Electric car sales may have reached an all-time high, with almost 120,000 alternatively fuelled vehicles sold in the UK in 2017, but buyers of electric cars face great variations in the rate at which different models depreciate. Research by InsuretheGap.com shows striking differences in the depreciation of ten of the most popular electric cars from their … [Read more...]
MB C Class hits top spot, with thieves
The 2017 league table from Tracker of Top Ten Most Stolen and Recovered Vehicles places the Mercedes-Benz C Class in poll position for the first time, rising from 4th place in 2016. The BMW X5 drops to second place as it leaves the top spot for only the second time since 2011. The 2016 Top Ten, like many previous years, was entirely dominated by … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: New Audi A8 ahead of its time
The new fourth generation Audi A8 is really ahead of its time. It is the first car in the world to be built for the forthcoming age of autonomous vehicles which don’t require driver interaction in traffic at up to close to 40mph, the so-called Level 3 or “eyes off” category. As legislation changes to allow the Level 3 to be ‘turned-on’, beginning in … [Read more...]
Europe is turning its back on diesel, says JATO
The decline in diesel sales is accelerating across Europe. The European car industry had a solid 2017, with new registrations totalling 15.57 million, an increase of 3.1% when compared to 2016 and the highest volume of registrations since 2007 when 16.02 million units were registered but there is still concern over the results of the UK, according to the … [Read more...]
Hydrogen hopes to rewrite valuation projections
Hydrogen cars could rewrite the standard vehicle depreciation curve, members of the Vehicle Remarketing Association heard at their monthly meeting last week. Held at the Swindon offices of fleet management specialist Arval, the meeting took a look at developments in hydrogen technology, availability of cars and likely sales. The town is the centre of the … [Read more...]
Fleet drivers frustration grows
The Fleet: Driver study by Sewells Research & Insight reveals how company car drivers derive less enjoyment from the experience of choosing a new company car, the longer the process goes on. The findings will concern HR departments that invest in company cars as a key tool of staff recruitment and retention. Fleet: Driver uncovered a four-stage … [Read more...]
Tradelines 10 January
Major car fleet manufacturers are failing company car drivers and missing significant sales opportunities through poorly designed websites. The Manufacturer Website Evaluation by Sewells Research & Insight tasked 200 user-choosers with a free choice of company car to find vital information on the websites of 28 manufacturers, backed-up by an … [Read more...]
Petrol v diesel choice is down to real need
Automotive data and valuation expert hpi has compiled a car market analysis for motorists who are faced with making the decision of whether to choose a petrol or diesel car. There is no right or wrong answer when choosing a petrol or diesel car. With so many variables across the whole vehicle sector ranging from the class of vehicle to driver usage having … [Read more...]
How hybrids can be bad for business & society
FleetCheck is warning of poor fuel economy and an increase in emissions for fleets moving to plug-in hybrids, unless accompanied by significant fleet policy changes. The fleet software and management specialist says that a number of issues need to be tackled – from making charging points available to teaching drivers new on-road skills. Peter Golding, … [Read more...]
Diesel sales collapsing in UK – AFVs rising
Diesel sales have collapsed 30% in Britain as the new car market contracted by over 11% last month, said the car-makers’ body. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported a rise to over 33% for alternatively fuelled vehicles and a 5% increase in petrol engined models. The big switch from diesel to alternative fuel led by business users … [Read more...]
