Elite Vehicle Movements praises ‘game-changing’ moDel

Doncaster-based vehicle transport company, Elite Vehicle Movements, rates moDel as a ‘game changer’ for its business since switching from a paper-based system to the market-leading electronic vehicle delivery and collection solution from technology solutions provider, Ebbon Automotive, part of the Ebbon Group.

Elite delivers around 400-500 new vehicles per month to both corporate and retail customers on behalf of leading dealer groups such as Ringways Motor Group and Autohorn Fleet Services. It is also a major sub-contractor to ECM Vehicle Logistics Network which has the distribution contract for Mercedes-Benz vehicles around the country.

As a consequence, some 65-70% of Elite’s business involves the collection and delivery of new Mercedes models across the UK, using a workforce of around 30 trade plate drivers, all fully trained in collection and handover procedures and employing moDel for 100% of the business.

It also delivers new light commercial vehicles up to and including 3.5 tons on behalf of commercial dealer groups, such as Clapham Commercials and Lincoln Commercial Bodies.

General manager, Andy Webb, said: “When we first started using moDel several years ago on the Android platform, it’s true to say that we were not impressed with it. But since the move to also offer it via iOS, the Apple platform, it has been transformative for our business and is now our system of choice. We use it day in, day out and it has been amazing for us – a real success story.”

Elite has seen a number of major benefits since employing moDel.

“Everything is electronic at point of collection (POC) and point of delivery (POD). Before we used moDel, both were paper transactions and prone to error,” said Andy Webb.

“Now, everything goes straight into our back off system electronically, providing instant confirmation to ourselves and our clients that a new vehicle has been delivered safely, while it is very easy for the drivers to use so we get fewer errors.

“We particularly like the ability to capture the condition of vehicles through moDel and always take six photos showing all sides, the wheels, windscreen and dashboard – what we call our beauty photos.

“As we are chargeable for any delivery or collection damage, we then have photographic evidence to prove our case to avoid any disputes over damage to the vehicle, and there have been a number of occasions where we have used this to show we were correct in our assessment of the vehicle’s condition.”

Andy Webb said another factor in its favour was the support for moDel from Ebbon Automotive technical staff.

“If we have an issue, it is resolved quickly and without fuss and they are always open to new ideas suggestions for further development. As a result, we are always happy to give our time to help develop the product further,” he said.

Elite uses moDel-VM, which allows companies to create their own vehicle movements but is also integrated with Ebbon Automotive’s market-leading e-procurement platform, Leaselink, which is used by most of the top 20 leasing companies in the UK.

Despite the impact of the global semi-conductor shortage on new vehicle orders, moDel is enjoying a record-breaking year and, for the eight months to the end of August, handled more than 553,000 vehicle movements between OEMs, leasing companies, brokers, motor retailers, logistics companies and end-users – up 2.5% on the same period last year which was itself a record.

Michael Terry, Head of Commercial – Logistics, said: “To be enjoying a record year when much of the industry has seen supply constrained by the semiconductor shortage, speaks volume for the efficiency and effectiveness of moDel, which is attracting new customers on a regular basis.
“By continually enhancing the functionality of moDel with new features and benefits we have helped our customers to deliver and collect more vehicles more effectively and efficiently than ever before and in record numbers.

“We have been especially pleased with the performance of moDel-VM in the vehicle logistics sector where it has become firmly established as the No1 preferred new vehicle delivery solution,” he added.

Visit the moDel site to find out more: https://ebbon-automotive.com/model/