As sourcing good value used stock remains as competitive as ever for dealers, identifying and retaining those retail quality part-exchange cars is essential. And with the September plate change period...

In any organisation, there are only so many projects that you can undertake in a given period, only so many areas where you can invest at any one time. Without doubt the most important investment you...

Cambria CEO Mark Lavery has put in place a number of initiatives and ideas to aid in the recruitment and retention of technicians. “Recruitment is only going to become more competitive,” he says....

No matter what business you’re in, retaining and growing your customer base must be a primary focus of your company’s business plan and operational culture. I can think of no business where that...

Times might be tricky, but they are proving valuable to those who are making the effort to learn from customers and themselves Unexpected turbulence. Is there really any other kind? If we see it...

Volkswagen’s 55 UK franchise-holders who operate 186 outlets are set to consolidate retained profit margins with the latest GTE petrol-hybrid version of the brand’s eighth-generation Passat...

The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) is to introduce a series of new initiatives to its vehicle grading scheme, amid claims from the remarketing community that the current system is...

Incoming NADA chairman Charlie Gilchrist is on a mission to attract more young people, especially technicians, to the business. Mr Gilchrist used his conference address to warn of a “dangerous...

The theme of #NAW2018 – National Apprenticeship Week – is showcasing how apprenticeships work and for retailers thinking about taking apprentices on, why not check out the online map about...

Connected technologies and advanced on-board computing systems, such as that pioneered by BMW and Volvo, means the traditional service pattern and traditional aftersales workshop is already changing...

Skoda is going back to basics for 2017 with a huge push on its accreditation programme for all retailer staff. At present, what the VW-owned brand describes as “a relatively low proportion” of the...

There is a new initiative from the IMI to bring together the big three i.e. the IMI (the people), the NFDA (the dealers) and the SMMT (the manufacturers) to address a general lack of appeal identified...

Keith Duncan, who trained as a pilot with the RAF before embarking on a 30-year retailing career, has charted a flight plan for Edinburgh-based multi-franchise group Eastern Western and its 1,016...

By Mike Jones Over recent years we have seen a complete change in what we expect of a salesman when we walk into a car dealership. This shift in expectation has been in response to the evolution of...

For some time now at conferences and dealer forums there has been talk and discussion about the importance of recruiting people from outside the automotive industry. As a result a number of specialist...

You may have noticed a recent flurry of comment pieces in the specialist motoring and technology press on the subject of millennials and their perceived indifference towards cars and car ownership. If...

Even in this connected era, a lot of basic training programmes are still delivered face-to-face. Companies understand the importance of training but when it comes to details, they are often content to...

Technology news has been pouring out of every corner of the media in recent days. From news about Apple’s latest software update for its phones and tablets to the BBC’s themed series of programmes...

Eastbourne Motoring Centre had its best ever retail month in March this year, and managing director Mark Lambird attributed this largely to a six-month leadership development programme taken by...

The IMI is warning automotive employers not to disregard management training if they wish to reach their maximum potential. The warning comes on the back of a two-year ROI study completed by the IMI,...