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 and many eyes browsing vehicles on … [Read more...]
Tradelines 1 April
Recent prices of new and used SUVs and Crossovers have been tumbling, say analysts at Cazana. With forecourts shut due to the coronavirus epidemic the emphasis has moved on-line and canny buyers are carefully shopping around for the best deal so sellers have to respond or lose the business and Cazana said it may well be a common trend in the coming weeks and will need to be monitored. Aston … [Read more...]
Cazana’s Dealer Survival Guide
The motor trade is one of the world's toughest business sectors but the current Coronavirus is putting incredible strain on the entire sales stream and getting good advice is essential to keep businesses going. Here are five points to consider: Stay Safe Abide by the Government rules and close your dealership to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep your staff and customers safe. … [Read more...]
2020 deserves to be balanced for business
With 2019 a fast receding memory, the automotive industry is looking forward to a more balanced year, said Rupert Pontin, Director of Insight with Cazana business intelligence. Despite a decline in new car registrations, many consider the 2.4% drop to have been a fairly good result given the backdrop of political, social and economic factors that challenged every sector of the industry and made … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 December
A million embroidered stitches of floral designs were applied to the interior of a Rolls-Royce Phantom for a Stockholm client with a passion for flowers. It has been described as one of the greatest Phantoms of its generation. Almost a third of Christmas shoppers will use a car for convenience but half of them will suffer a breakdown on the journey. Green Flag pollsters were told that one in … [Read more...]
“Serious” state of nearly-new cars reported
New car discounts and big pre-registrations of technically outdated models have distorted the used car market and it has become what analysts are calling “a serious event” in the trade. The UK used car market has seen a significant shift in pricing in the sub 12-month-old sector. Retail pricing has seen a marked decrease with a 7-percentage point downturn over the same period last year, report … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 September
Volvo is first to offer plug-in hybrid versions of its entire model range with launch of new XC40 T5 Twin Engine. The front-wheel-drive hybrid system uses 180hp three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine with 82hp electric motor to achieve combined output of 262hp – highest figure in the XC40 line-up. With the UK set to bake in an Indian summer heatwave this weekend, and motorists set to take … [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 best of times with market conditions driven … [Read more...]
Pre-reg bargains to be had by canny motorists
Pre-registrations are returning to the new car market in a noticeable manner, members of the Vehicle Remarketing Association were told at the organisation’s latest meeting. Speakers Mike Jones, chair of ASE Global and Rupert Pontin, insight director at Cazana, both indicated in their presentations that late-month registration activity was increasing. Mike said, “There is little question that … [Read more...]
Tradelines 19 June
A recall has been ordered for Adam and Corsa models in Germany. Authorities believe 210,000 models may exceed NO2 levels in real world conditions across Europe and that’s likely to include thousands sold in the UK. There are hopes that FCA will be able to revive its bid for a deal with Renault, subject to Nissan support. The French Government would have to approve the possible deal as … [Read more...]