Aftersales

James Mackay, director of Autotech Academy, argues that if we don’t make space for young talent, the industry risks losing them altogether, not just from our own businesses, but from the sector entirely

Autocraft’s Dr Sara Ridley challenges the ‘replace and recycle’ norm—arguing battery repair must be part of the EV future.

Mark Llewellyn, managing director of Revive!, explores how the UK’s booming used EV market is reshaping the industry - and why protecting residual values is now crucial for both dealers and drivers.

From September, the EU Data Act will require manufacturers to give vehicle owners control over their data, allowing them to share it with third parties, writes Marcel Wendt, CTO and founder of Digidentity.

Valuable interactions in the aftersales department are vital as car dealerships will be fishing in a diminishing pool in the future.

From rising operational costs to a recruitment drought, there’s no denying it’s going to be a challenging year for UK garages in 2025, writes Matt Wrankmore, head of garage network at FixMyCar

A trio of UK technicians have shared their experience in the aftermarket sector to help highlight career opportunities that are available.

The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation driven by new technology, shifting consumer preferences and a global push for sustainability. These forces are redefining how vehicles are designed and repaired, writes Marc Russell, chief commercial officer of FixMyCar.

The market for ambitious technicians able to work on a variety of powertrains is only set to become more competitive, which means dealer groups and franchised networks must get working on their employer brand, advises AM's regular columnist Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry.

Robin Brundle's Recyclus Group is the UK’s first industrial-scale recycler of lithium-ion batteries, dedicated to developing a stable supply chain for battery metals.

Steve Young, ICDP managing director and an AM Awards judge, ponders on the task for OEMs and franchised networks to ensure they adapt to change in the aftersales model if they want to avoid leaving an open goal for an increasingly professional and capable set of independent aftermarket players.

Vendigital’s Sheena Patel argues that the industry needs to come together to outline and define higher levels of standardisation

Motor industry organisations have reacted to suggestions that dealerships and garages should be able to do more to deter motorists from driving off in a car or van that has unresolved safety-critical faults identified by vehicle technicians.

James Lever of TekCor4 explains how unlocking the full potential of customer data can help dealers to retain more customers and boost their profitability.

AM met with Brian Robinson, franchise director at Belfast-based retailer Agnew, to discuss the highly unique challenges facing the dealership community in Northern Ireland.

Several years of lower new car sales, plus the demise of diesel cars, mean that workshops need to be planning now how they'll recover lost revenue in three, five and 10 years.

Vehicle repair workshops and accident repair centres are being promised savings, training and prizes from the exhibitors at the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event 2024 next week.

Executives from Blackshaws, Peoples Group, Infomedia and Real World Analytics share best practice in customer experience and retention.

Automotive retailers are becoming experts on electric vehicles themselves, but there are additional elements of support and aftercare needed to properly guide customers.

From CRM and service plans, to online booking and attracting older vehicles into workshops, there is plenty modern automotive leaders can do to attract extra service and maintenance work.

London's expanded ULEZ has led to spikes in sellers of older cars but may impact MOT testing as the oldest cars are scrapped.

S & R Miller showed it was more than worthy of retaining the AM Awards Independent Workshop of the Year title in 2023.

Passion for Porsche is helping Inchcape's Porsche Centre Portsmouth optimise the efficiency of its service workshops and identify opportunities for owners to keep their Porsche in great shape.

AM's latest industry special digital report, Running A Modern Dealership, has now been published. Industry experts, prominent suppliers and franchised dealers have shared their insights into the major aspects required in running a modern dealership, including used car retailing, EV sales, finance and insurance, omnichannel customer experience and aftersales efficiency.

Independent garage labour rates are rising quickly, but future bookings have fallen sharply.