Monthly Archives: November 2013

Toyota GB launches first official eBay stores for parts

 

Official Toyota and Lexus parts now available on eBay

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Toyota GB has launched a fast, simple and secure way of obtaining genuine parts and accessories with the opening of official Toyota and Lexus eBay stores.

 

The e-commerce initiative gives UK customers a new and convenient way to source the parts they need, with confidence that they are purchasing the genuine article, direct from Toyota’s central distribution centre in Lutterworth.

Toyota GB launches first official online stores - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The official eBay stores are designed to complement the nationwide network of Toyota and Lexus Centres. Prices are the same as customers would pay at their local dealership, but is aimed at owners of older vehicles, typically aged four to eight years old.

 

The range of parts offered through the stores focuses on items commonly needed for servicing and repairs, plus consumables. The number offered will be increased in line with customer demand.

 

Steve Settle, Toyota Director, Customer Services, said: “Opening our new e-commerce channels helps us make genuine Toyota and Lexus parts and accessories available to a much wider customer base. Working alongside our Centres, they will help us maximise our business while providing customers with an alternative, convenient purchase method.

 

“Our research prior to launching the online stores revealed that around £15 million of parts and accessories for Toyota and Lexus vehicles are accessed through eBay searches every year, so it offers us great business potential. Our plan is that once customers have engaged with our eBay stores, we will able to build a relationship with them and introduce them to our Centre Network.”

Toyota GB launches first official online stores - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Toyota’s principal partners in the venture are the online store management business We Are Pentagon, eBay, PayPal and Toyota Logistics Services, which fulfils the orders.

 

Toyota GB is the first of Toyota’s European national marketing and sales companies to launch a full-scale e-commerce programme. It plans to further develop the online stores by introducing “click and collect” and “click and fit” services during 2014.

 

Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Toyota and Lexus with tailored and bespoke nationwide mystery shopping programmes to include  Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping.

 

 

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Bentley continues the expansion of its European dealer network

 

New Bentley dealership opens in Romania

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Bentley Motors is continuing to expand its dealer network in Europe, with the official opening of Bentley Bucharest – the British luxury brand’s first official sales point in Romania.

 

The stunning new premises cover more than 610 m2 and for the first time offer a dedicated new car sales facility in addition to the established aftersales services.

Bentley continues the expansion of its European dealer network - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Mihaela Tudorica, Brand Manager Bentley Bucharest, said:  “Having proved over several years the quality of our services, we are delighted now to welcome and host all Bentley customers in an elegant, state-of-the-art showroom and present the latest exquisite models from Crewe.  We believe there is significant interest and potential in our market for this iconic luxury marque.”

 

A special guest of the Bentley Bucharest opening event was the dynamic new Continental GT V8 S.  First shown to the public at the Frankfurt IAA in September, this powerful new member of the Continental range is for V8 customers who want more.  It’s more agile and responsive, has more power and has a more sporting appearance.

 

With 528 PS and 680 Nm torque, combined with lower, stiffer suspension, the new model further sharpens the sporting edge of the Continental V8 family – while retaining Bentley’s signature hand-crafted luxury interior.

 

Bentley Bucharest is the British marque’s 45th dealership in Continental Europe. The new showroom opens as the brand continues to achieve sales growth around the world. Customer deliveries to the end of September were up nine per cent, to 6,516 cars, with sales in Europe reaching 1,081 cars, a 14 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, works with Bentley on a bespoke and tailored mystery shopping programme to include video mystery shopping.

 

 

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T.M.Lewin supports Breast Cancer Care

 

T.M Lewin releases new range of ties to raise money for charity

 

By Hannah Cook

 

T.M.Lewin has collaborated with Breast Cancer Care to raise money for the charity through the launch of a new and exclusive range of ties.

 

The ties, which are available online, have been designed especially for the charity by the retailer with £10 from the sale of each tie going towards helping people affected by breast cancer.

T.M.Lewin supports Breast Cancer Care - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Founded by inspirational breast cancer campaigner Betty Westgate in 1973, Breast Cancer Care is the only UK-wide charity providing specialist support and tailored information to anyone affected by breast cancer.

