1/09/08

COLIN APPLEYARD JOINS IN CHARITY COFFEE MORNING

Colin Appleyard Cars is joining in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning later this month to help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Trust.

Last year the charity's flagship fundraising event raised an amazing £7.5million and this year they are aiming to top £8.5million, all of which goes to help support people living with cancer.

Local Suzuki dealer Colin Appleyard is inviting anyone to call in to one of their showrooms any time up to 12 noon on Friday 26th September, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and make a donation to Macmillan.

In addition, if a visitor takes a test drive in a Suzuki car Colin Appleyard will donate £5 to the charity and whilst they are out on the drive their car will be washed for them.

Director Robin Luscombe said: "Cancer has affected us all at some stage or other. Everyone knows someone who has or has had this dreadful disease and it is for this reason we want to help Macmillan in the fantastic work they do. Please call in on 26th September and help raise that extra £1million they are looking for.

6/08/08

JAMES TOSELAND COMES TO KEIGHLEY!

Colin Appleyard Keighley has been chosen as one of only a limited number of motocycle dealers to stock a new exclusive range of James Toseland leathers. The MotoGP superstar has teamed up with BKS, makers of quality leather suits and gloves, to create this exciting new range which includes Toseland's eye catching blue and yellow race-replica suit. Colin Appleyard Managing Director Robin Appleyard commented "We feel privileged to have been chosen by BKS whose leathers are renowned for their outstanding quality and super safety record. Anyone who wants a JT replica suit, however, needs to get in quickly for we only have a very limited stock."

Speaking at the launch which was held at Donington Park Grand Prix circuit, Leicestershire in front of the specially invited audience Toseland said "I'm amazed at how well BKS has adapted my race suit for the replica. They are the most comfortable set of leathers I've ever worn".

1/08/08

COLIN APPLEYARD TOP TECHNICIANS

Colin Appleyard Cars in Ashton has yet again come out top in the regional final of the Suzuki 'Technician of the Year' competition. Tony Stott once again took top honours in the North West Region's annual performance award with the top mark in the country. Not only that, his colleague Paul Simpkins came fourth in the country closely followed by Simon McGann who finished seventh.

It means the Oldham Road dealer has 3 of the country's top ten Suzuki technicians. The competition itself regularly attracts in the region of 400 technicians from Suzuki's 290 car and motorcycle dealerships all over the UK.

Colin Appleyard Director Robin Luscombe said: "All three are to be congratulated. This is an extremely thorough test of their knowledge and skill and demands a lot of hard work to succeed. I am particularly pleased for young Simon McGann as he graduated through our apprentice scheme only two years ago."

Tony Stott now goes on to the grand final in September where he will be up against the winners of the other 7 regional zones. To Tony the stresses and strains of finals day is nothing new - 2 years ago he won the grand final, picking up a prize of a brand new Suzuki Swift worth £10,000.

25/07/08

COLIN APPLEYARD STRENGTHENS TIES WITH MONTESA COTA

Colin Appleyard Motorcycles has been appointed main Montesa Cota dealer for the Leeds area. The agreement further strengthens the ties between two of the most respected names in motorcycling - James Sandiford Motorcycles, sole importer of Montesa Cota bikes and Colin Appleyard Motorcycles - one of the country's leading motorcycle dealerships. It is a relationship that has spanned two generations and many decades.

To celebrate the signing of the deal and, as always, with an eye for a bargain Appleyards have just taken delivery of an initial bulk order of 2008 Montesa Cota 4RTs from Sandifords.

Commenting on the appointment Caroline Sandiford said "We are delighted with this opportunity to expand and continue our association through the appointment of the Leeds branch of Colin Appleyard as a further outlet for Montesa Cota bikes in Yorkshire. Caroline added "Colin Appleyard's continued commitment to trials biking is good news for Yorkshire Trials riders. With Kevin Feeny now in charge of both Keighley and Leeds Off Road departments they have a point of contract with someone who has been involved in Trialsport since he was a junior.

Kevin Feeny who is Colin Appleyard Motorcycle's General Manager commented "We have much in common with Montesa Cota importers Sandifords, Both are vastly experienced, well established family businesses committed to trials. As well as continuing to sponsor the British Trials Championship and a number of promising young riders we intend to expand our Trials Team. It all helps to raise the profile of the sport, not just in Yorkshire, but nationally."

17/07/08

TEST RIDE BRINGS CITY BREAK PRIZE FOR LOYAL COLIN APPLEYARD CUSTOMER

It proved to be an extremely lucky day for loyal Colin Appleyard customer Pamela Carter when she decided to test drive the new Suzuki Splash. That test drive automatically entered her into a free draw for a prize of £500 towards a city break and the lucky lady's name was drawn out of the hat as one of ten winners in the national competition.

Between them the Carter family have bought seven cars from Colin Appleyard. Pamela was so impressed with the Splash she immediately placed an order for a 1.2 GLS plus model and took delivery 3 weeks ago.

She commented: "I'm delighted with my new Splash. It's proving to be extremely economical to run and is so easy to park in tight spots. Winning £500 was a real bonus, I haven't decided where to go yet but I think Michael, my husband, would like to go back to Rome."

Geoff Lingard, who was on hand to present Pamela with her prize, said: "It could not have gone to a more suitable couple. Everyone at Colin Appleyard hopes they have a great weekend wherever they choose to go."

