Car sales in Wales crashed over 26% last month, the worst of any part in the UK. Just 2,363 new models were registered and that's even below the 3,230 recorded in the pandemic hit showrooms of last year and the total for the country was a little over 68,000. It was a very dismal August for the motor trade across the country, the lowest figures recorded since 2013 and the overflow from … [Read more...]
Finance
Newslines 6 September
A new European specific Kia Sportage will be unveiled at the German Motor Show this week and in UK showrooms next spring. A new plug-in hybrid variant will be in the line up when it comes to Britain next year and it features a curved screen for instruments and features to be displayed to the driver. Hagerty research suggests Government information on the latest E10 petrol compatibility with … [Read more...]
M4 & A470 tolling plan by Welsh Government
Welsh Government is considering tolling parts of the M4 and A470 to discourage older vehicles emitting harmful nitrogen dioxide. It has surveyed users and asked how their travel plans could change if cars were charged between £3 and £8 and light vans £6 to £12.50 with lorries up to £50 a day to use the M4 around Newport and A470 at Upper Boat where 50mph limits have been introduced to slow … [Read more...]
Crooks set eyes on new car buyers this month, says Metro Bank
Criminals want to make their mark with the release of the latest number plate, warn Metro Bank. The UK’s community bank is offering guidance about the rise in purchase scams around car sales, finance and leasing as the new number plates launch this month. Criminals will entice drivers with best deal offers often advertised on auction sites, such as eBay and Gumtree, or via social media. In … [Read more...]
Dealers expect to recruit more staff
The percentage of dealers’ looking to recruit across all business areas is significantly up from Q2 this year, reports the National Franchised Dealers Association. In particular, 77.5% are seeking to recruit sales executives over the next three months and the same percentage intend to employ technicians. Additionally, 67.5% intend to hire service advisors. Employee engagement: all dealers who … [Read more...]
Free safety course for van operators from FleetCheck
A new, free online video safety course aimed at van operators was launched this week by fleet software specialist FleetCheck at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2021 in the NEC until 2 September. Called the 28-Day Fleet Confidence Challenge, it takes the form of four weekly episodes and is aimed at people whose fleet responsibility is only part of their role, who may not understand the full extent of … [Read more...]
Salary sacrifice powers drive to evs
A 280% growth has been seen by Arval UK in the number of vehicles it operates under its Ignition salary sacrifice product during the last 12 months, with the top 15 cars chosen now all electric vehicles. Richard Cox, consultant at the fleet and mobility specialist, explained that the growth showed both the burgeoning popularity of “sal-sac” and how quickly EV adoption could happen in the “right … [Read more...]
Is the pricing bubble about to burst? ask BuyaCar
Used car prices may have reached a ceiling, signalled by a shrinking cost gap between newer and older cars. According to the online car supermarket BuyaCar.co.uk, the average price paid for a 2021-registered car is just 4.6% higher than for cars registered in 2020. BuyaCar research shows that the gap was 24.1% in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic and the global electronic chip shortage … [Read more...]
Car stock shortages looming, warn finance lender
Stock shortages emerge as the biggest worry for dealers in the year ahead, according to new research from Close Brothers Motor Finance. The Dealer Satisfaction Survey found that almost a third (31%) of motor dealers see the lack of stock availability as the biggest threat to their business, with the global semiconductor shortage having a significant ripple effect on the motor industry. Despite … [Read more...]
Chinese electric vans heading to UK next year
Two Chinese electric van brands will go on sale in Britain early next year with five year warranties. DFSK and Skywell models will be imported by Innovation Automotive, based in the Cotswolds, and CEO is Paul Brigden, formerly Operations Director of Mitsubishi Motors UK headquartered in Cirencester. The vehicles will be imported through Portbury, Bristol docks but the number of jobs being … [Read more...]