Monthly Archives: May 2013

Toyota technician scoops top prize

 

Toyota’s Steve Smith has been named as the UK’s top technician

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

A Toyota employee is celebrating after being voted as the country’s top vehicle technician.

 

It is the most prestigious award of its kind in the UK motor industry, and provides Steve Smith with a trophy and a prize pot worth £14,000.

 

Passing through two preliminary on-line rounds, Steve made it to the semi-final in May before qualifying among just six finalists for the competition’s climax, a day of six hour-long practical challenges, in April.

 

Toyota's Steve Smith - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

Steve, 46, said: “I’m thrilled to have won. In the final I had no idea of just what I might have to do. And of course, it wasn’t all about Toyota, the challenges covered a huge range of areas and skills.”

 

Undaunted, Steve tackled the tasks successfully, from a complex fibre optic fault on a luxury saloon, to a non-starting lawnmower.

 

He added: “Certainly my Toyota training has proved the perfect grounding, it has been exceptional, taking in foundation work, new technologies and every new model that has come along.”

 

Steve has spent all his working life as a motor mechanic, starting out as on a Youth Training Scheme placement in the 1980s. After 13 years with Toyota centres he has attained the status of Toyota Master Technician and is two-time winner of the manufacturer’s own UK technician of the year title.

 

As well as being a key member of the service and repair team at Hills Toyota, he is also a Toyota SMART (Symptom Monitoring and Reporting Team) technician – part of a highly skilled national team that takes the lead in diagnosing and reporting on issues and drawing up repair strategies.

 

Steve will be taking a well-earned break, thanks to holiday vouchers that formed part of his prize along with tools, equipment, cash and the Top Technician spark plug trophy.

 

The contest is basked by a number of industry sponsors and is supported by the Institute of the Motor Industry through its Automotive Technician Accreditation scheme.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

Chance to watch Honda TT Legends film at Isle of Man TT

 

Follow the story of the Honda TT Legends on screen

 

By Hannah Cook

 

Visitors to this year’s Isle of Man TT can watch an exclusive film following the Honda TT Legends throughout the 2012 Endurance World Championship and road racing season.

Honda TT Legends at Isle of Man TT - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

An hour-long special of ‘TT Legends’ is being shown daily at the Manx Museum in Douglas until Saturday, June 8.

 

The film features highlights from an eight-part documentary produced by Gaucho Productions, which aired on ITV4 in the UK earlier this year.

 

The Gaucho crew was granted exclusive access to the 2012 Honda TT Legends line-up of John McGuinness, Cameron Donald and Simon Andrews as they took on some of the world’s toughest motorcycle races – from the iconic Suzuka 8-hour and the gruelling Le Mans 24-hour to the super-fast North West 200 and the legendary Isle of Man TT.

Honda TT Legends at Isle of Man TT - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The resulting documentary, which is now available to buy on DVD, tracks the highs and lows of life as a motorcycle racer, both on and off the track following the epic season of the Honda TT Legends.

 

The one-hour show is being aired hourly from 10am to 5pm, with the last showing at 4pm.

 

 

Tickets cost £10 with all proceeds going to The Rob Vine Trust, The Joey Dunlop Foundation, the Manx Museum and the National Trust.

 

For more information and tickets visit www.manxnationalheritage.im

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

 

Renault Trucks to unveil new range

 

After a series of stringent tests Renault Trucks will unveil its new range

 

By Jamie White

 

Renault Trucks is set to unveil a host of new vehicles from its renewed range next month.

Renault Trucks to unveil new range - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The manufacturer has deployed significant resources in order to offer its customers vehicles with a high level of reliability.

 

The new trucks, with their efficient design and Euro 6 engines, have been undergoing development for the past seven years – including radical and exhaustive quality testing, and will be unveiled on June 11 in Lyon, France.

 

After the computer assisted simulation, test benches, track trials, pilot customers and the installation of new manufacturing resources, the vehicles are ready for delivery.

