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 … [Read more...]
Hybrids are mystery to a third of drivers
A survey by DesperateSeller.co.uk has revealed that 30.9% of UK consumers simply don’t understand hybrid cars. A poll on the used car website in July 2020 asked “What is a hybrid car?” and gave three options: a) One that can use at least two means of propulsion; b) One that does NOT have an internal combustion engine; and c) One that can run on both petrol … [Read more...]
New car sales edge upwards
New car sales have started a slow recovery. British new car registrations fell by 35% in June as many dealerships reopened after coronavirus lockdown measures were lifted, but the Welsh and Scottish showrooms' openings were delayed until the end of the month and this affected figures. A total 145,377 new cars were registered in June, leaving accumulated … [Read more...]
Challenging times ahead for trade, says analyst
It has been a month of halves with two weeks of unexpected silence in the showrooms resulting in many staff being furloughed in the absence of customers. Service departments and smaller garages are working to keep key workers mobile and safe with their transportation needs and the insurance industry is still largely active. Dealers still have a shop window … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 January
Kia will introduce 11 BEVs over the next five years and they will make up 75% of sales, under the company’s Plan S strategy announced this week in Seoul. The remaining 25% of sales will be conventional eco-friendly internal combustion engined models but it also intends to increase income from car sharing mobility services including hydrogen … [Read more...]
New car sales fall is not the full picture
The SMMT figures this morning show a 6.7% fall in new car registrations in October. They do not tell the whole story though, says an industry watcher. Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said, ““Disappointing sales figures this month, slightly down once again, point to a lack of confidence among consumers. Larger, more … [Read more...]
Auction prices looking good this month
Car auction prices are expected to increase or remain stable in October. Conversion rates improved during September as a factor of shortening vehicle supply at a time when dealer and car dealerships were looking for stock for their forecourts, said Louise Wallis (pictured), Head of the National Association of Motor Auctions, commenting on the latest … [Read more...]
BEV sales are boosting business
Battery electric vehicle demand doubled in July across Europe. Despite continuing economic uncertainty and diminishing consumer confidence, the European car market registered growth in July 2019, as registrations were up by 1.2% to 1,325,600 units. Although the growth was marginal, it marks a significant improvement on the drop seen in June, when … [Read more...]
Auction prices encouraging, says trade
More than 50% of auction hall members are expecting conversion rates to increase in August. This has been assisted by the volume of vehicles coming though remarketing centres which has meant buyers have had less vehicles to choose from and has in turn increased conversion rates of those vehicles that are available to buy, said Louise Wallis, Head of the … [Read more...]
Diesel demand is still strong in used sector – Cazana
Consumer demand continues to slacken and prices are softening, but there are surprises about the performance of diesel in the trade, writes Rupert Pontin, Director of Insight at Cazana. Just days after new car sales figures showed continuing weakness, the retail expert has looked at the situation of second hand cars. July is an interesting month at the … [Read more...]
