UK dealers figure highly in the top European listings for non-manufacturer owned groups, according to automotive research and consultancy the ICDP.

Topics: dealerships, dealer software, buying, car buying, sales, customer journey, convenience

The buyer’s journey and experience has changed thanks to the digital revolution. Customers are spoilt for choice and let’s be honest, they can have the majority of things with a click of a button. It’s all about convenience. So, to keep the customer happy you need to make the searching and purchasing as simple and straightforward as possible. Amazon have nailed this.

Topics: dealerships, dealer software, buying, car buying, sales, customer journey, convenience

45% of people want face-to-face guidance from a dealer during the car buying journey. The main elements people want guidance with is the vehicle (67%), warrantee and maintenance (68%), and finance options (37%).

Topics: digital, car purchase, dealer software, buying

The new data protection regulation is just around the corner so everyone’s asking the question “Are you ready?”. Despite being quite ominous, the question is an important one. Dealerships hold a lot of data in their CRMs and DMSs and there needs to be a few changes before the 25th May.

Topics: gdpr, security, dealer software, process

Feel like a king

Your dealership management system is the heart and soul of your dealership, this is something that every member of staff will be using every day. This is the communication and transparency you rely on. Your DMS should make you and your dealership feel like a King. It should give you power, control and ensure you are fully informed on the goings-on of your roost.

Topics: profit, dealerships, dms, dealer management, IT, integration, digital, dealer software, process, software

The modern customer is savvy, informed and in control. Their expectations are high and their patience is low. This is true in every industry and is particularly the case in the automotive industry and, more specifically, the car-buying and after sales processes.

Topics: customer experience, technology, data, dms, integration, dealer software, software, dealer

According to AutoVHC’s research, failure to complete vehicle health checks cost the average franchised dealership £11,000 in aftersales revenue last summer. AutoVHC’s business unit director Chris Saunders added that service departments are “simply throwing away revenue opportunities”.

Topics: dms, revenue, online, digital, dealer software, CustomerVue

I’ve said it before, the DMS will be the heart of your dealership. But, what I want to know is, does it match your expectations?

Topics: technology, data, dms, integration, digital, dealer software, data alignment

Software gets outdated. There’s always going to be an update or a way your dealership needs to improve. Unfortunately, this is standard procedure but there is a way to spot if your software is really right for you ahead of time.

This is a quick blog that highlights a few points that I think are key when it comes to knowing if your DMS is really allowing you to reach full potential and profitability.

Topics: communication, dealer software, upsell, process

I know that your Dealer Management System is at the heart of your dealership so when it comes to thinking about switching your provider it’s no easy task. Your entire dealership will be comfortable with your current system and know it like the back of their hands, so the idea of new technology and change can often be met with some resistance and no doubt a bombardment of questions. Then you also have the anxiety of the whole process itself, will the data transfer correctly? What will the down time be? These are just a few common questions that will naturally spring to mind.

Topics: technology, dealerships, dms, digital, dealer software