A notable feature of this year’s Geneva Motor Show was the proliferation of powertrain options.

Plug-in petrol-electric hybrids, diesel-electric hybrids and plug-in diesel-electric hybrids joined ‘pure’ electric vehicles, cleaner diesels and the broadest-ever range of turbocharged petrol engines.

Some manufacturers have even revised their naming conventions to reflect the abundance of engine and transmission types.

For the consumer, this seemingly ever-widening range presents a potentially daunting set of choices. Yet it can be even more daunting for those working at dealerships.

It’s been reported this week that 86% of UK car buyers research their car in the evening, visiting three ‘online dealerships’ before paying their one visit to a ‘physical dealership’.

This combination of well-informed consumers and huge choice means there’s a real danger that sales people know less about the cars they’re selling than those they’re selling to do. Which would make recommending the right car for them almost impossible.

Customers need to feel they’re buying from an expert. Otherwise they’ll quickly double the number of dealerships they do visit.