Within a given franchise model, individual vehicle specifications are normally designated as variants, such as 1.2 RT saloon manual, 1.8 coupe, 1.6 Classic Estate. The Model variants form is displayed when the Model variants option is selected from the Franchise Data menu.
These variant codes are used in both the vehicle administration and CRM vehicle records, and can be used as a parameter to modify the postings to the Nominal Ledger from vehicle administration if variant analysis is required, although this would lead to a very detailed, if not cluttered, Nominal Ledger. This variant code is the third parameter in making up a vehicle identification code together with the franchise and model codes.
Franchise Code: The prime key to the table is a combination of the three-digit franchise code.
Model Code: Consists of up to ten-digit Model Code.
Variant: Consists of up to a 10-digit alpha numeric code for the specific variant.
Show current variants: This tick box, enables only current variants to be displayed for selection.
Warning: Extreme caution should be exercised with regard to the deletion of variant codes that have been on file for any measurable length of time due to the possible ramifications of deleting one from the master table which has already been attributed to other records elsewhere, such as in CRM or vehicle records.
The tabs are headed as follows:-
Sub Model code: The sub-model is created at Model level, once created it would be attached to all relevant variants. This is not a mandatory field. Any variant not selected through the sub-model routine would have Any sub-model Group entered into the field.
Current Variant: This allows the user to set the variant to its appropriate status, the statuses are as follows:
Y = Current Variant.
N = Non Current.
O = Obsolete (Hidden).
Descriptions: VSB\SR: This field, up to 50 characters long, should hold the description of the vehicle as it is required to be printed or displayed, in the various places where it may be required, such as stock lists, quotations, invoices and correspondence. It is usual that this field contains the franchise and model description as well as the particular details of the variant. In that way it saves defining three fields to be printed where the full description is required.
POS: This field, up to 30 characters long, should hold the description of the vehicle as it is required to be printed or displayed in the Point of Sale module.
CRM: This field, up to 50 characters long, should hold the description of the vehicle as it is required to be printed or displayed in the CRM module.
Vehicle class: Clicking on the drop down menu provides you with two possible entries, P if the variant is private vehicle, and C if the variant is a commercial vehicle. This field is used when applying a variant code to a record in the vehicle administration system. So far as the records of new vehicles are concerned, it will determine whether or not car tax should be applied, and for used vehicle records it will determine the calculation of VAT output at the time of sale.
The next field helps to differentiate between light and heavy commercial vehicles. If the vehicle class is P for private car then the default will be L: for light. If the class is C for commercial then you will be asked to enter an L for light or H for heavy code. This code is used to determine which vehicle identity screen the vehicle administration program uses. Once again, this can be selected by clicking on the drop down menu facility.
Weight: If the vehicle class referred to above is set to C for commercial, then this field can be used to record the unladen weight, which can then be extracted for printing or displaying on various reports or documents.
Body Style: This is one of the few multiple choice parameters in the system where the options are not user defined in a table or parameter table. They are fixed within the program and clicking on the drop down menu reveals some of the possibilities.
S - saloon
C - coupe
H - hatchback
E - estate
2 - two seater
V - van
R - soft (rag) top
O - off road
P - pick-up truck
L - lorry
Your input will be validated as being one of these codes. The use of this code is as part of the vehicle locator, an up to 16-character definition code, used to find vehicles of a given type (see Locator code later on in this topic).
Number of doors: In a similar way to the previous parameter, the number of doors on the vehicle variant, usually 2, 3, 4 or 5, can be entered here and built up into the locator code
C.C: The engine size in cubic centimeters can be entered here. If this is used in the locator code, it is usual practice to only express it rounded to the nearest 100 c.c. In this field it should be entered in full and to the exact amount, so that it can be used on all vehicle documentation that requires accurate detail, such as invoices and quotes.
Fuel tank capacity: Vehicle fuel tank capacity
BHP: Engine Brake Horse Power for the variant
Co2 Emission: Co2 emission of the variant
Fuel: In a similar way to the body style, the options here are not user definable in a table or parameter table, but are fixed in the program and prompted having clicked the drop down menu facility.
P - leaded petrol
U - unleaded petrol
D - diesel
L - LPG
M - mixed
2 - 2 star
O - Other
Drivers side: This field is used to indicate if the vehicle is left hand drive or right hand drive.