Renault Trucks to unveil new range - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The sole purpose is to help customers control their costs. With this new range and the support of the Volvo Group, Renault Trucks has everything it needs to win new customers and increase its market share.

 

The design of the new Renault Trucks range of vehicles is dedicated to achieving efficiency. The manufacturer’s designers have chosen to focus on trucks as a tool to serve hauliers and enable them to carry out their assignments as efficiently as possible.

 

As part of the development process for its new vehicles, Renault Trucks carried out the most stringent quality tests in its history.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

Skoda delight at JD Power Awards

 

Skoda scoops two top awards at the JD Power Awards

 

By Jamie White

 

Skoda’s reputation for reliable and versatile cars, combined with outstanding customer service has been highlighted with a multi award-winning performance in the annual JD Power satisfaction survey.

 

The Superb was voted the UK’s best car – up from fourth place last year – while the Yeti was just behind, taking second place. Both won their respective categories, helping Skoda into fourth place in the ‘best brands’ classification.

Skoda Yeti - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Skoda’s UK dealer network also came in for praise, with owners showing appreciation for the friendly manner and responsiveness of staff.

 

The full results of the JD Power survey are published in the July edition of What Car? magazine.

 

Chas Hallett, What Car? Editor in Chief, said: “Skoda continues to win fans. Owners really rate their cars and the Skoda network. The brand works hard and it shows.”

 

Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for Skoda UK, said: “JD Power is all about customer satisfaction and for the Superb and Yeti to take the top two positions is fantastic. It’s testament to Skoda’s innovative thinking, quality of the cars, and the outstanding service offered by our dealers.”

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

SEAT launches Leon in Mexico as sales soar

 

SEAT set to unleash the Leon on the booming car market

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

SEAT has officially launched the new Leon in Mexico, a move that will strengthen the Spanish brand’s strategy for international growth and profitability.

 

The market introduction of the car, in June, will consolidate SEAT among the ten best-selling brands in the country, after growing 60 per cent over the past two years.

 

SEAT has already grown by 8.5 per cent in Mexico during the first four months of 2013, having registered 7,360 vehicles – making it the ninth best-selling brand in the country.

SEAT Mexico - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

In 2010, SEAT recorded a share of 1.7 per cent in passenger car retail sales in Mexico, selling 13,380 units. That number grew to 18,115 in 2011, and rose further to 21,114 last year, showing a pattern of consistent growth for the brand in the vital territory that is set to continue.

 

SEAT exports 83 per cent of its total car production and is present in 77 countries. That enabled it to grow worldwide by 11.5 per cent between January and April 2013, compared with the same period last year. In April SEAT sold 30,058 vehicles globally, 20.5 per cent more than in the same month in 2012.

 

SEAT has a network of 50 dealerships in the country, which will increase over the next few months.

 

The success of the Ibiza in Mexico is unprecedented, and SEAT wants to repeat that success with the new Leon, more than 25,000 units of which have been sold in Europe in less than six months.

 

The five-door Leon will go on sale in Mexico in June, with the SC following towards the end of 2013.

 

Both models will be built at the Barcelona Martorell production plant.

 

In Mexico, SEAT currently exports the three- and five-door versions of the Ibiza, the Altea XL and Altea Freetrack, the new Toledo and, to date, the second-generation Leon.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

Charity challenge for Suzuki Jimny fans

 

Four Suzuki Jimny fans are travelling around the world in aid of charity

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Four retired Suzuki Jimny fans are travelling around the world on a huge fundraising tour for their charity www.heavencanwaitimbusy.com which is in aid of Save the Children and the Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington, Hampshire.

 

The expedition was masterminded by retired businessman Leslie Carvall and it began in Southampton on Easter Sunday. The crew of 70-year-olds are travelling alone with no frills, luxuries or a support team.

