Fiat Completes Overhaul Of Dealer Used Vehicle Remarketing Systems

SLOUGH – November 13, 2008: As part of its on-going business development plans, Fiat UK has appointed two new suppliers to complete a wholesale overhaul of its dealer remarketing programme and ultimately support the network in selling more used cars.

With the ultimate aim of reducing the time it takes to collect, prepare and then deliver used vehicles to dealers, at the same time maximising residual values, Fiat now has one of the most efficient higher volume remarketing systems in the industry.

Vehicle processing and specialist fleet management company, Paragon Automotive, has been appointed to manage the preparation and defleet refurbishment of all daily rental and internal fleet vehicles returned to Fiat.

Paragon’s service includes inspection, collection and vehicle preparation, with all work being processed through its bespoke body and mechanical workshops at Thurleigh, Bedfordshire. The vehicles will then be distributed to Fiat Approved dealers and other buyer networks using Paragon’s fleet of 80 transporters and 100 single movement drivers.

To further enhance the service, Fiat has also appointed JTK Remarketing to provide a web based used vehicle remarketing system which integrates across all Paragon’s activities to provide Fiat dealers with online access directly to all centrally available used vehicle stock.

This move is already having an impact, instilling additional confidence across the dealer and buyer networks during tough economic conditions, with Fiat’s used volumes increasing.

These two companies join used car marketing experts, Portfolio, which Fiat recently appointed to improve its consumer-facing web based stock locator and increase the number of used cars sold across the franchise.

“Our aim was to appoint suppliers and adopt processes that reduce the time it takes to collect and prepare vehicles to a consistently high standard to then deliver into the Fiat network. With Paragon and JTK on board, and Portfolio helping dealers market their used vehicles more dynamically and efficiently, the entire network now have the tools they need to sell more used vehicles, quickly and more profitably,” says Simon Wheeler, Fiat UK’s Remarketing Manager.

“Used cars are a very important part of every Fiat dealer’s sales strategy and we never underestimate the part we can play to help support and develop this area of their business,” he added.