umesh

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Posts posted by umesh

  1. Posted

    Amazon could be set to pilot online car sales in the UK after its UK sector boss admitted car sales executives were already being recruited in preparation for the scheme.

    E-commerce delivery expert ParcelHero issued a warning to UK car retailers after producing a report into the strategy of the burgeoning online retailer which highlighted its future role in the business of selling cars.

    ParcelHero’s head of consumer research, David Jinks, said: “From books to consumer electronics, Amazon has completely transformed the market wherever and whatever it has launched.

     

    “Now the likes of Evans Halshaw and Bristol Street Motors will be taking a deep breath as it accelerates into the world of car sales.”

    German trade magazine Automobilwoche this month revealed that Amazon is planning to move into the European car trade – starting in the UK.

    Automobilwoche revealed that industry specialist Christoph Moeller had been put in charge of Amazon's European business with car makers.

     

    Moeller told the publication that the company is already recruiting car sales executives.

    He said that Amazon plans to run the business out of Luxembourg and is looking at Britain as its probable pilot market.

    Jinks said: “Amazon is looking at every branch of retail. There is small wonder that it is now looking at car sales.

    “Amazon is already actively making loans to its marketplace traders: it may be able to offer attractive loans on new cars in the future to its Prime Members, for example. Amazon is also likely to offer long-term lease cars.”

    Jinks added: “Mr Moeller’s claim that the UK will be its pilot market makes perfect sense. Amazon launches many of its ideas in the UK before the US and internationally.

    “For example, Amazon trialled its own delivery arm, Amazon Logistics, in the UK before it launched it elsewhere, in order to perfect its one hour Prime Now service before commencing its own deliveries in America.

    “Amazon trialled selling small Fiats in Italy last year, with some success; but even the dinky Fiat 500 can’t be left under your doormat or in your porch.

    “Amazon will likely have to work with an established car distributor to deliver your new car; introducing an entirely new supply chain.”

    Lisa Bedwell, senior research director at Future Thinking, said: “Amazon’s ambitious move to take on the automotive market and sell vehicles directly in the UK is an exciting game changer which will be making established automotive traders nervous.

     

    “While key existing players such as AutoTrader are likely to take steps to offer a more tailored, specialised service to differentiate from Amazon, for automotive brands there is an opportunity to push for these platforms to offer more space where they can build a closer relationship with customers.”

    Bedwell added: “Trust is now at a premium in the automotive industry, particularly in the wake of the recent Volkswagen’s emissions scandal, with the brand-customer relationship more important than ever for the sector.

    "Brands may benefit from Amazon’s positive reputation, but should also be seeking to create more opportunities to communicate and engage with customers directly through these platforms.”

    Link to original article : http://www.am-online.com/news/dealer-news/2017/06/13/amazon-recruiting-car-sales-executives-ahead-of-uk-pilot-scheme?gutid=92488 

     

     

    Thoughts ? 

     

    • Like 1

  3. Posted

    A good friend sent me this over the weekend , some may have seen it but just in case you missed it  ....

    Sadly it won't me post the image :( !! [ Any reason why James why we can't have images ? ]

    ..I've posted this on other forums if you wish to have a read !

  4. Posted

    8 hours ago, betginge said:

    Another day of crap leads landing in the inbox. got a couple of props in, one still pending but is being difficult to contact, the other was the normal lying swine who tells you they have not been looking for a car until now. Reality is they have had a car repossessed just a few months back and have been applying for finance with every tom dick and harry since. The other  5 leads the typical don't pick up the phone. 

    Very quiet at the min 

    Is it really worth the hassle of getting into that market ? ( Sub prime )  How's the website looking/ doing ? (link?) .. Sadly as you say so many tell you so may lies , don't they realise their cards are marked if they've been a wee bit naughty !!! :) 

  5. Posted

    Twitter is great , but Its probably not as good for selling cars as FB, However its great to build relationships/ branding etc. Also great to connect with fellow dealers if that's what you want ? And always interesting stories / threads / information at your finger tips if you follow right audience , I for one wouldn't be without it. 

  6. Posted

    2 hours ago, Mat C said:

    Gutted ( well almost, as I was in California ) to have missed this by 2 days! Just my luck as I missed the awards too by 1 day ( as I was in Mexico ) 

    I think I holiday too much. 

     

    Think you timed your holidays well :) ! .. Mexico .. California.. Northampton.. let me think where I'd want to be .......  

  8. Posted

    *** LATEST -LATEST UPDATE :) ***

    Thanks to Car Dealer Mag we have managed to secure a ROOM for a meet up.

    We have enough room for about 20 people seated , nothing really planned apart from a meet and greet.

    So if you would like to meet up at the CDX I’m going to add your mobile number -if you let me know what it is, to a Whats Ap group so we can all keep in touch when we get there, does that sound like a plan? reply with your mobile number so you can be updated on the day, cheers

    the room is RACE ADMIN ROOM 6

    Looking forward to catching up with lots of you tonight/tomorrow - 
    If any of you guys want to join the whatsApp TCD Group so we can make contact tomorrow to meet up etc etc here is the link IF you can add your details please

    https://chat.whatsapp.com/FTktPk7Ypjr6ADESxnFWP5

    Cheers
    umesh 

  11. Posted

    Chris , Just had same conversation with AT , regarding sponsored / searches / mobile / desk top ..... ! It's now costing business for independents. I did a quick example on one of my cars £15500  Merc - On desk top simple search Mercedes / C Class / £15000 - £16000 /  where was my car ..without changing any other perimeters. All sponsored cars come up ..scroll, scroll scroll ....................... still scrolling .... well keep going ....... not found it yet we've got to £16000 now all sponsored then it drops to natural £15000  at page 18 - YES 18 , I'm on 19 

    38% search on desktop I was told  IF That's the case why have ALL the big boys paid ... 

