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Snap-On Business Solutions successfully rollout electronic vehicle health check system across Nissan in ASEAN and Oceania

Contextadmin — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 12:07:11 +0000

Snap-On Business Solutions successfully rollout electronic vehicle health check system across Nissan in ASEAN and Oceania Contextadmin Thu, 02/04/2021 - 12:07

Snap-on Business Solutions’ autoVHC Electronic Vehicle Health Check (eVHC) product, which offers a complete electronic vehicle health check system that helps service workshops improve efficiency and profitability, has been successfully rolled out across selected Nissan dealerships in Thailand, the Philippines and Australia.

Snap-On and Nissan have worked together to manage the rollout of the product in the face of the pandemic. Snap-On built a virtual training programme which was implemented in June, enabling the business to switch to a virtual rollout and continue their work while complying with COVID-19 regulations.

This expansion in ASEAN and Oceania is part of Nissan’s Service Tablet project, which forms part of their global digitalisation journey. The service tablet includes autoVHC’s health check product, which allows staff to complete walk-around inspections, mechanical and maintenance checks, access photo and video functionality, customer progress tracking and links to online payment gateways.

Jamie Francis Morais, General Manager After Sales, ASEAN at Nissan, said: “At Nissan, the safety and wellbeing of both our customers and dealership staff remains a priority. We understand that customers wish to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy in a safe way. Our partnership with Snap-On showcases our commitment to provide customers a safe, easy and seamless ownership experience during these difficult times.”

Nick Squire, Operations Manager at autoVHC, added: “Snap-On is a truly global business so this rollout of our eVHC product across selected Nissan dealerships in ASEAN and Oceania makes sense for us and fits with our global growth plan. We were very happy to be able to continue with the rollout despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, and look forward to working closely with Nissan to ensure the smooth running of our eVHC solution in Thailand, Australia and the Philippines.”

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autoVHC Joins CDK International Partner Programme

Contextadmin — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 09:46:48 +0000

autoVHC Joins CDK International Partner Programme Contextadmin Tue, 08/25/2020 - 10:46

24th August 2020

autoVHC, a leading provider of automotive solutions aftersales technology, has today announced that it has joined the CDK International Partner Programme, the largest third-party marketplace of automotive applications and integrations. Through integrating with CDK Global’s Dealer Management Systems (DMS), autoVHC customers will be able to get the best out of both systems and create a seamless automotive consumer journey.

The CDK Partner Programme offers potential automotive tech partners access to CDK’s Autoline DMS by using standardised integration points. Partners can improve the functionality of their products, scale up their businesses, share and manage data seamlessly and use the Partner Programme to potentially enter into new geographical markets.

The integration of the autoVHC platforms into Autoline allows data insights and intelligence to be shared automatically, increasing efficiency, and reducing the need to manually input the data in two separate systems. This creates a seamless process that taps into the in-built capabilities of the DMS, such as the ability to price up jobs, transfer a job to a job card once authorisation has been obtained, and check part availability. CDK’s and autoVHC platforms can effectively operate as one fully integrated system, rather than two stand-alone products, which fills in gaps and connects a dealership’s suppliers and systems to create a streamlined automotive consumer journey.

autoVHC is a complete electronic vehicle health check system that helps service workshops improve efficiency and profitability. autoVHC establishes an easy-to-control workflow for a vehicle check to deliver additional workshop sales. The user-friendly reporting functionality allows dealer management to monitor performance in real time and reduce missed opportunities. autoVHC is endorsed by some of the world’s largest motor manufacturers as a proven way to boost workshop sales.

Paul Muers, Business Unit Director at autoVHC said: “We are thrilled to join other technology providers that deliver innovative dealer solutions, fully integrated with CDK’s DMS, as part of the CDK International Partner Programme. This partnership will allow us to provide a more efficient and streamlined process for our customers, as well as contribute to the long-term goal of building a connected future for automotive retail.”

