Cardinali new ALLDATA sales manager for Ireland

ALLDATA Europe, a leading provider of original vehicle manufacturer (VM) repair, maintenance and diagnostic data, has appointed Christian Cardinali as regional sales manager for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Cardinali has been a resident of Northern Ireland for more than 20 years; therefore, he brings an in-depth understanding of the Irish automotive sector, as well as the independent workshop and bodyshop industries, to the role.

With extensive experience in sales and marketing too, Cardinali is well-positioned to raise awareness of ALLDATA Repair, which offers genuine and unedited original equipment manufacturer (OEM) repair information from 41 VMs to industry professionals.

ALLDATA Repair comprises of more than 90 million articles, 8.5 million technical drawings and wiring diagrams with electrical connector views – that’s repair and maintenance procedures for 144,000 year, make, model and engine combinations. It is the equivalent of 96 per cent of vehicles on the road today.

Cardinali has already met with existing partners, forging new partnerships, and using his established automotive network. He said he is confident he can empathise with customers north and south of the border, utilising various techniques to share the advantages of independent professionals using genuine data in their day-to-day operations.

“I am confident I understand what garages in these regions need and the types of vehicles they work with,” Cardinali said. “In Northern Ireland, for example, there’s a perception that they are a bit disconnected from the rest of the UK, but having someone local, like me, on the ground has helped build trust.

“I’ve been out on the road for just a few weeks, and the response has been great. People have been receptive, asking questions about our product before I even explain it! They realise quickly that they need access to accurate data, especially for modern vehicles.

“Being on the road and knocking on doors is crucial, but we also use social media. Most of the garages we target are independent businesses or sole traders, and many of them are active. By engaging with them on their platforms, we’re able to reach a larger audience. Once garages subscribe, word spreads quickly because they are part of a vibrant community.”

He concluded: “Ultimately, my job is to steer independent professionals in the right direction. I’m not here to teach them how to do their job, but I can show them the tools and information they need to work on unfamiliar or particularly difficult jobs. Modern cars are complicated, so offering them a resource in ALLDATA Repair and enabling them to use genuine OEM data to bridge the gap is rewarding.”

ALLDATA Europe will be exhibiting at Auto Trade EXPO 2024, which takes place alongside the CV Workshop EXPO at the RDS in Dublin from 12th-13th October.