Despite record new car registrations last year, the motor retail industry faces continuing pressure as the block exemption review finally comes to an end. It will help shape the landscape for dealer groups, independents and aftermarket specialists for years to come.
The Sewells Information & Research conference will review in detail the block exemption investigation and the likely outcomes facing dealers and their business partners.
It will also be looking at ways forward for the industry ¡V how to cope with not just the changes caused by block exemption, but the challenges of an ever-more competitive market and economic environment.
The briefing will include presentations by senior figures from all sides of the industry, and from government, on topics playing a key role both now and in the future.
Who should attend?
Franchised dealers ¡V groups and independents
Suppliers to retail dealers and other customers
Vehicle manufacturers ¡V especially dealer development specialists.
What will you gain from this?
„« Update on block exemption and related issues
„« Help and advice on the changes arising from block exemption review
„« Advice and information on managing change in a complex and challenging environment
„« The opportunity to network with industry colleagues
„« Refreshments served throughout the day as well as lunch
Last year's Sewells Conference was a sell out ¡V by call 01733 468254 to book a place.
Speaker Line-Up
Gerard Ryan - Managing Director, GE Capital Woodchester - will be speaking on management of change within the industry - from the perspective of a business whose culture is to change.
Representatives from the retail sector, to be confirmed, will explain the impact & implications of the European Commission¡¦s view of block exemption. Speakers will describe the implications of the February 5th EC report ¡V what it means now and what is likely to happen before the commission takes a final decision on the future shape of the European Motor Retail Market.
David Evans - Chief Executive of the Retail Motor Industry Federation, and a key figure at the heart of block exemption negotiations on behalf of UK and European dealers, will provide an update on the fast-changing state of the new block exemption regulation.
Sarah Chambers - Director, DTI - Motor Vehicles Automotive Directorate. She will present the government view on block exemption into the future, as well as dealing with other issues such as safety, training and regulation of the industry.
Brian Taylor - Industry Consultant and author of the Castrol Trend Tracker. He will be speaking on the restructuring of the aftermarket in the wake of the block exemption review as dealers consider the option of separating sales and service operations.
Tony Styles - Senior Editor, CAP Black Book, will deal with the issue of residual value management in an environment in which manufacturers are speeding up the up the rate of model change ¡V and model obsolescence.
Dr Paul Nieuwenhuis - Assistant Director, Centre for Automotive Industry Research. The co-author of ¡§The Death of Motoring¡¨ will spell out the costs of the current retailing system and how they are being squeezed between consumer expectations and the demands of manufacturers.
Stephen Dobson - Industry Consultant, will be talking about how IT is forcing the pace of change within the motor retail industry.
Piers Trenear-Thomas - Grant Thornton Motor Retail, will also be providing forensic analysis of the financial pressures on dealerships in the 21st century.
Other speakers to be confirmed, Sewells Information & Research reserve the right to change the speaker line-up. The timetable may be subject to change in the light of developing events.
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