Quick Questions: Commercial Motor meets Julian Smith, used vehicle sales director, JDS Renault Trucks

RB: What is your favourite holiday destination?
JS: Any snow-covered mountain resort, as long as it has plenty of après-ski. I’m a winter sports fanatic and try to do at least two trips every ski season.

RB: What car do you drive?
JS: A BMW 335d M-Sport.

RB: What are your hobbies?
JS: Football - I follow England to most away games. People think I’m mad and after some performances I tend to agree. At home I enjoy mountain biking and walking my dog around my home town of Burnley, Lancashire.

RB: How did you get into the industry?
JS: I saw an advert in the local paper for a trainee truck salesman, while waiting to start university in 1991. I have had an interest in anything with an engine since an early age, so the thought of big trucks appealed. I got the job, cancelled university and have never looked back. The industry has given me a fantastic career.

RB: How would you encourage more young people into the industry?
JS: Self-promote, we forget how good we are. I read an article about a car dealership offering overnight servicing - how many decades have we been doing that? There are many career paths that young people can explore. Truck manufacturers and dealers are offering fantastic opportunities to apprentices.

RB: What is the outlook for your sector of the market over the next 12 months?
JS: Challenging times ahead for the obvious reasons - Brexit, Ultra Low Emission Zones, Direct Vision Standards, but for used sales this should lead to an upturn in business as operators hold off decisions on buying new equipment.

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