Dilwar Hussain, Business Development Manager at CDK Global said: “We have been working closely with autoVHC and our mutual customer at Greenhous to pilot the integration into Autoline. We’ve seen that the two systems complement workshop processes and will enable technicians to be more efficient on each job and provide a much better experience to their customers.”

Geoff Lowe, Aftersales Manager, at Greenhous Vauxhall, a dealership based in Telford, Shropshire, has been piloting the new integrated solution: “Although we’ve only recently adopted the integrated autoVHC and CDK solution, we have already seen a marked increase in our business operation efficiency. This in turn will help improve the overall automotive experience, both for our system users and for our customers.”

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First Virtual Instructor Led Training in Thailand a Great Success

Contextadmin — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 09:38:44 +0000

First Virtual Instructor Led Training in Thailand a Great Success Contextadmin Fri, 08/14/2020 - 10:38

14th August 2020

The onset of Covid-19 posed significant challenges for businesses across all sectors in the delivery of skills and development training. For autoVHC, the global pandemic resulted in a pause in installations since autoVHC trainers were unable to travel to perform normal installations. For our partner dealerships, many were faced with the prospect of having to close completely during the lockdown, in addition to car manufacturing plants shutting down, which has had a huge impact on sales figures. Back in April new car sales in the UK plunged by 44%, and in the month-long period from 2nd March to the 3rd May, franchised dealers in the US lost 1.5 million new and used vehicle sales. These lost sales would have generated more than $41 billion in revenue and an estimated $2.6 billion in profits.

Faced with the challenges of travel restrictions and social distancing requirements, autoVHC developed our Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) programme, in cooperation with GP Strategies Corporation, a global leader in performance improvement.

VILT training uses a blend of distance learning and instructor led video training to provide all the training necessary for a dealer to start successfully using autoVHC. The programme is segmented into role specific modules, aimed at providing role-relevant training to dealer management, technicians, parts staff and service advisors, which allows them to maximise the benefits of autoVHC in their specific operational role.

Earlier this month, the first use of the training platform took place in Thailand. The training was designed to support Nissan dealers in Thailand by providing the training needed for them to use autoVHC’s platform.

This first session was a huge success. Our autoVHC trainers worked from home studios to deliver the training to the teams in the dealership. The training was a highly interactive process - participants in Thailand were able to share their screens with trainers as they walked through the required steps of the process.

After the success of the platform’s launch, it will now be used to support Nissan in the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. Not only has this new delivery method allowed Nissan to recover some of the time lost due to the pandemic, it will also allow autoVHC to continue to deliver high-quality training for our dealerships in the ‘new normal,’ whilst also reducing the costs associated with travel.

News

Pentagon turns to autoVHC for aftersales video functionality

chrishogg — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 21:12:41 +0000

Pentagon turns to autoVHC for aftersales video functionality chrishogg Mon, 06/01/2020 - 22:12

10th March 2020

The Pentagon dealership group is set to roll out integrated vehicle health check and video functionality across 25 of its sites.

The company will implement autoVHC’s autoVIEW module, which will enable multiple videos to be taken and shared with customers during the service process.

autoVHC, which is part of the Snap-on Business Solutions portfolio, is already the eVHC provider of choice across all Pentagon sites. However, the decision to combine video and VHC functionality is designed to simplify the way that technicians capture video content and improve how it is shared with customers.

The addition of autoVIEW will be accompanied by live, two-way SMS chat functionality, allowing multimedia content to be shared immediately alongside complete vehicle health checks. autoVHC has also provided customised devices for technicians to use when capturing video within the workshop and confined spaces typically presented by vehicles.

autoVIEW has already been rolled out across Pentagon sites in Loughborough, Sheffield, Warrington, Runcorn and St Helens with the remaining roll-out process nearing completion.

Nick Locker, Group Aftersales Manager, said: “Moving to one provider of both eVHC and video functionality will have a number of benefits for the business.

