BTC has been appointed as the sole UK sales agent and trainer for the Close-It sales lead management software. And already, the Cheshire-based company has agreed a deal to implement the system in TG Holdcroft’s group of dealerships.

Previously Close-It handled sales and training in-house at developer Complete Automotive Solutions. CAS's products are used by more than 1,500 dealers.

BTC previously had a similar arrangement with rival sales management system eGoodManners. That contract ended late last year.

Andy Waterworth, a director of BTC, said he was convinced that Close it had a major role to play in helping dealerships to prosper in a challenging market. “A difficult economy is not the biggest threat facing motor dealers in 2008”, he said.

“It’s panic by management when dealing with customers, snatching at deals because they’re desperate for a sale and failing to apply the best practice basics like selling the car and the dealership instead of just the deal.

“Experience has shown that when market conditions are tough, and there are less customers around, it’s the dealerships with strong management controls and disciplines that tend to do well.

Waterworth said CRM tools can be highly effective in helping dealerships to sell more cars to more customers more profitably. Flexible systems such as Close-It can be tailored to the suit the individual business's processes.