Improved Efficiency Gets Gary a Double Whammy

Two leading East Midlands car dealerships have merged under the leadership of a single dealer principal in a plan to create a more efficient service for customers.

This month local man Gary Dighton, principal of Nottingham’s Nissan showroom in Haydn Road, also became principal of the neighbouring Renault dealership, both owned by The Co-operative Motor Group.

The promotion reflects the 36-year-old’s substantial success in improving efficiency at the Nissan showroom since moving there from Peugeot Ilkeston less than 18 months ago.

In that time he has recruited more staff, doubled the car display area and developed a new streamlined service desk system where customer queries are handled directly by technical staff, rather than by administrative staff.

His plans for the joint dealership include boosting the 57-strong team with more technical staff, extending customer service improvements across both showrooms, and investing in new waste management and recycling processes.

Gary, who has worked for The Co-operative Motor Group for 13 years, said: “The two dealerships already work closely together, but I want to take that collaboration to a more strategic level to effect further improvements and efficiency gains, particularly in customer service.”

The Co-operative Motor Group general manager Tony Guest said: “These are exciting times. Gary is continually looking for new and better ways to work and, under his management, I’m sure the new joint dealership is poised for success.”

Gary lives with his wife and two children in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

The Co-operative Motor Group has 21 dealerships across Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Midlands.