Charity challenge for Suzuki Jimny fans - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The two Jimnys have made good progress on the latest 2,300 mile remote section through Mongolia and back into Russia. They plan to reach Vladivostock by the end of May where the cars will be loaded into a container for the 30 day sea crossing to Vancouver, Canada.

 

Despite very long days travelling at a slower pace and encountering some of the worst roads in the world − some with potholes almost a foot deep − the vehicles have proved their reliability, with a broken shock absorber bolt being the only running repair needed.

 

The crew were welcomed by staff at one of Suzuki’s larger dealerships at Novosibirsk in Siberia who quickly repaired the car, gave them both a major service and a well needed valet.

 

The Jimny was chosen for the trip as Les Carvall and the team wanted to prove that the mammoth five month journey could be achieved in low cost 4×4 vehicles with a strong record of durability around the world.

 

The team’s progress through 16 countries and across three continents can be monitored on Google Earth. Updates to the website are being added regularly together with some interviews and humorous video clips of the challenge so far.

 

Anyone wishing to sponsor the team can do so through their Just Giving page at www.heavencanwaitimbusy.com

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

Aston Martin centenary celebrations in Germany

 

Aston Martin parade makes for a stunning spectacle

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Aston Martin’s global centenary celebration programme powered into Germany as the great British sports car maker marked its first 100 years with an eye-catching car parade at the Nordschleife.

 

To preview the recent 41st ADAC Zurich Nurburgring 24 Hours, more than 100 Aston Martin sports cars took to the infamous road circuit for a celebratory parade lap.

Aston Martin wows the crowds in Germany - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Led by Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez at the wheel of the stunning new CC100 Speedster Concept, which made its global debut at the Nurburgring last weekend, the parade comprised cars from the brand’s glittering past and stylish present.

 

Among the models making the 22 km lap were the DB5 used in the recent James Bond film Skyfall, a One-77 hypercar, the 1959 Nurburgring 1000 km-winning DBR1 with original driver Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel, and a modern Centenary Edition Vanquish bearing the number plate ‘100YRS’.

 

These were followed by scores of enthusiast owners who had travelled from across Europe to take part in the iconic gathering of Aston Martins.

 

Among the modern models represented were pristine examples of DBS, DB9, Vantage and Rapide – driving the Nordschleife alongside a DB3, DB2/4 Drophead, DB7 Zagato and a V12 Vanquish S.

 

Dr Ulrich Bez also made history by driving the first ever zero CO2 emissions lap in an international motor race in the manufacturer’s #100 Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S race car at the Nurburgring event.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

Chance to be the face of Motorcycle Live 2013

 

Motorcycle Live is offering people the chance to be the face of this year’s event

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

The organisers of Motorcycle Live – the UK’s biggest bike show – are looking for people to represent the length and breadth of the British biking community in the 2013 advertising campaign.

 

Motorcyclists of all genres, shapes and sizes are welcome to apply, with 15 successful candidates being invited to a special photo and film shoot.

Chance to be the face of Motorcycle Live 2013 - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The photographs and footage will form the print and online advertisements for Motorcycle Live 2013, which will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from November 23 to December 1.

 

Entrants can apply via the Motorcycle Live Facebook page by demonstrating their passion for all things two-wheeled. They must submit one photo that best represents their love of motorcycling and up to 100 words explaining why they should be chosen.

 

The lucky winners will also receive a Motorcycle Live goody bag worth up to £250 containing show tickets, weekend passes for British Superbikes at Brands Hatch and loads of motorcycling gear.

 

Managing Director of event organisers, MCI Exhibitions, Finlay McAllan, said: “Last year’s search for stars proved so popular and we had so many entries that we wanted to give people another chance to take part.

 

“We’ll once again be looking for people to represent the show’s audience, which in the broadest terms is motorcycle enthusiasts. They may ride a sports bike or a scooter, they may collect classics or build custom machines – whatever their two-wheeled interest, Motorcycle Live is aimed at them and we want real people to represent that in our ads.”

