A new online platform providing comprehensive strategic sales and marketing support has been rolled out to more than 1,200 members of RAC’s Dealer Network.

The new platform called ‘The Engine’ features marketing collateral, live chat, monthly e-mails, quarterly newsletters, social media tools and essential reporting facilities.

RAC Dealer Network’s sales director, Sean Kent (pictured), said: “Over the last year or so, we have been rapidly building up the degree of support that we offer to our dealers and The Engine is a major step forward.

“It represents a considerable investment for us and is designed to provide a central platform for all our dealers, delivering regular and engaging content to help them use the RAC brand to build their business performance."

Kent said that a key aspect of the new centralised platform is the ability to create a community where dealers can swap ideas and best practice, as well as looking to the RAC for help and advice.

He added: “We are especially seeing strong results from our top tier RAC Approved Dealers, who provide our RAC BuySure proposition.

"There are now almost 300 of them and, in size, the initiative is now larger than many manufacturer-approved used schemes.

“We are on target to sell 42,000 cars through RAC BuySure this year, which is an increase of 25% on 2016 and substantial amount by any standards.”