e-Fuels could play a “limited role” for fleets in the future, says FleetCheck, especially in applications where electric vehicles might remain impractical. The fuels – designed to be carbon neutral – have hit the headlines over the last week after several EU countries asked them to be included in future car production legislation, circumventing a 2035 internal combustion engine (ICE) … [Read more...]
Retail News
KIA is king say dealers but PSA are pitiful
Kia is the highest rated marque by dealers in their annual showroom and business survey while PSA Group companies were among the lowest. The all-important question ‘how would you rate your manufacturer overall on a scale of 1 to 10?’ returned an average of 6.5, on par with six months ago. Kia (9.3), Lexus (9.2), and Mini (8.8) were the top performers whilst Vauxhall (3.7), Jaguar (3.7), and … [Read more...]
Beware of new insurance ‘admin fees’
Go.Compare car insurance says the number of policies that now charge admin fees has risen since this time last year. The comparison site has reviewed the 332 comprehensive car insurance products in the market in 2023 and compared the admin fees charged today, compared with the same fees charged in the same period in 2022. It found that the number of car insurance products that now charge … [Read more...]
Elfyn Evans steps onto podium in Mexico
Sébastien Ogier added another record to his already impressive tally with victory at Guanajuato Rally México on Sunday afternoon. The Frenchman, starting the second rally of his part-time 2023 campaign, moved to top of the Mexico roll of honour with a record seventh victory at the North American event, an accolade he had previously shared with old foe Sébastien Loeb. With a sizeable 35.8sec … [Read more...]
No agency plan for Toyota & Lexus
Toyota and Lexus have confirmed they ‘currently have no plans’ to change their franchise agreements with dealers and move to agency sales. Pressed on the matter, a spokesperson for Toyota and Lexus stressed that agency sales – where the manufacturer would take on the sale of cars directly to consumers itself – was ‘not in the plan at all’. In an exclusive interview with Car Dealer, Jason … [Read more...]
Britain risks running out of EV innovation – car makers
Britain’s ability to compete as an electric vehicle production leader is at risk unless government responds urgently to increasingly fierce international competition, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warns in a new blueprint. The call comes as other countries significantly power up political and economic backing for their own automotive sectors, positioning themselves at the front … [Read more...]
Used fleet-evs are slowly shifting
Ex-fleet electric vehicles are taking more than twice as long to sell as internal combustion engine models, according to new data from epyx, but the situation could change relatively quickly, the company added. Figures drawn from its 1link Disposal Network platform show that petrol cars and vans are taking an average of 10 days to sell, and diesel 11 but EVs 25. The trend remains the same when … [Read more...]
Hertz backs Greenfleet EV event from Wales
Hertz has joined forces with Greenfleet, as the Official Vehicle Partner for its 2023 EV Rally 3-7 July. Hertz will provide electric vehicles for the five-day event that goes across the five capital cities in the UK and Ireland to highlight the real-world capabilities of electric vehicles and track the progress being made with charging infrastructure in the UK. Hertz, which is investing … [Read more...]
Tradelines 22 March
Independent used car dealers are being put off stocking EVs as a result of plummeting prices, Car Dealer has been told. Speaking at last week’s Car Dealer Live conference in Gaydon, a panel of used car dealers said they had been forced to rethink their strategies as a result of the recent slide after a drastic cut in new Tesla prices sparked a downward spiral in the value of used EVs and amid … [Read more...]
Testing time runs out for MoT change view
A split is developing over the Government’s proposal to extend the first MoT Test from three to four years. Consultation on the proposal ends tomorrow night. The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has responded to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation proposing changes to the MOT frequency and other MOT enhancements. Stuart James, IGA Chief Executive said, “As the voice of the … [Read more...]