Best practice
Ilkeston Co-Op dealer principal Jon Battison hired an aftersales business manager to sell service plans, warranties and amber items - and was delighted with the results. It gave his aftersales profits an immediate boost, and took the pressure off his service advisers as well.
What is the difference between the employed and self-employed? It has become a key question in the light of a recent motor industry case, as self-employed people generally have no employment rights.
Here’s an idea that might just attract some much-needed new aftersales customers, who then hopefully become long-term car sales customers too. We have just launched Repair And Share at Luscombe Suzuki, and the basic concept is that we contribute 5% of the aftersales invoice to a chosen good cause – in our case, the Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal.
The acquisition of quality used car stock has been a constant challenge this year, and the final quarter will be no different. September’s plate change will bring an increase in available stock, but as approximately 70% of new car sales are fleet acquisitions we can expect to see an influx of, mainly, higher-mileage vehicles.
Most companies will be aware that the Government has enacted legislation to make employers enrol their employees in either the National Employment Savings Trust or an alternative ‘qualifying’ scheme, such as an occupational or personal pension – unless the employee specifically opts out.
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