 

Geoff Quinn, CEO at T.M.Lewin said: “We are very proud to be working with Breast Cancer Care. It’s an opportunity for us to help people with breast cancer and their families, supporting the tireless work and legacy that Betty Westgate so passionately established.”

 

Andy Harris, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Breast Cancer Care said: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, so it’s vital we support the millions of women and their families who face the devastating physical and emotional impact of living with the disease every day.

 

“But we couldn’t continue our work without supporters like T.M.Lewin and their customers. Buying one of these ties is a great way to treat yourself and help fund our essential services at the same time.”

 

 

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Bangers4BEN Rally hailed a success

 

Rally event raises money for automotive charity BEN

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

This year’s annual Bangers4BEN Rally – held in conjunction with Car Dealer Magazine – has been deemed as a huge success.

 

A total of 27 eye-catching old cars, driven by teams in extreme fancy dress, attempted the 1,000-mile round trip to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, having started from the Porsche Cars GB Offices in Reading.

Bangers4BEN Rally hailed a success - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The charity event, held in aid of the automotive industry charity BEN, requires individual entrants to buy a car for no more than £500, paint or decal it, adopt fancy dress and, having completed the Rally, sell it at auction to raise as much money as possible.

 

This year the sale of all vehicles netted an impressive £9,030 together with additional donations from Aston Barclay and team fundraising.

 

Some unusual cars are now owned by members of the public – for example, a Suzuki Wagon Fire Engine (pictured right). It was prepared by Marshall, Peterborough and won ‘best themed car’ ahead of The BEN Bull from David Graham Vehicle Repairs, Falkirk and Austin Powers from Marshall Motor Group.

 

The generous support of the AA proved to be invaluable to the drivers and their cars.

 

A crash delay on the Autobahn, trip to the Stuttgart Beer Festival and a passenger lap of the Nurburgring in a Subaru BRZ made for a memorable four days for those who took part, perfectly summed up by one team member as, ‘Fantastic time, can’t wait until next year, the day after felt like Boxing Day!!’

 

Car Dealer Magazine Editor, James Batchelor, said: “This was the fifth year of the Bangers4BEN Rally and in terms of both sheer fun and fundraising, it was one of the best yet. Overall, we managed to raise a staggering £17,532.18 for the BEN charity fund – a brilliant effort by everyone involved.”

 

 

 

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Lotus secures £10 million Government grant

 

Boost for Lotus as Government confirms £10 million grant

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

British car manufacturer Lotus has secured a £10 million government grant which will see the firm create more than 300 new jobs.

 

The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) has awarded the automotive firm £10.44 million, which will be used for research and development of products, along with staff training.

 

In addition Lotus is expected to create 313 new full time jobs to support production over the coming years.

 

Lotus secures £10 million Government grant - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

Business Secretary, Vince Cable MP visited Lotus’ Norfolk headquarters where he toured the engineering and factory facilities and formally announced the grant to Lotus management.

 

The grant is a further boost for Lotus, following a £100 million investment by its owners DRB-HICOM which has allowed the company to enhance its engineering, productivity, efficiency and quality. Lotus is also recruiting for more than 130 new jobs, previously announced in July 2013.

 

The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a flexible and competitive £3.2 billion fund operating across England from 2011 to 2017. It supports projects that are using private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment.

 

Aslam Farikullah, Chief Operating Officer at Lotus, said: “We have very exciting plans for our sports cars and it’s a very positive move for Lotus that we’re in a position to create new jobs and to significantly contribute to Britain’s automotive industry.”

 

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Lotus is an iconic British car maker, with some of the most innovative engineers in the business. The car industry is one of Britain’s great success stories, employing over 130,000 people and helping to build a stronger economy by contributing £11 billion a year.”

 

 

 

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Douglas Stafford team member supports Movember campaign

 

Hair raising charity challenge for Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team member

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

A team member at mystery shopping company, Douglas Stafford, has been showing his support for Movember.

