Car Dealer Live

Car Dealer Live Returns

March 13, 2025
British Motor Museum,
Gaydon

Join us in person, or watch online

Event Overview

Car Dealer Live 2025, sponsored by Auto Trader, is back and bigger than ever: focussing on a broad range of motor industry topics.

We'll be interviewing some of the biggest names in the car dealer business from franchised dealers, to leading independents, to car manufacturer executives.

Listen, learn and connect during a packed day of inspiring sessions with other motor trade professionals at this dedicated conference for the automotive industry.

Book tickets now

Headline Partner

Event Partners


Headline Interviews

Dr Andy Palmer

Dr Andy Palmer

Former CEO, Aston Martin

Nicole Melillo Shaw

Nicole Melillo Shaw

Managing Director, Volvo Cars UK

John O'Hanlon

John
O'Hanlon

CEO, Waylands Automotive

Our three headliners will feature in individual keynote interviews throughout the day, where they will individually share the secrets to their success, and discuss the hot topics of the automotive industry.

Panel: Coping with high pressure in the motor trade

Working in the motor trade inevitably means dealing with pressure: whether you're a valeter, or the managing director. Our panel will be talking about their experiences existing within high pressure environments, and how you can look after yourself – and your staff – along the way.

Panel: Franchised Dealers

Full line-up to be announced

Franchised dealers regularly find themselves at the bleeding edge of new manufacturer initiatives, and that's not likely to change in 2025. Our experienced panel will share their insights on the technological and regulatory changes coming our way in the years ahead.

Panel: Manufacturers

  • Adam Wood

    Adam Wood

    Managing Director, Renault UK

  • James Taylor

    James Taylor

    Managing Director, Vauxhall

  • Full line-up to be announced

    Manufacturers have plenty of challenges of their own in 2025 – the ZEV mandate being just one of them. But what words of wisdom can they offer to their dealer partners, and are things going to get easier or more difficult in the next 18 months?

    Session details

    Catherine Faiers

    COO, Auto Trader

    Auto Trader's Chief Operating Officer, Catherine Faiers, will be discussing the findings from an in-depth study into business processes.

    As retailers refocus after a period of change and disruption, Catherine will reveal the key market trends which are set to have the largest impact, as well as the performance metrics retailers need to concentrate on, and where the opportunities lie to improve them.

    Catherine Faiers

    Session details

    Mohammad Lone

    Omnichannel Strategist, Google

    Search giant Google will once again be bringing its latest tips and insights to Car Dealer Live.

    With the recent roll-out of its Vehicle Ads solution, and the world moving towards AI integration, there will be plenty to discuss.

    Mohammad Lone

    Session details

    Phil Nothard

    Insight Director, Cox Automotive

    The past year has illustrated that, despite challenges, the used battery electric vehicle (BEV) market presents a lucrative opportunity for dealers.

    In this panel discussion, Cox Automotive and key partners paint a picture of current and future demand with the latest data into the used car market.

    Building on these insights, Philip Nothard, Insight Director, will map out key considerations that need to be made when sourcing and retailing this stock, from customer expectations to accurately appraising BEVs.

    Phil Nothard

    Session details

    James Wilson

    COO, Motorway

    Motorway will lead a discussion into how dealers can move their business forward with AI.

    Using exclusive research, they will reveal how dealers are currently using AI and what the barriers are to greater uptake.

    Their research will also reveal the current level of consumer confidence in AI and what services people think could be improved by AI.

    Motorway will speak alongside one if its dealers who are using AI to help run their business and will provide advice on how dealers can start to use AI this year.

    James Wilson

    Session details

    New for 2025, JATO will take to the stage to discuss the influx of Chinese car brands, and their effect on the UK car market.

    Who will be the biggest casualties of these new challenger brands? What impact will they have on sales volumes in the UK?

    Perhaps most importantly, which Chinese brands should dealers be investing in now? All will be revealed in this panel session.

    Session details

    David Kerry

    Director of Data Insight, Experian

    Accessing and using data is critical to decision making – and hence success – for car dealerships.

    To make the right decisions dealers need a holistic view of data covering three key areas – data about cars, data about consumers, and data about finance.

    This session will look at each of these in turn and offers key solutions.

