New car sales have fallen the steepest in Wales during April, says the SMMT. They dipped over 10% compared to the same month last year to 5,379 new models registered and in Britain as a whole sales slipped just under 4% with 160,606 registrations, and Wales's best sellers in April were: Fiesta, Focus, Kuga, Qashqai, Ecosport, Polo, A-Class, Duster, GrandlandX, Golf and Tiguan. Following … [Read more...]
Retail
EVs to consider
With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, automotive data experts cap hpi has compiled a select list of vehicles worthy of driver consideration. Senior valuations editor Chris Plumb has identified five EVs that not only perform well but also represent excellent value for money, making them a hot prospect for motorists looking to buy and potentially enter the EV market for the first … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 May
The Hyundai Ioniq has been upgraded and given new connectivity and wifi improvements. These come along with a new battery pack in the ev versions and subtle cosmetic changes inside and out. Smell and colour changes caused by smoking in a car could wipe off £2,000 at its trade in, says valuation specialists HPI. The cost is taken off the value because the car would have to be fully valeted … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Peugeot 308 SW Tech Edition 130 auto
Anyone who doubts the future of estate cars should take a long look at the Peugeot 308 SW series and see what it offers for the family who want space without the bulk of an SUV, writes Robin Roberts. The 308 series of hatchbacks and estates has been a backbone of the range for decades with different prefixes but it’s as relevant today as it ever was. What’s more it has … [Read more...]
Turning the corner with Alfa Romeo
Car sales are a series of ups and downs but there are strong signs that Alfa Romeo has turned the corner this year, writes Robin Roberts. A recent independent survey of owners who have used their models for some time concluded that the sporting Italian brand was second only to Lexus in terms of overall satisfaction with models, manufacturer and dealership support. It was the highest placed … [Read more...]
Tradelines 1 May
Volvo Car UK Online is the most complete online sales service offered by any car manufacturer in the UK. Site users select their local site at the start of the process for relevant car offers and then car collection and ongoing customer relationship is with that retailer, as it would be in usual way as a complimentary sales channel. In response to the growth of bigger, heavier SUVs, 4x4s … [Read more...]
UK car production plunges
Car production in the UK fell by an annual 14.4% to 126,195 cars in March, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Exports were down by 13.4 % and these account for 80% of production. The SMMT said analysis it had commissioned predicted output would fall this year to 1.36 million units from 1.52 million in 2018, assuming there’s a transition deal with the EU. If … [Read more...]
Tesla tops booming European EV sales
The European car market registered its seventh consecutive month of decline in March 2019, JATO reports. Ongoing political and economic uncertainty, including lack of clarity around Brexit, alongside consumer preoccupation with diesel bans in cities, meant that overall demand continued to decline. While overall demand may be on the decline, the good news is that the electrification shift … [Read more...]
Rising use of on-line motor disputes service
The Motor Ombudsman has recorded in excess of 12,000 searches and 25,000 article views on its Knowledge Base during the first quarter of this year. The online tool was launched in January as part of the body’s focus to make it quicker and simpler for motorists to resolve queries and complaints when buying and running a car, prior to formally raising a case with The Motor Ombudsman. Using the … [Read more...]
PCP users paying for poor repairs
PCP users are facing unexpected bills for sub-standard repair work to contracted cars, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation, which represents companies that between them handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 million used vehicles every year, says that more and more cars are being presented for sale online and at auction with what the industry terms … [Read more...]