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, has been working with manufacturers and dealerships in the automotive industry for 24 years.

 

If you want to know how the range of bespoke mystery shopping programmes, including video mystery shopping, can help your business improve levels of customer service and increase sales, then contact Douglas Stafford here.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

 

Toyota named as world’s most valuable automotive brand

 

Toyota has reclaimed top automotive spot in the BrandZ™ global brands list

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Toyota has reclaimed the top spot as the most valuable automotive brand in the BrandZ™ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2013.

 

Toyota’s brand value increased by 12 per cent to $24.5 billion (£16.2 billion), making it one of the biggest movers in the automotive sector.

Toyota named as world's most valuable automotive brand - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

In the eight years since the BrandZ™ report was first published in 2006, Toyota has been crowned brand value leader in the automotive sector six times, and second on two separate occasions.

 

Global sales for Toyota in 2012 increased by 22.6 per cent to 9.75 million units which contributed towards the company’s brand valuation in this year’s report.

 

BrandZ™ also suggests that brand value developments in the sector were partly shaped by the growth of customer affinity towards hybrid vehicles.

 

Since Toyota pioneered the world’s first mass produced full hybrid vehicle in 1997 – Toyota Prius – sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrid models have exceeded five million globally.

Toyota named as world's most valuable automotive brand - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

UK customers can choose from a range of hybrid vehicles of any manufacturer including: Yaris Hybrid, Auris Hybrid, Auris Hybrid Touring Sports, Prius, Prius+, Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and Lexus CT 200h, IS 300h, GS 450h, RX 450h, LS 600h.

 

Lexus retains its 10th position in the Top 10 list for the most valuable automotive brands with a brand value of $3.5 billion (£2.3 billion).

 

Apple was named as the overall top most valuable brand in the world.

 

The BrandZ™ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands report, commissioned by WPP and conducted by Millward Brown Optimor, surveys some two million consumers in over 30 countries.

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford has been working with Toyota and Lexus for several years on a bespoke range of mystery shopping programmes, including video mystery shopping.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

 

Mitsubishi dealership director has third book published

 

A dealership director at Mitsubishi Birmingham doubles up as a novel writer

 

By Hannah Cook

 

A Mitsubishi dealership director who combines her day job with a passion for writing has just had her third novel published.

 

Gillian Hamer runs Red Rose Mitsubishi in Birmingham, but still finds time around work to sit down and write.

Mitsubishi dealer principal Gillian Hamer - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Her latest book, Complicit, will be available via Amazon in paperback and e-book from June 1.

 

Complicit tells the story of a modern day murder mystery running parallel with a 2,000-year-old story about the Roman invasion of Anglesey.

 

Gillian said: “My main influence is my love of the crime genre. Although I’ve read widely, I have always chosen crime more than anything else, starting with Agatha Christie in my teens.

 

“All of my novels are based around North Wales and the island of Anglesey where my family own a cottage. It’s a fascinating place, rich in history, archaeology, shipwrecks and legend – anyone would be inspired by such a brilliant landscape. Combining the two – the beauty of the area and the darkness of murder – makes for a fascinating end result!”

 

Gillian’s previous novels, The Charter and Closure, are both available in paperback and e-book.

 

All Gillian’s books are in the crime and thriller genre, with a touch of something different, such as a paranormal or historical element.

 

She added: “There’s not really an overlap between my ‘real job’ and my writing. I rarely dedicate any of my time at the dealership to writing – other than email correspondence occasionally.

 

“I have tried to include Mitsubishi in a couple of novels. We’ve had a murderer in a black Shogun with privacy glass and in Complicit we have a high-speed car chase with the police relying on a Mitsubishi Evolution! So, I hope I get a little credit from Lance and the guys at the Colt Car Company for doing my corporate bit too!”

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk