Currently in the pilot stage, Toot Cars is designed to create a more intelligent connection between vehicle ownership, aftersales activity and future vehicle purchases. By understanding the driver, the vehicle they own and where they are in their ownership journey, the concept aims to help retailers present relevant replacement vehicles at the right time, moving beyond traditional inventory advertising to a more personalised customer experience.
With more than 30 years helping to drive car sales for dealerships, independents and OEMs, Jeff has led automotive software and product teams to exceed targets in new car, used car and F&I businesses. He has clocked up extensive software and dealership operational management experience delivering exceptional customer engagement, resulting in higher conversions, retention and aftermarket revenue.
As a start-up within the BookMyGarage aftersales ecosystem, Toot Cars will expand the company’s presence into the automotive sales environment by connecting potential car buyers with retailer’s used car stock during their aftersales journey. This is particularly relevant at moments such as an MOT failure or an unexpected repair bill, when consumers are often reassessing whether it makes sense to keep their current vehicle or move to another one. Through its position at the centre of these ownership and maintenance decisions, BookMyGarage is uniquely placed to help retailers connect with consumers at the point vehicle replacement becomes a genuine consideration.
Jeff said: “The business has long thought about how it could better connect sales and aftersales, and Toot Cars is being designed to explore how moments of aftersales engagement can create future vehicle sales opportunities. By better understanding when a customer may be considering their next vehicle, the concept aims to help retailers present relevant used car options at a more useful point in the ownership journey. The focus is less about creating something entirely new, and more about rethinking how existing customer journeys – particularly around service, MOT and repair – intersect with wider ownership decisions.
Toot Cars is exploring how those moments can be better understood, and how sales and aftersales journeys can be more intelligently connected – in a way that works for both consumers and retailers. BookMyGarage brings together automotive retail experience, marketplace thinking and data-led insight to help shape how these journeys evolve within an already established and growing platform.”
BookMyGarage co-founder, Karen Rotberg said: “This is an exciting concept in its very early stages and one that has the potential to redefine how retailers identify and engage future vehicle buyers. By combining AI, consumer behaviour insights and the unique ownership journey data generated through our platform, we’re exploring a completely new way of connecting sales and aftersales. Rather than simply advertising vehicles, the ambition is to better understand when a driver may be considering a change of car and help retailers build relevant, timely relationships with those consumers.
As we developed the concept, it became clear that Alistair’s experience across automotive retail, technology and customer engagement made him the ideal person to help bring that vision to life. His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to develop the proposition and explore the opportunity ahead – we are thrilled to have him onboard.”
Through his 30 year career in the automotive sector, Jeff brings extensive experience spanning dealership operations, automotive technology and strategic consultancy. He has advised OEMs, dealer groups and technology providers across the UK, Europe and South Africa, as well as investing in a premium used car dealership, giving him a unique perspective across both vehicle sales and aftersales.
Jeff has also held senior leadership roles with automotive retail suppliers such as chief commercial officer for Real Time Communications LTD and managing director at CitNOW Video.
Jeff added, “I’m really pleased to be working with BookMyGarage on this next stage of innovation. What makes Toot Cars interesting is that it starts from a genuine customer moment. Drivers are already using BookMyGarage when they are thinking about the cost, condition and future of their vehicle, so there is a natural opportunity to better connect those aftersales decisions with relevant used car options.
For retailers, the opportunity is to engage with potential buyers earlier and in a more relevant way. The pilot is about learning how we can make that connection work properly for consumers, dealers and independent retailers before we take the concept further. Am genuinely delighted to be working on this alongside co-founders Karen & Douglas Rotberg and to be part of the BookMyGarage team.”
