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Bdaily talks to Chris Denning of Tyneside Autoparc

The car retailing sector has experienced a turbulent time over the last few years. Declining new car sales and difficult used car sales amid the recession have proved testing.

Chris Denning, managing director of Tyneside Autoparc, spoke to Bdaily ahead of the company’s expansion, and proved it is not all doom and gloom on the forecourt.

“We’re seeing a really healthy business at Tyneside Autoparc. A lot of customers are looking for quality cars, rather than just looking at the cheapest available to them.

“Our sports and prestige models are selling very well, and people respond well to the choice available.”

Chris joined Tyneside Autoparc with over 18 years experience at Benfield Motors, and quickly set about streamlining the business into a lean retailer, that catered towards the the car buyer’s needs.

“When I started the reputation wasn’t there, but we’ve developed the idea of a used car supermarket with six different sections, that gives the customer all the choice they need in one place.

“We’ve provided a lot more quality for people looking at decent used cars, and with features such our 12 month warranty, and challenge Autoparc, where we will find the customer their ideal car from anywhere in the country, we are providing a level of service which means we are more of a one-stop shop. Most dealers will bend over backwards to accommodate the customer, so we need to make sure we are offering all we can.”

As a result, the Autoparc has experienced a number of frequent return customers, who see the retailer as a trusted operation.

“I know of many customers personally who keep coming back to buy cars from us. Just this week a gentleman has bought his 3rd car in the last 6 months, and another customer has bought their 4th car in 6 months. It shows that the demand is there.”

Of course, advertising and publicity has played its part in the success of Tyneside Autoparc, and Chris is sure that a robust advertising strategy is integral to ensuring this.

“Advertising is still very important, and that’s why we have invested nearly a quarter of a million in exposing the brand. We have launched our first tv advert, which is the 2nd ever 3d ad, and we are relaunching our music branding, so its a busy time.”

The investment is part of a large-scale expansion plan, as Chris aims to double the size of the operation in the coming months.

“We are doubling the size of the Autoparc across all of the workforce, and it will be a major turning point for us. We’re really beginning to push our range and continue to respond to our customer’s needs.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .