good start
The Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) campaign prepared by the
Finance
& Leasing Association (FLA) has got off to a good start,
with almost 2,000 individual users and 46 motor retailers
having registered since its launch.
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SAF was launched on October 1 (click
here for more details); its aim is to provide a ‘kitemark’ for
consumers when buying finance and insurance products from motor
retailers, in order to increase public confidence in and awareness
of F&I at the point of sale.
Dealership staff can take an online test which assesses their
knowledge of F&I products and legislation; if successful, they
are entitled to display a certificate bearing the SAF logo for one
year, at which time the test can be re-taken.
The first dealer staff member to gain the “SAF Certificate of
SAF Competence” was Andy Fenner, group business manager at Solent
Motor Group of Portsmouth. He commented: “I’m delighted to be the
first person in a dealership to have passed the SAF Competence
Test. SAF is good news for my professional development and is good
news for my employer, Solent Motor Group, who ultimately benefit
from this initiative.
“I hope that all motor dealers can commit to SAF as it will help
to address the two biggest issues facing our industry – increasing
competition and declining customer loyalty.”
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By GlobalDataMeanwhile, Andrew Grey of DaimlerChrysler
Financial Services was the 1,000th successful Competence Test
candidate. He said: “I am proud to become the 1,000th person to
earn my Certificate of SAF Competence. It will undoubtedly reassure
customers that they are receiving bespoke, reliable advice on how
best to finance their next car.
“This is a fantastic initiative which can only help dealer and
finance houses grow their businesses together.”
John
Woolley, managing director of Black
Horse Motor Finance, which is supporting SAF and the Competence
Test scheme, commented: “As an FLA member, we see this as a
positive move to improve dealers’ credibility in the eyes of the
customer, and one that will certainly help to reverse recent market
trends.
“By acting more professionally, and clearly communicating the
benefits of products, customers will be able to make safe,
affordable and appropriate finance choices from a reliable and
trustworthy source.
“What’s more, it will give dealerships an opportunity to compete
more effectively with direct lenders.”
For more information on SAF visit www.SpecialistAutomotiveFinance.org.uk.
