Car marques feature big in cinematic blockbusters, from the turbo-charged vehicles of The Fast and the Furious franchise to Herbie the loveable VW Beetle and James Bond’s stylish wheels. They’re attention magnets. But are manufacturers missing opportunities to reach and excite potential customers among the audience, asks Clare Turner of Pearl & Dean.
When it comes to buying Chinese brands, new car buyers are divided about whether they prefer single or multi-brand dealerships, according to a new study by data analytics firm, Escalent. Mark Carpenter, its UK managing director, explains how this could influence Chinese car dealership distribution strategies.
In today's challenging economic climate, drivers are rightly looking for better value and more personalised experiences when searching for a new car. This creates both a challenge and an opportunity for dealerships: particularly with the growing popularity of leasing among British drivers, writes Kevin Cohen, vice president of direct-to-device strategy, Viasat.
How the automotive sector collects and uses data will shape the future of the industry and that’s why the industry needs an ethical data charter, writes Cap HPI boss Chris Wright.
A robust technological foundation is decisive for the auto industry’s digital transformation, yet its importance is often neglected in favour of customer experience. This oversight risks draining resources and eroding competitiveness, writes Mathias Heegaard, CEO of car subscription service :Dribe.
When the policies of the UK look set to disadvantage the businesses that have invested here and created jobs, while the UK Government is missing its own targets, that can't be allowed to continue, writes Professor Jim Saker, regular Automotive Management contributor and president of the Institute of the Motor Industry.
Customer-facing businesses are on the frontline of both economic and regulatory change but are automotive retail dealerships tackling the challenges and finding new opportunities, asks Freeths legal expert Richard Coates.
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
In a new series of monthly Executive Views, Keyloop's Jacqui Barker - a one-time colleague of the Automotive Management team and last year's winner of the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year trophy for inspiring automotive women - will share her thoughts on the changing dynamics in motor retail, from technology's influence to the necessary evolution of its workforce.
As we enter 2025, a complex landscape awaits the UK automotive retail sector, shaped by global and domestic influences, writes Mike Allen, managing director of Cambria Private Capital and former automotive market analyst.
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.
James Vickery, head of policy, ZEV regulations at the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), part of the Department for Transport, explores how the UK's motor retail industry overall can have confidence that the first year of the ZEV Mandate was a success.
In this latest leadership lesson from the business improvement experts at Sewells, its managing director Gail Harrison challenges dealership leaders to tackle the 'energy vampires' in the business rather than allow a culture that passively accepts toxicity.
The trade is going through tough times as a transition period to mass-market electric vehicle adoption is not being managed well, and Kyle Harris, managing director of Auto Logistic Solutions can't help but think that the politicians have got it wrong. In a guest Executive View for Automotive Management he explains his reasoning.
Is the UK Government's strategy for electric car adoption a special case or a basket case for consumers, wonders Professor Jim Saker, regular Automotive Management contributor and president of the Institute of the Motor Industry.
Mike Todd, chief executive at Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) UK, shares his thoughts on the direction the automotive industry is moving in, how consumer preferences are shifting to experience the latest vehicles, and what is next for an altering car ownership landscape.
This time, in our monthly advice series for automotive managers and business leaders, Sewells' managing director Gail Harrison encourages AM readers to reflect and identify how they can lead from the front and ensure their teams are aligned with the strategy.
Professor Jim Saker, regular Automotive Management contributor and president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, ponders on the consumer's perception of the name above a dealership's doors.
Flattened consumer spending, persistently high interest rates and supply chain disruptions stemming from geopolitical tensions have forced auto manufacturers (both budget and luxury) to negatively adjust their forecasts, writes Adrian Stalham of Sullivan & Stanley
The gap between a brand’s ambitions and the practical realities of those in the dealerships and retail networks must be acknowledged, according to Max Tuttle.
The safety of autonomous vehicle advanced technology has come into close focus in recent years, writes Damian Lewis of Viasat.
Convenience and proximity are key aspects for car buyers, as Carwow's head of research Sarah Blewett outlines some of the marketplace's latest findings.
Electric vehicles have been around for a decade yet owners are driving around in circles when finding specialist technicians to fix their motors, according to Marc Russell, chief commercial officer of FixMyCar.
In this month's people management topic from Sewells, managing director Gail Harrison hopes that automotive managers will reflect on the importance of getting value from team meetings.
