Consumers need to be given better quality information about diesel cars including from the Government and inconsistencies in Government policy needed to be removed to repair damage done to the new car market. That’s the opinion of Glenn Sturley, chairman of the Vehicle Remarking Association, who said, “The messages about diesel that the Government has given out in the last year or so are, at … [Read more...]
Diesel decline accelerated last month
Diesel’s decline continued on new car forecourts last month. It was the 12 consecutive month of falling sales but an inflated registration spike in March 2017 to beat tougher emissions requirements and tax rates has distorted the tables for March 2018 although the underlying trend is bad for diesel. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders today show a 37.2% drop over … [Read more...]
Elephant on car forecourts needs moving
There is an elephant on car forecourts, says one industry observer. The Government must stimulate the switch to hybrids and electric cars with the collapsing sale of diesel and a general slowdown in new car sales, said Alex Buttle, director of car buying comparison website Motorway.co.uk. "Again flagging diesel sales are the recurring and seemingly unsolvable problem. Petrol and AFVs sales … [Read more...]
Triple trouble faces car makers at Geneva show
Industry executives meeting at the Geneva motor show this week face testing choices to re-engineer existing vehicles at huge expense, restrict sales of some profitable models, or risk hundreds of millions of euros in penalties. While diesels produce more toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates than gasoline engines, their efficiency has been instrumental in cutting greenhouse gases. As … [Read more...]
UK new car sales still sliding, diesels collapsing
The UK new car market dipped in February, according to figures released this morning by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Some 80,805 new cars were registered, a -2.8% drop compared with February 2017, in what is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year ahead of the March number plate change. Continuing recent trends, demand for petrol and alternatively fuelled … [Read more...]
Dealers must balance stock at critical time
The balance of stocking diesel, petrol, hybrid and alternative fuel used cars is set to become a more important issue for dealers over the course of 2018, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The trade body, which represents members that are involved in the remarketing of more than 1.5m vehicles per year in total, says that the process is likely to be relatively measured but also … [Read more...]
How hybrids can be bad for business & society
FleetCheck is warning of poor fuel economy and an increase in emissions for fleets moving to plug-in hybrids, unless accompanied by significant fleet policy changes. The fleet software and management specialist says that a number of issues need to be tackled – from making charging points available to teaching drivers new on-road skills. Peter Golding, managing director, said: “With the … [Read more...]
Brakes still going on used-car sales, reports SMMT
The UK’s used car market declined for a second consecutive quarter in Q3, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. But overall, 2017 remains level with 2,102,078 second hand cars changing hands from July to September, representing a fall of -2.1%. Year-to-date, the market remained at record levels after a bumper first quarter, with more than 6.3 million buyers opting for a … [Read more...]
Stick with diesel and save £380 annually
Motorists could save a minimum of £380 per year by sticking with diesel vehicles according to vehicle data experts cap hpi. The company is warning that motorists could find themselves out of pocket potentially by hundreds of pounds each year if they choose to switch to a petrol model from the diesel equivalent. Expert analysts from cap hpi have authored a new report which illustrates how … [Read more...]
Golf tops slowing new car sales market
The UK new car market has declined for a third consecutive month with 243,454 new units registered in June, said SMMT. Registrations fell at a slower pace than in the previous two months, by -4.8%, as demand continued to stabilise following a record first quarter and the subsequent market turbulence caused by the recent changes to Vehicle Excise Duty. The market is now more in line with … [Read more...]