Essex car dealers star in new Channel 4 doc series

12 June 2013

Channel 4 gets under the bonnet of an Essex used car dealership in a new documentary series, Dealers (w/t).

The 3x60’ series has been commissioned by Channel 4’s deputy head of factual, Nick Mirsky. It is made by Platform Productions and directed by Richard Macer.

Britain is a nation of car lovers.  After our homes, a car is the most expensive thing we’ll ever splash out on. But some people are willing to go thousands of pounds into debt to drive the car of our dreams and, thanks to the likes of Arthur Daley, we don’t believe a word car dealers say.

Filmed at a family-run used car dealership, Essex Car Company, viewers will get to know the salesmen who will do anything they can to close a deal, as well as meeting buyers with an eye for a bargain.

There’s James, the ultimate salesmen, who shifts over thirty cars every month without fail and could, according to his colleagues, ‘sell sand to the Arabs’.

Unlike James, 21-year-old Scott is a struggling junior salesman. He’s not selling enough cars to make a decent living and is getting dangerously close to a final warning from the sales manager, Greg.

At 27, Greg is a precocious boss. A former salesman himself, he oversees all the deals and is charged with making sure the company makes a decent profit. It’s a big responsibility for someone so young.

Nick Mirsky, Channel 4 deputy head of factual, says: “It is a fantastic opportunity to spend time with an enormously charismatic group of workers.  You can’t sell a car without having a way with words - and watching them on TV is a great chance to enjoy their talents without having to worry about your overdraft.“

Richard Macer of Platform Productions says: “Car dealing in recession hit Britain is a tough existence. Over six months filming at Essex Car Company we found that the profit margins are not what they used to be and for the sales staff it really is survival of the fittest. Second hand car dealers here need to live off their wits and have the gift of the gab in order to take home the bacon.”