Car manufacturers and the iPhone generation

599 More

Earning the right to be successful

581 More

Knowledge is power

676 More

Selling cars – it’s all about timing

959 More

Truemag

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

2010 – Car business takes its medicine and moves on

This time last year MTI was talking about the so called “big 3” in Detroit and the US administration’s fight to ensure the long term survival with a multibillion dollar bailout plan. We also talked of “Carmageddon” and businesses closing and factories cutting production and many good people losing their jobs amid the worst downturn seen in many years.

We also surmised that a lot of what happened would have been avoidable if dealers hadn’t embarked on disastrous pre–registration programs and buy back campaigns and car makers weren’t hell bent on increasing their market share even at any cost. By doing so there was a pile up of unsold cars just waiting to haemorrhage money at the first sign of a downturn and this ultimately forced the industry to take a long, hard look at itself and its future business strategy. Manufacturers soon realised that their franchised dealer network could not hope to remain profitable within the restrictive framework of the policies in place at the time.

Happily the car business is very much still alive and kicking albeit smarting from a bloody nose. Buyers have had a great year with scrappage presenting certain customers with an unprecedented opportunity to own a new car. The goodwill and publicity generated by the scheme benefited everyone including customers who were intrigued enough to visit showrooms and see if they could bag themselves a deal even if they didn’t own a banger.

Certainly customer service is improving and car selling is coming firmly into the 21st century where retailing is the new buzzword and all car dealers are starting to realise the importance of providing the correct experience. It’s a realisation that will not only help them sell more cars but will ultimately gain them more customers simply because they are doing things right.

Businesses are also realising now more than ever that people are the key and are training and coaching the right staff to appreciate that without customers they have no business.

We predict that the coming years will only continue to see improvements in the motor trade both in technology and innovation, in eco friendliness and in reputation and as the customer becomes yet more empowered and educated so the role of car dealers will evolve and adapt.

Although there is still a lot of hard work to be done the rewards for everyone will certainly be worth the effort and by getting its house in order and delighting more customers the future for the car business looks bright.

Dec 31, 2009In51der
  • Car Makers Premier League – September 2010
  • Car Makers Premier League – August 2010
  • The scrappage scheme has ended, get over it
  • Business is brisk as car buyers emerge from the cold
  • King customer will reign supreme in 2010
  • The 1000th article
  • Calling the market will be just as hard in 2010No more job cuts at Honda despite the prediction of a tough year ahead
    In51der

    Motor Trade Insider - Bridging the gap between the customer and the Motor Trade

    12 years ago Blog, Environmental, Manufacturers, Scrappagecar makers, car manufacturers, Featured, new car buying, profit, Scrappage, Used car buying66
    Most viewed
    Top 100 UK Dealer Groups
    39,482 views
    The car sales process and the “9 point plan”
    11,503 views
    webuyanycar review – They will buy any car but beware of the asterisk
    6,013 views
    Most commented
    Car sales and the power of silence…
    25 Comments
    Car dealers still not prepared to play the “we buy any car” game
    23 Comments
    A Traders Tale – Part Four
    22 Comments
    Win a pre-loaded Ipod Shuffle!
    19 Comments
    Bargain of the Week – StreetKa 1.6i Luxury
    14 Comments
    Bridal Hair Berkshire
    Fox Body to 2018 Mustang Parts
    and Accessories
    About MTI

    Motor Trade Insider
    is written by people working actively in the motor trade for people on the inside and people on the outside.

    Our aims
    Build a bridge between consumers and the trade, create Interesting and informative content, break down barriers and create better understanding, expose bad practices and rip-offs and promote outstanding products and service.
    Have something to say?
    We are always looking for experienced writers who can write good original quality posts on motor-trade-insider.com. Please contact us if you would like us to consider you. Make sure you give us details of your own blog or a link to some articles you have written.
    2017 © Motor Trade Insider
    Truemag theme by StrictThemes