Dealer comment on current business pressures

“I think the banks are working better with dealers.

"The recession seemed like an unmitigated disaster, but has been good in many ways.

"We had two years spent talking about cutting costs, now we’re talking about how to make it better.

"The German companies are sending cars over cheaper than ever, and interest rates are exceedingly low, so business is great.”

“If you’re any good at this job these are good times.

"Yes, we have good franchises, but we are better off because of the
recession.

"But if I’d been reliant on the banks I would’ve been out of business.”

“Our targets have gone up, but new car margins are under pressure, and we’re spending more money on marketing and have more management focus on achieving the targets because we absolutely have to earn the volume bonus.”

“An issue is the attitude of young people, and the levels of teaching in education.

"Young people are not being prepared for employment.

"We will give any aspiring kid a job tomorrow, but we despair because we can’t get them.”

“We’re worried about the quality of career education for 14-16 year olds – no life skills taught, people come through the door for interviews and can’t dress properly, they can’t communicate well, can’t write
properly. I’d say 70% to 80% of applicants are of this quality. ”

“I recently advertised in the Sunday Times for a graduate.

"I want one who has worked to pay their own way through university, and I’ve been astounded by the calibre of people who’ve already done two or three internships, who sent in a very good CV and covering letter.

"But there were others who couldn’t even spell on their CV.”

“Graduates would rather join the car manufacturer than join the dealer group.

"It’s a perception issue, a professional snobbery issue.

"As an industry we need to promote how professional our industry is.”

“The quality of technical apprentices is extremely high now.

"Six years ago we took people the army didn’t want, but now the quality of applicants is incredibly high.

"It’s a highly-technical job, it’s as much computers as spanners nowadays.”

“We’re a great industry for fishing from the same pond.

"But we did a lot of work four years ago on whom we were appealing to.

"It’s probably one of the biggest challenges for our industry.”

Join the AM Breakfast Club

The AM Executive Breakfast Club is free to join and exclusive to senior dealer group executives. It meets every quarter.

Delegates enjoy a full breakfast, a presentation from a guest speaker and a chance to network and share best practice with senior figures in the UK’s motor retail industry.

Franchised dealer bosses are invited to attend the events for free.

For details, email luke.clements@bauermedia.co.uk or visit https://www.am-online.com/Breakfast-club.aspx