Manufacturers Ease Targets As New Car Sales Slow

National sales companies are adjusting new car sales targets in the light of slowing sales, according to Perrys chairman Ken Savage.

Mr Savage was speaking on the Auto Retail Live Q3 Targets Briefing  last week. However, he said manufacturers are responding to the challenging conditions with the targets they were setting for retailers.

Mr Savage was part of an expert panel on the Auto Retail Live web broadcast, together with Le Etta Pearce, group sales director of Auto Trader and Mike Jones, chairman of ASE. The panel covered a range of topics aimed at ensuring auto retailers boost profitability this autumn.

Ms Pearce urged retailers to respond as buyers become less focused on whether they buy a new or used car.

While Mr Jones said there needed to be relentless focus, advising dealers to “maximise every lead”. He added that smaller dealerships were performing well if they focused on personal service.