Pent up demand after lockdown eased is thought to have driven a rise in new car registrations last month. Figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders due to be released later this morning are expected to show an 11% rise compared with the same month in 2019. December saw the last increase but it was a blip after a year of decline. The new car sales market has struggled with … [Read more...]
Car dealers are optimistic of recovery
The UK motor industry has been hit hard by Covid-19, but car dealers are optimistic about the future of the sector. New research from the Britain Under the Bonnet report, from Close Brothers Motor Finance, reveals that short term confidence plummeted during April, but medium to long term optimism has begun to improve. At the beginning of 2020, 98% of car dealers were confident about business … [Read more...]
Brits still love the car showroom
The reopening of car showrooms is good news for the industry, as research finds that the majority of car owners (76%) still buy their cars from a showroom, with nearly a quarter (24%) of these second-hand cars. The survey of 2,000 UK drivers, which was commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, a leading supplier of GAP Insurance (Guaranteed Asset Protection) for new and second-hand cars, found that car … [Read more...]
Motorists want to buy from stock not wait – survey
Analysis of website carwow visitor trends between 17 and 25 March reveals that car buyers are increasingly considering in-stock vehicles, as concerns over new car availability and delivery times sway consumer purchase decisions. A survey of 440 motorists conducted a week ago revealed that 80% of buyers would prefer to buy a new car available immediately from dealer stock, than place a factory … [Read more...]
Technology overwhelming small traders
Used car dealers are being blitzed with new IT hardware and software to an extent that used car dealers’ efficiencies could be impacted when adopting new technology, according to V12 Vehicle Finance. As part of its road map to develop and launch its used stock funding, dealer stocking and consumer finance proposition, the V12 team researched the sector to locate best‐in-class technology. It … [Read more...]
Used buyers not checking before purchase
Millions of first-time motorists are purchasing a vehicle without checking it over, a study has found. Cars are traditionally one of the most expensive purchases to make, with motorists typically spending around £3,000 on their first set of wheels. Choosing the wrong vehicle can be costly as well as dangerous - but 63 per cent of new drivers failed to research their purchase properly or … [Read more...]
Dealers disappointing customers with servicing – J D Power
Dealers are letting down customers and their brands with poor communication when it comes to servicing, according to the J.D. Power 2019 UK Customer Service Index Study released today. While some brands stand out for good communication, others are missing opportunities to build trust, relationships and satisfaction. Sizable gaps exist between how customers prefer to schedule vehicle service … [Read more...]
Buyers seriously considering ev and fuel cell cars
Green-group Transport & Environment say 40% of car buyers across Europe will buy or lease an electric or fuel cell powered, but manufacturers are slow to meet demand. A considerable 5-12% of citizens across the countries surveyed say it is very likely they'll buy an electric next and their MORI survey shows there is an immediate opportunity to grow the 2% of sales that presently can be … [Read more...]