New car registrations were the highest for 14 years in May. SMMT said 203,585 cars were registered in the month, the highest May figure since 2002. It was a steady 2.5% growth over the same month last year, and follows the trend of the previous two months, as fleet registrations drove the growth, with an 8.8% rise counterbalancing a -3.0% fall in registrations to private customers. Demand … [Read more...]
Retail News
British buy more UK made models
UK engine plants produced over 14% more units in April compared to a year ago. A total of 231,628 engines were built , including 99,041 destined for vehicles to be sold in the UK and that is over 50% above the 2015 figure. It has been a good start to the year with four months’ production up 6.2% overall despite a very small decline in export orders. Registrations of lorries climbed 19.2% … [Read more...]
Trade lines
Sinclair Volkswagen has an additional manager in the driving seat. Former sales executive Matt Holt has been promoted to the role of sales operations manager after joining the group in 2007. The Love Energy Savings Awards are returning for 2016. Last year the awards were launched for the first time and following the success the hunt is renewed for companies across the country are going … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 May
The new 2017 Peugeot 3008 will be unveiled at the Paris motor show this autumn. It has a completely new cockpit infotainment system and more space with reduced weight and sharpened handling, says Peugeot. The Welsh Government’s favoured “black route” M4 relief road has met objections from Natural Resources Wales. The environmental body has come out against the plan … [Read more...]
Governments & makers failing to hit green car targets
Governments and industry are failing to achieve targets for electric vehicles, says the European Climate Foundation. The future Renewable Energy Directive should actively promote the electrification of transport. This is the key message from the Platform for Electro Mobility in its response to the public consultation on a new Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Francesco Gattiglio, EU affairs … [Read more...]
Gravell win top Renault award for third year
Renault’s oldest franchise in the UK, Gravells of Kidwelly, has won a global dealer of the year award from the French car-maker. About 2,500 dealers around the world were assessed in 35 countries on sales, profitability, customer service and brand compliance. Jonathan Gravell accepted the award at a special ceremony and afterwards said, “I was delighted to receive the award in Paris with … [Read more...]
Trade lines
Days garages of Swansea has been making major investments on two sites. A new unit on Garngoch site will house rental operations along with other departments of the business and another building has been constructed at the Plasmarl site in order to house Motorpark sales. Matthew Walters, from Cardiff and Shayne Melville, from Swansea, who work for Sinclair Van Centre were awarded the title … [Read more...]
Buyers still back dealers for car purchases
Used car buyers continue to put their faith in dealerships, according to new data from AA Cars, which shows a 40% surge in enquiries to AA Cars dealers at the start of the year. This news follows the launch of the AA’s Vehicle Inspections for dealers in February, with inspected cars automatically being listed on AA Cars. In March alone, the used car portal received 97,004 … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 May
With the holiday season getting into swing, the RAC has launched the most comprehensive European breakdown cover available. A first for the industry, the new 5 Star Defaqto Rated RAC Comprehensive Plus European Breakdown Cover operates in 48 countries, covers nine passengers or more, and offers up to £1,000 towards garage labour costs – more than any other major provider and comes with … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 May
The operator of Magor Services has lodged an official objection to the proposed route of the £1bn M4 relief road. Roadchef said the so-called black route would be "devastating" for its Magor services, which employs 190 people, as it would by-pass them and comes after the owners of Newport Docks opposed the plan which it said would cut it in half and make it uneconomic to continue. Welsh … [Read more...]