Car dealers are having to battle increased levels of fraud and attempted fraud to go with a number of other challenges currently facing the motor trade. That is according to the latest Forecourt Foresight report from Close Brothers Motor Finance which found that one in five automotive retailers have fallen victim to fraud and a further 31% of dealers have … [Read more...]
Call to review EV law in Britain & Europe
The National Franchised Dealers Association is urging the new Labour Government to meet with representatives of the automotive retail sector at the Labour Party Conference and do more to stimulate the market for electric vehicles. The NFDA’s is calling for action in three essential areas to support the industry’s growth and sustainability: 1. Stimulating … [Read more...]
Covid cars masking missing features
Cars made during the pandemic with irregular specifications are causing valuation issues as they start to appear on the used market, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. It is causing a headache for dealers and annoying customers who think they are getting models with higher specifications than is the case. Marcus Blakemore, chair of the trade body’s … [Read more...]
Bring back small cars, dealers tell makers
Britain's car dealers are calling on manufactuers to supply them with a new series of small cars. Dealers overwhelmingly back calls for a new class of small cars to be introduced across Europe that attract lower taxes, insurance and parking costs, new research shows. Paris this year moved towards making SUV drivers pay more to park in the French Capital as … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 February
Car dealers face becoming the focus of a new customers financial scandal similar to PPI claims of the last two decades. The Financial Conduct Authority is investigating cases of finance houses not paying out compensation to customers over now-banned ‘discretionary commission arrangements’ and the watchdog is using its powers under S166 of the Financial … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 September
Isuzu UK says renowned Welsh rugby player Shane Williams has once again chosen the Isuzu D-Max as his vehicle of choice, opting for the prestigious top-of-the-range V-Cross version for the seventh consecutive year. This exciting partnership highlights the shared values of toughness, reliability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence that both Isuzu and … [Read more...]
Car sales slowly rising again
The momentum in new vehicle sales has continued with strong growth across electric vehicles, hybrids and petrol vehicles and is expected to continue through the summer months, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association. In May, a total of 145,204 new cars were registered, an increase of 16.7% from the same period last … [Read more...]
Motorists returning to dealerships away from online
The cost of living crisis is driving car buyers away from online purchases and into dealerships – with many expecting to bag a better deal by meeting the retailer in person, new research shows. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker reports that 55% of people have become less likely to buy a car online because of pressure on personal finances with 31% … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 September
The BMW Group will launch its first vehicles featuring completely vegan interiors in 2023. This is being made possible primarily through the development of innovative materials with leather-like properties for steering wheel surfaces, which must fulfil demanding criteria when it comes to feel, premium appearance and wear resistance. October’s fuel cap … [Read more...]
Staff are letting down dealers, say buyers
Expectations among car buyers are almost always satisfied by dealers, but customers remain less happy with the quality of dealer staff, research has revealed. The finding comes from a unique deep dive into the experiences of car buyers just revealed by Autovia, Britain's leading publisher of automotive advice and information. Every aspect of the buying … [Read more...]
