In the wake of a COVID-prompted shift in the way car retailers engage with their customers a panel of experts are set to debate consumer enquiry best practice in an AM webinar tomorrow.
Click the thumbs up >Stoner Motor Company is set to join the Suzuki GB franchise with the opening of a new dealership in Medway.
The Kent-based car retail group, which already represents Hyundai Motor UK and MG Motor UK brands at facilities in Tunbridge Wells and Medway, has secured a new site for the Japanese brand.
Group director, Dean Stoner, took to LinkedIn to announce the group’s appointment with Suzuki this week.
Stoner said he was “delighted” to announce the arrival of Suzuki to Medway, adding: “With a new location secured we are excited to work with this much-loved franchise.
Click the thumbs up >It’s fair to say the past 12 months have been challenging for the car retail sector.
The first lockdown in March 2020 meant retailers were not able to trade for a full month during what is usually the busiest time of year and, while the end is potentially in sight, showrooms won’t be open for the spring plate-change this year either.
Whenever AM speaks with carmakers, there is, inevitably, always the mention of how they want to work in partnership with their retailers and COVID-19 has been the ultimate stress test.
Mike Jones, ASE chairman, has been speaking with many retailer clients during this most recent lockdown and he has seen original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) react in different ways, particularly as it became evident that showrooms were not going to be able to open until April, missing the key March registration month.
Scots dealership, Pearson of Wemyss Bay, has fought off competition from across the rest of the UK to be crowned Suzuki National Dealer of the Year. The announcement was made at its National Dealer Conference which was broadcast online due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Click the thumbs up >Suzuki GB named Pearson of Wemyss Bay as its National Dealer of the Year as it recognised its best performing retailers at its National Dealer Conference.
Scottish dealer Pearson of Wemyss Bay was crowned National Dealer of the Year and Roadworthy Suzuki Bristol was given the trophy for Outstanding Performance in Customer Service during the event, which was held online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Six businesses received Regional Dealer of the Year awards. These were: Pearson of Wemyss Bay (Renfrewshire); Luscombe Suzuki Leeds (West Yorkshire); Ludlow Motors Suzuki (Shropshire); Newmans Suzuki (Hampshire); Sportif Suzuki (Oxfordshire); and Tracks of Exeter (Devon).