Birmingham 15th July 2009 – The publicity surrounding the current recession may have abated, but the effects of the credit crunch are still being felt across industry sectors. Yet there are encouraging signs that Government initiatives and recent shifts in global economics are taking the edge off current difficulties. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported a 15.7 percent decline in new car registrations in June, but this was the smallest drop since July 2008, which suggests that the scrappage scheme is indeed helping to boost sales. However, year-to-date demand is still down and previous levels of profitability lie some distance ahead. At this important point on the long road to economic recovery, it is critical that dealers and finance companies work together to offer appropriate packages to potential car buyers. To this end, the Institute of Transport Management (ITM) has undertaken an in-depth investigation into the policies and activities of financial organisations in the automotive sector, in order to identify those which are doing most to ensure that suitable credit is available and thus feeding revenue into the automotive industry. The Institute is hereby pleased to announce that its 2009 ‘Dealer Finance Technology Product’ Award goes to DSG Financial Services for its Maia Online system.

DSG Financial Services was set up in 1989 and continues to operate under the same management today, providing dealerships with the means to improve financial offerings to customers. Its products include: High Value Vehicle Plan; Prime Supermarket; Negative Equity; Zero Interest Campaign; Low Payment Plan (LPP); Bank Robber; Personal Contract Purchase (PCP).

DSG’s Maia Online acts as a portal to Prime Supermarket, Bank Robber Scheme and High Value Vehicle Plan as well as Personal Contract Purchase and LLP quotations. The online proposal forms offer high useability and speed of processing, with details transferred directly from existing proposals. Purchase plans and payment options can also be reviewed and compared, to ensure that customers obtain the most suitable package for their individual needs. Maia also offers access to enhanced 60-month PCP quotations on new and used cars, 48-month LP quotations on cars up to 7 years old and PCP for used cars up to 7 years old at the end of the agreement. Maia Online means that proposals reach the underwriters faster, without input from any support staff - meaning that sales can go through sooner. However, the DSG team is on hand to offer expert assistance as and when necessary, up to and including key decision makers.

Announcing the Award to DSG, Mr. Patrick Sheedy, Media and PR Director at the Institute, said: “Technology and finance can be considered the two most vital components in industry today. Without technological innovation, the automotive industry would stand still, and if finance companies were not in a position to embrace this technology then dealerships would suffer. In researching DSG and Maia, the Institute has found an ideal solution for its dealership members when it comes to maximising sales, thus earning increased commissions and enabling customers to secure the very best deal. The challenges currently facing the automotive industry are appreciable and not going to disappear overnight. The Institute is actively promoting the best dealership tools in a bid to boost productivity in the automotive industry in these trying times. In this vein I commend and recommend DSG’s Maia Online, winner of the ITM ‘Dealer Finance Technology Product 2009’ Award.”