MotorVise has launched what is thought to be the first bespoke sales and training package aimed at ensuring dealerships and their customers are ready to take advantage of an increasing number of new electric vehicles now rolling off production lines.
Fraser Brown, founder and managing director of MotorVise, is urging motor dealers to respond by “ramping things up” and to take advantage of the greater availability of EVs during Q3.
DriveElectric has already predicted that UK motorists could buy almost 450,000 new electric cars this year compared with 267,203 registered in 2022.
The MotorVise electric/hybrid one day training course is aimed at dealership managers, sales executives and controllers and is designed to allow them to talk confidently and knowledgeably about EVs
Key areas of learning include:
- Creating advocates for electric vehicles in all areas of a dealership
- Making sales teams a source of factual EV advice
- Offering customers an EV test drive together with a comparison sheet
- Advising on the best possible home charging options
In conjunction with staff training, MotorVise has also extended its proven dealership sales events to focus on EVs. These include a full customer contact management system integrating mailer, text and email communications.
In addition, it has also developed its own software that demonstrates EV ownership costs compared with petrol and diesel cars – balancing an EVs generally higher purchase price against lower running and maintenance costs.
Fraser Brown said: “As EV production lines continue to ramp up, dealerships need to become really good at selling them – and that requires a fundamental shift in the approach.
“Salespeople need to become raving advocates for electric vehicles by having the necessary understanding of the financial and environmental benefits as well as the practicalities of ownership, from the tax advantages through to the different types of chargers, speeds, and tariffs.
“The first question they should ask a customer is whether they can access home charging, because relying solely on public charging points isn’t cost effective. For example, those charging from a domestic electricity supply can do so for 7.5p per kilowatt, meaning a 100KWH battery capable of covering 300 miles can be fully charged for just £7.50.
“These are examples of the level of understanding salespeople require to allow customers to make an informed choice.
“I believe this is the first bespoke sales and training package of its kind for EVs, because raising their profile and planting the seed of enthusiasm is vital.
“Those dealerships that increase the proportion of EVs in their mix of new car sales are likely to do extremely well in both Q3 and Q4 which will continue through 2024.”