Seven out of 10 dealers (71%) say the industry wide shift to the agency sales model is “effectively over” according to new research. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 33% believe agency hasn’t worked for most dealers, 31% that most manufacturers are abandoning their plans, and 10% that the model is bad for customers. Ineos is the latest brand … [Read more...]
Dealer Update
Best garage in Wales – again!
Garej Arwyn Cyf, Caernarfon has won The Motor Ombudsman's regional 2024 Garage Star Award for Wales, for a second year. The Motor Ombudsman is pleased to announce that AJ Fleetcare, an independent garage in Leeds, has been crowned the 2024 winner of the National Garage Star Award – the top prize in the Ombudsman’s annual Star Awards competition. Now … [Read more...]
Genesis South Wales opens in Bridgend
Genesis South Wales has commenced sales operations in Bridgend, to cater for the growing demand for the new premium luxury brand from South Korea. The dealership is part of the Sinclair Group which partnered with Genesis last year and has been recruiting personnel. The new South Wales Genesis business will sell new and Certified … [Read more...]
Buyers and traders clash over interest charges
Dealers need to “very urgently assess” the implications of recent moves from the Financial Conduct Authority on historical motor finance commissions, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. While the subject has been gathering prominence in recent weeks following two recent rulings by the Financial Ombudsman, a new programme hosted by personal finances … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
Podpoint has pulled the plug on putting in more rapid chargers at public locations. The subsidiary of French state-owned EDF power will instead concentrate on fitting more home and workplace chargers where income will be recooped sooner and for less outlay. Meanwhile, Zapmap, the UK’s leading charge point mapping service, confirmed that the country has … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: GWM Funky Cat 1st Edition
The UK’s electric car revolution is becoming a bloody affair. From initially resisting the new technology on cost grounds including writing off established investments in petrol and diesel engine technology and having to develop hybrid or pure electric powertrains, along with making tens of thousands of workers redundant, manufacturers have struggled to … [Read more...]
Tradelines 1 February: Isuzu awards Welsh dealer
North Wales dealer Pentraeth Isuzu has won the importers UK award for its marketing and social media performance in 2022. It was one of 15 national award winners led by Roger Young of Saltash, Plymouth which collected dealer of the year, parts champion and regional winner. In Peterborough, the Land Rover Owner International Show ranks as the best-loved … [Read more...]
Gravells excel for Kia UK
Gravells of Bridgend has swept the board in the annual Kia UK dealer awards. The 2022 Kia Dealer Excellence Awards celebrate the best performing dealerships of the past year and each of the award winners were commended for their exceptional efforts over the past twelve months across sales, after sales and customer experience categories. For the second … [Read more...]
Welsh family car dealership’ profits soar
West Wales family garage group Gravell’s saw its profits rise to almost £5m in 2021, accounts have shown. Documents in Companies House show its turnover rose by almost £20m to reach an impressive £96.3m compared to £76.5m in the previous year. Some £85.8m came from vehicle sales with parts and service sales adding £6.6m while a further £3.9m came … [Read more...]
40 years of Victoria Park Mazda in South Wales
In a year that saw the first Mazda vehicles roll off the Hofu Plant No.1 production line, Mazda welcomed Victoria Park Mazda to its UK dealer network. Now marking its 40th Anniversary, the Welsh dealership has received a commemorative plaque to celebrate the significant milestone. Established as a Mazda dealership since 1982, Victoria Park Mazda is … [Read more...]
