The UK’s new car market grew by 5.3% in March, making it the biggest ever month since the bi-annual plate change began in 1999, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It says 518,707 new cars were registered in March, only the third time the market has surpassed half a million units in a single month. The month rounded off a record quarter, in which more than 770,000 … [Read more...]
Retail News
RAC Passport scheme gets dealers’ stamp
More than 200 dealers signed up to the new RAC Car Passport for dealers in its first week. The new provenance check has been designed to provide a lower-cost alternative to competing products while offering high quality data and the reassurance of the RAC name. Robert Diamond, managing director of Motoring Services at the RAC, said, "Things have moved very quickly straight out of the blocks … [Read more...]
Demand sees used values outperform seasonal trends
Cap hpi say healthy demand saw stable used values in Black Book live during March with a small average increase of 0.1%. While the average three year old / 60,000 mile vehicle saw a minimal increase, some sectors saw stronger rises, with convertibles increasing by 1.6% and City Cars by 0.5%. Commenting on the trend, Derren Martin, senior editor of Black Book said, “Supply and demand have … [Read more...]
Motorline Maserati horsepower backs Castell Polo
Wales based polo organisation Castell Polo has secured a major sponsorship deal with Motorline Maserati Cardiff, the exclusive dealer in Wales of the prestige Italian ‘super car’. Motorline Maserati will be headline sponsor of Polo in The City on Saturday 25 June 2016 in Bute Park. General Sales Manager of Motorline Maserati Cardiff, Lyn Evans (right) said, “Polo and luxury cars go hand in … [Read more...]
Doing the white thing can cost you dear
Whilst white used to be a free colour choice from manufacturers, figures from cap hpi reveal that eight out of the top 10 new car models ordered in 2015 added an extra premium of at least £250 to go a whiter shade of pale. However, one in five new cars sold in 2015 was white, making it the most popular colour for car buyers for the third year running. For those who want a car that looks pure … [Read more...]
Cars to cuisine on a plate
From luxury cars to mouthwatering cuisine, Motorline Maserati has it on a plate. A dozen buyers who ordered their famous sporting cars from the Penarth Road. Cardiff dealership for March will be toasting their choice with fine prosecco and a bespoke Italian meal for two over the next few months. The Italian experience has been developed by Motorline general manager Lyn Evans in … [Read more...]
Brexit vote likely to upset used car market
There would be "significant uncertainty" over used car values if the UK left the EU following the June referendum, believes Glass's. The leading automotive data provider in Europe, Glass's, points out that there are virtually no precedents on which to base the likely impact of a BREXIT. Rupert Pontin, Head of Valuations, said: "When we try to model something like this, we gather as much … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi’s man in Wales
Matthew Baxter will cover parts of Wales for Mitsubishi. Father-of-two Matthew spent the past five years working with Nissan, initially as a Used Car Performance Manager, with the past two years in Electric Sales Development. He started in the retail motoring industry in 1987 and has experience of small, independent dealers and large PLCs, including a spell with Formula One legend Damon … [Read more...]
Starship mileages not out of this world for buyers
Used cars that have covered "starship mileages" of 150,000 miles or more are no longer off-putting to buyers if the condition and the badge is right, reports Glass's. The publishers of the motor trade bible, Glass's Guide, say that a healthy market has developed for prestige cars that would once have been considered almost unsaleable. Rupert Pontin, Head of Valuations, said: "A high-level … [Read more...]
Love bug bites Welsh fans again
A 50-year love affair with the Volkswagen Beetle continues for a Welsh enthusiast. David Gallagher, from Llanelli, has taken delivery of his 11th Volkswagen Beetle. The 67-year-old’s love for the brand began at the tender age of 17 when he bought his very first Beetle - a 1956 ‘Oval Window’ for £120. This was followed by a 1954, left-hand drive Beetle which he bought … [Read more...]