Strong demand drove up used values by an average of 0.4% in February, according to vehicle data experts cap hpi. The figure is a significant improvement on the 0.1% increase in February last year, and signals a strong start to the year on dealer forecourts and in auctions. Derren Martin, senior Black Book editor at cap hpi said: “Strong demand is driving up values across the industry. This … [Read more...]
Retail
Trade-lines 2 March
A fast, efficient response to a tender document issued by Whitehead Building Services opened the door to an order for 33 Mercedes-Benz Citan vans. The vehicles, all fuel-efficient 109 CDI models, were supplied by South Wales Dealer Euro Commercials and most are Long-bodied versions although the line-up also includes seven Compacts and a couple of Extra-longs. Mercedes-Benz Vans has launched … [Read more...]
Welsh dealer is top of Skoda
A Welsh Skoda dealer shares the importer’s award for service. Fred Rees Garages (Pembrokeshire), Winner Garage (Cinderford) and RRG ŠKODA (Rochdale) emerged victorious, in recognition of their outstanding all-round business performance in 2015. Having been benchmarked over a year-long period against a range of different criteria across sales, aftersales and customer service, the retailers … [Read more...]
AA rescue used car sales for dealers
The AA has come to the rescue of used car dealers. The motoring body has relaunched Vehicle Inspections for dealers, offering pre-sale vehicle inspections that will help dealers stand out from the competition, protect them against new Consumer Rights legislation and increase profitability. By having their vehicle stock independently inspected by the AA, dealers will benefit from the trust … [Read more...]
Trade is split over buying stock
A split between "two tribes" of trade buyers - those who buy almost entirely online and others who remain motor auction-based - is becoming increasingly apparent, says Glass's. The motor industry data market leader reports that there has been a noticeable hardening in the shape and attitude of both groups over the last year or so. Rupert Pontin, Head of Valuations, said, "To an extent, the … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 February
Businesses in Wales are worried about a digital skills shortage among their young workforce. A report for Capgemini shows 18% of businesses questioned said young people did not have the necessary digial skills for modern work, the worst of any group in the UK. … [Read more...]
Defender models soaring in value after production ends
Fans of the iconic Land Rover Defender who rushed to buy a piece of history are proving to have made a smart investment decision as prices soar. Automotive valuation specialists cap say good examples are demanding a huge premium over new list price. Commenting on the trend, John Watts, senior editor at Cap said: “We have already started to see an upward movement in trade values for Defender … [Read more...]
Personal loan rates threaten dealers’ offers
Dealers are facing a new threat to profit margins as research reveals the impact on specialist car finance take-up of aggressively low new High Street personal loan rates. The warning comes from new and used car online distance sales specialist Buyacar.co.uk, which generates consumer sales orders for major franchise dealers. Buyacar.co.uk has identified a marked slow-down in the take-up of … [Read more...]
Car sales stagnate in Wales
New car sales in Wales have stagnated. Figures from the SMMT yesterday show 5,591 new cars were registered last month compared to 5,566 in the first month of 2015, so they have increased by under half-percent. This contrasts with 2% and 3.59% rises in Scotland and England, while Northern Ireland saw a big 2.63% drop over the month. Overall the combined new registrations of 169,245 marked the … [Read more...]
City cars take a bashing when sold
Cap reveals that the city car sector was one of the main used car sectors under pressure through 2015. For those motorists who simply want to nip around town without the need to carry multiple passengers, city cars are often seen as a cost-effective alternative to their bigger, fuel-hungry counterparts, but this brings valuation problems. This resulted in a higher overall … [Read more...]