The new car market grew 24.4% in August with 85,657 new vehicles registered, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. While August is typically a quieter month with many buyers choosing to wait until the September numberplate change, an increase of 16,799 units means the sector is now entering a second year of growth. Despite this improved performance, … [Read more...]
Finance News
Plea to councils to keep cash parking
GEM Motoring Assist, the road safety and breakdown organisation, is urging councils across the UK to ensure they continue to allow cash payments for parking. The call follows a raft of letters and emails from GEM members concerned that they will be forced to download smartphone parking apps as traditional pay-and-display options disappear. Particular areas of concern included the multitude of … [Read more...]
Usership replacing ownership among motorists
Traditional car financing could be past its peak as personal leasing, salary sacrifice schemes, and subscriptions rise in popularity along with a growth in electric car sales. The UK’s car finance bubble is on the brink of bursting as demand for new car finance deals slows down dramatically compared to new car sales, according to analysis by The Car Expert. Data from the Finance and Leasing … [Read more...]
Transport fails Wales again
Wales has the highest rate of train cancellations and lateness across the British network. The failings by Welsh Government's services arm Transport for Wales shows cancellations run at 7%. Commenting on the news that stations in Wales had the highest cancellation rate in the UK, at 7%, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Asghar MS said, “Labour-run Transport for Wales needs to … [Read more...]
Newslines 4 September
The fifth generation, all-electric MINI Cooper will be unveiled at the German Motor Show in Munich this week. It will be available in E or SE grades with 190 or 250 miles range and priced from £30,000 next Spring. EDF’s small and medium-sized enterprise business customers can now save up to 40% on the cost of an electric vehicle through DriveElectric’s salary sacrifice scheme. Building upon … [Read more...]
Unfair settlements highlighted for damaged cars
Research by GAP Insurance provider, ALA Insurance has revealed that the average car owner is offered £286 below market value on claims where their car has been written off. Prompted by the news that Direct Line have been instructed to review unfair settlements from the past five years, ALA analysed over 3,748 claims to show which car makes, specifically receive the lowest payout based on market … [Read more...]
Fuel prices soaring again says RAC Fuel Watch
The price of petrol rocketed by 6.68p a litre in August while diesel shot up by 8p, making for the fifth and sixth biggest monthly rises in 23 years, said RAC Fuel Watch. The average price of unleaded finished August at 152.25p – up from 145.57p at the beginning of the month, adding nearly £4 to a tank (£80 to £83.74). Diesel went up from 146.36p to 154.37p, making a fill-up nearly £4.50 (£4.41) … [Read more...]
Showroom prices slide in pre-September sales
There are new car bargains to be had as dealers report manufacturers are dropping prices and supporting lower rate finance deals to lift sales. The traditional slow August sales before the new registration plate arrives on 1 September has been followed by an unseasonally slack demand for new models arriving from today. Rising new car prices and higher interest rates have combined to stall demand … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 September
Isuzu UK says renowned Welsh rugby player Shane Williams has once again chosen the Isuzu D-Max as his vehicle of choice, opting for the prestigious top-of-the-range V-Cross version for the seventh consecutive year. This exciting partnership highlights the shared values of toughness, reliability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence that both Isuzu and Shane Williams embody. Bentley Motors … [Read more...]
New Suzuki Approved Used Warranty
Following on from the launch of Service Activated Warranty earlier this year, Suzuki has created its own in-house Approved Used Car Warranty. The launch of the new warranty will also help further increase customer retention as well as a higher volume of service, maintenance, and repair for the dealer network. The Suzuki Approved Used Car Warranty offers customers 12 months comprehensive cover … [Read more...]