Motor Vehicle Dealers Net The Future

At MVDI's AGM last week licensed motor vehicle dealers were told
that ignoring the Internet could lead to disastrous business
results. While some physical dealerships will continue to exist in
the twenty first century, increasing numbers of customers will
demand Internet access so as to research vehicles and price.

MVDI's conference NETTING THE FUTURE - THE INTERNET & E-COMMERCE
with its array of business sessions, workshops, meetings and social
events ran from 27 - 31 October in Port Douglas, Australia. The
event attracted 340 delegates, the majority of whom were licensed
motor vehicle dealers.

Amanda Gore, an Australian motivational speaker, set the mood for
the conference with her highly entertaining presentation addressing
communication, stress and well-being. John Mellor from the
Australian Automotive followed Amanda with insights about overseas
motor vehicle dealing trends and likely scenarios for the New
Zealand motor vehicle dealer in the twenty-first century. John told
an audience of over 200 dealers that the Internet and e-commerce
were questions of `To be or not to be', that those dealers not using
the Internet as a business tool will lose custom as the car selling
industry roars into the new millennium.

The business sessions on day two of NETTING THE FUTURE were a
high point for all involved. As well as the Used Vehicle, Franchise
and Motorcycle Divisional meetings, the following seminars were held
with the intention of providing dealers with practical e-commerce
advice: E-commerce - Your Dealership: The Tools Available and How to
Guarantee E-commerce Dollars in the Bank presented by Steve Kloss
from Reynolds and Reynolds, Setting Up a Website presented by John
Barlow from KC Multimedia, E-commerce and the Internet presented by
Don Rae from Cardinal Transportation and Travel Solutions, and the
Legalities of E-commerce presented by Peter McKnight from Izard
Weston. All presenters stressed the importance of dealer websites
providing as much information as possible including photos and an
up-front price. Reynolds & Reynolds representative Steve Kloss told
dealers that approximately 8% of New Zealand Internet users visit a
motoring site every month and 18% of all leads turn to sales.

All presentations were enthusiastically received and MVDI
management noted the novelty of hearing dealers express the desire
for more sessions despite the glorious weather and tropical setting.

MVDI Executive Director Steve Downes said `The response to the
seminars was outstanding. Every member walked away with at least
one piece of information to take back to his or her dealership that
will somehow make a difference to the way in which they trade'.

National President Ian Redshaw said, `Without doubt NETTING THE
FUTURE was the most successful conference MVDI has ever held. We
had over 340 people in attendance and the new business session
format proved a great model for future conferences.' MVDI's
Conference 2000 will be held in Rotorua.

MVDI's AGM and Council meeting also took place at conference.
Ian Redshaw of Wairoa was elected National President for the second
year running. MVDI expressed its appreciation to Don Thompson, David
Denton and Wendy Button for their service to the motor industry
through their National Executive membership, and welcomed new
members Peter Gluyas, John Boote and Alex Ten Hove. MVDI's National
Executive 1999-2000 includes: President, Ian Redshaw (Franchise,
Wairoa), Vice President, Dave Anderson (Motorcycle, Masterton), Vice
President, John Knowles (Used, Christchurch), Past President, Grant
Daniel (Franchise, Wellington), Lindsay Watkins (Franchise,
Wanganui), Reg Storer (Used, Christchurch), Steve Crosby
(Motorcycle, Auckland), Graham Nicholson (Franchise, Huntly), Peter
Gluyas (Franchise, Ashburton), Alex Ten Hove (Used, Hamilton), John
Boote (Motorcycle, Christchurch).

ENDS....

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