News
Hartwell and Eastern Western Motor Groups celebrate becoming SAF Approved
Two of the UK’s largest dealer groups have become SAF Approved. Eastern Western Motor Group and Hartwell are the latest high-profile motor dealers to be awarded the status under the Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) scheme. The announcement means 27 of the biggest 30 dealers are now SAF Approved.
SAF was introduced by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) – the trade body for the motor finance industry – in 2007 to improve finance knowledge in showrooms and increase customer confidence in their dealer. SAF Approved demonstrates to customers that a business has committed to educate its staff on all of the different finance products available in dealerships.
The accolade comes after months of hard work by both dealers’ staff and means that their customers can be sure that they are getting expert information on motor finance products. Around 165 staff across 27 Eastern Western showrooms and 14 Hartwell showrooms passed the online SAF competence test in order to achieve the increasingly popular kite-mark.
Paul Harrison, Head of Motor Finance at the FLA, said:
“It’s testament to Eastern Western and Hartwell’s commitment to their customers that they have become SAF Approved. Car buyers across England and Scotland talking finance with these two groups can expect improved levels of competence and professionalism in those showrooms.”
Douglas Hartley, General Manager at Hartwell said:
“Our dealers’ dedication to achieve this standard shows that we are going the extra mile to make sure customers are getting the best deal Hartwell can give them. We are pleased our hard work has paid off and Hartwell is now SAF Approved. We look forward to the positive impact it will have on our customers’ buying experience.”
Sandy Risk, Business Development Manager at Eastern Western Motor Group said:
“Eastern Western Motor Group is delighted to have achieved SAF Approved. As the recognised motor industry standard, we are confident that our commitment to SAF will help us to improve our performance, and more importantly give our customers that extra confidence that they are receiving the best advice available on new and used car purchases.”
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For further details please contact:
Daniel Tyler, SAF Policy and Communications Adviser,
T: 0207 836 9613 E: daniel.tyler@fla.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) was launched by the Finance & Leasing Association in June 2007 at the Auto Retailing Conference. SAF aims to raise consumer awareness of finance sold in dealerships by raising standards and improving skills amongst dealership staff.
Central to SAF is the FLA’s online competence test, launched to dealers in October 2007. The competence test is a free-of-charge assessment covering the finance products sold in showrooms and the surrounding regulation. The test does not teach staff how to sell finance but aims to improve their overall finance knowledge. To remain SAF-certified, individual staff must renew the test every 12 months.
As part of SAF, the FLA has also developed an impartial consumer guide to motor finance – www.FinancingYourCar.org.uk. The web site helps potential car buyers to review all of the options available in showrooms to help them purchase their next car, all from the comfort of their own home.
www.SpecialistAutomotiveFinance.org.uk is the SAF portal for the industry to help companies learn more about the initiative.
There are currently 15,000 individuals registered for the online SAF competence test. There are currently over 1,800 SAF Approved dealerships.
SAF is fully endorsed by the motor finance industry and is funded by FLA member finance companies.