“As well as providing an immediate cost saving, the integration of the technologies will greatly improve the ease in which videos can be captured and shared with our customers.

“Including video evidence as part of our service process is crucial for building trust and loyalty among customers and is designed to ensure Pentagon’s service processes are as transparent and straightforward as possible.”

Paul Muers, Business Unit Director at autoVHC, said: “Adding video functionality is a great addition to our existing partnership with Pentagon.

“The inclusion of an integrated VHC and video platform will enable the group’s aftersales teams to continue their commitment to service excellence.”

autoVHC, part of Snap-on Business Solutions, is a leading aftersales solution provider. Its software enables service departments to perform electronic vehicle health checks and identify potential work when servicing a vehicle. Since 2007 the autoVHC solution has helped generate more than £750 million of incremental service business for franchised dealers worldwide.

News

Snap-on Business Solutions platform named as a Nissan preferred electronic vehicle health check system

chrishogg — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:04:52 +0000

Snap-on Business Solutions platform named as a Nissan preferred electronic vehicle health check system chrishogg Thu, 03/05/2020 - 09:04

3rd March 2020

Snap-on Business Solutions’ autoVHC platform has been named as one of Nissan’s preferred electronic vehicle health check (eVHC) suppliers.

The Japanese manufacturer has published a list of preferred suppliers intended for dealer principals, aftersales managers and service managers across its UK franchised dealer network.

Being part of the approved lists means that autoVHC has exceeded the standards set by Nissan as they strive to enhance service levels throughout their dealerships.

Snap-on’s autoVHC platform has been featured alongside four other eVHC systems, however, of the systems featured on the supplier list autoVHC is one of the few suppliers that combines vehicle health check information with both photo and video capability.

This functionality allows media to be taken of the car and shared with customers to help explain the work that is being undertaken and improve the transparency of service delivered. Combined eVHC and video functionality helps dealerships avoid the cost and complexity of having to work with 2 systems.

Paul Muers, Business Unit Director of autoVHC, said: “Being listed as a preferred supplier is a great acknowledgment of the recent strengthening of the autoVHC platform.

“Our offering will allow Nissan dealerships to build on their reputation for service excellence by using a combined electronic vehicle health check and video platform. Put together, this functionality is proven to help dealerships identify and communicate required work with customers in a transparent way, something which in turn can greatly improve the sales and profitability of service departments.”

News

autoVHC data reveals dealerships saw aftersales activity rise in first half of 2019

chrishogg — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 15:12:30 +0000

autoVHC data reveals dealerships saw aftersales activity rise in first half of 2019 chrishogg Thu, 08/22/2019 - 16:12

22nd August 2019

UK dealerships saw an increase in aftersales activity in the first half of 2019, according to autoVHC data.

The average dealership saw a 5% year-on-year increase in the number of vehicles presented at its service department between January and June, with the figure rising from 1,570 to 1,649 vehicles.

Across the UK’s franchised dealership network, which stands at approximately 4,900 dealers, this equated to 387,100 additional vehicles being services by franchises in the first half of the year.

However, the data, which is compiled from a sample size of 500 dealerships, also revealed that the uptake in the number of vehicles presented coincided with a slight drop in the completion rate of vehicle health checks (VHCs), which fell from 69% to 66%.

With a completed VHC representing an additional invoice value of £73 per customer, incomplete VHCs could have cost the average dealer £40,880 in the first half of the year alone. This would mean a total missed sales opportunity of £200 million across the UK.

Paul Muers, Business Unit Director at autoVHC, said: “The first half of the year has been a promising one for dealers, which is welcome news amidst a challenging environment that includes a tough vehicle sales market and uncertainty relating to a number of factors, including Brexit.

“Our data shows more vehicles being presented to franchised dealers, which demonstrates that the sector is still capable of appealing to vehicle owners, despite the competition posed by rapid fit businesses. However, this good news is offset by vehicle health check completion rates that are still relatively low.

