Automotive Management (AM)

Used car margin protection now starts long before the vehicle reaches the forecourt. Arnold Clark is integrating Solera Cap HPI incident history data into its retail and remarketing operations as part of a renewed three-year partnership. The data will be used across Arnold Clark and Central Car Auctions, including integration with the group’s Invent auction management platform. The aim is to identify previously unrecorded damage events earlier in the appraisal process, giving trade buyers and retail customers greater confidence in a vehicle’s history. For dealer leaders, this is not just about compliance or reassurance. Better provenance data can influence acquisition decisions, pricing, stock risk, customer trust and remarketing efficiency. As used car sourcing becomes more competitive, the quality of vehicle history data could become a real margin advantage. How far should dealers go beyond standard provenance checks when assessing used stock? Read the full story and partnership details in the comments ⬇️💬 #AutomotiveManagement #UsedCars #VehicleProvenance #AutomotiveRetail

The traditionally distant buying process for fleet and broker customers is a risk to the Porsche ownership experience. Robert East believes that regardless of how a vehicle is funded every customer should receive the full Porsche buying journey. #automotive #customerexperience #porscheowners #motortrade #porsche #fleet

🚨 A new Government gives the automotive sector a fresh chance to push for policy clarity, but the asks from industry are already familiar. Following Andy Burnham’s appointment as prime minister, automotive bodies are urging the new cabinet to recognise the importance of a healthy motor retail, manufacturing, fleet and aftermarket sector. The NFDA | National Franchised Dealers Association is calling for a practical policy framework that helps retailers plan and invest, particularly around the ZEV mandate, eVED and the transition to net zero. The @SMMT wants stronger competitiveness and support for the EV transition, while the IMI is pressing for automotive skills, apprenticeships and TechSafe standards to be treated as a priority. For dealers, the issue is certainty. Investment in EV retailing, charging, training, stock and customer support becomes harder when policy direction keeps shifting. What should the new Government prioritise first for motor retail: ZEV clarity, charging fairness, skills investment or customer incentives? Read the full industry reaction in the comment section ⬇️💬 #AutomotiveManagement #AutomotiveRetail #ZEVMandate #ElectricVehicles

Zeekr International’s UK launch raises a familiar question for new entrant brands: can premium EVs scale without a physical retail and aftersales network? The GEELY-owned brand has appointed Tom Johnson as chief commercial officer for Zeekr UK as it prepares to take orders before the end of 2026. Johnson brings more than two decades of retail and network experience, including senior roles at Ineos Automotive, Jaguar Land Rover and Bentley Motors. Zeekr has not yet confirmed whether it will use franchised dealers, an agency-style network, direct sales, operated locations or a mix of physical and online channels. For UK dealer groups, that uncertainty matters. New entrant brands are increasingly looking for local expertise, customer trust and aftersales capability, but many are still weighing how much control to keep over the sales journey. Would a premium EV brand like Zeekr benefit most from established retail partners, or from keeping tighter control through direct sales? Read the full story and Zeekr’s latest UK comments down below 💬⬇️ #AutomotiveManagement #Zeekr #ChineseBrands #AutomotiveRetail

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Motor Range’s latest results show how independent used-car retailers can scale quickly, but not without short-term profit pressure. The North West used car supermarket increased revenue by 14% to £105.3m after acquiring the former Sytner Group CarShop site in Ashton-under-Lyne. The second dealership helped drive growth, with Motor Range selling 6,186 vehicles during the year. But pre-tax profit fell by almost 30% to £530,423, which the company linked to one-off acquisition costs. Trading was also affected by major roadworks near its Liverpool site. For used-car retailers, the wider point is model flexibility. Motor Range says its independent status allows it to stock any make or model, rather than being tied to a single-brand franchise strategy. As more franchised groups review used-car operations, could independents gain ground through flexibility and multi-brand stock choice? Read the full story and financial update in the comment section ⬇️💬 #AutomotiveManagement #UsedCars #AutomotiveRetail #CarDealers

A new name can be more than a rebrand when it sits behind a much bigger AM100 growth strategy. Johnsons Cars Ltd and Brayleys Cars Ltd will unite under the new Athenea name as their owner creates a single national identity across the combined dealer group. The move follows Athenaeum International Holdings’ acquisition of Johnsons Cars in 2025, bringing the two businesses under common ownership. The combined group now operates 79 franchise sales points, represents 21 automotive brands and employs close to 2,000 people. The rebrand will begin rolling out from late 2026 across dealerships, digital channels and customer communications. For dealer leaders, the bigger question is scale. The group has already set out ambitions to become one of the UK’s top three dealer groups, a move that would require turnover approaching £5bn. Can a single national identity help accelerate integration, manufacturer relationships and customer trust after major dealer group consolidation? Read the full story and Athenea rollout plans in the comments ⬇️💬 #AutomotiveManagement #AM100 #DealerGroups #AutomotiveRetail

🤔 Is Honda’s renewed hybrid focus a sign that customer demand is reshaping OEM strategy faster than regulation? Honda’s European leadership says sustainable profitability now depends on being closer to what buyers actually want, with president Hans de Jaeger arguing that regulators have “misunderstood customer desire” around EV uptake. The brand has cancelled the Honda 0 series and is now putting greater emphasis on hybrids, customer choice and tactical EV introductions. Key dealer points: Sub-£20k Super-N EV: Aimed at bringing younger, incremental buyers into Honda showrooms Prelude coupé: Designed to reconnect with Honda’s performance and enthusiast appeal Hybrid focus: Positioned around current customer demand and profitable growth For Honda retailers, the opportunity is not just product availability. It is making sure sales teams can clearly explain the brand, its technology and its value as competition from Chinese new entrants grows. Are customers asking for full EVs, or are hybrids still the more realistic conversation in showrooms? Read the full Honda interview and product strategy in the first comment 💬⬇️ #AutomotiveManagement #Honda #AutomotiveRetail #ElectricVehicles

Peugeot UK’s latest leadership change keeps the focus on continuity at a key point for Stellantis’ brand strategy. Steve Wass has been appointed managing director of Peugeot UK, moving up from his role as sales director. His background spans more than 25 years across sales, aftersales, dealership operations and marketing, including senior roles within Peugeot and the wider Stellantis business. For retailers, that experience matters. Peugeot’s UK network is operating in a market shaped by electrification, changing customer demand and increased competition from new entrant brands. Nicola Dobson, who previously led Peugeot UK, has moved into a wider Stellantis UK role as marketing operations director, overseeing integrated marketing activity across the group’s UK brand portfolio. What should Peugeot retailers expect from a managing director with experience across sales, marketing and dealer operations? Read the full appointment story in the comments ⬇️💬 #AutomotiveManagement #Peugeot #Stellantis #AutomotiveRetail

Motor finance claims activity is creating a new customer communication challenge for dealers. The FCA secured the removal or amendment of 170 misleading car finance claims adverts in June, taking the total changed after FCA intervention to more than 1,200 since January 2024. The regulator reviewed 255 promotions from 83 authorised firms and contacted 36 businesses over potential breaches of financial promotion rules or Consumer Duty expectations. Some adverts failed to make clear they were financial promotions. Others used references to the FCA’s proposed redress scheme in ways that could suggest a connection with the regulator. For dealers and finance teams, the risk is customer confusion. The FCA has again stressed that motorists do not need to use a claims management company or law firm to obtain compensation through any regulatory redress scheme. How are retailers handling customer questions about motor finance claims while the FCA scheme remains unresolved? Read the full FCA update in the first comment ⬇️💬 #AutomotiveManagement #MotorFinance #FCA #AutomotiveRetail