National industry award for Cartime

Representatives from Cartime receive their award

Cartime, one of the North West’s fastest growing used car dealership groups, has been named as the national winner of Motor Trader’s Car Supermarket of the Year 2019.   

The business’ founder and managing director, Matt Kay, was also awarded with the coveted Outstanding Achievement Award at the prestigious Motor Trader Independent Dealer Awards dinner held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Both awards come on the back of a phenomenal year of growth for the £43m turnover business, which increased turnover by 29 per cent and grew profits by £246,000. It also opened two new sales centres alongside its Bury-based operation; a specialist 4x4 centre, also in Bury, and a new dealership in Rochdale. It has launched a new digital platform.

Cartime boss Matt Kay puts their success down to continually adapting to the digital and retail experience needs of customers, creating a seamless on and offline customer journey to make used car buying as easy and fail-safe as possible.

He said: “We know we can never stand still in how we meet customer needs for buying a used car. We are continually pushing forward with new technology and ways to stay ahead of the tough competition and trading conditions out there. But this has always been our way, and our independence enables us to make change at pace.

“One of the key things, as well as the new technology, has been the success of our warranty package, which we recently increased from three to six years, providing consumers with prolonged peace of mind.  

“And, as well as two new physical outlets from which to showcase our extensive 1,000-strong used vehicle stock, we have created a new digital platform and introduced new digital services to improve the whole customer journey. Not only is our external interface more customer-centric, but our internal operations have been transformed. Efficiencies have engendered growth and increased customer satisfaction levels simultaneously.

“The inward investment has certainly paid off and I’m delighted that everyone’s hard work has been recognised with this amazing industry award.”

Matt added: “I am very hands on within the business, and am extremely proud to have been given the Motor Trader Outstanding Achievement Award. It’s very much a team effort within Cartime though and my award is testament to the great work everyone does within our business.”