Dealer-friendly policy pays off for Daihatsu

Daihatsu’s dealer-friendly policy is paying off, with 15 new appointments so far this year and another 10 more in the pipeline.

Operations Director, Paul Hegarty, said: “Dealers dislike car companies who behave like dictators and we are proud of our refreshingly open approach which allows us to work in partnership with them.

“In fact, Daihatsu consistently scores as one of the least interfering manufacturers in the Retail Motor Industry Federation Dealer Attitude Survey. This is helping us recruit new customer-focussed appointments in key locations.”

And now the Japanese compact car specialist has appointed Honda’s former Head Of Network Development, John Kennedy, as a consultant to further strengthen its recruitment drive.

John is well known in the motor industry, with 28 years in the business, the last 16 being with Honda.

He said: “I am looking forward to exploiting Daihatsu’s tremendous potential for network expansion. The start-up costs are reasonable and being a niche-player means dealers are spared the pressure some manufacturers place on them for forced registrations. Daihatsu is perfect for local franchises looking after local customers.”

Currently, Daihatsu has 125 dealers comprising either sales, repair or a full franchise operation. The eventual target is 145 outlets.

New dealer appointments so far this year cover the length and breadth of the UK such as M and R Gair in the Shetland Isles, Tremont Garage in Llandrindod Wells and Claude Holman Cars Limited of Truro, Cornwall.

Meanwhile, off-road journalists recently voted the totally new Terios sport utility a ‘4x4 Of The Year 2007’ winner following their gruelling annual event.

The 1.5 litre, five-door, five-seat Daihatsu now holds the title of: ‘Compact/Affordable Category Winner’, awarded by 4x4 Magazine.

Launched in May, the new Daihatsu Terios is available in three trim levels starting with the Terios 1.5 S which costs £12,995 on-the-road.

This is despite a high standard specification including air-conditioning, power-steering, ABS with EBD, full-time four-wheel drive with electronic centre diff-lock, driver, passenger and side airbags, radio/CD player, four electric windows and even reverse parking sensors.