“Having a vehicle health check process in place for highlighting work to customers in a transparent way can significantly increase invoice value. But this process must be carried out on a regular basis, otherwise the full potential of any uplift in customers using the franchised dealership sector for vehicle servicing will be missed.”

News

autoVHC Appoints New Business Unit Director

chrishogg — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 11:04:36 +0000

autoVHC Appoints New Business Unit Director chrishogg Wed, 07/24/2019 - 12:04

24 July 2019

autoVHC has promoted Paul Muers to lead the company.

Muers, who has been with autoVHC for three years, replaces Chris Saunders as head of the business, which is part of the Snap-on Business Solutions group.

With over 30 years’ experience in the automotive industry, Paul will be responsible for expanding autoVHC’s offering across a range of markets, including the franchised dealership sector, the rapid fit sector and specialist vehicle service providers.

This will also include developing autoVHC’s position as a wider automotive management solution, following recent partnerships that have seen the company’s eVHC platform integrated with other technology, including dealership management systems (DMSs), such as CDK Global.

Muers has held several senior positions during his time at autoVHC and Snap-On Business Solutions, including Strategy and Innovation Director and Global Business Development, Marketing and OEM Relations Manager. He also brings 29 years of automotive sales and marketing experience from his time at Ford Motor Company.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul Muers said: “It’s an exciting time for the business and I’m looking forward to leading the team.

“The automotive sector is experiencing a lot of change at present, with new technology and service models all playing a role in reshaping customer expectations of how aftersales care is delivered in particular.

“We are committed to developing autoVHC to ensure it continues to provide aftersales teams with a platform that enables technology and other areas of automotive management to be integrated into an easy to use system that also helps to meet customer requirements for a quick and transparent service experience.”

News

Failure to sell urgently required work still costing UK dealers more than £400 million per year

chrishogg — Tue, 21 May 2019 09:38:53 +0000

Failure to sell urgently required work still costing UK dealers more than £400 million per year chrishogg Tue, 05/21/2019 - 10:38

24th May 2019

Annual data from autoVHC has revealed that the UK franchised dealership sector missed out on as much as £401.8 million in 2018, having managed to sell only 53% of Red work.

Red work is identified as faults that if not addressed pose a serious safety risk and in many cases will mean the owner will be breaking the law if they continue to drive the vehicle.

autoVHC’s data, which sampled 500 UK dealers in 2018, revealed the average UK dealer failed to sell £82,000 worth of urgently required work over the twelve-month period. Across the sample group this equated to £41 million worth of lost sales, meaning a total lost sales figure of £401.8 million across the UK’s 4,900-strong franchised dealer network.

In 2017, autoVHC’s data revealed this number stood at £420 million and while the total is slightly down, the number of vehicles presenting themselves at the average dealership also declined during 2018.

Activity Drops and Opportunities are Missed

In 2018, the average dealership saw 520 fewer vehicles presented to its service department – a drop of more than £2.5 million vehicles in total across the UK’s franchised dealer network.

Though the drop was not as significant as in previous years, it continues a trend that further compounds the failure to sell such significant amounts of urgently required work.

Chris Saunders, Business Unit Director at autoVHC, said: “Dealerships are battling a particularly challenging market at present and this applies to the aftersales side of their business as much as it does to new and used vehicle sales.

“However, even when this is considered it is still disappointing to see dealers missing out on such large volumes of work.

“With 2018 also seeing a continued reduction in the number of vehicles presented at franchised workshops it is more crucial than ever before that aftersales opportunities are maximised.

“The work we are talking about here is not work that should be delayed either, and when the risk to the motorist is considered, along with the potential failure in the dealership’s duty of care, the low conversion rate is particularly difficult to comprehend.

“2019 is forecast to be another challenging year for the sector and a greater focus on converting these critical sales opportunities is therefore essential.”

