James Baggott

Today Car Dealer gathered together our Automotive Influencers for a photo shoot at the RAC Club in London. We had 12 car manufacturer bosses and seven top motor trade suppliers who have given their thoughts to Car Dealer, for our next issue, on what the industry has in store in 2014. Today I interviewed the manufacturer bosses about what they thought this year's new car market would look like too. Their answers were very interesting. Luckily I asked them all while I was pointing a camera at them and we'll be releasing that video very soon. But for now how about having a guess at what they said. Did they think the market would be up or down? What was the highest percentage point increase or decrease they predicted? And what do you think the car market will do this year? Have your say below and then see how that matches out car manufacturer bosses' views when we release the video. It'll be an interesting test to see if dealer views match the perceptions of car manufacturers. A sort of social experiment... I look forward to seeing what you write!

And just in case you can't find them, them rules can be found 'ere: http://cardealermagazine.co.uk/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

Alright you two, less of that. You know the rules. I've got a yellow card and I'm not afraid to use it... :)

The Car Dealer Power survey is a unique and vital way to have your say on the best car manufacturers to represent and the best motor trade suppliers to do business with. The survey can be filled in anonymously and manufacturers and suppliers take it very seriously indeed. There are some prizes on offer to those that take the time to fill out the survey - it shouldn't take long. And all we ask is you let us know your mobile number so we can let you know if you've won a prize. We'd really appreciate it if you took the time to fill in the survey - it's YOUR chance to let those you do business with know how good or bad they really are.

Nice to see some proper investment in promotion for a brand like this. I'm impressed. And love the honest feedback above - just what this forum is all about.

He couldn't reveal it if it was... Big Mike is the best kept secret since The Stig. And a better story teller too...

They wouldn't be covered by SMMT rule. No dealer pre regs are...

Having a bad day? It's not quite as bad as mine. Thoughts share my blog from Detroit Motor Show here so you can laugh at my misfortune. It's been an interesting few days! http://blackballmedia.co.uk/detroit-motor-show-goes-bad/

Where are those 12-plate Kias?

Thanks for that endorsement Umesh. Very kind of you indeed. I wasn't trying to pitch our services - forum rules forbid direct sales pitches - and even we need to stick to those! I was merely trying to point out that PR companies are worth a second look. Glad you got such great exposure - you deserved it!

Some of you may know the parent company of Car Dealer, Blackball Media, has a PR arm which helps dealers. It has acheived some fantastic coverage for dealers large and small. Why? Well the guys who run the department are trained journalists who all worked on local papers. This means they know what makes a good story, know how to write it and can take a picture too. Local papers are time poor and want stories they can plonk in place with little or no work. A PR company will help you produce just that and you'll be surprised at the results it can offer. They'll also - like us - have access to a highly effective distribution service which will get the press release out there to the right journalists. My advice would be to try a PR company out if you think you've got a good story to tell. You could be surprised at the results - and chances are it'll be a lot cheaper than an advert in the local press.

My beef is with the mainstream media - they're reporting that all is rosy, when it's not quite as positive as the figures suggest. As a CAP expert told me yesterday: 'I agree with you that the inflated new car registration (not sales) figures can give a misleading impression that all is rosy in the world when it most certainly is not. The media often use overall registration figures as an economic indicator and if such data ever helped contribute to a rise in my mortgage rate I’d be most upset.' Why is the industry not reporting the truth? And Used Car Seller, unfortunately an FOI would not work with the SMMT as they're not a government organisation. I'm currently talking to the DVLA.

It was this track near Cardiff. http://www.llandow.com It's a short circuit but not a karting one. Was great fun as you can see!

Is there a link to the advert anywhere Umesh?

Hi all Thought I'd start the year off with one of those stories that will make you smile. I received an email over Christmas about the following video Jon and I produced for the launch of the new Fiesta ST: Here's what happened next. It shows you that whatever people say about the car industry, there's still a lot of good out there. Enjoy: http://blackballmedia.co.uk/video-praise-email-will-warm-cockles/

Thanks for sharing the warning.

Thanks for posting this Umesh. Very worrying indeed. I've moved the topic into this forum as it's the place for warnings on scams and alerts on stolen vehicles. I'll share this via our Twitter account too. Thanks for sharing.

Why would you do that indeed?! Absolutely bonkers. It's like not letting anyone try on clothes in a clothes shop. I really don't see the mentality. If they're in the car they're a captive audience and as you guys showed on tv it's a great way to build a rapport with them. More fool the dealer that doesn't let them test drive. They'll be the ones losing out on the sale. I wonder whether this is common place? A main dealer policy?

This one is pretty good too. It goes on for INCHES....

I also love this one. So much so I downloaded the soundtrack. Very clever stuff from Jaguar... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trlv9UdIheM

Check mate from Jaguar

I love clever car adverts. Ones that really make you remember them. There have been loads of brilliant ads this year - both video and print - which got me thinking. Which do you think was the best this year and why? My money goes on this one from Audi: It is simple, effective and perfect fodder for petrol heads. So that's mine, what's yours? Post a link below with your answer.

Thanks for all these posts. I've enjoyed reading them all. But there has to be a winner and, purely because I smiled the most when I read it, Hants 4x4 wins the torch. If you could let me know your address I'll get it in the post to you on Monday. Congratulations. Sorry to those that didn't win this time. I'll be thinking of another topic for a competition soon.

£30 per month for all cars? That sounds like a bargain to me. Surely it's got to be worth a trial for three months.

I like your idea though. It would give the customers something to think about. I take it you only get the tickets in the few weeks it takes to change the ownership over? The hassle must be a right pain though. I wonder whether other dealers have the same problems.