Kia has revealed UK pricing and specification details for the all-new Kia Niro as customer pre-orders for the second-generation open with deliveries in the autumn. There is a choice of 139bhp 1.6 litre hybrid, 180bhp 1.6 litre plug-in hybrid and 64.8kWh pure electric models in three trim levels from £27,745, £32,775 and £34,995 respectively for each powertrain. The next generation BMW 7 Series … [Read more...]
Car buyers researching rights more easily
The Motor Ombudsman’s Knowledge Base online resource designed to make it quicker and easier for motorists to resolve their query or complaint in relation to buying and owning a car prior to submitting a dispute, has achieved the milestone of one million views since launching in January 2019. Accessed via the ‘Find an answer’ button at the top of every page of TheMotorOmbudsman.org website, the … [Read more...]
The changing face of car sales and part exchanges
More manufacturers selling direct to the public is going to change the dealership model in future. The effects of the growth of franchise dealer agency models on the remarketing sector are not yet understood but could be far-reaching, according to the Vehicle Remarketing Association. Last year, Genesis launched as a manufacturer only on-line sales platform supported by its own experience centres … [Read more...]
Suppliers face new opportunities in car sector
Britain’s car-makers and component suppliers face opportunities as the race speeds up towards a future of pure electric vehicles, delegates to the annual Autolink Conference in Cardiff were told yesterday. On the day that the UK Government announced a £620 Million grant to boost ev-sales, extend the national recharging network on-street and in homes, as well as introduce a compulsory mandate … [Read more...]
Fuel shortages drying up car sales, says finance company
The ongoing fuel crisis is detering new car buyers, according to Close Brothers Motor Finance. A fifth (20%) of the UK public admit the fuel shortage up and down the country has put them off buying a new car. The research, which examined the impact of the national fuel shortage on car buying, found that well over a quarter (27%) say the crisis has made them think about purchasing an … [Read more...]
September registrations worst for over two decades
New car registrations collapsed to a 22 year low last month due to the semi-conductor shortage delaying scores of models' introduction. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported sales plummeted 34.4% year on year in September – traditionally one of the busiest months for the industry after the March new-plate change. Just 214,312 new cars were registered with the latest plate … [Read more...]
Car production & sales stagnate on shortages
Car sales in Wales crashed over 26% last month, the worst of any part in the UK. Just 2,363 new models were registered and that's even below the 3,230 recorded in the pandemic hit showrooms of last year and the total for the country was a little over 68,000. It was a very dismal August for the motor trade across the country, the lowest figures recorded since 2013 and the overflow from … [Read more...]
Used cars’ sales booming, says industry
The UK’s used car market grew 108.6% in the second quarter of 2021 according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Some 2,167,504 vehicles changed hands, up 6.6% on 2019 pre-pandemic levels, the best Q2 performance and almost the best quarter ever for the used car market. The increase tracks the country’s gradual emergence from lockdown, as businesses reopened, demand for personal … [Read more...]
Tesla top UK registrations as recovery continues
New car sales are recovering but more slowly than expected by car makers. The global shortage of micro-chips is affecting outputs from plants, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. June’s UK registrations of 186,128 new cars is 16.4% below the last decade’s average for the month and the second quarter’s total is still 9,000 units short of their expectations due to the chip … [Read more...]
Rising hesitancy over buying is the new norm
There is no doubt that new and used car sales are right at the forefront of the car retailer’s commercial strategy at the moment, said Rupert Pontin, Director of Insight at Cazana, the motor trade analysts. As another week of strong sales performance passed by and the retailers continued to make the most of the pent-up buyer demand, new car sales looked good, although the restrictions on supply … [Read more...]