Genesis will continue to sell a full range of models through its own-brand dealer network despite an operational merger with parent company Hyundai beginning in January. Genesis Motor UK will no longer exist as a standalone company from January 2024, as first reported by Car Dealer magazine, its operations being rolled fully into Hyundai Motor UK and the company said … [Read more...]
Used EV prices expected to fall in short term
Nearly half of dealers (46%) think the values and prices of electric vehicles (EVs) will fall following the government’s move to push-back the electrification deadline to 2035, as consumers take more time to make the switch. November’s new Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 44% believe a corresponding rise in petrol and diesel prices and values will occur as customers stick with petrol … [Read more...]
Aging fleets create service boost for independents
Fleet use of independent garages is around a quarter higher for company cars and vans aged four years old compared to their one year old counterparts, shows research. New data from epyx shows that buying of service, maintenance and repair (SMR) shifts from 30% independent garage and 70% franchise dealer at 1-2 years old to 35%/65% at 2-3 years old, 40%/60% at 3-4 years old and 38%/62% at four … [Read more...]
Financial squeeze is cutting used car choice
The financial squeeze is starting to hurt car buyers. AA Finance said motorists are borrowing 5% less for used car purchases this year as the cost-of-living crisis bites. This time last year, the average loan would be enough to buy seven of the 10 most popular used cars but only four would be affordable after price rises were taken into account this year. The average amount financed last year … [Read more...]
EVs price fall expected as fleets change
Second hand electric cars and vans are expected to dramatically fall in price as businesses contracts roll-over. According to independent transport research group New Automotive, companies now run around 475,000 electric cars, and 200,000 plug-in hybrids, most of which will be held for 2-4 years before being resold into the second-hand market for 50% of the original value. Thanks to … [Read more...]
Used ev sales stabilize on demand and availability
Falling prices have fueled greater interest and resale of used electric cars, according to a new survey. Latest data from Auto Trader’s Retail Price Index show the recovery in used electric vehicle values has continued to gather pace in October due to the combination of increasing consumer demand for greener vehicles fuelled by attractive prices and a softening in the recent surge in supply of … [Read more...]
Agency selling model worries more dealers
Dealer worries over the growth of agency agreements have doubled in the last month, according to October’s Startline Used Car Tracker. The factor was named as a future challenge to their business by just 22% of used car retailers in September but has jumped to 42% this month. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “For most of this year, around 20% of dealers have mentioned … [Read more...]
Car complaints are rising
The Motor Ombudsman has seen the highest volume of service and repair cases brought by consumers in a single quarter so far this year. Between 01st July and 30 September, the Ombudsman for the automotive sector accepted a total of 1,348 new submissions from motorists, up 10% from 1,226 in the second quarter, and equating to a 13% increase versus the volume seen during the opening three months of … [Read more...]
KIA is king but Stellantis is hopeless, say traders
Kia is the best and Stellantis the worst brands to be selling, say car dealers. The NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey was conducted last month and asked franchised dealers questions about the on-going business relationship with their respective manufacturers. It brought 2,531 responses from 32 franchised networks, equating to a joint record response rate of 68%. The 2023 Summer Survey showed a general … [Read more...]
Weekend review: Old dogs & new tricks
More and more new names are appearing in the UK car market as it evolves into the electric age, but at the recent Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders annual southern test day for writers near Basingstoke it was two familiar names which caught my attention. The Nissan X-Trail has been a success in Britain for over 23 years while smart has been hanging around for even longer with a … [Read more...]
