British car manufacturing came to a screeching halt in April, down 99.7% against the same month last year. Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance, offers his views on the shutdown, including recent data on what dealers want from the Government moving forward. Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said, … [Read more...]
Car trade is idling on lockdown road
Car buyers and sellers will be operating in a new world and new order when they are again allowed to go out and into showrooms as early as monday 1 June in England but at dates to be decided in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, writes Robin Roberts. One of the biggest changes in doing business post-Covid-19 will be seen in Suzuki dealerships where the … [Read more...]
Dealers plea for Government help
Six in ten car dealers want prolonged support with grants and loans from Government. New research from Close Brothers Motor Finance reveals the priorities across the motor industry as they call for further Government support in light of Covid-19. The sector has been hit particularly hard by the UK lockdown, with new car sales plunging 97% year-on-year in … [Read more...]
Extinction Rebellion – warning to prestige car dealers
A stark warning has been made regarding action from Extinction Rebellion against car dealers, car manufacturers and car firms in Bristol and London. “The warning makes sober reading. Action will likely be against 4x4 and luxury car dealers and manufacturers, and while we expect it to be a non-physical social media campaign, dealers need to reinforce their … [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...]
Auctions expected to rise in trade
Over half of respondents in a recent survey expect an increase in auction volumes, said Louise Wallis, Head of the National Association of Motor Auctions, commenting on the latest figures from NAMA’s market attitude survey. Auction volumes are expected to increase by 53% of respondents, with only 20% predicting a fall. Conversion rates are strongly … [Read more...]
MG pick Santander for finance package
MG Motor UK said that Santander Consumer Finance has been selected as its exclusive finance provider, as both companies agreed a five-year partnership effective from 1 January. Trading as MG Motor Financial Services, MG and SCF will provide a full range of retail finance options to make buying an MG easier than ever before. On the dealer side, new … [Read more...]
Dealers confidence stronger now for 2020
Exclusive findings from Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Dealer Satisfaction Survey reveal that most motor dealers (96%) are confident about business prospects in the market going into 2020, with almost six in 10 (58%) ‘very confident’. At a time when the new government and the Brexit extension offer a potential end in sight for the political turbulence, … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi new identity revealed
Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has officially launched its new Visual Identity to its dealer network with a series of events at its headquarters in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. To ensure its dealers had a fully immersive experience and a comprehensive overview of the look and feel of all aspects of the new VI, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has created a full … [Read more...]
Women put off by dealers go on-line car shopping
More women own cars in the UK than ever before and hold more than half of UK licences, and influence 80% of global car purchases. Yet in the latest Britain Under the Bonnet report from Close Brothers Motor Finance. women are still more likely to feel pressured into making a purchase at a dealership than men. One in five women (19%), when purchasing their … [Read more...]
