The International Car Distribution Programme: Project Evolution, Activities, and Research Summary
The International Car Distribution Programme (ICDP) is the worlds largest research study into cardistribution. Supported by 29 companies and organisations, ICDP will complete its first 2 yearinvestigation into all aspects of franchised car retailing and after-sales in March 1996. Plans are alreadybeing made for a further 2 years of study.ICDPs objectives are to help all participants in car distribution plan for the future by developing new ideasfor improving the present system or for introducing entirely new distribution formats. These solutions willbe based on a deep understanding of the present system, using independent data collection and research.International comparisons between distribution system performance - in many cases, aggregatingcommercially confidential data previously unavailable to researchers - is revealing a range of best practicesand benchmarks around which new policies can be built.ICDPs principal data collection and analysis is being carried out by a European research network ofacademics and independent researchers, supported by US and Japanese research activities. Research topicsare focused on two main streams - franchised dealer operations, their profitability and organisation, andmanufacturer topics, including supply and stocking systems and franchised standards. Evaluation ofconsumer issues will form part of both streams.ICDP is a highly participative programme and its meetings provide a unique forum for sponsor members todebate issues facing car distribution. The involvement of all players in the sector - manufacturers, dealergroups, dealer associations, finance companies, logistics companies, after market suppliers - makes theseICDP discussion sessions unique. There is an opportunity to debate contentious issues in an independentframework supported by research-based information.
