TEAM WAYLANDS, AT YOUR SERVICE
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR GENERAL MANAGERS
It’s not often we have three General Managers starting at a similar time, so what better way to get them fully integrated into the Waylands community than putting them under the Konnect spotlight!
We hope that, as things are getting back to normal, you will get the chance to meet Jarred, Simon and Daryl in due course, but for now at least you can find out a little more about what makes them tick.
Is the showroom buzzing again?
What toy car does one General Manager still own?
What do customers have to look forward to?
Find out below…
Daryl Best
General Manager
Waylands Volvo Reading
Hi Daryl, can you briefly explain your automotive background?
Yes, I’ve been in the motor trade since 2010. The majority of that time with Renault and Lexus with a year at BMW and 18 months with Toyota in various sales-based roles.
How would you describe Waylands, now that you’re a member of the team?
Waylands provides this fantastic atmosphere for both customers and the staff. There is a general feeling of being part of something great and I am very fortunate to work with some amazing individuals who all care about not just their job, but the whole experience we can offer and provide.
How does the Volvo brand manage to set itself apart?
Volvo has always had such a great reputation for safety and build quality, but now it has modernised the styling, improved the driving dynamics and introduced some utterly fantastic PHEV and BEV vehicles meaning we have something for everyone.
What should customers be looking forward to over the next 12 months from Volvo and Waylands?
I personally think the latest generation of Volvo cars are incredible and I’m very excited to see the addition of the C40 to the Volvo line up. Our loyal customers are of course more than welcome to come and try these cars for themselves. I also think they should also be very excited about some of the ways they can interact with Waylands using some of our new digital services, watch this space…
Is electrification the biggest change to the industry during the time you have been involved in automotive?
It’s certainly one of them but also the ways in which we can now communicate not just with our customers but with our cars as well. I have only been in the industry for 11 years but even in that time, the requirements for high specification cars have gone from remote central locking and air conditioning, to being able to unlock your car and set your 4-zone climate control by asking a speaker in your living room! I think that’s just incredible.
How is Volvo leading the charge on electrification?
Coming from a very hybrid orientated brand previously, it’s great to see that Volvo have not just the mild hybrids, but a great range of PHEV vehicles as well as the fully electric offering. Volvo will be introducing another BEV into the range each year with the ambition of having 50% of sales as fully electric vehicles by 2025 and I fully believe this will be possible.
Is the buzz back in the showroom now that people are moving around a bit more?
Definitely. It’s great to see more and more people coming back to the showroom. Even though we are fully set up for digital transacting, nothing can beat the experience of seeing and test driving a new car first-hand.
If you could drive any car, doesn’t need to be a Volvo, what would it be and why?
Ferrari F40. I still have a toy one which I got when I was young, and I would love to see how one drives.
Simon Bishop
General Manager
Waylands Volvo Oxford
Hi Simon, you have a fair bit of experience outside of Volvo, don’t you?
Yes, I’ve been in the automotive industry for 11 years, starting at Ford as a Sales Executive and was promoted to a multi-franchise site, including Renault, Dacia, SEAT and Citroën as a Business Manager. This gave me great exposure to difference brands, their expectations, and different ways of operating.
I then moved to Volkswagen in 2016 as a Transaction Manager and was promoted to General Sales Manager in 2018. In August 2021, I joined Waylands Oxford Volvo as General Manager.
How does Volvo compare?
It’s an authentic brand that believe in safety, luxury and sustainability. This comes through in its cars and vision for the very near future. There is no false pretence, just great cars.
And how about Waylands – early impressions?
Immediately you can see the investment that Waylands put into its people. The facilities are premium and straight away I could feel that I was joining a team of people that were full of energy, enthusiasm and who love what they do. The fantastic colleague experiences lead to fantastic customer experiences, and we have a lot of fun along the way.
What’s coming up for customers?
There are lots of exciting new products on the horizon, C40 is one of them that’s just around the corner.
Every single new car launched from 2019 onwards has an electric motor. Volvo aim that 50% of their annual sales should be all electric by 2025, with the remainder being hybrids (wow). By committing to be climate neutral by 2040, Volvo clearly understand their responsibility and the role they play in electrification. Aside from the headlines, come and drive an XC40 Full Electric and decide whether you think they’re leading the charge. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
Is electrification the biggest change to the industry during the time you have been involved in automotive?
Yes and no. I think it’s an exciting time that is creating some incredible cars. It represents opportunity, both with the cars being created but also for all of us to make a real change to the world. Every customer who I speak to is amazed at how well electric cars drive. There’s perhaps a preconception that by going electric, you’ll save money and emissions, but that you’ll have to put up with a lesser driving experience.
Not the case! You’ll save money and emissions and have a car that drives better than the one you currently have. I do, however, think that all the hype surrounding electrification represents ‘huge change’ which sometimes makes people apprehensive. They’re still cars – just different. My advice? Come and drive one. Live with it for a few hours and see what you think!
Is the buzz finally back in the showroom now?
Yes, absolutely! We’re excited to see customers back and welcome them to our showrooms. We still have Covid-19 related precautions in place for good reason and to ensure we can keep our colleagues safe and look after our customers safely while they visit us. We have also recently turned the coffee machine back on also – a very welcome return!
If you could drive any car, doesn’t need to be a Volvo, what would it be and why?
Aston Martin DB5. Obvious reasons I’m sure!
Jarred Taylor
General Manager
Waylands Volvo Bristol
Was it motorcycles for you, Jarred, to begin with?
Yes, I joined the motor trade in 2001 selling Suzuki and Yamaha motorcycles and then progressed into cars and have worked with various brands including Peugeot, Hyundai, Fiat, Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover and now Volvo.
How would you describe Waylands to those reading this edition of Konnect?
Waylands is like a family. A truly people centric business that really cares for its people. It’s not like coming to work, it’s like coming home each day.
How does the Volvo brand manage to set itself apart?
What a transformation Volvo has been through. Volvo are open to doing things differently and taking bold steps in innovation that set them apart.
Is electrification the most exciting thing on the horizon for this brand?
There are exciting new models on the horizon but of course the advancements in electrification do make it a really exciting time for Volvo fans, new and old.
Electrification is big for everyone, but nothing compares to how the covid pandemic and lockdowns has changed the shape of our digital space for the better. The industry has had to learn a lot very quickly.
How is Volvo a frontrunner here?
By building cars that offer a seamless electric driving experience with intuitive technology and Google built in which is available on subscription. In addition, the latest line up of Volvo pure electric and plug in hybrids are simply stunning looking cars.
Finally, if you could drive any car, doesn’t need to be a Volvo, what would it be and why?
It happens to be a Volvo. I’d love to be able to track down my late grandfather’s ex-rally 1968 Volvo 122S (the first car I got to drive regularly) and take it for a spin for old times’ sake.