FOR many of our dealers, 2009 is about survival – those were the words of Mitsubishi UK chief Jim Tyrell as the firm unveiled a host of initiatives to help its dealer network.
As we reported earlier this week, the car manufacturer is offering dealers reductions in charges – worth £50k to average sized outlets and up to £100k for bigger traders.
It is also ramping up its new product launches as well as looking at finance areas that affect its dealer network.
But buried deep in the press release was a foot note that said the maker would be offering dealers revamps of their websites completely free of charge.
What a brilliant idea – more and more buyers are heading online as the recession bites, looking for the very best offers so dealers’ websites are vital.
Not only do they need to look good, they need to be functional and have excellent search engine optimisation so they actually get found in the first place.
That’s exactly what made the winners stand out in our Ewards last year.
It might be hard to find cash to invest when times are tough, but you should never underestimate the power of the web and the sales it can lead to.
I think Mitsubishi’s offer for its dealer network is a superb one – and will only serve to help the brand build for the future when this recession is a long and distant memory.
Let’s hope other manufacturers follow suit…
James
