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Be Ready to Seize Bodyshop Opportunities in March!

Data reveals that almost one in five road accidents occur in the evening rush hour in March, making this a busy time of year for bodyshops.

We have seen plenty of snow and ice in the UK over the last couple of months causing problems for drivers, and more is expected in March. The month is the second-busiest month of the year for car-to-car accidents, after November.

193,000 Road Incidents Expected in March

Research by AX, previously Accident Exchange, shows that nearly one in five accidents take place during the evening rush, and that there is also an increase in winter prangs, bumps and scrapes from 5pm to 5.10pm. The accident assistance provider has predicted that March could bring more than 193,000 road incidents.

With accidents spiking in the evening, extending bodyshop opening hours or offering an out-of-hours service to help capture customers at peak times could be something to consider.

34% of accidents involve one car hitting the rear of another and a further 31% involve a moving vehicle hitting a parked vehicle due to loss of control by the driver.

According to Ax’s sales and operations director, Scott Hamilton-Cooper, ‘Braking distances double in the wet and can be up to 10 times longer in snowy or icy conditions, so it’s not surprising that almost a third of the accidents we’ve dealt with are the result of a driver losing control and hitting a parked vehicle.

Workshops and bodyshops should make sure they are adequately stocked with spare parts and staffed well to deal with the surge in repair requests.’

Supporting Customers in Their Time of Need

Anticipating an increase in the need for resources and ensuring that bodyshop processes are implemented and working well should be a priority for retailers at this point. Being there for customers when they need you can go a long way to developing loyalty.

Hamilton-Cooper commented, ‘With the downward pressures on new car sales, being in a position to proactively and sensitively support existing customers in a time of need is common-sense.

‘The March spike provides a timely reminder that dealers without an accident assistance programme not only stand to lose valuable repair work, but risk losing customers altogether.’

For more advice on how to maximise profits for your dealership, get in touch today by emailing marketing@clickdealer.co.uk, 01782 478 220 or via our contact page.



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