https://bit.ly/3yuraJa. #InvoiceFactoring #Bodyshop #CollisionRepair #AccidentRepair #AutomotiveIndustry

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