 

Chris Boothby, who works at the Douglas Stafford Head Office in Portsmouth, wanted to take part in the annual event to raise money for different mens cancer charities.

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team member supports Movember campaign

 

Movember, which runs throughout November, is when men around the world grow a moustache to raise awareness and funds for men’s health – specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

 

Chris, who works in the Douglas Stafford Video Editing department, said: “I wanted to do something positive this year so I decided to go for it. I’m not entirely sure what style of moustache I’ve grown but I can’t thank people enough for all their generosity so far in pledging money. I’m really getting stuck into it and I have been on a mission to grow a decent moustache.”

 

Movember ends on November 30 and Chris admits he is looking forward to shaving off his moustache and counting up his final fundraising total.

 

“My mum told me I look like my dad did in the 1970s – which made me laugh.

 

“Any support would be massively appreciated. I’m really keen to reach my target so anyone putting in just £1 is great. Any amount really makes a difference,” he said.

 

When he’s not working at Douglas Stafford, Chris is often found doing promotion work for Love Amplified, who are also supporting him in his Movember challenge.

 

Last year, more than £92 million was raised globally. Funds raised in the UK are directed to charities including Prostate Cancer UK and The Institute of Cancer Research.

 

Anyone who wants to sponsor Chris can do so by clicking here and following the link.

 

 

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Refined Lexus CT 200h set for UK release in 2014

 

New Lexus CT 200h to be launched in spring 2014

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

A new, more comfortable and refined Lexus CT 200h is set to be launched in the UK and Europe in March next year.

 

The full hybrid luxury hatchback has undergone a raft of changes that improve its styling and quality inside and out, raise comfort levels and deliver greater refinement.

Refined Lexus CT200h set for UK release in 2014 - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Equipment specifications have been improved and the F Sport model has been given a stronger individual identity within the range.

 

New 10-spoke 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels have been introduced together with a shark’s fin roof antenna.

 

Changes to the CT 200h’s interior have been made to deliver greater comfort, higher equipment levels and better all-round quality in the look and feel of the cabin. The multimedia screen has been made thinner, fixed design, and the second generation Remote Touch Interface controller has been revised with a more user-friendly push-action enter-command switch.

 

The Lexus Media Display and Lexus Premium Navigation system have been made easier to operate with better hands-free and voice recognition functions, while the display can be operated using a new controller mounted on the centre console.

 

Measures to improve the audio system’s sound quality include innovative use of natural materials, including (in a world first) bamboo. Bamboo fibre, plant opal and charcoal are used in an injection moulding process to create the industry’s thinnest loudspeaker diaphragm, giving noticeably better sound reproduction.

Refined Lexus CT200h set for UK release in 2014 - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Lexus has achieved significant reductions in emissions from the 2014 CT 200h, taking CO2 output down by 5g/km to just 82g/km for the entry level S grade model fitted with 15-inch wheels. For versions equipped with optional 16-inch wheels the official figure has been reduced by 6g/km to 88g/km.

 

Lexus has also remapped with hybrid drive system’s transmission control. This allows for a more linear build-up of engine revs, more closely matching the increase in vehicle speed. The result is a driving experience more akin to a conventional automatic transmission.

 

Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Lexus with a tailored and bespoke nationwide mystery shopping programme to include  Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

 

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Renault strengthens rally involvement with Renaultsport R3T unveiling

 

Renault Sport Technologies improves rally involvement

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Renault Sport Technologies has strengthened its involvement in rally with the unveiling of the Clio Renaultsport R3T.

 

Due to be approved in 2014, the new turbo-engined model will be on show at the Rallye du Var, the last round of the Renaultsport Rally Trophy season.

Renaultsport Clio R3T - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Unveiled in 2006, the Clio Renaultsport R3 has made a mark on Renaultsport’s involvement in rally, scoring hundreds of wins and dozens of titles the world over.

 

The sale of 373 kits is an indication of the success Renault Sport Technologies has enjoyed with the first of its models built to comply with the FIA R3 regulations.