    Mobile I've given up scrolling trying to find my car !

    I believe many will pay 50/60% extra thinking that's the way forward , but I also feel many more will be saying enough is enough can't take no more !!! ( Is there a song with those lyrics :) ! ) 

     

  14. Posted

    51 minutes ago, MrC said:

     "I look back 10 years, and customers where reasonable people. They accepted they where buying used old vehicles and was an element of expectation that something minor might go wrong and they just delt with it.  "

     

     

     

    Think you're spot on , But then cars were not as complicated and expensive to repair ! these days lights ping on for no reason PLUS I Think people have no money to repair them either - , they are all signed up to new phones, sofa,s, TV,s,  designer clothes etc etc etc ..so the only way is have a go at the dealer without being in the real world! 

    • Like 1

  17. Posted

    Thin Lizzy had a great record .. " Don't believe a word , cause words can tell .. .... "

    Bizarre - same here with many cars - seems the over priced sell better many times than 'under priced' - in all honesty I cannot make head nor tail of the stats most of the time. I ignore them - or maybe I need lessons to understand them ! 

  19. Posted

    That time of the month if you guys can help Philip Nothard CAP – HPI – It really is greatly appreciated

    This is the link to this months.

    https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FK3FBD9

    See PDF For full last months results.
    IF anyone wants the report earlier than posted here – drop me an email with your details and I’ll pass these on to Philip and he’ll sent it directly – Umesh@autochange.co.uk

    Survey overview summary (results attached)- Sorry unable to load pdf - I can email this if you email me :)

    • For the third consecutive month, this year, March has seen a lower number of respondent reporting an increase in physical footfall activity comparing it to the previous month against the results we observed in 2016. With 45% citing an increase this month, whilst this figure was 50% in March 2016, and 34% indicated it had declined, whereas this was 24% last year.

    • Online activity has followed a similar trend year-to-date as the footfall, with those reporting a decline compared to the previous month. However, 49% of respondents indicated an increase compared to the 50% in March 2016 and those citing a decline rose from 18% to 26% in 2017 and the dealers experiencing little or no change declined from 33% in March 2016 to 25% this month.

    • The respondent’s reporting compression in the retained margin rose for the third month this year, with 39% in March 2016 to 43% this year. Although, those experiencing an improvement increased from 20% to 23%, and the remaining 34% reported the margins to be about the same.

    • March 2017 has seen 28% reporting that stock availability has improved since the previous month compared to a higher percentage in March 2016 of 38%. In line with last year, 45% said, it they had seen little or no change, and the remaining 28% felt it had worsened since February.

    • The results for finance penetration has seen an increase in those responding citing an increase for the third month this year. With 34% reporting penetration improved compared to 32% in March 2016, and those indicting a decline had reduced from 21% to 18% this month. Those experiencing little or no change remained in line with last year at 47%.

    • For the second consecutive month, those reporting that consumer demand has worsened increased, with 33% compared to 21% in March 2016. However, respondents experiencing an increase remained similar at 41% compared 45% in 2016, and those citing demand to be about the same declined from 34% in March 2016 to 26% this month.

    • dependent on the manufacturer of representation, as those who have entered the market, have varying strategies and relationships with their dealers.

     

  21. Posted

    Who's going to the CDX17  Event at Silverstone on 23rd May - hosted by Car Dealer Magazine always a great day out , meeting and learning..
    I think its a GREAT DAY and not to be missed ..
    FREE Tickets :
    http://cardealerexpo.co.uk/

    Would be good to see who's going and possibly meet up ?
    Umesh 

    PS - possibly looking at even meeting up the night before , checking out hotels near by ? - CAR DEALER MAG Team anything you have organised ? 

     

    • Like 1

  22. Posted

    I've tried various bill boars over the years, always difficult , Have one currently which was for the sales business up till about 6 months ago , now switched it to the service/tyre business- its on the main road parallel to where I am, many have commented to seeing it BUT How many have actually come from it is difficult to say.

    On a foot note I have two other signs on street corners form where I am and they work very well ... :) 

     

  23. Posted

    I really, really hate these with a passion ! 

    Why will Autotrader not listen .. We do not need 'price indicators' , without rambling on these are genuinely misleading the innocent public and will affect every dealer who advertises on Autotarder - Including ME !!
    Going live 4th April , initially on mobile only then I guess being rolled our everywhere..

    ( Won't allow me me to upload image :( ) 

     

  25. Posted

    My new website went live over the weekend - www.autochange.co.uk 
    Would LOVE some feedback - Hopefully all good but feel free with honest opinions ! a few little tweaks will appear in the next days /weeks .
    Thanks very much
    Umesh 
    01782 822 700