Lookers is using digital monitoring tools to help increase stock turnover for its used car business.
In the last year, the UK’s fifth largest dealer group with annual turnover of £2bn, has rolled out Auto Trader i-Control across 80% of its sites in England.
Lookers is now among 753 retailers – independents an d franchised dealers – that use i-Control, up from 170 at the beginning of 2014.
i-Control tracks live used car market movements, recommending stock to buy, where to find it, how much to pay and how much to sell it for, taking into account regional differences in supply and demand.
Lookers managing director Nigel McMinn said car buyers now did most of their research online and some dealers felt this put them at a disadvantage when it came to pricing.
“My view is that we need to arm ourselves with the right tools to help stay one step ahead and i-Control meets that need perfectly.
“I’ve worked closely with Auto Trader to roll-out i-Control in the most effective way across multiple Lookers sites.
“I’m delighted that sites across the network are showing a reduction in days to sell and many are improving profit per unit. We are also seeing a reduction in over-age stock, without a reduction in profits,” he said.
Other dealer groups using i-control include Renault Retail Group, Stoneacre and Trust Group.
