The 18th edition of the Automotive Dealer Day has concluded, this year adopting an innovative digital format. We worked to digitize something very physical, enhancing the use of technology while still fostering personal and business relationships. This led us more than ever to embrace the chosen theme this year, which is business explorers.
Over the course of 2 days, participants interacted in a completely new exhibition area and followed a schedule that combined sessions from the Content Program with events promoted by industry companies and manufacturers.
During the sessions, we tackled the major themes of this critical moment as we move toward a new future. We started with an international perspective, thanks to greetings from NADA in the United States, and then we heard from various experts who provided insights into different dynamic worlds: Possumato and Cariss shared their views on mobility experimentation in the USA, Luca Ciferri discussed new structures, alliances, and globalization, and Giovanni Palazzo unveiled the new frontiers of electrification. The digital aspect was extensively examined by both Motorsclub, Cascioli, Barchetti dealers and a mix of voices from outside the sector, including brands like Moleskine and Amazon. The digital aspect was also celebrated through the Internet Sales Award, which was won this year by the Trivellato dealership. We dedicated an entire session to the used car market, which has been hot for many years, with insights from dealerships such as De Bona Motors, Special Car Group, and Vernocchi Auto. There were also two sessions focused on service, particularly on customer loyalty and new solutions implemented by manufacturers, with testimonials from dealers like Autosilver, Carfin, Errebi, and Gruppo Zatti, as well as representatives from Mercedes-Benz Italia and Ford Italia. We delved into unconventional finance with the Banca Finint Group and the Autotorino dealership.
We also shared consumer insights from the Quintegia Research Center, discussing evolving attitudes, areas of dissatisfaction to address, and new approaches to customers to avoid excessive standardization.
Finally, we heard testimonials from major dealers like Autotorino, Di.Ba. and Eurocar Italia, as well as medium-sized dealers like Barbuscia, Gruppo Stav, and Peragnoli Auto. We gathered insights and perspectives from various number ones at automotive companies, including Bitti from Kia Motors Company Italy, Di Silvestre from BMW Italia, Innocenti from Porsche Italia, Jelinek from Mercedes-Benz Italia, Maver from Jaguar Land Rover Italia, and Gaetano Thorel from PSA Groupe Italia. This year, more than ever, we were able to collect ideas to work on from authoritative voices outside the industry: Oscar Farinetti, Giampaolo Grossi of Starbucks Italy, Paolo Iabichino, Jay Rao, a professor at Babson School, Nerio Alessandri of Technogym, and Beatrice Venezi, an orchestra conductor.
This year’s event allowed us to continue innovating by exploring new territory and a new context that was put to the test, and it marked a significant leap forward, partly reviving the pioneering spirit of the first ADD in 2003. These two days were filled with content, relationships, and inspiration, and we are already working on the next edition. We look forward to seeing you on September 14-15-16, 2021 in Verona!
