The Armchair Show

AM News Show with ICDP Managing Director Steve Young

ICDP managing director Steve Young discusses the evolution of the car retail sector in 2022 and beyond with AM news and features editor Tom Sharpe.

With agency model franchise agreements, new car supplies and an acceleration in digital retail all impacting the sector, the pair debate a number of strategic issues, including:

- Block Exemption regulation changes and their impact

- OEM and franchisee discussions in an agency model environment

- What is needed to achieve a seamless, omnichannel car retail journey

AM News Show with Perrys Motor Group managing director Darren Ardron

The AM News Show spends time with Perrys Motor Group managing director Darren Ardron to discuss what 2022 might hold for his AM100 car retail business.

AM news and features editor Tom Sharpe interviews Ardron as he reflects on Perry’s “best year ever” and discusses the hot topics, including:

- A buoyant 2022 order take for 2022

-Strong margins amid constrained new and used vehicle supplies

-The challenge of finding and recruiting staff

AM News Show with Jim Saker president of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Diversity and inclusion in automotive is the subject of a candid AM News Show Podcast discussion with Professor Jim Saker, director of the Centre for Automotive Management at Loughborough University’s Business School and president of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

AM news and features editor Tom Sharpe explores some of the findings of the IMI Diversity Task Force and discovers how Saker’s investigations caused him to re-define his role in tackling & issues in the sector.

Among the other topics discussed are:

- Highlighting automotive role models for the next generation to emulate

-Amplifying the voice of the sector’s women and ethnic minorities

-Transforming dealerships in an inclusive space to work and visit

The AM News Show | Featuring Darren Ardron, Jim Saker & Steve Young

In the latest episode of The AM News Show, AM’s news & features editor Tom Sharpe welcomes a trio of car retail experts to discuss the sector’s hottest topics.

Perrys Motor Group managing director Darren Ardron; director of the Centre for Automotive Management at Loughborough University’s Business School and president of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), Jim Saker; and ICDP managing director Steve Young are on the panel.

- Press play to hear them discuss issues, including:

- Car retailers’ vehicle supply issues

-Constellation Automotive’s Marshall acquisition and Lookers investment

- Car manufacturers’ shift to agency model franchise agreements

- Reflections on 2021 and a look forward at the year ahead

 

Learn, prosper & grow with The Armchair Show, brought to you by Armchair Marketing. The show's packed with tips, tricks and winning strategies to inspire you and your business. Packed with experts, and special guests - you'll wish you subscribed sooner! If you've got an interest in car dealers or the automotive industry in general, then you'll love The Armchair Show.

Sally Fyffe Head of Wholesale, Micheldever Group - Empower your team to be the best they can be

Sally is one of the most experienced leaders we've had on The Armchair Show, having worked for Toyota GB, Nissan Motor GB amongst others, as well as sitting board at the PSA Group, and she shared just some of her wealth of knowledge in our latest inspirational Spotlight Session.

From the sort of talent the automotive industry should be trying to attract, to why she sees the role of a leader being to make their team the best they can be, Sally shares inspiring insight on the importance of focusing on the human element when working in the automotive industry.

Also:

- Has how customers buy and use cars changed in the last 5 years?

- Why automotive needs to attract new talent from outside of the industry.

- Sally unpacks how her Masters degree in Coaching has benefitted her, both personally and in her career.

Are finance regulators holding back innovation? | The Armchair Show

In this episode:

0:00 - Intro

8:15 - What's changed in the last couple of years

15:20 - Is there a right way to buy a car?

21:00 - What can car dealers do to make their finance offering stand out from the crowd?

25:50 - What inspired Credicar?

27:00 - What are you looking forward to most in the industry? ----

 

**EPISODE** | **GUESTS**

Neil Smith, Advisor to the board at CrediCar

Amar Rana, Chief Executive at CrediCar

David Betteley, Automotive Financial Services professional

AM News Show with Umesh Samani, owner of Specialist Cars of Stoke-on-Trent & co-founder of the IMDA

AM News Show with Umesh Samani, owner of Specialist Cars of Stoke-on-Trent and co-founder of the Independent Motor Dealers Association.

Umesh Samani has been in the motor trade for more than 35 years, including two decades running his own award-winning independent used car dealership, Specialist Cars. He talks to AM about the current trading climate, including the well-reported nationwide shortage of used car stock, and how he creates raving fans out of his customers.

AM News Show with John O’Hanlon, chief executive of Waylands Automotive.

Following the sale of AM100 dealer group Ridgeway its chief executive John O’Hanlon soon came back into the motor retail industry with the launch of his own company, Waylands Automotive. With family values close to his heart, he talks to AM about his ability to pick winners, in both the franchises he represents and the people he employs.

The AM News Show | Featuring John O’Hanlon & Umesh Samani

In the latest episode of The AM News Show, AM’s editor Tim Rose and news & features editor Tom Sharpe welcome two well-known executives from the automotive retail industry:

- Umesh Samani, owner of Specialist Cars and co-founder of the Independent Motor Dealers Association, and member of the Automotive Management Live Visitor Advisory Board.

-John O’Hanlon, chief executive and founder of franchised dealer group Waylands Automotive, current holder of the AM Award for Best Dealer Group (up to 10 sites), and member of the Automotive Management Live Visitor Advisory Board.

Hear them discuss:

- The imminent 2021 Automotive Management Live event at Birmingham NEC and the benefits that attending it brings to motor retailers.

- The driving forces behind their work ethic and success in building strong businesses.

- Adapting to new technologies and engaging customers.

Independent car dealer influencers share top tips: How to start a car business & navigate a crisis.

There's so much knowledge bottled up within the automotive industries most influential people. We're on a mission to open those bottles and get drunk on the wise words of wisdom from the top chaps on this show!

This week, we got on the blower (Zoom) with:

• Umesh Samani, Chairman IMDA & Owner of Specialist Cars/Harris Motor Co.
• Jim Reid, Owner of Jim Reid Vehicle Sales.
• Ali May-Khalil, Managing Director  Sentience Automotive Solutions.
• Jamie Caple, Owner, Car Quay.

What's on the show?

• What's it really like to start a car sales business?
• What does it take to make a name for yourself locally & how is customer service is entirely linked to that?
• The perception consumers have about trust when it comes to independent car dealers.
• People buy from people. Let's hear what they have to say about TRUST.
• How has the independent sector adapted to consumer change in light of Covid-19?
• Aaaaaaaand don't miss Jim Reid's approach called "Zoom to Vroom" which is JUST BRILLIANT