 

The rally range has grown in size and quality since then, with the addition of the Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo, Twingo Renaultsport R1 and the Mégane Renaultsport N4. Joining them on the scene next year will be the Clio Renaultsport R3T.

Renaultsport Clio R3T - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Taking as its template the Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC, a car universally recognised for its performance and versatility on the road, the Clio Renaultsport R3T has been designed to open up new horizons for the crews that drive it.

 

The Clio Renaultsport 200 EDC’s turbocharged 1618cc engine has been specifically adapted to racing by Renault Sport’s engineers. The kit comprises a six-speed sequential gearbox, with steering-wheel paddle shifts offered as optional in the asphalt version.

 

In offering its customers a cohesive and reliable package, Renault Sport Technologies relies on renowned suppliers such as Sadev for gearboxes, Sachs for shock absorbers, PFC for brakes and Cosworth for electronics.

 

Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Renault UK, with a tailored and bespoke nationwide mystery shopping programme to include  Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping.

 

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Disney and Harrods create magical experience

 

Disney launches new partnership with department store Harrods

 

By Hannah Cook

 

Disney and Harrods have teamed up to recreate its popular theme park experience for the first time in the UK.

 

 

The company is launching a Cinderella-inspired ‘Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique’ at the world famous department store in Knightsbridge, London, which will form the centre piece of Disney at Harrods – a new partnership venture including a bespoke Disney Store and new-look Disney Cafe.

 

Opening on November 25th, the Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has been re-designed for the UK to create an immersive storytelling experience for children aged between three and 12 years old.

 

Anna Hill, Vice President, The Walt Disney Company, UK & Ireland said: “Our partnership with Harrods will bring Disney magic to an iconic British store in a completely unique way.

 

 

“The Boutique lets children step into the world of classic Disney characters, celebrate the qualities like kindness and bravery that make them true heroes and heroines, and be transformed as Cinderella was in the famous Fairy Godmother scene from the movie. We hope the experience will create memories that families can enjoy for a lifetime.”

 

Mark Briggs, Store Director at Harrods, said: “There’s only one Harrods, and there’s only one Disney but this partnership shows what can be achieved when two iconic brands work together.

 

“Disney at Harrods will create a magical day out in itself, shopping for exclusive products at Disney Store, enjoying a meal together with added imagination at the themed Cafe and experiencing a royal transformation in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – we can’t wait to start welcoming guests.”

 

Last year Disney and Harrods joined forces to celebrate the stories of Disney Princesses, working with the world’s leading designers to create ten unique dresses which were showcased in the Harrods Christmas windows.

 

 

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Land Rover showcases new long wheelbase Range Rover

 

New long wheelbase Range Rover is unveiled in Los Angeles

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Land Rover is showcasing the ultimate in peerless luxury with the official debut of the long wheelbase Autobiography Black Range Rover.

Land Rover showcases new long wheelbase Range Rover - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The eagerly anticipated stunning new model has been unveiled at Los Angeles International Auto Show and represents the pinnacle of the Range Rover line-up.

 

Available in the UK from March 2014, the Range Rover long wheelbase offers consumers the ultimate SUV alternative to traditional long wheelbase saloon cars, which have dominated the market up until this point.

 

Clever packaging has increased rear legroom 7.3 inches for second row passengers and boosted recline by eight degrees to 17 degrees with the executive seating package to provide superior levels of interior space and comfort.

Land Rover showcases new long wheelbase Range Rover - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The long wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography Black has been designed to focus on customers’ desire for more choice and exclusivity. It delivers higher levels of luxury with unique design finishes, precision leather detailing and new features to give this vehicle specification a distinctive and subtly different character both inside and out.

 

Supreme comfort and added functionality are evident with the Executive Class package, which offers two individual fully adjustable seats and a re-designed extended centre console with electrically deployable leather tables, integrated USB charging sockets, enhanced stowage and bespoke lighting.

Land Rover showcases new long wheelbase Range Rover - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The Range Rover Autobiography Black has been developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s ‘Engineered To Order’ (ETO) and is available from August.

 

 

 

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