NEWS
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Government acts to ease fuel delivery issues
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the government had "long-standing" contingency plans to maintain fuel supplies and relaxed the competition law when the pandemic hit in March 2020 to help supermarkets work together to maintain food supplies.
McLeod to take up VW UK Director role
He will re-join the Volkswagen Brand after four years as Director of ŠKODA UK. At ŠKODA, McLeod’s team delivered significant improvements across the business, including achieving record market share levels.
LEASING & FINANCE
Aston Barclay enhances its digital platform
It has launched a fully closed group ‘white label’ timed auction platform that has made a significant impact in reducing selling days and guaranteed new retail finance underwriting opportunities for its finance house partners.
Startline to roll out new Insights to major dealers in Q4
Insights is designed to allow dealers to gain a greater understanding of the finance deals they are processing and give them the means to identify new ways of driving business forward.
AFTERMARKET & WORKSHOP
Hyundai launches next phase of Workshop Automation System
The Hyundai Workshop Automation system aims to improve the customer convenience though digitisation of the service process and enhance their experience though a mobile and on demand service.
Lookers launches major recruitment drive
Lookers is also committed to adding a further 180 apprenticeships across its network during this year – its largest ever apprenticeship intake – as a further sign of its confidence and ambition for the future. Apprentices will join the business across a variety of roles, including parts advisors, service technicians and customer service advisors.
DEALER INSIGHTS
Buyers return to pre-pandemic willingness to travel to showrooms
New consumer research from JudgeService shows how 80% are prepared to travel up to 29 miles to visit a dealership, compared to just 19 miles in 2017. Similarly, 90% of dealer customers used to come from within 33 miles, but now they come from within 50 miles.
The financial benefit of online sales
Data indicates that, as per 2020, based on an annual used car market of 6.75 million sales, the industry could save £9.5 billion each year. Even a more conservative approach, based on a phased 30% transition to greater online selling, the sector could save £4.7 billion.
JOBS
McLeod to take up VW UK Director role
He will re-join the Volkswagen Brand after four years as Director of ŠKODA UK. At ŠKODA, McLeod’s team delivered significant improvements across the business, including achieving record market share levels.
Miles joins Cox Automotive as retail solutions MD
Miles has over 25 years’ experience within the automotive industry, predominantly within contract hire, leasing and finance. He is no stranger to Cox Automotive, having worked there previously for 18 months as Business Development Director.
