In the latest issue of Motor Trader we caught up with Russell Day, CEO and managing director of Day’s Motor Group, as the business celebrates its centenary in 2026. Day’s consistently performs strongly in the Motor Trader Top 200 Dealer Groups, delivering a high return on sales.
The group has a strong company culture that places employees at the heart of the business and has expanded by taking on fast-growing Chinese brands. Day believes the group’s strength lies in its diversification: weakness in one area of the business at any given time is offset by strength in another.
Also in October issue, Athenea Automotive Group deputy CEO Andrew Burn discusses the consolidation of Johnsons and Brayleys and outlines the group’s plans. Burn said that, in an integration of this scale, the people dimension required the most care. Keeping employees engaged and motivated throughout the restructuring requires considerable work, particularly while the company awaits the appointment of a CEO.
We return to the biggest topic in motor retail: the influx of Chinese brands building sales and market share. Not all are succeeding, but many are. Can Chinese brands achieve similar success in the premium market? Several names are in the frame, including Xpeng, Lepas and Denza.
And finally, artificial intelligence (AI). Like businesses in other sectors, car dealers are increasingly turning to AI to streamline sales, improve customer service and gain an edge in an increasingly competitive market.
It is reshaping the way dealers operate, from the showroom to their online activities. Our three experts agree that AI is more likely to support people working in the automotive industry than replace them. Time will tell.
