Like all organisations that process personal data, motor dealers must comply with data protection legislation.
The automotive industry has undergone huge transformation over recent decades.
As we know, the retail landscape has been completely overhauled by the exponential growth of technology and the online market.
It’s a huge market – almost 40% (12 million) of the more than 30 million cars in the UK are diesels. But could we now be seeing the end of the road for this fuel type?
Increasingly, car dealer websites are becoming the first point of contact for customers. Whether browsing the marketplace, looking for highly-rated dealers, to buy online, or to make contact with the sales team, a car dealer’s website is an integral part of the business.
The forthcoming budget is likely to see major changes to the ability of dealers to sell vehicles to disabled customers VAT-free.
There are many areas of motor retail that can be subject to VAT risk and failing to apply the right VAT treatment in these situations can lead to assessments for underpaid VAT and the threat of penalties and interest.
It’s no secret that the car industry has been thriving in recent years, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) latest statistics showing a 2.3 per cent rise of new car registrations in 2016 – the fifth consecutive year of growth.
As one of the few areas of retail which simply can't be conducted entirely online, car dealerships are physical retail spaces which are just as relevant today as they were before the rise (and rise) of online shopping.
According to Eurostat, just 16% of the automotive retail workforce is made up of women.
There are many areas of motor retail that can be subject to VAT risk and failing to apply the right VAT treatment can lead to assessments for underpaid VAT and the threat of penalties and interest.
During our work in the motor industry over the past 10 years, our specialist customer experience consultancy, Experience Insight, has developed a process which helps us to accurately profile customer experiences and the factors that influence decision making and purchasing.
According to the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA), in the twelve months to August 2016 2.2 million new and used cars were bought on finance by consumers through dealerships.
As complex as the modern legal system may seem as first glance, the The Consumer Rights Act of 2015 has actually made it an easier place for car dealers to do business, whilst also protecting the interests of a consumer.
For the last few years marketing has centred around what millennial consumers are looking for. To me, this reflects marketers’ general obsession with youth culture and their adoption of new technologies. It also means older audiences who enjoy the latest tech are often overlooked.
As the importance of the aftermarket continues to grow, along with the range of tools to manage it, but many organisations are missing out on an opportunity.
Pitmans LLP managing partner John Hutchinson advised Ridgeway throughout the group’s July 2016 acquisition by Marshall Motors Group in the third largest deal of its kind in the UK ever.
The NFDA has a crucial role as the voice of the franchised retailer. Over many years the NFDA has developed a strong relationship with the government which allows us to effectively lobby on dealers’ behalf on important issues.
The manufacture of cars and commercial vehicles has increased enormously worldwide – more than 25% in the last decade alone.
For car dealers to be continuously successful, their customers have to have a satisfying experience at each stage of the sales process – from when they first research a vehicle online, through to when they step into the dealership and drive off after their third service.