Some 2.7 million more drivers are planning to opt for a new car this year than previous years, according to Close Brothers Motor Finance’s upcoming Britain Under the Bonnet Report. For 45% of drivers, a new car is the preferred option – significantly up from 38% last year. The lockdown has fuelled fresh demand for a private vehicle and working from home has enabled lots of consumers … [Read more...]
Retail
Trouble cooking for retailers and manufacturers
Dealers and car makers face yet more disruption next year as Google ends the practice of easily identifying potential customers through their internet browsing activity. That's the warning from automotive content and ecommerce experts, Autovia, who believe that the motor retail industry has yet to wake up to the coming challenge. Many marketing departments and dealer promotion businesses use … [Read more...]
Move4Ben fundraiser more important than ever
Automotive charity Ben is launching an exciting new active challenge, Move4Ben, starting on 1 June, to raise vital funds and inspire people to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Move4Ben will challenge participants to exercise in any way they choose and, at the same time, raise funds for Ben so that no-one in automotive has to face life’s toughest challenges alone. To take part, each … [Read more...]
Tradelines 12 May
Car leasing comparison website Moneyshake’s latest research highlights a significant shift in consumer behaviour with 82% of customers stating that they would now be happy for their new car journey to be completely online, reducing the importance of the traditional test drive. The emergence of online car marketplaces, car finance comparison websites and the growing presence of franchised … [Read more...]
Crash for Cash scams escalating, warn Fraud Bureau
The Insurance Fraud Bureau has released new figures confirming the UK’s top 30 worst-affected postal districts for ‘Crash for Cash’ scams. ‘Crash for Cash’ is a common insurance scam which sees fraudsters invent or deliberately cause road traffic collisions, often involving innocent people, to try and get compensation. The hotspots analysis confirms Birmingham remains the most prevalent area in … [Read more...]
Gordon Murray & £300M plan for automotive sector
The entrepreneurial Gordon Murray Group plans to significantly expand operations and a commitment to invest £300M over the next five years in the automotive sector. An exciting roadmap for future expansion of the Gordon Murray Group, has been announced today and masterminded by company Founder and Chairman legendary F1 designer Professor Gordon Murray … [Read more...]
Used car sales dented by disease controls
The UK’s used car market declined -8.9% in the first quarter of 2021 according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. With 1,687,755 transactions, the overall decline saw large falls in January and February of -27.1% and -19.4%, as lockdowns depressed demand and again closed showrooms. March saw the market show signs of recovery with a 32.2% year-on-year rise, amounting to … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 May
The unique Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric range is on sale from just under £37,000 and rising to £48,145. Purpose-designed on a completely new platform, it can be charged to near capacity in 18 minutes, with maximum range of 300 miles and comes with a either 58kWh or 73kWh batteries, rear or all-wheel-drive. Subaru’s all-new Outback is in showrooms 27 May from £33,995. Since its launch in 1995, … [Read more...]
Cash still king among older buyers of cars
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of car owners over 55 bought their car outright without using finance, compared to half (54%) of 34 – 54 years and a third (33%) of under 34s, according to a survey of over 2,000 UK drivers. On average, three-fifths (62%) of cars were bought outright via cash or debit card, 8% using personal contract purchase (PCP), 7% were bought on hire purchase, 5% loan from a bank, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Sorento 4 1.6HEV
The Kia Sorento 4 is full of surprises in a market which often delivers nothing out of the ordinary, writes Robin Roberts. I mean; what car comes with an beach, a wood-burner, a café or its own forest? They are part of the “nat sounds” available in the highly sophisticated infotainment system and are a calming or relaxing influence in a car which is already in the lowest stress … [Read more...]