More than half of UK drivers (56%) bought their most recent car from a showroom in a face-to-face transaction says a new Opinium survey of 2000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, rising to 70% of over 55s, compared to less than half (44%) of under 55s. Women also have reservations about car showrooms. One in five (20%) find them intimidating and describe negotiating as “embarrassing” … [Read more...]
Retailers driving job opportunities
A recruitment drive is underway in motor dealerships around Britain. The retail side of the automotive industry employs nearly 600,000 people and is one of the biggest and most varied sectors. There are automotive dealerships all over the UK and your local one might have the right opportunity for you to kick-start and develop your professional career. Drive My Career, powered by The National … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: GWM Funky Cat 1st Edition
The UK’s electric car revolution is becoming a bloody affair. From initially resisting the new technology on cost grounds including writing off established investments in petrol and diesel engine technology and having to develop hybrid or pure electric powertrains, along with making tens of thousands of workers redundant, manufacturers have struggled to convince buyers into showrooms or on-line … [Read more...]
Fuel shortages drying up car sales, says finance company
The ongoing fuel crisis is detering new car buyers, according to Close Brothers Motor Finance. A fifth (20%) of the UK public admit the fuel shortage up and down the country has put them off buying a new car. The research, which examined the impact of the national fuel shortage on car buying, found that well over a quarter (27%) say the crisis has made them think about purchasing an … [Read more...]
Britons’ love of car dealers revealed
The majority of car owners (76%) buy their car from a car showroom, rising to 86% of over 66s, compared to just 58% of under 34s. The survey of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, a leading supplier of GAP Insurance (Guaranteed Asset Protection) for new and second-hand cars, finds that drivers, who prefer to buy from showrooms, do so because: 34% wish to part-exchange their … [Read more...]
Post Coronavirus symptoms trouble trade
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...]
Rising hesitancy over buying is the new norm
There is no doubt that new and used car sales are right at the forefront of the car retailer’s commercial strategy at the moment, said Rupert Pontin, Director of Insight at Cazana, the motor trade analysts. As another week of strong sales performance passed by and the retailers continued to make the most of the pent-up buyer demand, new car sales looked good, although the restrictions on supply … [Read more...]
Seeing is believing say car buyers
While the pandemic has accelerated online buying across multiple sectors, most drivers are not quite ready to take the leap and buy a new car online without seeing it first. According to Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Britain Under the Bonnet Report, a new car tops the list of things that people would research online but need to see in real life before buying – even over a new home. Just over a … [Read more...]
More buyers looking for new cars after lockdowns
Some 2.7 million more drivers are planning to opt for a new car this year than previous years, according to Close Brothers Motor Finance’s upcoming Britain Under the Bonnet Report. For 45% of drivers, a new car is the preferred option – significantly up from 38% last year. The lockdown has fuelled fresh demand for a private vehicle and working from home has enabled lots of consumers … [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...]