The MOTOM online platform debuted this autumn with big ambitions to drive change in the remarketing sector. CEO Julian Humphreys and CCO Mel Goodliffe speak to Fleet World about their plans.

MOTOM was unveiled in the autumn of 2022, comprising a B2B used car trading app and a desktop sibling

An independent automotive technology business, MOTOM has ambitions to challenge and drive fundamental change across the wholesale remarketing sector of the UK automotive industry.

Uniquely supported by 12 seasoned remarketing experts who served as pre-launch advisors, MOTOM was unveiled in the autumn of 2022. Its B2B used car trading app, combined with a desktop sibling, delivers a robust digital platform that’s interactive, engaging and intuitive to use. And as the used vehicle market anticipates a cooling in values, MOTOM’s low-cost proposition complements users’ appetite to drive down their total cost of defleet and/or acquisition.

The MOTOM management team is underpinned with over 100 years of experience across the automotive finance, mobility, fleet and asset management sectors and includes two regarded personalities from the fleet and leasing industry. CEO, Julian Humphreys, brings Board-level experience from his time with Interleasing, General Motors and Maxxia Group whilst CCO, Mel Goodliffe, held senior roles with CitiCapital Fleet, Thrifty and Flexxilease.

MOTOM CEO Julian Humphreys

Commenting on the launch of MOTOM, Julian Humphreys says: “The key output from our research advisory panel was clear in that potential users were looking for a low-cost trading platform that’s not only easy to use but allows them to make buying and selling commitments in minutes rather than hours. We also found that many wanted additional tools and big data to help their businesses better compete with the wave of supposed disruption in the sector and be assured they are dealing with an independent business that truly understands the dynamics of the market.”

Mel Goodliffe, pondering the 2023 landscape, adds: “The next 12 months will accelerate unprecedented change in the sector with macro-economic influences such as recession and enhanced asset management. On a local level, the MOTOM telephone support team, speaking with users, are garnering wide-ranging feedback that includes EV transition and values, ULEZ ‘victim vehicles’, rising APRs and consumer confidence alongside the future of disruptors, agency models and the rising cost of defleet and acquisition.”

CCO Mel Goodliffe

Since its launch, which fell in another buoyant year for the used car sector, MOTOM has grown its community to over 350 carefully vetted users. Julian Humphreys believes a lot of the sign-ups are driven, not surprisingly, by “the ease of search for appropriate stock and a growing sensitivity to the increasing costs of acquisition”.

He elaborates: “We believe our technology, together with big data, can help and deliver enhanced market intelligence and profitability in used car wholesaling and further protect the space from the many disruptors and other challenges that continue to impact the sector.” So, as 2022 and their launch activities edge towards the next stage of their evolution, what are Humphreys’ takeaways from this year?

“MOTOM’s simple deliverable and low-cost proposition has attracted some fantastic feedback from buyers and sellers. Additionally, we have engaged with traditional wholesale ‘competitors’ such as auction houses and car supermarkets, acknowledging the growth of ‘phygital’, and fleet lease companies, salary sacrifice players and software businesses recognising MOTOM as a meaningful string to their strategic remarketing bow.”