17 August 2022

FIRST BROADCAST: 23 September 

New car supply is short, order banks are long but a looming recession means consumer demand is uncertain. While fleet registrations have taken the brunt of the recent declines in new car sales retail numbers have held up well. However, the simple fact that fewer new cars are entering the market is now impacting used car volumes and putting pressure on aftersales.

Auto Retail Live will examine the data, discuss hands-on experience and offer advice about how to get the most out of the latter half of 2022.

In Auto Retail Live’s Business Briefing we’ll have Jason Cranswick, COO of Marubeni Auto Investment (UK) which owns RRG and Norton Way, Tom Slack, group manager for strategy and innovation at Ron Brooks Motor Group, plus Marc Palmer, brand director, Auto Trader available online to answer your questions and share their experience of how best to operate in the current market.

In this Auto Retail Live broadcast we’ll also be investigating how retailers can best help customers and hit their new and used car targets.

Key topics for discussion include:

• Judging the impact of inflationary pressures on consumer spending
• Used car pricing outlook
• New car supply vs order take
• Staying ahead in aftersales

Watch NOW and join us online for our next Business Briefing. It’s 40 minutes that will give you practical advice and expert opinion on the quarter, and the race to the end of the year – from some of the most successful operators in the auto retail industry.

Auto Retail Live is a series of business briefings produced in partnership with Auto Trader that will run throughout 2022.

It’s just 40 minutes of your time which will give you the inside knowledge to hit your targets this quarter and to put you in the best position for the rest of 2022… and all delivered in the comfort of your own office!

Panellists

Jason Cranswick

Jason is the chief operating officer of Marubeni Auto Investment (UK), the company which owns and runs RRG and Norton Way. He joined Marubeni in 2021 having moved from digital retailer Cinch. Previously, he was commercial director for Jardine Motors Group. Earlier in his career he was head of customer quality & network development for Audi UK. Leaving school, Jason started his retail career with John Lewis before joining the motor trade in 1989.

Tom Slack

Tom is the group manager of strategy and innovation for Ron Brooks Motor Group. Since joining the 60-year family business full time in 2018, Tom has overseen consecutive year profit growth and seen turnover double to £50m. In the past year, despite the pandemic, the firm had the ninth highest turnover growth of all groups in the UK, and had a return on sales of near 4%. Expectations are turnover will grow again to near £75m this financial year. Earlier this year, the business became one of three UK Toyota operators to be awarded the Ichiban award, which recognises the highest level of customer service and operational excellent across all dealerships in Europe. Tom has a passion for the industry and enjoys the rapid and immense change we are going through.

Marc Palmer

Marc’s expertise is understanding car buyers, their activities, motivations and experiences through Auto Trader’s unique data capability. From the brands they consider to the various models on their shortlists – be they performance cars, old school classics, humble hatchbacks or the latest electric vehicles, he finds interesting stories in buyer types across the UK.

He’s been with Auto Trader for four years, having spent a long time working in sales and marketing roles for some of the industry’s biggest brands – Ford, Nissan, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz provided a varied and unique insight into one of the biggest purchasing decision people will ever make.

Al Clarke, programme chairman

Al has held senior executive roles with Ferrari, Maserati and the SMMT. Al started his career as a journalist and presenter with a decade working for the BBC and in commercial radio. He has a particular interest in the application of digital technology and connected car services in the automotive industry and regularly speaks at, and chairs events on, these issues.

REGISTER HERE to join in the discussion.