Close Brothers Motor Finance has bolstered its Showroom proposal platform by giving motor dealers the opportunity to bring the showroom directly to their customer’s home with remote quote and apply. The enhanced functionality to the Showroom platform will enable dealers to email vehicle quotes directly to the customer following initial discussions around the vehicle and finance options. … [Read more...]
News
Garages welcome furlough proposals
The Chancellor’s update and extension to the furlough scheme allowing businesses to bring staff back to work on a part-time basis is very welcome. said Stuart James, Chief Executive of the Independent Garage Association. The IGA wrote to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak on 29 April, requesting a partial furlough scheme that would allow employees to return to work part-time to support … [Read more...]
Tradelines 13 May
Bus and train passengers will have to queue for fewer seats and are being advised to stagger journey times and consider alternative routes if possible, under Government plans for the gradual return to work. Cars are preferred for longer commutes so expect jams, but cycling and walking is also suggested after the Government said it wanted people to return to work if possible in England, but the … [Read more...]
Police urge public to stay off trains if possible
Police at Welsh railway stations have urged the public to avoid public transport if possible and only travel if essential. Superintendent Andrew Morgan, of the British Transport Police in Wales, said,“Following the difference in regulations between England and Wales, we mirror the message from the First Minister and our four partner forces across Wales – people cannot travel a significant … [Read more...]
Buyers looking for dearer models after lockdown
Data from the online car marketplace BuyaCar.co.uk reveals that the average price of cars being reserved for purchase when lockdown is eased has shot up to a record level. Average prices paid on BuyaCar.co.uk fell to a three-year low of £11,366 during April this year - down from £13,590 paid during April 2019. But the first week in May has seen the average price of a car reserved for future … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 May
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams welcomed the move by Morrisons supermarket to cut fuel to under 100p a litre, but had a warning. “Unfortunately though there is a darker side to any large price cuts – they heap yet more pressure on smaller independent fuel retailers, who in some cases are already fighting for survival as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and iIt remains to be seen how long … [Read more...]
Active travel and ev boosts get RAC support
The RAC has endorsed the UK Government’s boost for active travel and ev recharging. RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said, “We welcome the Government’s approach to increasing safe cycling and active travel for people to get about, particularly as concerns about the safety of using public transport are likely to persist for some time. “The success of new walking and cycling schemes will … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 May
Swansea recorded nearly 23,700 roadworks over the last three years, the sixth highest in the country outside London, where Bromley borough itself reported over 100,200 in the same time. The information was obtained by Little Loans which also found Bournemouth had fewest with under 900 over the same period. Volvo is partnering with tech firm Luminar to provide their industry-leading LiDAR and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road & in the news 10 May
I’m still keeping calm and carrying on sifting through the latest automotive news items and press releases pinging into my Inbox, writes David Miles. Whilst the COVIC-19 news is not good there are some brighter worthwhile snippets of information worth passing on. New life goes on - Toyota Corolla proves reliant for Robins We motoring journalists during the lockdown period are without test cars … [Read more...]
Virus spreads to car sales in Wales
Coronavirus chaos hit the Welsh new car market with devastating effect last month. The traditional leaders and also rans have been swept away and replaced by many unexpected models. The successes included supercars in the sales chart compiled by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Dealers who managed to take advance orders for new models and get them registered in the first two … [Read more...]