News

autoVHC to integrate with CDK Global for a seamless aftersales and CRM offering

chrishogg — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 09:45:19 +0000

autoVHC to integrate with CDK Global for a seamless aftersales and CRM offering chrishogg Thu, 04/04/2019 - 10:45

We are pleased to be able to announce that we have reached an agreement with CDK Global to build joined-up experiences between autoVHC and the CDK dealer management system (DMS). This will create an end-to-end solution which enables automotive dealerships to seamlessly transfer data pertaining to jobs, parts, stocks, prices and more between the two platforms.

By joining the CDK International Partner Programme, autoVHC will be able to offer dealerships a more unified and integrated approach to customer care and data analysis, and ensure that dealerships already deploying a CDK DMS can leverage their existing investment when integrating autoVHC’s platform. Any aftersales activity recorded in autoVHC will be automatically written to the Repair Order in the DMS, giving a single pane of glass view, whilst allowing dealers to call a central data store to ensure that customer information is kept up to date, ensuring the most informed service possible.

Chris Saunders, Business Unit Director at autoVHC said: “CDK has a brilliantly human-centred approach to the automotive sector; it understands that building sustainable relationships is the key to dealership profitability and sustainability. This fits in perfectly with our own ethos of empowering dealerships to offer highly tailored and efficient aftersales services, therefore extending their service portfolios and positioning themselves as competitively as possible. It made perfect sense to integrate our two platforms and pass on the streamlining and information-sharing benefits direct to dealerships.”

Jonathan Hales, UK Partner Manager, CDK Global said: “We are delighted that autoVHC has joined our pioneering Partner Programme. Their electronic vehicle health check solution helps dealerships to deliver the highest quality aftersales service and by integrating with our DMS our dealership customers can optimise and drive greater financial efficiency in the vehicle inspection stage of the aftersales process.”

Want to know how we can integrate your autoVHC platform with CDK?

Fill in the contact form here and a member of our team will be in touch.

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EMaC and autoVHC deliver integrated vehicle health checks and service plans through new partnership

chrishogg — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:33:39 +0000

EMaC and autoVHC deliver integrated vehicle health checks and service plans through new partnership chrishogg Thu, 03/07/2019 - 11:33

7 March, 2019

A new partnership between autoVHC and the EMaC Service Plan system is set to bring significant benefits to dealers and their consumers.

Using their autoVHC tablet, dealers can now identify items covered by an EMaC Service Plan, allowing them to start work immediately rather than waiting for customer approval.

As well as improving the customer experience, the new integrated service provides dealers with a key opportunity to maximise upselling by highlighting work that falls outside the Service Plan cover.

Service advisers are also alerted to consumers who don’t have an EMaC Service Plan in place, providing an additional sales opportunity when that vehicle is returned to its owner. This allows dealers to improve the customer experience by providing a flexible solution to the cost of vehicle servicing and the peace of mind that their vehicle is well maintained.

Chris Saunders, autoVHC Business Unit Director, said, “We view the EMaC Service Plan as a key enabler to help dealers upsell additional work to customers. If the customer already has the basic cost of their service covered, it reduces the impact of any additional work, making it more affordable for them to get the work done. This brings bottom line benefits to dealers and enhances the value they bring to their consumers.”

s to their existing customer base, extending their audience reach. There are further plans to add the EMaC AutoQuote facility to the autoVHC platform. This will allow autoVHC dealers to follow up an EMaC consumer quote with an email or call to secure a Service Plan sale, further increasing their revenue stream.

John O’Donnell, Managing Director at EMaC commented, “Teaming up with autoVHC extends the reach of our Service Plan benefits and demonstrates our commitment to collaborating with like-minded service providers to enhance our dealer offering. Once again, we are helping dealers make the most of the benefits Service Plans offer to their business. Through this partnership with autoVHC we are streamlining the sales process to boost consumer loyalty and retention, as a crucial part of the sustainability of their business.”

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