As the cars that dealerships sell become more alike in terms of quality and performance, one of the key success factors in today's motor industry is the ability of the dealer to engage with customers, according to top marketing consultant Simon Gulliford.

Gulliford is a former group marketing director at Barclays PLC which he built into a world-class marketing organisation. He has also run a small group of Honda dealerships, and at autoretailing 06 he will show delegates how to:

  • Use information as a source of competitive advantage
  • Achieve true insight rather than just doing more research
  • Understand why affluent consumers are so belligerent, and why thrilled customers are the best advocates
  • Avoid customers who become value terrorists
  • Realise what winning means from the customer's perspective

    The convention takes place on June 7 and 8 at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Brought to the industry by AM magazine and the Retail Motor Industry Federation, autoretailing 06 is dedicated to helping pro-active motor retailers become even more successful, by selling more cars and retaining more customers.

    Speakers include David Martin, president of America's MarKee Group, Vauxhall chairman and head of marketing for GM Europe Jonathan Browning, Lyell Strambi, the COO of Virgin Atlantic Airways, Paul Flatters, chief executive of The Future Foundation, Sue Brownson OBE of Bluebell BMW/Mini, David Carter of Carter & Carter, Max Warburton of UBS and John Whiteman of the International Car Distribution Programme.

  • For full details, see the website at www.autoretailing.co.uk