The wholesale price of diesel is now on a par with petrol yet diesel is still being sold for 17.5p a litre more on average at forecourts across the UK, reveals data from RAC Fuel Watch. The average price of petrol stands at 146.63p while diesel is 164.26p despite both fuels selling for around 114.5p on the wholesale market. In fact, on two days last week wholesale diesel was cheaper than … [Read more...]
Used cars bounce back led by hybrids
The UK’s used car market grew by 11.5% to 7,530,956 transactions in 2021, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It reported 777,997 more cars changed hands than in 2020, a year which was even more badly affected by Covid lockdowns and unsettled consumer and business confidence. Despite this growth, the 2021 performance was still -5.5% below the pre-pandemic five-year … [Read more...]
Fuelling pressure on the Government isolation plan
The government announcement to exclude essential workers from self-isolation requirements if they have been double vaccinated should be extended to forecourt workers, says the Petrol Retailers Association. Gordon Balmer, the Executive Director of the PRA has said, "We are well aware of supply issues in shops, primarily as a result of workers who are part of the supply chain including terminal … [Read more...]
Buyers back in the driving seats
Car buyers are flocking back to showrooms and forecourts, said the National Franchised Dealers Association. Through the findings, NFDA aims to assess the implications of the COVID-19 lockdown on the automotive retail sector and understand how the industry is now recovering. Their survey asked dealers questions about their return to work including the percentage of dealerships that reopened, … [Read more...]
Fuel prices rip off claim
Motorists are being ripped off by petrol companies,claims the AA has which says falling oil prices are not being reflected on forecourts. The motoring group calculates drivers are overcharged by more than £5 a tank. "Questions will be asked about the fairness of pump prices during the great oil crash of 2020," the AA said. The RAC has said the same. Bu Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol … [Read more...]
AFVs demand likely to soar
Over half of UK dealers (53%) plan to stock alternative fuel vehicles in the next five years, according to research from Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Dealer Satisfaction Survey. Positively, almost three in ten (29%) car dealers already stock AFVs. And for those who already have stock, two thirds (64%) plan to increase it and a quarter (24%) plan to maintain their current level. Just 2% of … [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...]
Shortage of good stock emphasises preparation
An increasing shortage of good quality stock in the used car sector means that there is a growing emphasis being placed on vehicle preparation for sale, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation, which represents businesses that between them handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 million used vehicles every year, believes this will be one of the key trends of … [Read more...]
Pump prices continue rising, RAC Fuel Watch reports
The average price of petrol rose for the second month in row with a litre going up by 2p in March to 122.58p, data from RAC Fuel Watch shows. This means filling a 55-litre family car with unleaded now costs £67.22. The average price of diesel also increased but only 0.70p to 130.67p taking a fill-up to £71.87. This is the second straight monthly increase for both fuels, making unleaded 2p … [Read more...]