Britain’s automotive industry is helping young people gain the life-changing advantages of car mobility thanks to a new pilot scheme that helps fund driving lessons for new apprentices in the sector. Drive to Thrive, launched today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Charitable Trust Fund in partnership with automotive charity Ben, is further evidence of industry's commitment to its … [Read more...]
Tradelines 22 November
The rate at which used car prices are dropping has taken the market by surprise, admits a motoring industry expert. Phil Nothard, insight director at Cox Automotive – the owners of Manheim Auctions – told the Car Dealer Podcast that significant price falls in the used car market have caused ‘waves across the sector’ and explained that the market had ‘slowed significantly’ in the last couple of … [Read more...]
Share your car and cover your leasing cost
Sharing your car and getting paid more than your leasing cost is proving attractive in Sweden. In a society where the average car stands still 96 percent of the time, Lynk & Co has recognised the opportunity for change. Through Lynk & Co's award-winning app, they empower every 01 subscribed owner and subscriber to safely share their car with others and earn money in the process. The … [Read more...]
Abnormal loads reduced to an app in your hand
New app tools designed to enable easy checking of abnormal loads have been immediately adopted by a quarter of the UK’s police forces. The enhancements – made to FleetCheck’s Driver app – are already in use by Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Gwent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Staffordshire forces. The tools are … [Read more...]
Agency selling model worries more dealers
Dealer worries over the growth of agency agreements have doubled in the last month, according to October’s Startline Used Car Tracker. The factor was named as a future challenge to their business by just 22% of used car retailers in September but has jumped to 42% this month. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “For most of this year, around 20% of dealers have mentioned … [Read more...]
Race Across Britain for BEN
Following the huge success of BBC TV series 'Race Across the World', Ben is recruiting teams to take on a new UK-based fundraising challenge for the automotive industry, called Race Across Britain. This event will raise vital funds to support people who are struggling or in crisis and is proudly supported by LKQ Euro Car Parts. Ben is challenging automotive industry people to pair up with … [Read more...]
Real time web-app for fleets
ATS Euromaster has launched a web app for drivers to book mobile tyre work on their fleet vehicles in real time. According to ATS Euromaster it is the first publicly available app that provides this service and follows nine months of research and live trialling. The tyre and maintenance provider already offers mobile tyre fitting to its customers but says the new app will enhance the customer … [Read more...]
Rogue car dealers and parts traders facing clampdown
Rogue car and parts dealers face a clampdown after a new law is passed to prevent them advertising on-line. In future, search engines and social media platforms face fines of up to £18 M or up to 10% of their global revenue if they fail to remove the fraudsters' content once identified. Britain's Consumers Association has been in the forefront of fighting fraudsters and Rocio Concha, Which? … [Read more...]
More on-line services from the DVLA
Motorists can now opt for digital vehicle tax reminders rather than having to wait for a paper reminder to drop through their letter box. The change comes as part of DVLA’s new Driver and vehicles account service, which allows motorists to easily access their driver and vehicle information in one place and has been launched as a public beta so the DVLA is asking motorists to provide feedback to … [Read more...]
Younger buyers shun car showrooms
More than half of UK drivers (56%) bought their most recent car from a showroom in a face-to-face transaction says a new Opinium survey of 2000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, rising to 70% of over 55s, compared to less than half (44%) of under 55s. Women also have reservations about car showrooms. One in five (20%) find them intimidating and describe negotiating as “embarrassing” … [Read more...]
