News

Press Release - 25 February 2008

Car Dealer Magazine Helps BEN

NEW motor trade magazine, Car Dealer, is set to become a motor dealer in an attempt to raise money for the Automotive Industry Charity, BEN.

After the kind donation of a car from one of the magazine’s advertisers – Autotrade-Mail – Car Dealer magazine is taking up the first leg of an elaborate relay race. ‘The idea was to create an interesting feature for our new magazine first and foremost,’ explained Car Dealer editorial director James Baggott. ‘But then after meeting with Autotrade-Mail we realised that this could be far bigger and we could actually raise some serious cash for BEN.’

So, what’s the idea? Well, Car Dealer will try to sell the M-reg Ford Fiesta for as much money as possible and then that entire amount will be handed over to another trader. The 51,000-mile, genuine one owner model has a year’s MOT, but no tax – it’s likely it’ll go for around £400 if the magazine is lucky.

So how can other people get involved? Easily, says James.

‘Whether you’re a franchised dealer group or an independent trader we don’t mind – we just want you to turn whatever we give you into as much money as possible in a month.’ Every month the cash will be passed on to a new trader and the story of how the money was increased by each participant will be featured each month in our magazine. ‘We’ve got the first traders lined up who’ll be doing the first legs, but we need more, so if any dealers would like to help their industry charity and would like to be featured in our magazine, then please get in touch,’ added James.

So what’s the new magazine all about? Well, let James explain that too. ‘Car Dealer will reflect a dynamic and exciting trade with fun and entertaining features. We’ll be reviewing cool cars, serving up the latest news, letting the most outspoken trade experts voice their opinions and will be covering all the product launches that can make dealers more money. ‘The emphasis is on fun,’ added James. ‘We want traders to enjoy reading Car Dealer every month above all else. If they take it home to read instead of leave it in the office, then we’ve done our job!’

The first issue of Car Dealer magazine – owned by family publisher Blackball Media – is set to hit dealers’ desks in mid-March. To subscribe to Car Dealer is completely FREE OF CHARGE but only for bonafide members of the motor trade – visit www.cardealermagazine.co.uk for details.

BEN’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Charles Davis, welcomed this new fundraising and pr initiative saying, ‘We are very excited about seeing a regular monthly feature in Car Dealer magazine and believe its readership profile is a perfect match for BEN. We continually need to review how we promote BEN to all those in our industry and regular editorial features are very important. We would like to thank James Baggott for being so innovative and wish him luck with his new venture. Please get in touch with James if you feel able to help.
 

Further information & Picture:
Lorna Russell, Media Relations Officer, BEN
T: 01344 294765 M: 07920 138187 Fax 01344 622042
lorna.russell@ben.org.uk 

Editors’ Notes
BEN is the Automotive Industry Charity, the only occupational charity for those who work or have worked in the automotive and related industries. Founded in 1905, the Charity provides practical help, support, advice and friendship to more than 15,000 men and women and their families every year. In addition BEN provides a home to over 350 individuals who reside in one of its four residential centres in the UK and offers day care facilities at its centre in Coventry.
Website: www.ben.org.uk