We’re pleased to be part of the Evolution Funding Group

Evolution Funding Bolsters Digital Proposition with Acquisition of Click Dealer

Evolution Funding Bolsters Digital Proposition with Acquisition of Click Dealer.

Evolution Funding Group (“Evolution”), the leading motor finance broker and technology provider to the UK used car market, has completed the acquisition of automotive software and digital services provider Click Dealer Limited (“Click”) for an undisclosed sum. The transaction marks a significant move to broaden Evolution’s digital and SaaS proposition.

Since receiving investment from mid-market private equity firm LDC in 2019, Evolution has achieved significant growth, enhancing its technology platform and developing best-in-class online finance customer journeys. Offering innovative credit pre-screening, automated lender selection, finance self-serve and checkout automation technologies, Evolution is at the forefront of the growth in online motor finance in the UK. This strategic acquisition, which was supported with follow-on funding from LDC, will help bring these capabilities to Click Dealer customers and takes Evolution a step further towards its next milestone of brokering more than £1bn motor finance in a year.

Click was formed in 1999 and has established itself as a leading automotive software business, provider of dealer website hosting, proprietary dealer management systems, and associated digital solutions for independent motor retailers. Click currently services and supports over 1,550 dealers across the UK.

Click is highly complementary to Evolution’s existing services and further backs its growth strategy to enhance its technology, digital capabilities and SaaS proposition. The company employs a team of 65 at their head office in Stoke-on-Trent and will continue to operate under the leadership of Gerry Moxham, Ollie Moxham and Pippa Rawlinson. It will remain as a separate legal entity within the Evolution Funding Group.

 

Lee Streets, chief executive at Evolution, said:

“We are acquiring a highly-regarded data-driven, end-to-end, automotive software provider. They have a fantastic reputation in the market and there are many similarities with our own company culture – it’s a great fit.

“A key part of Evolution’s vision is to lead change and digital innovation in motor finance. The acquisition of Click, with its market-leading platform, will help accelerate our ability to deliver this, whilst also supporting our objective of brokering £1 billion of motor finance in the UK.

“We are keen to maintain Click Dealer’s agnostic position on finance, offering true flexibility and choice for the retailer and the customer. In addition, our aim is to make innovative features and functions available via Click’s platform that deliver best-in-class digital finance journeys and increase point of sale finance sales for dealers.

“We will work quickly to offer Click retailers’ access to Evolution’s technology. The prospect of creating frictionless online finance journeys for consumers on the Click platform is incredibly exciting for both businesses.”

 

Gerry Moxham, founder of Click Dealer, said:

“We are delighted to be embarking on the next stage of Click’s journey as part of the well respected and highly successful Evolution Funding Group.”

“This strategic decision to integrate with Evolution puts us in a great position to support dealers now, and in the future, as a true performance partner. We look forward to working with the team at Evolution in delivering new innovations and integrated digital and financial solutions for dealerships across the UK.”

 

LDC’s Lawrence Dean said:

“This is a significant milestone for Evolution as the business looks to enhance its market position and technology capabilities. We will continue to work closely with the management team to identify other complementary businesses that support the management team’s growth strategy.”

 

For our dealers:

There are no changes to your relationship with Click.  However, it does present exciting future opportunities for dealers.  We have provided our valued dealers with more information about this acquisition in your DMS – please log into your DMS to view.

Should you have any questions about this acquisition and the exciting opportunities it presents, contact us at [email protected]

 

Pictured above (l to r): Kevin Kaye, Evolution Funding Finance Director; Lee Streets, Evolution Funding CEO; Paul Saggar, Evolution Funding CIO; Ollie Moxham, Click Dealer CEO; Gerry Moxham, Click Founder and Chief Visionary Officer.

What is the free version of ClickEngage?

As your performance partner we are committed to doing all we can to support you throughout the ongoing disruption caused by COVID-19.  As part of our commitment we are making available a free of charge version of ClickEngage to all our dealers.

ClickEngage allows you to continue to support your customers online whilst simultaneously developing a sales pipeline for when you are able to reopen your forecourts.

What does the free version of ClickEngage include?

Deal Builder

ClickEngage seamlessly plugs in to your Click Dealer website allowing customers to browse and build their perfect deal from your available stock.

Part Exchange Valuation Requests

ClickEngage allows customers to input their current vehicle details and their ‘asking price’ which you can then discuss in further detail upon contacting the customer.

Finance Comparison

As part of the customer’s deal builder they can browse and choose from your selection of finance partners to find their ideal payment plan.

24/7 Vehicle Reservation Requests

Once customers have built their deal, chosen their preferred finance plan, and requested a part exchange valuation they will be encouraged to request a call back from the dealership sales team to take any relevant reservation fees over the phone.

We hope that by making ClickEngage available to all of our dealers we can continue to encourage and support your ongoing business success throughout the current period.

Our dealers took home awards in the Used Car Awards!

