Average pump prices fell by less than a penny in August ending two months of rises, says RAC Fuel Watch. The average cost of a litre of unleaded petrol dropped by just 0.39p in the month, from 135.03p at the start to 134.64p on 31 August, with diesel down by 0.72p, from 142.92p to 142.2p at the end of the month. Supermarket price reductions were similarly … [Read more...]
E-Vans’ market picks up and target for newcomers
Fleets adopting electric vans are using them over longer daily routes, according to new research. Respondents to the 2025 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer who already have electric vans or were planning to use them were asked whether they would cover distances of more or less than 100 miles. The results showed a definite bias towards more intensive … [Read more...]
Tradelines 4 June
Car dealers are having to battle increased levels of fraud and attempted fraud to go with a number of other challenges currently facing the motor trade. That is according to the latest Forecourt Foresight report from Close Brothers Motor Finance which found that one in five automotive retailers have fallen victim to fraud and a further 31% of dealers have … [Read more...]
€458m fines for 15 car makers over scrappage cartel
The European Union has imposed fines totalling €458m on fifteen car manufacturers for participating in a cartel that affected the recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Volkswagen received the largest fine at €127.69m, followed by Stellantis including Opel at €99.5m, Renault-Nissan at €81.46m, and Ford at €41.46m. The EU also fined the European Automobiles … [Read more...]
Tradelines 12 March
Renault is progressing joint ventures with China's Geely car business after apparently easing its association with Nissan, of Japan. The new partnership is commencing production of models in Brazil but its unclear if any versions will be exported. A survey of over 3,600 Decathlon shoppers found that EV drivers were more likely to do cardio-intensive sports … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 August
The North East is home to Great Britain’s safest roads, with just under 2% of all the country’s collisions in 2022, according to analysis of accident data. The study by Go.Compare Car Insurance said North East had just 6,122 accidents across the year, while Wales and Scotland complete the three safest British regions, both boasting just 4% of all total … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 June
Wales’ largest dealer groups, Days, saw its turnover rise but pre-tax profit fall last year. Companies House accounts for the year ended December 31, 2023, show the new and used cars business with 18,000 strong rental fleet, and one of the Car Dealer Top 100, reported an 11% increase in turnover from £257.774m to £285.195m but its profit before tax sank … [Read more...]
Chinese brands sweeping into dealerships
Xpeng is the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer most likely to succeed in the UK market, named by 36% of dealers in new research. It is followed by Omoda (34%), BYD (31%), Lynk & Co (24%) and Nio (24%), according to June’s Startline Used Car Tracker. Other new entrants named by dealers include Jaecoo (19%), GWM ORA (17%), Zeekr (12%) and … [Read more...]
Tradelines 31 January
Specialist motor insurance loss adjuster Claims Management & Adjusting says new Office for National Statistics figures showing an 8% annual increase in vehicle thefts are shockingly unsurprising. According to the ONS’s latest Crime Survey for England and Wales instances of “theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle” increased from 122,423 in the … [Read more...]
Car makers urge UK Government to boost EV support
The drive is on to transform motor manufacturing in Britain. The UK automotive sector has urged all political parties to adopt five pledges and supercharge its competitiveness as part of a dedicated industrial strategy – with a £106 billion prize up for grabs from now until the end of the next parliament. A commitment to transforming automotive production, … [Read more...]
