Good Garage Scheme proves social media can help the automotive industry

The UK-wide Good Garage Scheme has proved that social media can benefit the automotive business by recruiting a new member through consistent social media activity.

Manchetts Garage based in Cambridge and Newmarket was already aware of the Good Garage Scheme but was unsure of the member benefits. The independent garage already had its own Twitter account, from which it regularly tweeted special offers and blog posts. Upon seeing a number of consistently informative tweets from the Good Garage Scheme, Manchetts sent a direct message over the network to enquire about becoming a member.

“I followed the Good Garage Scheme by chance. Someone I follow retweeted something they had sent out and when I had a look at the kind of tweets they were sending, I realised that they had some really interesting facts and advice on motoring that garages like mine could benefit from,” said Mandy Manchett, Marketing Manager, Manchetts Garage.

“I liked the fact that the Good Garage Scheme is consistently tweeting interesting content and engaging with followers. It uses Twitter to actively promote member garages and I wanted Manchetts to benefit from being a part of an online independent garage community.”

With over 4,200 followers, the Good Garage Scheme is regularly active on Twitter, tweeting interesting facts, tips and information on motoring and the automotive industry every day. The scheme also has a Facebook page that has over 1000 likes. The company is well versed in how certain practices like hashtags and trending topics can enhance its Twitter reputation. Its Twitter name, Good Garages, was another feature that raised the interest of Manchetts.

“I think the Good Garage Scheme has a really good Twitter handle, which says everything you need know about it. It quite literally is a network of good garages, working together to offer the best service possible to motorists,” said Mandy.

The Good Garage Scheme has been using Twitter and Facebook for the last two years, making social media more of a priority in its overall business strategy. The company uses social networking as a way to share its latest blog posts, driving tips and advice as well as supporting and promoting member garages.

Anndi Sheppard, Marketing Manager for the Good Garage Scheme said: “We are delighted that our Twitter activity has brought us to the attention of a new member garage. In this day and age, social networking really can help a business to interact with its customers on a more personal level and this is proof that it can be advantageous to businesses in the motoring sector.”

Apart from social media, the Good Garage Scheme offered Manchetts appealing benefits as a Good Garage Scheme member. Mandy added: “I particularly like the feedback system the Good Garage Scheme has in place for its member garages. Customer relations are very important to us and we want to hear when we have done a good job so we can build on the positives and improve our service even more.”

To read the Good Garage Scheme blog and catch up with the conversation on Twitter and Facebook, visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com.

Anndi Sheppard, Good Garage Scheme, on tel: 024 7647 2649, email: marketing@goodgaragescheme.co.uk or

John Edden, Bridge PR and Media Services on, tel: 024 7652 0025, email: john@bridgepr.co.uk

Editor’s note:-

The Good Garage Scheme was set up as a self-regulatory body for independent workshops and MOT centres throughout the UK to ensure its members maintain the best industry standards. The scheme has thousands of members who adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and offer an Industry Standard Service.

Good Garage Scheme members:

- Adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and pledge to have their customers’ best interests at heart

- Must agree what work needs doing with their customers before it is carried out

- Work to an Industry Standard Service checklist

- Must supply each customer with a feedback card allowing them to give their views on service directly to the Good Garage Scheme, which operates a stringent   complaints procedureAre subject to mystery shoppers and regular audits

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