The Suzuki Splash is available from just £8,999 and is designed to make day-to-day driving a pleasure. It uses the highly acclaimed Swift platform to deliver the same fun-to-drive characteristics, with agile, confidence-inspiring handling.

24/06/08

COLIN APPLEYARD OFF ROAD DRIVING DAY PROVES A BIG SUCCESS

Well over 200 people turned up to test their skills at the Colin Appleyard Off Road Driving day held at the Parkwood Outdoor Centre, Tong Village, Bradford last weekend.

Customers were given the opportunity to drive their own 4 x 4 vehicle or try out one of the Suzuki demonstration models on a supervised course. Alternatively, they could be driven by a member of staff, on a more testing course, through mud, water and up and down hills.

Colin Appleyard Director Robin Luscombe commented "Despite the gale force winds it was an extremely successful day. It gave customers an opportunity to try out the capabilities of the different Suzuki off road vehicles. If anything the windy conditions added to the enjoyment."

"All in all" he added, "We were very pleased. There was a lot of interest and we sold 4 cars on the day. It just goes to show there is still a demand for good value 4x4s."

Customer Alan Watson said: "I really enjoyed the driving and was amazed at what the cars could do; A good promotion for Suzuki cars and Colin Appleyard."

Other entertainment included a trials bike demonstration by Graham Jarvis, one of the world's top indoor trials riders and an extremely popular barbeque.

Rebecca Hoare of Parkwood Outdoors said "We were very impressed with the organisation and the professionalism of the Colin Appleyard staff It proved to be a great day out for all the family and particularly for the people getting a taste of off road driving for the first time."

Feedback from event participants:

"I just wanted to contact you and let you know how very much my nephew and myself enjoyed your recent Off Road event at Parkwood Off Road Centre. We found it very well organised, with an excellent selection of vehicles from the Suzuki range to view at our leisure. My nephew was particularly impressed with Graham Jarvis' skills on a trials bike! All in all it was a very enjoyable day out, one that I would recommend to friends and family. Please thank all your staff for making such an effort to ensure that everyone had a good day."

11/06/08

COLIN APPLEYARD GUARDS AGAINST THEFTS

Suzuki car dealer Colin Appleyard has had to resort to employing night security guards in a bid to overcome a series of overnight thefts of catalytic converters from cars displayed on the forecourt of its showrooms.

Director Robin Luscombe said: "'We have been targeted in a series of 6 or 7 raids recently and whilst the police are co-operating by stepping up patrols we are determined to stamp out this increasing problem. Any criminal thinking of targeting a Colin Appleyard showroom in the future could be in for a real shock."

The high price of precious metals has led to a rise in the theft of converters from a wide range of vehicles. The problem has become so serious that earlier in the year the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) linked up with the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland (ACPO) to try and tackle the issue.

The average catalytic converter contains one to two grams of three precious metals - platinum, palladium and rhodium and the International prices of these metals have risen by 67%, 200% and 600% respectively over the past three years.

It is believed that stolen converters are shipped to recycling companies in Poland, Canada, China and Latvia, where they undergo a carbochlorination process that extracts their precious metals.

Det Sgt Andy Round, who heads up TruckPol, a national intelligence unit that forms part of the wider ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, said: "The penny has dropped with the thieves that there is a market for them. The demand In the Far East for these metals is huge. Lorries were the first target - I guess because they are so much bigger - but they also see smaller vehicles as just as easy targets."

27/02/08

COLIN APPLEYARD WINS AM-MAGAZINE AWARD

Taken from the March issue of AM Magazine:

Coming in to the final quarter of last year, Colin Appleyard's Huddersfield site was slightly behind budget. Then with an inspiring push from Robin Luscombe, the sales team turned it around and returned a budget-busting performance for the Suzuki dealership.

This is a testament to the company's approach, which sees the tam working together in a friendly and family-like atmosphere to achieve what is needed for success.

Staff turnover is less than 10% and customer satisfaction is high - this is reflected in its Investor In People accreditation as well as a partnership with Trading Standards.

The Huddersfield dealership has been the top performing Suzuki outlet on new car sales for the past five years, selling more than 500 units per year. As a result, it regularly achieve Suzuki incentives and is currently exceeding new car targets by over 200%.

AM Auditor Carter & Carter says: "The customers love the company and the product, the staff belong to a 'family' and the result is a stable, profitable and very sustainable business."

Innovation used throughout the four sites include the targeted marketing of parts as they become 12 month old on the internet, resulting in low obsolescence and high stock turn.

Maximum exposure of the Suzuki product is also achieved through the website.

Internet-specific staff have dramatically increased sales while raising the company profile, increasing website traffic, and maximising the use of eBay, AutoTrader, internet brokers and email marketing. More recently, the website has featured video brochures to show off new vehicles to the best advantage.

Staff development is based around training, involvement and inclusion. Traditional appraisals have been axed and replaced by performance reviews which deal with good and poor performance as well as providing one-to-one training.

Customer sales remain the number one priority for Colin Appleyard Huddersfield. its continued success is no doubt a result of strong team members and high levels of customer care, making the site a leading example and a more than worthy winner of this AM Award.

Judges' comment: "Management with natural coaching and leadership skills has produced a friendly company that customers love. Motivation of a very stable cohort of staff has in the last year driven early underperforming sales to exceed the end-of-year target".

Colin Appleyard also received high commendation for the Retail Group up to 10 sites Award.