AutoEngage

Pinewood.AI’s latest BI updates highlight the industry's shift toward data-driven decision-making. Learn how AutoEngage turns these insights into automated results for dealership aftersales. source https://ae2.io/news/beyond-data-visualization-how-ai-bridges-the-gap-between-insight-and-action-mpgklhsb

As manual cars phase out by 2030, franchised dealerships must pivot their service departments to focus on high-tech customer engagement and workshop efficiency. source https://ae2.io/news/the-end-of-the-manual-gearbox-why-modern-service-tech-is-the-real-driver-of-futu-mpf55mx5

As Group 1 Automotive welcomes a new CEO, we explore how leadership transitions in the UK’s top dealer groups are signals of a wider move toward digital transformation. source https://ae2.io/news/new-leadership-at-group-1-automotive-navigating-the-high-tech-future-of-franchis-mpdpptxq

The Takata airbag recall is flooding Vauxhall aftersales lines with worried owners. Here is how UK franchised dealers can absorb the surge without burying their BDC — and turn it into a retention opportunity. source https://ae2.io/news/vauxhall-takata-airbag-recall-dealer-guide

Scathing Review of Cazoo by Swansway's Peter Smyth Peter Smyth, director at Swansway, provided a critical analysis of Cazoo and its founder Alex Chesterman during a recent Car Dealer Podcast episode. Smyth labelled Cazoo’s business model as fundamentally flawed, describing the company’s initial plans as unrealistic and fictional. In a candid discussion on the Car Dealer Podcast, sponsored by JATO, Swansway director Peter Smyth gave a harsh critique of Cazoo, the once-promising used car dealer now in administration, and its founder, Alex Chesterman. Smyth, who previously featured in a 2022 special film on Cazoo, highlighted several issues with Cazoo's business model and Chesterman's approach, attributing their downfall to these flaws. Cazoo's Unrealistic Ambitions Smyth began by dismissing Cazoo's initial prospectus as "a work of complete fiction," likening it to a fantasy novel by JK Rowling. He criticised Chesterman's bold claims, including the am...

The latest report from Cap HPI highlights a significant trend in the used car market for April 2024, demonstrating a return to pre-pandemic pricing patterns and shedding light on the continuing challenges faced by electric vehicles (EVs). According to Cap HPI, prices for three-year-old vehicles with approximately 60,000 miles on the clock saw a decrease of about 1.5%, or £300. This change represents a natural alignment with seasonal trends, often influenced by factors such as the Easter break and market saturation after the first quarter's sales activities. The decline in used car prices, although consistent over two months, is not a cause for concern among dealers. The fluctuations align with historical trends and are considered part of the regular market cycle. This period saw petrol vehicles maintaining popularity, selling more quickly than other types of vehicles. Conversely, EVs and diesel-engine cars lagged, posing inventory risks for dealers. Particularly notable is the...