Transmission type: This field is used to indicate the number of gears of the vehicle.
Model year: This field is used to indicate the model year of the vehicle.
Average Consumption: This field is used to input the average fuel consumption.
VS Posting Code: Used to facilitate new posting table mechanism in VSB.
Manufacturer's code: This ia a code for the particular variant selected, the code is a combination of Franchise code, Model code and Variant code. These codes may not, however, be the same as that used by the manufacturer to identify this particular type of vehicle. To assist in future developments so far as direct manufacturer updating of vehicle related systems for pricing, ordering, delivery, sales advice, and so on, we have built in an additional identity code which should contain the code for the vehicle type as defined by the manufacturer or concessionaire.
Price Book Code:The field is up to 20 characters alpha numeric and should be a unique code in respect of this particular variant. The system will check the individuality of this field, not at input stage, but when saving the record back on file, and if any duplication is found, it will not allow the record to be created or amended back to disk until the field is unique.
Chassis prefix: If the chassis numbers of all vehicles of this variant commence with certain consistent digits, then those digits can be entered here. If any value is entered here, then all vehicle records maintained in either Vehicle Administration or CRM with this variant code will have to contain this value at the start of their chassis numbers. The chassis prefix can be held at either the model level (see the previous section on Models) if all variants are allocated the same chassis prefix, or it can be held here at the variant level if there are different chassis prefixes for different variants within the same model range. If no code is found here on the variant record, then the CRM Vehicle record maintenance program will look at the field on the Model record.
Service model group: This code is used in the Service Point-of-Sale system to determine the correct allowed time for a specific operation. It can be held as a cross-reference either at the model level (see previous topic on Model Codes) if all variants are allocated the same Service model group, or it can be cross-referenced here at a variant level if there are different times for the same operation within the same model range. If no code is found here on the variant record, then the CRM Vehicle record maintenance program will look at the field on the Model record.
Note: There is a search facility available, which is activated by clicking on the
button adjacent to the field.
MS Company code: This is a two letter code identifying the name of the company from the Manufacturer Systems (MS) module that is held at the Franchise level, for example RE for Renault. The code is displayed on the form for reference purposes only.
Model analysis code: This code is used to provide broad model analysis regardless of specific model code. In a multi-franchise environment it can be used to group all compact vehicles, as opposed to small saloons, medium saloons, executive saloons, sports, and so on. Even in a single franchise environment, it can provide continuity across model changes such as Ford Escort being replaced by Ford Focus, or Ford Sierra being replaced by Ford Mondeo, etc. In that way, using the model analysis code, vehicle park data and sales analysis across different specific model life-times is possible.
Insurance group This field can be left blank.
Hire group: This field is only used by the fleet management software, so for the franchised dealer requirements it can be left blank.
Vehicle type: This parameter is used by the vehicle administration program to determine whether a particular franchise model variant can be used for only new vehicle records, only used vehicle records, or both new and used. There are therefore three possible settings for this parameter as follows:
N - New vehicles only
U - Used vehicles only
B - Both new and used vehicles
Tip To help you select the correct parameter you can click on the drop down
indicated by a downward pointing arrow. The significance of this parameter, so far as analysis and Nominal Ledger integration is concerned, is fully explained in the Vehicle Administration Advanced on-line help.
M/Club Free Period: Not used in the UK.
Locator code: This field is made up of a combination of various other elements of the variant record, what those components are, and how many characters of each can be user defined for each system (see Locator definition). Once the definition has been made, then the various elements should be entered in the given positions. In the example contained in this on-line help the locator definition is as follows:
A locator code will be added to every vehicle administration record, according to the franchise, model, variant of the vehicle, and can then be used to find all vehicles with a given locator element or combination thereof.
By clicking on the Information button, (when in either Create or Amend mode) an Information on locator window with the following table will be displayed.
