NEWS

BLACK box recorders that permanently monitor car health could offer dealers a new way of customer contact. Telematics expert Trimble MRM has developed a black box health recorder that watches vehicle health and service condition – just like F1 teams do. This is already being used in many large car fleets but the firm says [...]

FORD says 15 percent of car owners admit to putting off car services – or even skip them completely – to save money. Younger drivers are the worst of all, adds the blue oval. Even worse, 1 in 5 UK drivers has no breakdown cover to cover them for any subsequent breakdowns – and for [...]

INDEPENDENT car garages have a prime opportunity to win profitable fleet contracts says one expert. Network Automotive reckons extensions to fleet car cycles is leading to many more 4- and 5-year-old company cars. Independents are perfectly placed to take up the reigns of maintaining these motors and ensure firms fulfill Duty Of Care laws without [...]

AA Patrols are to boost their roadside repair success rate thanks to a new data provision initiative. Patrols are now able to get technical and diagnostic information from Autodata. This is the same diagnostic data normally used within the professional workshop environment, and means the AA will be able to complete many more repairs on [...]

HYUNDAI and SEAT continue to showcase new ideas for car buyers with groundbreaking new developments. Innovative Hyundai has introduced a cherished car disposal service for sentimental car owners. Using special ‘Garages of Rest’, the new offer humanely dismantles cars, or bury them in special beauty spots and public parks around the UK. The full burial [...]

CAR dealers should target company car fleets with information about their service offers to drive extra business. The trend towards keeping cars on fleet for longer means some firms may be unaware of the extra maintenance demands required. If they fail to keep close tabs on these, warns software firm CFC Solutions, both condition and [...]

KIA has signed a 5-year deal to use Infomedia’s service quote system in all its authorised car dealer service departments. Already used by UK Kia dealers, the worldwide rollout is a big statement of intended uniformity for the brand. It is, however, not alone in the move. Hyundai, Jaguar and Land Rover also stipulate the [...]

CAR owners are ignorant about the service safety of many major mechanical components warns a big charity. Brake carried out a survey that showed 2 in 5 motorists owned up to driving with at least one ‘dangerous’ defect in the past year. Worn tyres, broken lights and incorrect oil or water levels were among the [...]

TURBO engines are more likely to break down than non turbo engines, according to shock findings. Warranty Direct has discovered turbo engines have a failure rate of 27.8 percent. Non turbo engines, in comparison, have a failure rate of 11.3 percent. What’s more, turbo engines cost more to fix – the average repair cost is [...]

CREDIT crunched car owners are putting off car servicing and maintenance to cut running costs. Glass’s said that 46 percent have deferred routine maintenance over the past year. 15 percent of these admit they have put off a service at a car dealer. Worryingly, 8 percent have put off buying new tyres, while 15 percent [...]

FORD is launching an initiative that will help car dealers boost aftersales business from older-car owners. Blue oval dealers can now offer a special £99 Ford Value Service, to owners of car 3 years old or more. As an added bonus, the maker is also including a year’s European breakdown recover package, from Ford Assistance, [...]

CAR dealers are letting the majority of sales leads slip through their fingers, because of bad practice. Not following up sales enquiries is seeing 90 percent of prospects walk out the door, say new studies. Mondial Assistance research has led the firm to conclude a ‘lack of proactive communication with potential customers could be losing [...]

VOLKSWAGEN has named 100 car dealers across Europe who top the rankings on customer service. UK car dealers were strongly represented, by 10 British retailers! All winners were treated to a Wolfsburg trip, including a factory tour and some Volkswagen Motorsport driving. So who were the 10 UK car dealers who enjoyed a night at [...]

VOLVO’s innovative mobile service for London owners is certainly smart – but how does it work? To find out, Car Dealer Magazine spoke to the man behind it; Volvo London director Frank Fisher. Customer convenience was a big factor behind it, he admitted. ‘Central London is incredibly congested, so having a Volvo technician come to [...]

FRANCHISED car dealers are more expensive than independents, right? Wrong, says a Vauxhall study. The MasterFit brand conducted an investigation into competitor pricing. It discovered Vauxhall MasterFit dealers were ‘cheaper in almost all service areas than many local independent garages and service centres – including well-known household names.’ 88 percent of services are said to [...]

BMW has marked its 25-year association with Mondial Assistance, by awarding the firm a new contract. Mondial will continue to provide pan-European breakdown assistance cover for BMW car owners, via its distinctive branded silver BMW 5 Series Tourings. The recovery firm reckons it can fix 84 percent of problems on the road. Car dealers come [...]

RENAULT UK has given RenaultSport fan Mark Crockett the role of services and quality director. The RenaultSport Spider-driving 41 year old Scot joins the UK board, as one of 10 directors under the leadership of Roland Bouchara. After working abroad, Crockett returned to the UK as product marketing manager for Renault, back in 1994. He [...]

FERRARI owners from 1947 can now enjoy FREE breakdown cover, in a bold move by the famed brand. The launch of the ‘With You’ roadside assistance scheme means that owners simply need to register – and get totally free breakdown cover. There’s not a single catch. The deal consists of recovery of the vehicle to [...]

LOTUS Silverstone has launched a new profit-generating service that keys into the lucrative trackday market. The official Lotus-franchised car dealer has introduced a ‘Track Health Check’ – an aftersales service revenue-generator. It’s being launched with an extra-special deal, too. Book the £50 service for August 26th… and get a free track day! This session, run [...]

CAR dealers should educate customers on the risks of skimping on servicing – or warranties may be at risk. Mondial Assistance warns that many new car warranties have terms and conditions that demand servicing only by manufacturer-approved garages. However, some customers are choosing independent garages instead – meaning car makers won’t pay for warranty claims. [...]