Fuel/talk

In this episode… we dive into the fast moving and exciting world of digital retail. Joining James for this extended episode are not one but three experts from the Cox Automotive Europe family: Darren Sinclair, managing director for Cox Automotive Retail Solutions; Didier Van Bouwel, COO of Modix and Roland Schaack, CEO of Codeweavers – the automotive software business acquired by Cox Automotive earlier this year. The trio discuss what digital retail means, how its application in automotive is being influenced by ever-evolving consumer behaviours, and what the future of digital retail looks like.

In this episode… James Davis is joined by Dan Boakes, head of buyer sales at Cox Automotive to talk about independent dealers. Dan and his team are responsible for Cox Automotive's relationship with almost 10,000 independent dealers in the UK so have a better view than most about how they are fairing as we approach the half way point of the year. Expect the conversation to cover lots of ground, from stock shortages to online trading – and why 2021 is turning out to be a good year for many, not another one to forget.​

In this episode… James Davis is joined once again by Sebastian Fuchs, managing director of Cox Automotive Europe's RMS Automotive and Manheim Express brands to discuss the role each brand is playing in helping manufacturers, fleets and dealers better compete in a fast moving, multi-national market. Sebastian reflects on the emergence of white labelled remarketing channels, Manheim Express' first year of operation, and how technology is driving a better customer experience.​

In this episode… Manheim Auction Services' head auctioneer Andy Conde returns to Fuel/talk to share his latest observations from the rostrum, this time joined by Stuart Peak – Manheim's national LCV manager to discuss how the wholesale market for vans is currently fairing. Andy and Stuart are the genuine experts in their field and never shy to share an opinion, so make a brew, set your phone to silent and enjoy the conversation!

In this episode… James Davis is joined by Pete Bell, Chief Operating Officer, Cox Automotive Europe & Liam Quegan, Managing Director, Manheim Auction Services and NextGear Capital. This year Manheim in the UK is celebrating its 100th birthday. Pete and Liam reflect on how Manheim business became what it is today, the innovations that have defined the business over the years, and why Manheim's past is a good guide to its future. Plus, they share news on how the company plans to celebrate this rare and magnificent milestone.

In this episode… Philip Nothard joins James Davis once more, this time to talk about AutoFocus, the new quarterly insight digital magazine from Cox Automotive. Philip explains the rationale behind AutoFocus and shares an overview of what readers can expect to find in this first issue – including a look at the current new and used car sectors and Cox Automotive's revised Q2 and 2021 new and used forecasts. Plus he discusses AutoFocus' first article on the EV revolution - a look at where we are now, what customers and dealers think, and what needs to be done for national EV targets to be met.​

In this episode… James Davis is joined by Cox Automotive's Chief Customer Officer, James Leese and Philip Nothard, Insight & Strategy Director to discuss their expectations and hopes as showrooms in the UK start to reopening following the third national lockdown. They discuss how this latest lockdown has differed to those preceding it, how the market has performed during Q1 and their expectations for Q2, and the ways in which Cox Automotive continues to support its dealer customers as they start to resume business as usual.

In this episode, James Davis chats with Sam Walton, commercial director of Manheim Vehicle Services, one year on from Cox Automotive's acquisition of C Walton Ltd. Sam joined Cox Automotive through the acquisition and now heads up the enlarged vehicle services business. She reflects on the last twelve months, her experience of integrating two businesses during lockdown, why the acquisition made perfect sense for both organisations, and her vision for the future of vehicle services.

In this episode… James Davis is joined by Lorna McAtear, Fleet Manager at National Grid, winner of the 2021 Barbara Cox ‘Woman of the Year' Award, and Alison Fisher, HR Director for Cox Automotive International. Lorna was announced as the third winner of the Barbara Cox Award at the Women With Drive event on – International Women's Day (8th March). Alison and Lorna chat about this year's shortlist, why it's important we recognise the women helping to shape and lead the automotive industry, and reflect on another inspirational Women With Drive event.

For this episode of Fuel/talk, James chats with Mark Shearer, Director of Movex about the future of vehicle movements. Movex can be described as ‘Uber for vehicle movements' - the platform connects dealers with cars to move with transport providers who bid for the business on a reverse auction basis. It's a simple but smart formula that, in a normal year, sees over 400 active providers compete for more than 100,000 vehicle movements. Mark joins James to talk about why the pandemic has given a renewed focus on vehicle movements, how the platform is helping both sides of the transaction create efficiencies, and what the future for vehicle movements looks like.

For this episode of Fuel/talk, James chats with Sebastian Fuchs, Managing Director of Manheim Express and RMS Automotive at Cox Automotive Europe, about Artificial Intelligence and the role it is playing in shaping the future of remarketing. They discuss how AI has evolved beyond the theory and into practical applications we engage with every day, its growing impact in automotive, and the AI applications just around the corner for the remarketing sector.

