We’re delighted to sponsor the Workshop of the Year Award (independent and franchise) at this year’s Automotive Management magazine Awards.
Taking place on 1 May at Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, London, the AM Awards recognises performance and achievement across the sector with categories spanning sales, aftersales, customer service, marketing, online success and recognition of individual contributions.
At BookMyGarage, the leading comparison website for MOTs, servicing and repairs, together with its sister brand SecretService, its franchised arm, we are proud to be sponsoring the award.
In the past 12-months, the BookMyGarage platform has generated more than £93 million of retail custom for franchised and independent dealers, often filling last-minute availability in workshops.
Designed specifically for the franchised network, SecretService was created to entice brand conscious motorists who might have otherwise migrated to fast-fits, back into main dealer workshops. SecretService helps reinforce the message to motorists that franchised workshops deliver competitive service pricing for older vehicles combined with high levels of customer service.
BookMyGarage chief operating officer Toby Hughes will present the award to the winning workshop team on the night.
Toby said: “As margins become increasingly squeezed and dealers grapple with the cost of overheads, it has never been more important to maximise every revenue stream. We offer franchised dealers and independent garages a way to boost retail custom and fill unsold capacity profitably.
“We are delighted that over the past year BookMyGarage has played an incremental part in boosting business for both sectors. We have found that most additional retail custom we attract for the franchised network would otherwise have opted for a fast-fit whereas the majority of consumers who book an independent garage through our platform would never consider a main dealer meaning not only is there plenty of business to go around, but the sectors attract very distinct audiences.”
He added: “We are very much looking forward to celebrating with hardworking workshops at the AM Awards later this year.”
Our Chief Marketing Officer, Jessica Potts, alongside comedian Rob Beckett at the 2024 AM Awards
Earlier this year, Vertu Motors plc renewed its partnership with SecretService (powered by BookMyGarage), having first come on board in 2019. Representing a wide portfolio of premium and volume brands nationwide, around 165 of Vertu’s sites currently use SecretService, which generates an average 1000+ aftersales retail customers per month for the group.
David Crane, chief operations officer at Vertu Motors plc, said: “A significant number of customers who have come to us via the SecretService platform have remained loyal to their respective dealerships, with many now booking direct. However, our ongoing relationship with SecretService is an important part of our customer conquest activity.”