Start |
Length |
Description |
Value |
1 |
1 |
Franchise |
D |
2 |
5 |
Model Code |
SMALL |
7 |
5 |
Variant |
SMALL |
13 |
2 |
Cubic Capacity (00s) |
13 |
14 |
1 |
Body style |
H |
15 |
1 |
Number of Doors. |
4 |
16 |
1 |
Class |
B |
So the example was entered as follows, (being the symbol for ANY franchise, SMALL (being the first five letters of the model code SMALLCAR, 1.3GL4 (being the first six characters of the variant code), 13 (where the exact C.C rating of 1295 has been rounded up to the nearest hundred), S (because the variant is defined as a saloon) and B4 (being the number of doors). If necessary blank spaces should be left where the potential parameters do not take up all of the space reserved for them.
A locator code will be added to every vehicle administration record, according to the franchise, model, variant of the vehicle, and can then be used to find all vehicles with a given locator element or combination thereof.
Sequence No: This allows the users to sequence the way the variant is shown in the search listing.
CAP Ref: Enter the CAP data reference.
Fleet EDI ID: This field is used in conjunction with CAP data.
Note: There is a search facility available, which is activated by clicking on the
1st MOT after (months): This field holds the default period before the first MOT test will be due for this model. The MOT renewal date for all CRM Vehicle records created with this variant code will be based on the date first registered plus this number of months. This field can also be maintained at a model level. If no value is found here at the variant record level then the CRM Vehicle record maintenance program will look at the field on the Model record.
MOT months thereafter: This field holds the MOT months thereafter.
1st Service at (Miles): This field holds the default 1st service interval in miles or kilometers and allows users to enter the services required in miles, which will be allocated to all CRM Vehicle records created with this variant code.
Service miles thereafter: This field holds the service miles thereafter.
1st Service at (months): This field holds the default 1st service interval in months and allows users to enter the services required in months, which will be allocated to all CRM Vehicle records created with this variant code.
Service months thereafter: This field holds the service months thereafter.
Timing belt replace (months): This field holds the default timing belt interval in months which will be allocated to all CRM Vehicle records created with this variant code.
Timing belt replace (miles): This field holds the default timing belt intervals in miles or kilometres which will be allocated to all CRM Vehicle records created with this variant code.
Days required for PDI: This field hold the days in which a PDI may take, as this could vary from variant to variant.
Warranty months: This field holds the default period of manufacturer's warranty for this variant. The warranty expiry date for all CRM Vehicle records created with this variant code will be based on the date first registered plus this number of months.
Warranty max mileage:This field holds the default mileage warranty for this variant.
Body warranty months: This field holds the default period of manufacturer's body warranty for this variant. The body warranty expiry date for all CRM Vehicle records created with this variant code will be based on the date first registered plus this number of months.
Body warranty max mileage: This field holds the default maximum mileage for Body warranty for this variant.
Warranty terms table: This field holds two characters, alpha or numeric that holds the default warranty group.
Tacho Recalibration Frequency (months): This field holds the default Tacho Recalibration Frequency in months for this variant. (If installed).
Tacho Check Frequency (months): This field holds the default Tacho Check Frequency in months for this variant. (If installed).
The pricing tab of the variant record is mostly devoted to prices and costs. So far as the selling price information is concerned, there are three prices defined as:
Cost Calculation This enables the user to select what calculation will be used for each variant record. Click on the adjacent to this field.
N- Percentage of list price from model or franchise.
P- Percentage of list price for this variant only.
B- Fixed bonus (value).
C- Fixed cost price (value).
Car tax code: Currently the special car tax on vehicles is calculated in one way only (five per cent of five sixths of the list price, or 4.167%). To allow for possible future developments, there is the potential to store up to 5 different special car tax calculation formulae against the codes A to E.
Option Margin %: If there is a discount applied by the manufacturer off the option price, to calculate the dealer cost, if different to the standard margin for the variants within this model range, then it can be held at variant level where it is different from the franchise or model standard. The fields will hold the percentage discount attributable to the given variant.
VAT code: In the Accounting system, a series of VAT codes will be defined for the purpose of recording VAT inputs and outputs, and against each one a percentage rate will be defined. Once they have been defined then the base amount of goods, as well as the VAT charge, can be recorded against each one. The code used here therefore should be the one which vehicle sales are updated to and containing the appropriate rate, (usually either S for standard rate or C for cars where you wish the VAT on vehicles to be held against a different code). You can click on the drop down menu, indicated by a downward pointing arrow, to help make your selection.
