The recovery from Covid-19 continues to be the main concern for car dealers when thinking about the future of their business, according to new research from Close Brothers Motor Finance. Over a third (35%) of dealers surveyed in the Dealer Satisfaction Survey said that Covid-19 recovery and the potential for future lockdowns poses the biggest threat to their business in the next 12 months, while … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 May
Aston Martin will soon have new dealerships in multiple European destinations, after signing agreements with six new dealer partners. The company’s transformation plan ‘Project Horizon’ identified a need to focus on this growing region and the fact that six new dealerships are already open, or opening soon, demonstrates the substance and power behind the plan and the company's first SUV, the St … [Read more...]
Used car sales dented by disease controls
The UK’s used car market declined -8.9% in the first quarter of 2021 according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. With 1,687,755 transactions, the overall decline saw large falls in January and February of -27.1% and -19.4%, as lockdowns depressed demand and again closed showrooms. March saw the market show signs of recovery with a 32.2% year-on-year rise, amounting to … [Read more...]
Lockdown is no good for batteries
After a national lockdown, it’s likely that some will find their car battery has lost its charge during an extended period of inactivity. If the worst happens and you do emerge from lockdown to find your vehicle battery is flat, jump starting the car with jump leads can cause damage. For some modern cars it is even not possible or requires specialist equipment. You should always … [Read more...]
21-plate sales stalled by lockdowns
Welsh and UK car dealers will miss the 21-plate registration scramble for March and are annoyed with Government. “We understand the importance of bringing the virus fully under control. However, it is very disappointing that dealerships will not be able to reopen until April,” said Sue Robinson, CEO of the National Franchised Dealers Association. “NFDA has already made the Government aware of … [Read more...]
Golden hours to buying and selling shine on-line
There's a golden two hours window each day to buy or sell a car, according to data compiled by a leading software business which has looked at the booming on-line sales of vehicles. There was a time when customers used to spend precious hours of their weekends criss-crossing out-of-town retail parks to visit multiple showrooms before buying a car. Then, with the advent of car websites, online … [Read more...]
Company cars’ confusing charts
As another lockdown leaves company car activity stalled in suspended animation, a new BVRLA report analyses the market and the long-term trends that will drive its destiny. With all but essential journeys banned and new car registrations slumping to a thirty-year low, the company car sector has entered 2021 as it spent much of 2020, in an artificial position. The BVRLA Company Car Report puts … [Read more...]
Welsh premiums dip 10% for motorists
There’s good news for drivers in Wales - the average cost of car insurance has fallen by £68 about 10% year-on-year, according to Confused.com . That's due to the typical driver cutting miles by around 2,000 due to the lockdowns, reduced working and insurers recognising fewer claims coming in so costs have been slashed. Drivers in the region can now expect to pay an average of £644 for … [Read more...]
Cardiff drivers benefit most from lockdowns
Cardiff drivers have come out top of the UK workers who have saved £600 Million during the lockdown collectively by not having to commute to work and driving less overall. This is based on 46.6% of the UK workforce spending time working from home over lockdown, and the average fuel saving during the lockdown period being £76 a month. Cardiff commuters saved the most, £88, while drivers in … [Read more...]
UK car sales plunge nearly 30% in November
New car registrations slumped by 27.4% in November in Britain, according to the Society of Motor Manufactuers and Traders, as English showrooms were closed in the latest lockdown. Click and collect helped sals achieve 113,781 and “With a vaccine now approved, the business and consumer confidence on which this sector depends can only improve, giving the industry more optimism for the turn of the … [Read more...]