3:25 pm, August 16, 2017
A GROUP of seven car dealers and industry experts have founded the Independent Motor Dealers Association (IMDA).
The ‘not for profit’ association aims to become the voice and support for independent motor dealers in the UK. With years of specialist knowledge and experience on hand from the founders, the IMDA will be the association representing used dealers in this fast-changing industry.
The founding members are Jim Reid, director of Jim Reid Vehicle Sales, Umesh Samani, owner of Specialists Cars of Stoke, Phil Weaver, director at Knickerbrook Cars, Stuart Saunders, owner of Urban Car Company, Chris Roach, managing director of Auto Trade Associates, David Bilsborough, owner of Cheshire Cars, and motor trade expert Philip Nothard.
The IMDA has said it will strive to represent dealers on a national level, and work alongside other bodies. As well as this, it will also be a point of reference for its members, helping them to run a successful and transparent used car dealer.
It is already working with a number of suppliers with the aim of providing training and support for any dealers who may require its services, and has received strong initial interest from numerous dealers and suppliers.
The IMDA has said: ‘We believe that independent dealers deserve the right to have an association that will represent their interests.
‘We have already proven that there is an appetite for change and support via our association.
‘We have all been working hard behind the scenes to get into place a constitution plus a mission statement with pillars which has now been achieved.’
By Ted Welford
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