Doncaster based, multi franchise dealer group Stoneacre is aiming to boost the servicing and aftersales business across it’s 49 dealerships thanks to a deal with telematics firm Smartdriverclub, that provides connectivity from customers’ cars through a product labelled as Stoneacre Connect.
The Smartdriverclub system, which was featured in Motor Trade News in April 2016, uses a plug in telematics device in the OBD port to feed data about mileage, fault alerts, low battery, collisions and stolen vehicles so Stoneacre service departments can proactively contact customers to arrange services, repairs or even replacement vehicles.
Under the scheme, Stoneacre will be able to push out customer offers on things like tyres and MOTs via a Stoneacre Connect app app.
Talking about what they’ll be doing, Gerry George, After Sales Director for Stoneacre says, “One of the biggest challenges for the UK used car dealer market is generating after sales revenue and you can only really do that if you give your customers a very good reason to come back to you again and again.
“The beauty of Stoneacre Connect is that it benefits our customers on a number of levels – it not only makes their lives easier by helping us to be proactive in offering our services when they need them but offers a whole range of useful additional services that currently only new car buyers can enjoy. Smartdriverclub came to us with a truly innovative idea to use connectivity as a way to strengthen our customer relationships, enabling us to reach out to our existing customers, as well as new ones. The response so far has been fantastic.”
The boss of Southampton based Smartdriverclub, Penny Searles adds, “The team at Stoneacre immediately recognised the opportunity to increase revenue and enhance customer retention with connected car technology, as well as the potential to change the way they interact with customers once they leave the showroom. The launch of Stoneacre Connect gives them a real point of difference in a highly competitive market.
“Stoneacre’s centralised services match perfectly with the simple proposition of listening to the car and delivering ongoing services to the customer. We look forward to working closely with Stoneacre and welcoming more dealers to the service.”
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