NISSAN is known for being a company that innovates – and it has just marked an exciting first in the way it communicates with its Dealer Principals.
All DPs were invited to take part in a special web chat with Managing Director Jim Wright.
And there was no doubt about the value of the exercise – with the first question being posted ahead of the official start time, and a constant stream of queries being sent to Jim and his team of senior colleagues from dealerships right across the UK.
Some contributors raised questions about the new version of the all-electric LEAF, while other subjects included new Note; the role of the Dealer Council; Motability; and concerns over Nissan’s Cared4 used car programme.
On other matters, Jim said dealer principals would be receiving guidance on the use of social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and answered questions about Nissan’s press advertising, the 370Z Nismo and new Micra.
He also revealed that the amount of web traffic that Nissan is generating is at its highest-ever level – with an impressive 4.7 million hits last year. And he said serious thought was being given to emphasising even more the role played by Nissan’s Sunderland factory and the company’s ‘made in Britain’ credentials.
Jim told Nissan Insider: ‘We are always thinking of new ways to open the channels of communication at Nissan and this webchat was a first for us.
‘Our dealer principals are key people who are vital to the success of our operation in the UK and I hope those who took part felt it was a worthwhile exercise. We dealt with a range of topics during a very busy hour or so and we will repeat the exercise in the near future.
‘In the meantime, I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions today.’
A couple of the questions fielded by Jim Wright and the team:
Question from ‘Guest’
We are really excited about the new Note. What plans are there to launch it into the market?
Jim Wright:
That’s great – we’re excited too! You’ll get the opportunity to see the new car at an event in Bratislava, and we’ll share the full launch plan with you then. But make no mistake, this is a big launch for us. And we’ll be putting maximum effort behind it.
Question from Barney Schofield, Nissan Bolton:
Will new QQ be pushed equally as hard via Motability as the current version?
Jim Wright:
Motability is a demand pull channel, like retail. We sell Motability cars fundamentally because customers want them! This is demonstrated by the loyalty Motability customers show to Nissan, and we anticipate that the new model will be even more attractive to all customers – including Motability ones.