WHILE not exactly booming, car sales are already starting to build up as showrooms have been allowed to open.
Vertu Motors reported in excess of 300 sales on opening day alone while car supermarket Imperials Cars said demand exceeded all expectations, after implementing changes to the way it sells cars.
The company, like all car dealerships in England, was allowed to reopen for trading on June 1, and actioned a raft of wide-ranging measures to keep its staff and customers safe during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
While the business was ready to operate in a very different climate, it wasn’t expecting such strong demand.
Managing Director Mike Bell said: “We’ve been experiencing extremely healthy demand ever since we opened.
“In fact, the demand was way in excess of our original expectations and projections. This could well be pent-up demand however, so we are being cautious as to how we resource this current need.”
Even before lockdown Imperial Cars had embraced a strict cleaning regime in its showrooms across the UK, offered unaccompanied test drives for customers and reminded potential buyers of its safe and ultra-convenient ‘Click, Call, Collect/Delivery’ service.
During the 10-week strict lockdown, the business carried on operating to best help customers in need.
Bell said: “Initially our sales support was here to advise people who had questions, whether about purchases that needed to be completed or general inquiries.
“As soon as companies could offer home delivery, we were able to add this to the options for keyworkers who needed to purchase a car.”
Video is one area the business has really embraced, said Bell: “Video calls have become the norm for people now, and they are more confident in using this method than they were prior to the lockdown.
“We have also created a number of videos explaining the changes customers can expect, including a safety video (https://youtu.be/rZ11TC2bWlk) and how we carry out solo test drives (https://youtu.be/XjuUYnE-EbQ)
Customers are advised to make an appointment before they visit of the Imperial Cars’ nationwide network of showrooms, to ensure the safest experience.
Bell added: “The last few months have been challenging, but we have realised that to continue we have to be adaptable and implement changes quickly.We have implemented new processes which could take some companies a lot longer, which has meant we were ready to open our doors this week and feel confident that we can keep all customers safe.
“We are still cautious as this can still be a turbulent time, but we are committed to making sure we provide the high level of customer service which is expected from us now.’
Imperial Cars operates 17 sales, 13 service centres and two preparation sites across the UK.
Dealer group Brayleys used lockdown to grow its portfolio with the purchase of Romford Honda from Glyn Hopkin, for an undisclosed sum.
The Hertfordshire-based company’s latest acquisition positions it as one of the biggest Honda franchisees in the UK with eight showrooms and nine aftersales outlets.
The Romford business joins the existing Brayley Honda dealerships in Enfield, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Ruislip, Thames Ditton, Ewell and Leatherhead, plus a stand-alone aftersales facility in Grays, Essex. The latest addition will trade as Brayley Honda, under the group’s Honda Franchise Division.
In additional to its eight Honda dealerships, Brayleys also represents Kia, Mazda, Renault and Dacia at 15 sales points throughout the Home Counties, Greater London and Thames Valley.
Having founded Brayleys 17 years ago with a single Honda outlet in St Albans, Managing Director Paul Brayley continues to run the business, having sold a majority shareholding to Dubai-based AW Rostamani Group at the end of 2018.
Brayley, said: “In partnership with AW Rostamani Group, Brayleys will continue exploring opportunities that are complementary to our combined growth strategy and manufacturer product cycles.
“Honda will see several new hybrid and pure electric model launches in the coming months, starting with the all new Honda Jazz and Jazz Crosstar.”
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