Currency code: On manual creation only, select the required Currency code for this variant.
Tip:Once a variant has been created the Currency code can not be amended.
Special inclusion: Under this heading, there are three associated parameters relating to the possible incidence of a particular additional cost relating to this vehicle. If there is such a cost then the first field Value will contain the amount of the additional cost. The next two fields are check boxes, either set to a tick for Yes or unset for No. This determines whether special car tax and VAT will be added to that amount. If they are set to a tick for Yes, the rate used will be the same ones as defined for the standard list price.
Value: This field is not used. This can be left blank.
Special RFL: This field is not used, it is to be left blank.
Car tax: This field is not used within the UK.
VRB Defaults: Under this heading, there are two fields, which relate to Volume related bonuses
VRB Value: Enter the VRB Value.
VRB %: Enter the VRB percentage.
Market launch date: This field should show the date from which the vehicle variant became current. depress the button search facility to access a Calendar to help make your selection.
Out of Production Date: This field can display the date of when the variant has gone, or is due to go out of production.
Run out date: This field can display the date of when the variant can no longer be supplied.
Generic Options: This tab enables users to add, amend,and delete groups of options to vehicles, via the variant record. See Generic option categories for more information.
Use the Notes tab to enter any text that may be appropriate to the selected Model Variant.
It is possible at a model variant level to define annual after-sales target revenues which should be attained by the service department for all vehicles of a particular variant, and then use these target figures to measure actual performance. The target figures entered here will be added to every vehicle record created in the CRM Vehicle database. There are five fields of data that require set-up if this feature is to be utilized, and they are as follows:
A/sales Parts Potential: This field should hold a realistic estimate of the value of parts (at average selling prices) that would be fitted by the workshop to this variant of vehicle, assuming a normal maintenance pattern and vehicle reliability.
A/sales Labour Potential: This field should hold a realistic estimate of the value of labour (at average selling prices) that would be carried out by the workshop to this variant of vehicle, assuming a normal maintenance pattern and vehicle reliability.
A/sales Sublet Potential: This field should hold a realistic estimate of the value of sublet work (at average selling prices) that would be applied by the workshop to this variant of vehicle, assuming a normal maintenance pattern and vehicle reliability. This can be difficult to estimate due to the nature of sublet work but could contain such items as Tyres, MOTs (if the dealer does not do this work themselves), and so on.
A/sales Counter Parts Potential: This field should hold a realistic estimate of the value of parts (at average selling prices) that would be supplied by the parts department to this variant of vehicle, over and above those parts sold through the workshop, assuming a normal maintenance pattern and vehicle reliability. This can be difficult to estimate due to the varying degree of workshop customer retention.
Base Annual Mileage: The mileage entered here should be that on which the previous sales values were assumed. If the actual vehicles carry out more or less miles than this base, then the system will automatically pro-rata the targets on individual CRM Vehicle records.
There may be a requirement to record the manufacturing details of a model variant. The fields on this page enable you to do that. The setup of these fields is not mandatory.
Vehicle Details
Homologation number: This field indicates the homologation number of the vehicle.
Engine type: This field is used to indicate the engine type of the vehicle.
Body type: This field is used to indicate the Body type of the vehicle.
Seating capacity: This field is used to indicate the seating capacity of the vehicle.
Load weight: This field is used to indicate the load weight.
No. of cylinders: Indicates the number of cylinders of the vehicle.
Engine Horsepower: Indicates the engine horsepower.
Commodity code: Indicates the commodity code.
Vehicle Size
Length of vehicle: Indicate the length of the vehicle.
Width of vehicle: Indicate the width of the vehicle.
Height of vehicle: Indicate the height of the vehicle.
Wheelbase: Indicate the wheelbase of the vehicle.
Business Cust Fee.This allows users to enter up to 5 amounts for business customer fees.
Customer Cust Fee.This allows users to enter up to 5 amounts for private customer fees.
Picture: This field is used in cases where images (computerized pictures) of vehicles are stored on the system, and subsequently displayed in either quotations or displays of stock lists.
Buttons
Exit: Returns you to the Franchise Data menu.
Help: Displays help on the current application using the default browser.
Cancel: Allows you to exit the Model Variant form without saving any changes.
