Every level of UK motor retail is now driven by data.

There are so many trends influencing the ways in which the UK’s motor retail industry may evolve.

Hyundai’s growth in shopping centre-based digital stores continues to make the news, but these will be outnumbered by traditional car showrooms for some time yet. The AM100 autumn update published in the December issue shows the UK’s largest franchised dealers are as resilient as ever, with the top performers hitting new heights and the AM100 producing almost £1.5 billion of earnings in total.

While the autumn update is a great illustration of the data we gather at AM, this issue’s Face To Face dealer interview with Vertu Motors shows the importance of business data for those steering one of the UK’s largest motor retailers. As you’ll read, its senior management doesn’t have operating controls that work on a daily basis, but by the minute. The trends it can identify within its business can be used to drive tactical responses to immediate challenges in the business, such as sales targets or stock availability, while data, or occasionally the lack of it, can influence strategic programmes being put in place.

Every automotive manager must by now understand the importance of monitoring their business. But what about monitoring the consumer? In this issue, we have conducted an exclusive study to see what the UK motorist expects of their franchised dealer. We hope the results and insight truly influence your thinking.

Also this month, AM is delighted to introduce a new member of the editorial team, Tom Sharpe. After 10 years in local newspaper journalism, covering news and motoring, he has joined AM as our news and features editor and is already getting out to interview dealers and carmakers.

 

Elsewhere in this month's AM - Automotive Management

Prof Jim Saker says dealers need to ensure the things they choose to measure are truly of benefit to their businesses.

Rupert Pontin says the only way for dealers to examine how they source, present and price their stock is by using as much market intelligence as possible.