Pre-lockdown, some 32% of UK drivers were planning to buy an alternative fuelled vehicle as their next car purchase, according to a report from Close Brothers Motor Finance. Drivers are continuing to shy away from traditional fuel types, with 21% planning on buying a hybrid car, and 11% opting for electric. Despite electric surging in popularity, petrol remains the most popular choice of fuel … [Read more...]
AFVs demand likely to soar
Over half of UK dealers (53%) plan to stock alternative fuel vehicles in the next five years, according to research from Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Dealer Satisfaction Survey. Positively, almost three in ten (29%) car dealers already stock AFVs. And for those who already have stock, two thirds (64%) plan to increase it and a quarter (24%) plan to maintain their current level. Just 2% of … [Read more...]
EU market is very patchy for AFVs
Sales of alternatively-powered vehicles are following a highly uneven pattern across EU member states, according to new findings from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Indeed, the consumer uptake of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric passenger cars, as well as those fuelled by natural gas or hydrogen, differs strongly from country to country. “Although the … [Read more...]
New to used gap widens and choices expand
As used car sales surge, the gap between demand for used and new vehicles gets ever starker, said Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance. Consumers shifting to cheaper cars due to the economic uncertainty caused by Brexit and the global slowdown is certainly a factor. But, so too is the challenge in supplying customers the makes and models of new vehicles that … [Read more...]
Dealers worried over deadline for petrol & diesel cars
Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Dealer Satisfaction Survey has found that two-thirds (66%) of car dealers believe the Government’s plans to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2032 will be too early. The qualitative survey of more than 200 dealers nationwide found that the vast majority (86%) believed the ban would cause another layer of confusion to the market, with 59% believing it would make car … [Read more...]
Drivers more likely to ditch diesel next time
The shift away from diesel has more drivers planning to choose an eco-friendly car than ever before, says AA Cars. Looking at people who have used its site, nearly a quarter (22%) claim they are ready to make the switch despite a lot of confusion over Government policies. The AA-Populus poll of over 20,000 drivers shows that this would be a dramatic increase from the 2% of drivers who … [Read more...]
VW T-Roc surges as Europe recovers & UK falters
The European car market is more dynamic than ever before, recording its best H1 performance of the century,reports analyst firm JATO. There were 8.6 million car registrations between January and June – a year on year increase of 2.7%. Despite uncertainty in the UK, where the market was down 6.3% on H1 2017, the growth recorded in Germany, France and Spain allowed the overall market to keep … [Read more...]
Elephant on car forecourts needs moving
There is an elephant on car forecourts, says one industry observer. The Government must stimulate the switch to hybrids and electric cars with the collapsing sale of diesel and a general slowdown in new car sales, said Alex Buttle, director of car buying comparison website Motorway.co.uk. "Again flagging diesel sales are the recurring and seemingly unsolvable problem. Petrol and AFVs sales … [Read more...]
UK new car sales still sliding, diesels collapsing
The UK new car market dipped in February, according to figures released this morning by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Some 80,805 new cars were registered, a -2.8% drop compared with February 2017, in what is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year ahead of the March number plate change. Continuing recent trends, demand for petrol and alternatively fuelled … [Read more...]
Diesel sales collapsing in UK – AFVs rising
Diesel sales have collapsed 30% in Britain as the new car market contracted by over 11% last month, said the car-makers’ body. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported a rise to over 33% for alternatively fuelled vehicles and a 5% increase in petrol engined models. The big switch from diesel to alternative fuel led by business users comes amid growing concerns over diesel … [Read more...]