New car registrations continued to improve in December and the market in Britain reached 1.61M, but still the lowest in three decades. The UK new car market recorded its fifth consecutive month of growth in December, with an 18.3% increase to reach 128,462 new registrations, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Hidden in the figures was the fact … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 December
The DVLA contact centre will be closed from 24 December to 27 December inclusive and on 1 and 2 January 2023. On-line services will continue over the holiday period. A buzzing live auction of 100 much-loved automotive icons from yesteryear will add yet another exciting new dimension to next year’s eagerly-anticipated The London Classic Car Show 24-26 February. After a two-year enforced break, … [Read more...]
Stellantis stuck in shipments row
Stellantis appears to be manipulating the new car market and making buyers pay for it. The trade press has reported the massive PSA/ Fiat/ Vauxhall conglomerate has been making dealers register cars still on their way or in logistics hubs but not on the road in the hands of their buyers. Motorists have also been made to pay for the cars in advance or lose the order and racked up finance … [Read more...]
After the hard winter, more chilling news to come
A massive hike in fuel duties is on the cards next spring after a particularly tough winter of rising costs, said the RAC. RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said, “As things stand, drivers will face an enormous hike in the cost of fuel next Spring due to fuel duty going up. “The Office of Budget Responsibility expects to see 12p added to a litre of fuel, as a result of the current 5p duty … [Read more...]
Toll charging favoured to replace fuel duties
Campaign for Better Transport say that 60% of the British public agree that there is a need to reform the current system of vehicle taxation with significantly more people agreeing that a pay-as-you-drive system would be a good way ahead than those who oppose it. The report recognises that the system of taxation relating to motor vehicles will need to change as an increasing number of electric … [Read more...]
Used parts cut costs and boost green targets
The head of one of Europe’s biggest insurers wants repaired and refurbished used parts replacing new equipment on electric vehicles as part of a wide ranging reform of ‘green’ working practices. Sustainable car insurance was the focus of the 10th Allianz Motor Day, an international event hosted by Allianz centred on electric mobility as a key lever for decarbonisation, as well as green claims … [Read more...]
Drivers may delay EV purchases for five years
As many as 14% of drivers – more than ever before – say their next car will be electric, but the proportion of those expecting to be in an EV in the next five years has reduced in the last year, shows new RAC research with more than 3,000 drivers. While figures for the RAC Report on Motoring 2022 indicate the number of drivers planning to change their vehicle in the near future has declined … [Read more...]
Employees missing out on tax break
Current conditions are hampering take-up of salary sacrifice with many failing to fulfil their potential as a result, said the Association of Fleet Professionals. The organisation says that although employees are keen in theory to join salsac schemes, the initiatives are being badly affected by a range of factors including highly restricted electric vehicle supply, rising lease costs and the … [Read more...]
EV cost savings explained by Vanarama
The electric vehicle experts at Vanarama have compiled the most common savings associated with EVs to reveal how much motorists could save per month, year, and total vehicle ownership over four years by making the switch to an EV. With the UK's cost of living on the rise, many drivers may be looking at long-term changes they can make to alleviate the pressure. Of course, the asking price of an … [Read more...]
Bumping in the trade under HMRC watch
HMRC has identified an increasing risk of an error in the VAT returns for certain Franchised Dealerships, described as “Bumping”. HMRC are sending letters to some motor retailers that they believe are at risk from ‘Bumping’. Bumping is where there is a discrepancy between a vehicle sales invoice on the DMS system and the finance proposal one, which can lead to the underpayment of output VAT on … [Read more...]