Motor Trade Radio

This week, join Derek and Philip, as they discuss the industry news headlines supplied by MotorTrader.com. The story with the biggest response this week is JLR boss backs higher salaries in the industry for sales staff plus much, much more

This week on #LeadingLadiesMTR, Steph caught up with Jane Russell FIMI, Director of Russell Automotive Centre and Garage Express, to find out what it's like being a female boss of a repairer in a male-dominated industry.  The ladies also discussed Jane's extensive career path, why she decided to open two businesses, the importance of repairers having the right accreditation, her involvement in the Work Ready scheme and potential Brexit implications for the repair sector.  

In a rare interview, David Main, BEN's CEO talks to Derek Blair, to cover the progress BEN has made under David's guardianship. Daksh Gupta joins in to discuss his industry leader challenge 10,000 foot skydive for BEN and Curtis Hutchinson drops by to recap on the Motor Trader Awards on Wednesday night at London's exclusive Grosvenor House Hotel.

This week on #LeadingLadiesMTR, I caught up with Holly McAllister, head of customer service and quality at Motor Codes. Motor Codes is the government-backed, self-regulatory body for the motor industry, operating with the full support of the Trading Standards Institute. As the third episode of Leading Ladies in the motor trade, Holly and I discussed her extensive role, the vital work that Motor Codes do in the automotive sector and their three codes of practice for new cars, service & repair and warranty products. We also covered the reasons why almost 8,000 dealerships and garages have already subscribed to the codes, their Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service and online training for the Consumer Rights Act 2015. 

Join Derek and Philip this week, with an exclusive interview with David Quate, MD (Scotland) of DSG Financial Services Ltd, who talks them through the recent launch of an e-sign solution for the industry. They also discuss the results of the June Registrations and put them into context – and the growth, particularly of the Van market in the UK.   Industry news headlines of the week, supplied by MotorTrader.com; with further restructuring and investment in the JLR brand from both Vertu and Cambria, plus the results of analysis of the pre-registration market from cap hpi and insight gathered from a consumer survey carried by the NFDA.  Plus, a ‘massive’ shout-out to Daksh Gupta and his brave challenge for BEN’s Industry Leader Challenge on the 22nd July, last chance to book a place at the Motor Trader Awards on Wednesday 13th July and last but not least, tomorrows episode from #LeadingLadiesMTR.

This week, Steph is joined by Elly Harron, Sales Manager for Sky AdSmart in Scotland and NI. They discuss Elly's 20 years in the motor trade and the opportunity that SKY AdSmart offers car dealers. #LeadingLadiesMTR 

Philip and Derek round up the weeks news including the SMMT's Brexit comments, updates on the Leading ladies podcast, the latest acquisitions, Phil's dealer survey and exclusive stories from MotorTrader.com

Discussing our newest show to launch yesterday, Leading Ladies of the industry, or #LeadingLadiesMTR with Steph Colinswood. We are also joined by Dylan Setterfield, Senior Editor, Future Residual Values at CAP HPI to discuss the #brexit situation.

Our new weekly show, Leading Ladies, showcases the amazing females of the motor industry. New presenter, Steph Colinswood, is joined in our first episode by Keron Hurlstone, Senior Account Director of iVendi.com

Derek and Philip cover the news from MotorTrader.com and are joined by Penny Searles of SmartDriverClub.co.uk

In addition to covering the headlines, Philip and Derek are joined by Mike Bishop and Al Taylor of Tootle.co.uk and Charles Fawcett of Twisted Automotive drops by to talk about the re-engineering his business does for Land Rover Defenders.

A few weeks ago Jim Reid penned an open letter to AutoTrader. Last week he penned a second. With no response, today Jim discusses industry sentiment, restlessness and the plan for disgruntled dealers. 

Matt Windle, Operations Director of Zenos Cars Limited and Neil Weightman of 360 for the forecourt join Philip and Derek who also discuss the weeks news.

Joining me today is Alastair Campbell, CEO, of industry disruptors Carsnip.com Alastair explains the progress that Carsnip have made and the feedback that the industry have given to this disruptive service.

David Bilsborough of Cheshire Cars approached us with some startling information. David has discovered that dealers who opt out of AutoTrader's PX tool have their cars removed from all search on AutoTrader's UK site, instantly.  David describes this anomaly and the impact it is having on dealers businesses from small independents to major PLC dealer groups. If you are affected by this decision, join in the conversation at: www.twittercardealers.ning.com

Today's topics include Marshall's acquisition of Ridgeway Group, a new female-only motor trade podcast, David Cameron buying a banger for his Mrs, Donnelly Group expand with Vauxhall, online Finance calculators used by most of MT 200 dealer groups.

Joining Derek & Philip today are Daksh Gupta, CEO and Mark Raban, CFO of Marshall Motor Holdings to discuss this morning's announcement of the acquisition of Ridgeway Group.

Robin Luscombe joins Derek & Philip to discuss his new 360 degree car interior videos. We're also joined by James Hind, CEO of Car Wow to dispel the myths around the business and the perceptions of Car Wow by the industry.

This week, Derek and Philip give the low-down on the iconic London Motor Show, discuss exciting developments within Radar Video and cover the key industry news stories including CAP-hpi's partnership with the SMMT to launch a recall check.     Plus, they also chat exclusively with Matthew Cheyne from MG Motor UK Ltd and CEO of Vertu Motors Plc, Robert Forrester.

Jon Davies heads up Get the edge - a development and training company with extensive motor trade engagement. Jon shares with us how dealers can get the best out of their staff by treating them by the 'Generations' each falls in to.