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, “April’s manufacturing slump reflects the … [Read more...]
Car makers move to save extinction
CEOs from across the automotive value chain came together for a meeting with the European Commission to align on the priorities for a solid recovery plan for the automotive sector, with a view to stimulating the wider economy and bolstering the transformation to a carbon-neutral society. CEOs of vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers, as well as their respective associations – the European … [Read more...]
Virtual business as usual for Mitsubishi
Physical showrooms may be closed but it’s virtual business as usual at Mitsubishi Motors where customers are still able to purchase a new vehicle using the Mitsubishi Buy Online facility. Not only can customers browse the model range and specify the exact Mitsubishi vehicle they would like, they can also trade their current vehicle in and arrange finance all from the comfort and safety of their … [Read more...]
Coronavirus planning risk to no-deal Brexit, warn ACEA
A no-deal Brexit at the end of 2020 risks undoing efforts to get the auto industry back on track after the coronavirus of recent weeks, says the European car makers’ director general Eric-Mark Huitema. While Europe still grapples with the health, social and economic impacts of the coronavirus, and EU automobile manufacturers battle for survival, the second round of negotiations on the future … [Read more...]
On-line business predicted to soar
The world drastically changed in March 2020, and retail changed too. The nature of customer demand has been turned on its head, and anybody trying to sell products or services in this environment needs to work to keep up. It’s a challenging and unprecedented time for not only dealerships, but for the motor industry as a whole. Buyers are having to stay home and showrooms are closed, so now … [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 and many eyes browsing vehicles on … [Read more...]
Traders attack new consumer advice
Car dealers and auction houses have fallen out with trading standards officers. “It is disappointing that following a number of responses, including our detailed comments on the draft guidance consultation, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute has ignored the majority of the issues NFDA had outlined alongside other industry trade bodies”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National … [Read more...]
Motorcycle sales encouraging 2020 kick off
With motorcycle registrations improving by 2.8% on the previous January, the start of the new year is heading in the right direction,said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association. A total of 6,146 new motorcycles were registered throughout January, an increase from 5,976 in January 2019. Much of the growth came from the higher powered 651-1000cc and over 1000cc … [Read more...]
Electric & premium brands’ car sales soaring
Brits are going bonkers for battery powered cars. September sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show a staggering 236.4% increase in pure electric models registered, albeit from a low point 12 months earlier. But their sales would have been higher if manufacturers had supplied more and there is now a long waiting list for the lowest carbon emissions … [Read more...]
Auction prices encouraging, says trade
More than 50% of auction hall members are expecting conversion rates to increase in August. This has been assisted by the volume of vehicles coming though remarketing centres which has meant buyers have had less vehicles to choose from and has in turn increased conversion rates of those vehicles that are available to buy, said Louise Wallis, Head of the National Association of Motor Auctions, … [Read more...]