Car Dealer Awards 2020 (sponsored by Black Horse)

The Used Car Awards 2020 took place on Friday, 5th February.

The Car Dealer Magazine Used Car Awards were held virtually this year, hosted by Mike Brewer.

We’re incredibly proud that THIRTEEN of our amazing dealers were shortlisted for awards:

Dealer Award Outcome
Hilton Garage Used Car Online Sales Experience Shortlisted
Sam Evans, Beck Evans Used Car Dealer Principal WINNER
Crompton Way Motors Used Car Dealership – up to 50 cars WINNER
Car-Pod Used Car Dealership – up to 50 cars Shortlisted
Kiteley Motors Used Car Sales Team Shortlisted
RS Car Sales Used Car Dealership – 51 to 100 cars WINNER
Emerald House of Cars Used Car Dealership – 51 to 100 cars Highly Commended
Angus MacKinnon Used Car Dealership – 51 to 100 cars Highly Commended
ASK Motors Used Car Dealership – 51 to 100 cars Shortlisted
Beck Evans Used Car Dealership – Over 100 cars Highly Commended
Martin Brothers Motor Company Service and Repair Outlet Highly Commended
Motor Connect Used Car Customer Care Shortlisted
Angus MacKinnon Social Media User Shortlisted
D9 Specialist Cars Newcomer Dealership WINNER
Norwich Van Centre Newcomer Dealership Shortlisted
Beck Evans Use of Video Shortlisted

 

We’re proud to support our dealers with their digital needs – including customer-focused websites, Click & Collect/ Click & Deliver tools, and an integrated dealer management system.

Get in touch with us if you want to see how we can help your dealership, and maybe we’ll see you in next year’s Used Car Awards!  Email us for a quote.

 

A quick rundown of our dealers who won:

WINNER: RS Car Sales – Used Car Dealership of the Year 51- 100 cars

Rory Anderson, owner, said:

“We’ve also tried to offer the best digital experience we can. Every car has as many pictures and videos as possible.”

Car Dealer Magazine, said “Our judges were particularly impressed with RS Car Sales’ fresh-looking, easy-to-navigate website and the firm’s great use of photography and video.”

> Read all about them and their award

 

WINNER: D9 Specialist Cars – Newcomer Dealership

Car Dealer Magazine said:

“Our judges were impressed with the brilliant website with detailed and friendly advice. Our mystery shoppers said ‘we couldn’t have asked for more’ in the process, with everything covered, including a professional video.”

Read all about them and their award

 

WINNER: Crompton Way Motors – Used Car Dealership of the Year up to 50 Cars

Paul Richards, owner, said:

“We’re on FaceTime all the time, we’re on Instagram, so basically we’re just busy, busy promoting the business digitally.  It’s a different way of doing it, but it’s exciting. We’re doing click-and-deliver and click-and-collect at the moment, so onward and upward – just keep pressing forward.”

Read all about them and their award

 

WINNER: Sam Evans, Beck Evans – Used Car Dealer Principal

Sam Evans was awarded Used Car Dealer Principal.  As well as taking home a highly commended award for Used Car Dealership Over 100 Cars.

Car Dealer Magazine said:

“Sam Evans was head and shoulders above the rest, leading a serial award-winning used car dealership which boasts impressive online reviews and wowed our mystery shoppers with a brilliant personal service.”

Read all about them and their award

 

 

 

Highly commended in Car Dealer Power Awards 2020

Car Dealer Power Awards 2020 Highly Commended

We were delighted to be highly commended in the Car Dealer Power Awards 2020 for TWO awards!

The Car Dealer Power Awards are hosted by Car Dealer Magazine, and put a spotlight on the best in the automotive industry as voted for by car dealers.  The awards were announced on 30th September 2020. To be highly commended in two categories is fantastic, and we’re thrilled to have been nominated and subsequently highly commended in the Dealer Management System of the Year Award and for Website Provider of the Year for Independent Dealers Award.

Dealer Management System of the Year Award 

The Click Dealer Management System was first launched in 1999.  Ollie, our CEO, said:

“It means a lot to be recognised in this category as we have taken advice from our dealers to ensure it meets their needs. We’re always listening to what our customers want and we try to implement those elements where we can. Therefore, our DMS really is designed around them.”

Our ClickDMS provides dealers with a one-stop shop for handling all their administrative needs, meaning dealers don’t need to use multiple systems – they can do all they need in one ClickDMS tool.

 

Website Provider of the Year for Independent Dealers 

We have over 1,400 dealers using our ClickDealer websites.

“We work very closely with our dealer partners, it’s like they’re family, so we’re so pleased that they’ve chosen to vote for us in the survey.”

We were also praised for providing a free version of our ClickEngage product during the lockdown period, as part of our care package, and truly supporting customers in the best way we could.  ClickEngage Free allows customers to engage with dealers from the comfort of their own home – request a part-ex valuation, completing finance form, and make a reservation request.