Former Lakeside car dealership returns on-line

CARCRAFT, the well-known car supermarket brand, formally headquartered in Rochdale and with dealerships across the UK, including Lakeside, is back but in an all-new online form at www.carcraft.co.uk thanks to entrepreneurs Reg and Louis Rix – the owner-manger team behind online finance business Carfinance247.

The brothers have resurrected the Carcraft brand online after purchasing the web domain and Intellectual Property of Carcraft.co.uk earlier this year.

The site differs from other car classified sites in that it is designed to allow consumers to buy a car and source finance at the same time, with a streamlined process and clear communication on expected payments. Buyers are able to search within their monthly budget as well as by make, model and location.

While the Carcraft name is familiar, that is where the similarity ends. Visitors to the new Carcraft.co.uk website will find a completely new look and feel – one more akin to the digital age it is now part of. The site has been designed with a simple and user-friendly interface and delivers refreshingly easy customer experience.

The Carcraft brand, which is synonymous with eighties radio jingles and more recently its ‘Drive Happy’ TV advertising campaign, came to life more than 60 years ago, and, before losing its way and falling on hard times last year, was a successful multi-million pound business.

The launch comes as the motor industry has witnessed a sea change in online activity this year – research from Experian has claimed a 26% increase in visits to automotive-industry related sites and a massive 50% increase in traffic coming from mobile devices.

Reg Rix, managing director of the all-new Carcraft brand, said:

“The plan is to reinvigorate consumer confidence in the Carcraft name by delivering a reliable and trustworthy one-stop-shop for finding and funding a used car online.

“Having worked in the motor industry all my life the Carcraft brand means a lot to me. It was a huge deal during my early years in the trade and I was sad to see it go. I believe we can breathe new life into it, reviving it for the digital age and ultimately turning it back into a name that customers will trust and think about with affection.”

He continued: “Over the years, we have developed some of the smartest technical systems and quality processes in the industry that will allow us to deliver an exceptional shopping experience and customer service that rivals any offline experience. It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that welcome the new generation of online car buyers to the new Carcraft website.”

Already experienced in running a successful online classified car business, selling their Netcars business to the RAC in 2014, the brothers will operate the new Carcraft site in partnership with their multiple-award winning car finance business Carfinance247 . Combining resources, buyers can search thousands of used cars nationwide and the most competitive financing deals available.

Carfinance247 has enjoyed a phenomenally successful year, during which the brothers have picked up a string of awards and accolades for Carfinance247, including Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100, Deloitte Fast 50 and Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to work for.