The Future Dealership Zone will reflect the changing retail landscape and propose that technology is changing the way people use cars and the way dealers retail them. This feature and an accompanying seminar session will demonstrate and also debate the likely changes to motor retail in the next five to 10 years, and further ahead.
Senior business leaders will outline how they see the future evolving for motor retail, the driving forces behind that evolution, and how dealers can adapt their businesses to remain relevant.
"CDK Global is bridging the gap between dealers, manufacturers, partners and consumers with one open platform. We want to enable seamless automotive consumer experiences using technology. From dealer management systems to mobile applications, we help our customers to stay connected at every step of the way."
“Our digital solutions are here to keep with the pace of new demands of the industry. Autoline Drive, our dealer management system is designed to meet the unique demands of automotive dealers and comes with a range of additional applications to link dealer departments, sites and systems."
“Join us in our journey to shape the future of the automotive industry. We look forward to welcoming you at our stand B12. We promise great coffee, good conversation and interactive product demos in virtual reality. See you there.”
Also on display:
Launching at the expo is the eDynamix Autopoint Lockers. These digitised self-serve lockers are fully integrated with its products including its electronic vehicle health check platform, service plans, automate customer app, SalesDesk and StockMaster. When a customer uses its online bookings systems, a code is sent via the automate customer app or an SMS message which is used to deposit the vehicle keys into a secure locker.
Commented director Iain Nickalls: “Taking heed from the airline industry, in particular, there is a growing shift towards complete self-service. You can book a hotel room online, turn up, put a code into a machine, pay and have it issue your door key without any human interaction. You can now buy a car online and have it delivered to your door without interacting with a dealership. So why shouldn’t you be able to do the same in the aftersales arena?
“Dealers need to start preparing for Generation Z (those people born between 1995 and 2010) and Generation Alpha now. Much of the automotive industry still do not offer a fully automated or integrated online bookings system and offer nothing more than a service request form so are way behind many other industries in preparing for these generations.”
Demonstrating its revolutionary sealed cell design to deliver quicker and cleaner oil changes in just 90 seconds, Nexcel, an automotive start-up with Castrol and BP parentage, will have a Toyota Prius, complete with the system, on display. Nexcel is currently working with manufacturers now so the next generation of engines (both internal combustion and hybrid) have this system. Disposing of the necessity for the vehicle to be on a ramp, the system opens up huge efficiency possibilities in the workshop.
Oil changes currently demand workshop scheduling and specialist equipment and the attention of skilled technicians whilst also inconvenient for customers. Every vehicle service generates at least four litres of used oil, which often has little value and may even cost money to ensure its safe disposal. Nexcel’s closed-loop supply chain ecosystem ensures that up to 100% of used oil may be easily and safely recycled. Nexcel’s oil management capabilities also provide scope for tailpipe CO2 reduction on each vehicle of 2 grams per kilometre.
As sponsors of the Future Dealership Zone, Zerolight’s CMO François de Bodinat will be taking part in the Vision of the Future Insight Theatre debate whilst its ground-breaking new product, SpotLight™ will be unveiled at its stand.
He said: “As the UK’s biggest event for automotive retailers, AM Live presents a unique opportunity to meet with senior representatives from a wide range of key companies. It has the potential to be a focal point for fostering innovative ideas and collaborations. We hope to use this opportunity to meet with dealers and discuss their key challenges, aspirations, and needs in the current market.”
SpotLight™ is a cloud-based suite of applications. Its content creation applications, enabling the creation of pictures, videos, microsites, and brochures featuring any configuration of dealer cars, will be showcased on its main booth, stand D36. Its second booth, stand FDZ1 in the Future Dealerships Zone, will feature the Intelligent Car Configurator. Configuration recommendations are suggested based on the customer’s online configuration history and in-store the customer can virtually explore the car in 4K, VR, and AR.
