Motor Trader –
Vertu speeds-up vehicle drop-off and pick-up at dealerships
Vertu Motors is introducing new check-in and check-out procedures in its dealerships.
It has signed an agreement with self-service technology firm Tjekvik to help reduce queues at peak times and improve the vehicle drop-off and pick-up experience.
The units allow customers to check their vehicle in at home on their own device, or in the dealership via touchscreen kiosks.
AM online –
Waylands Automotive posts 15% profit performance boost in 2022
Waylands Automotive has posted a 15% increase in profit before tax to £3.1 million on revenues that increased by 35.2% to £168.4m in 2022.
The group represents Volvo, Kia and MG with dealerships in Reading, Newbury, Swindon, Oxford and Bristol. It also acts as an agent for Polestar in Bristol.
The growing group posted its latest accounts for the year ended December 31, 2022 to Companies House, which shows that pre-tax profits on a like for like basis were down -14.2% to £2.3m on turnover down -2.7% to £94m.
Motor Trader –
TrustFord features in Best Workplaces in the UK rankings
TrustFord has been recognised as one of the 2023 Best Workplaces in the UK by Great Place to Work, ranked 40 in the Super Large Organisation category.
The accreditation follows a culture audit and confidential employee survey which looked at several areas, including what key qualities makes TrustFord a great place to work, how colleagues are supported in reaching their highest potential, and the organization’s values and guiding principles.
Stuart Mustoe, chief executive officer of TrustFord, said: “We’re so proud to be named one of the Best Workplaces in the UK.
“This recognition is a testament to the commitment of the TrustFord team providing an engaging and successful environment for our colleagues.
Fleet news –
Arnold Clark to open national EV charging network
Arnold Clark is set to create the UK’s first business-based national electric vehicle (EV) charging network with a £23 million investment to install rapid chargers across its 80 dealerships.
The UK’s second largest retail group says the network will be open to fleet and business customers, as well as private car owners, with pre-booking via its own Arnold Clark app.
In an exclusive interview with Fleet News sister website AM, Arnold Clark chief executive Eddie Hawthorne revealed that the first delivery of 150kW rapid charge points is due to arrive in the UK shortly. The full order of around 560 will see each dealership install four-to-eight charge points.
Motor Trader –
Waylands profits up 15% to £3.1m despite cost headwinds
Waylands Automotive turned in a strong performance in 2022 with pre-tax profits up 14.9% to £3.1m on turnover up 35.2% to £168.4m. On a like for like basis pre-tax profits were down -14.2% to £2.3m on turnover down -2.7% to £94m.
The group delivered new car volumes of 1,807 (2021: 1,724), used car volumes of 2,333 (1,904) and aftersales revenue of £15.1m (£11m), according to accounts filed at Companies House.
During the year, the group launched Waylands Academy and the Waylands PGS24 month programme for sales staff.
“In addition to this scheme, wider engagement with apprenticeship programmes across digital sales, marketing and technicians have been extremely successful across all streams of the business,” said Waylands Automotive CEO John O’ Hanlon.
Motor Trader -
Lookers expands Volvo footprint with Waterhouse Cars acquisition
Lookers has acquired Waterhouse Cars Limited in Chelmsford, Essex.
The acquisition complements the Group’s existing Volvo dealership in Colchester and adds 40 staff to the local team.
The new site sees Lookers extend its Volvo footprint, growing it to five dealerships, alongside the sites in Colchester, Stockport and Glasgow, and the Polestar dealerships and aftersales businesses in Manchester and Glasgow.