Happy birthday Dealer Auction! Twelve 12 months on from the auction platform's official launch, CEO Le Etta Pearce joins James Davis to talk about the online auction platform. Le Etta reflects on Dealer Auction's first full year of trading – the majority of which was under the shadow of the pandemic – the advances made and experiences gained, plus she explains more about Dealer Auction's history, philosophy and drive. They also talk about what's in store for the coming year and discuss whether Covid-19 has changed buyer and vendor behaviours for ever.

In this episode… for our final Fuel/talk of the year and to wrap up 2020, James Davis chats with Cox Automotive's Chief Customer Officer, James Leese. James and James look back at the year and debate whether it's one to forget or one to hold close; reflects on the how Cox Automotive, our customers and the sector as a whole have navigated the challenge of Covid-19; recalls the headline moments and milestones beyond Covid-19 that should be celebrated, and looks ahead to the new year. And all in just 15 minutes!

In this episode… James Davis chats with Alison Fisher, Chief People Officer at Cox Automotive about the Barbara Cox ‘Woman of the Year' Award. The award – now in its third year – launched last week in association with AM and Fleet News. It seeks to honour an inspirational woman within the automotive industry, one who demonstrates a commitment to innovation, leadership or community. Alison discusses the origins of the award, the past winners and why she believes it's right to recognise the women helping to shape and lead the automotive industry.

In this episode… this week, Cox Automotive and Grant Thornton published their third Insight Report. The report is once again packed with valuable insight, predictions and commentary on some of the biggest trends and topics influencing the automotive industry today. The impact of COVID-19 on the automotive sector is of course a recurring theme, but it also discusses what's next on the road to zero; the growing subscription economy; digital retail; big data, connectivity and technology; and business strategy for 2021 and beyond. Plus, for the second year, the Cox Automotive insight team have revealed their predictions for new and used car and LCV markets for 2021. Joining James Davis to introduce this year's Insight Report is Cox Automotive strategy & insight director, Philip Nothard. To read the report, visit www.coxauto.co.uk/insightreport

In this episode… Covid-19 has accelerated the pace of a revolution already well underway in both consumer and wholesale used vehicle markets. Didier Van Bouwel from Modix joins James Davis to talk about the digital retail revolution and how it's changing how consumers find, browse and buy used vehicles, and how manufacturers and dealers are adapting to meet these new expectations. Plus, they naturally discuss the role Covid-19 has played in terms of accelerating the pace of change, and what it means for the long term.

In this episode... Cox Automotive's LCV experts have been crunching the numbers and reflecting on what was undoubtedly one of the most unpredictable and turbulent periods they've experienced to produce their quarterly insight report. Matt Davock, director of commercial vehicles at Manheim chats with James Davis about what the stats tell us about the wholesale CV market, what the final quarter of the year holds in store, and the factors outside of Covid influencing the market.

In this episode… Saturday 10th October was World Mental Health Day, an global initiative that shines a spotlight on mental health. At Cox Automotive, we took the opportunity to double-down on our own mental health initiatives and remind one another that it's OK to not be OK. Pete Bell, Chief Operations Officer for Cox Automotive Europe is board sponsor for mental health and one of over 40 qualified Mental Health First Aiders within the business. He joins James Davis to explain why mental health is an ongoing strategic priority for our business and discuss some of the ways we're working to break the stigma.

In this episode... Liam Quegan joins James Davis again, this time to discuss Women With Drive (WWD). Liam is MD of Manheim Auction Services and NextGear Capital, and board sponsor of Cox Automotive's Women With Drive initiative. WWD was founded in 2016 with a remit to celebrate the work of women in the automotive industry and support female achievements, aspirations and successes. The ‘movement' has grown over the years to incorporate the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award and a programme of events designed to empower both women and men to champion equality and ‘think big'. The latest event takes place – virtually – on Thursday 1st October and coincides with National Inclusion Week. Liam tells us more…

Fuel/talk is a bi-weekly ‘chat show' hosted by Cox Automotive's James Davis that aims to share valuable context around the market, our propositions, news and stories, and areas of expertise. In this episode... Consumer demand for used vehicles has been strong since dealerships began to reopen in early June, meaning dealers have been busy buying stock to replenish their forecourts. With cashflow under extreme scrutiny and many lenders adopting a more cautious than usual approach, James chats with Liam Quegan, MD of Manheim Auction Services and NextGear Capital about his observations of how dealers and the market have fared since reopening, his thoughts for the closing quarter of the year and his advice for dealers reviewing their funding options.

Fuel/talk is a bi-weekly ‘chat show' hosted by James Davis that aims to share valuable context around the market, our propositions, news and stories, and areas of expertise. In this episode, Andy Conde, General Manager of Group Auctioneers at Manheim Auction Services provides a wholesale market update and shares his opinion on how it's performing and where we're heading from his unique perspective as an auctioneer.

Fuel/talk is a bi-weekly ‘chat show' hosted by James Davis that aims to share valuable context around the market, our propositions, news and stories, and areas of expertise. In this episode, Paul Humphreys, Managing Director for Cox Automotive Mobility, Car Buying & eVA Solutions, updates us on the launch of our new business eVA Valuations & Appraisals and why the market is ready for a solution that enables seamless online to in-store vehicle transactions.