Sandown Motors running director Gavin McAllister has been appointed head of Mercedes-Benz franchise board.
The transform arrives just above 3 months just after the German quality brand rolled out its new direct-to-shopper agency product motor vehicle retail distribution approach – in a shift that some shops come to feel has presently detrimentally impacted income – McAllister will suppose the publish with immediate influence.
Mercedes-Benz Uk main government and running director Gary Savage claimed: “Sandown Group is a sturdy performer in our community and Gavin is pretty properly respected by users of the franchise board, the broader Mercedes-Benz community and the workforce at Milton Keynes.
“I am looking ahead to functioning even nearer with Gavin and the franchise board provided the opportunities and difficulties we encounter in the marketplace today: the collaboration with our agents and companions remains as important as at any time.”
Sandown is Mercedes-Benz’s present-day Retailer of the 12 months award winner and operates nine vehicle franchises with the manufacturer.
In 2021 it included to its Mercedes portfolio with the addition of Sytner’s former web site in Newbury and the Mercedes-Benz Retail Group company in Epsom.
McAllister replaces previous Drayton Motors director and Lookers Mercedes-Benz franchise director David Williams, who has been a member of the franchise board for in excess of 20 yrs, just after he made the decision to retire.
Mercedes mentioned that David had played a essential function in the generation of the Mercedes-Benz sector places at the begin of the new millennium and far more just lately has led the franchise board by the brand’s changeover to an company product.
Paying out tribute to Williams’ tenure, Savage reported he had generally “robustly challenged and supported our organization initiatives”, contributing to product sales development that peaked in 2017 at 180,970 cars.
He included: “More just lately, the franchise board, led by David, played an integral role as we formulated our strategies to move from a distribution contract to an company deal.
“I am in no doubt that without David’s insight, steering and power we would not have correctly rolled out company in our planned timescales.”
In a distinctive news insight report into the roll-out of company product agreements throughout the United kingdom motor vehicle retail sector AM documented that the to start with month of Mercedes’ new retail design had found partners report get acquire down by 40{194d821e0dc8d10be69d2d4a52551aeafc2dee4011c6c9faa8f16ae7103581f6}, sparking problems that the OEMs’ changeover to a additional luxurious-oriented future – promising higher margins – might not come soon enough to mitigate the affect of falling sales.
In a transfer that appeared to fly in the face of the fixed cost ethos of company model retail, customers also “kicked up a stink” when Mercedes-Benz Uk discounted its A-Course hatchback by £3,000 on a one weekend in January to enhance volumes, AM was informed.