    David Kerry

    Testimonials

    Car Dealer Live was informative, professionally organised and varied in content with all the current hot topics that we are wrestling with today in our industry. The panel of experts gave honest and clear feedback on how they saw the challenges and opportunities that we are dealing with right now and also what's coming down the track at us. I will certainly be making next year's event a date in the diary to attend.

    Nigel Hurley

    CEO, Carshop

    It was great to attend the Car Dealer Live event in 2023 and hear directly from Industry leaders, OEMs and providers who gave frank views on the challenges we all face each day as well as diverse opinions on the future direction of car retailing in the UK. An excellent opportunity to network and catch up with colleagues from across the business.

    Chris Wiseman

    Managing Director, Wessex Garages

    I found Car Dealer Live to be extremely informative and helpful in terms of how we aim to develop our business to meet the changing demands of the market. The day was well structured and broken into bite sized chunks. The sessions weren't overwhelming and I almost got as much out of the breaks as the main sessions too as there were hundreds of industry experts present and networking was fantastic. Highly recommended.

    Jamie Caple

    Founder, Car Quay

    1 2 3

    Agenda in full

    Accommodation and networking

    At the 2025 event, Car Dealer is also offering a hotel package with all tickets which will include a stay at a four-star hotel, a short drive away from the venue, the night before.

    The Car Dealer team will be hosting a social gathering in a dedicated area at the hotel the night before so attendees can network ahead of the main event.

    Join us for this pre-event gathering by booking a hotel package below.

    Attend in person tickets

    Join us in person for an informative day, filled with insight, networking opportunities and more.

    Tickets include breakfast, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day.

    Dealer Ticket

    For trading car dealers only

    £160

    Supplier Ticket

    For non-car dealers

    £320

    Hotel Packages

    Arrive fresh at Car Dealer Live by staying nearby the night before.

    Our four-star hotel package offers the opportunity for further networking prior to the event.

    Dealer Ticket
    + Hotel Room

    £310

    Includes breakfast, double or twin rooms available

    Supplier Ticket
    + Hotel Room

    £470

    Includes breakfast, double or twin rooms available

    Streaming Tickets

    Watch the event from the comfort of your home or office with a streaming ticket.

    Note: This ticket does not permit access to Car Dealer Live in person.

    Watch Online

    For dealers and non-dealers

    £220

    Watch the event live from home (no in-person access)

    Ticket prices above excluding VAT.

    10 per cent of the price of each ticket sold is donated to Ben, the automotive industry charity

    Tickets to Car Dealer Live 2025 are refundable up to 60 days before the event.

    Ticket types explained

    Dealer Tickets

    With this, you'll be able to join us at Car Dealer Live in person, at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire.

    This ticket is exclusively for trading members of the motor trade.

    Free lunch and refreshments are provided throughout the day, as is on-site parking.

    These tickets are limited in number, and likely to sell out.

    Watch Online (Streaming) Tickets

    With a streaming ticket, you'll be able to watch Car Dealer Live from the comfort of your home (or office!).

    This ticket does not grant access to attend the Car Dealer Live event in person.

    Supplier Tickets

    If you're not directly employed within the motor trade, we'd still love to welcome you to Car Dealer Live.

    However, to ensure we're offering our core audience the best chance to attend Car Dealer Live, supplier numbers will be limited.

    We reserve the right to cancel and refund suppliers booking an incorrect ticket type.

    Group Tickets

    If you're looking to book five or more tickets of any variety, get in touch with the Car Dealer sales team for more information and potential discounts.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I attend the event in person with a Watch Online (Streaming) ticket?

    No - the purchase of a streaming ticket only allows you to watch the event via a live stream.

    Will I be able to live stream the event by purchasing a normal Dealer or Supplier ticket?

    No - though highlights of the event will be available to watch online afterwards.

    Why are Watch Online tickets more expensive?

    We want to encourage our readers to visit the conference in person, and network with their peers. As such, we've offset the cost of Attend In Person tickets to incentivise making the journey to the live event.

    Can I book a regular Dealer ticket if I'm not a dealer?

    No. Suppliers attempting to book a Dealer ticket will be contacted by the Car Dealer sales team to make alternative arrangements.

    How do I order more than one ticket?

    After purchasing your first ticket (and creating your account), you'll be able to quickly order an additional one.

    If you're looking to purchase five or more tickets, get in touch with the Car Dealer sales team, who may be able to offer a discount.