Limited potential for online-only motor sales was the top reason for the recent collapse of Cazoo, say dealers. Research from July’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows half of dealers surveyed said this was a problem, followed by 37% who said investors overestimated efficiencies that could be accessed through technology, and 35% that they failed to recognise … [Read more...]
Safety ratings take a back seat with motorists
Fewer than one in five or 18% of motorists check official safety ratings such as Euro-NCAP when buying a new car, new findings show. June’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 73% expect all cars to meet high safety standards – although only 36% believe that legislation can be trusted to ensure that cars have effective safety features. Paul Burgess, CEO … [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...]
New government must power up EV affordability
Half of motorists (50%) say the government should do more to make electric cars affordable, according to new research. June’s new Startline Used Car Tracker also finds that 35% believe action should be taken to make electric cars easier to buy, 34% that more money should go into making chargers more widely available, and 26% that power from chargers should … [Read more...]
EVs easier to sell closer to petrol priced models
More than half of dealers (53%) say that electric vehicles become much easier to sell when they are priced the same as petrol cars. May’s new Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that a third (32%) think that EVs have become generally easier to sell in 2024. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “The large reductions in prices and values … [Read more...]
Publicity affects perception of EVs, says study
Negative coverage mean that more than four out of 10 people (43%) think electric vehicles easily catch fire, shows new research. May’s new Startline Used Car Tracker also reveals that 52% believe EV batteries become useless after just a few years, 26% that they are ultimately more polluting than petrol cars, and 24% that drivers can lose control of the … [Read more...]
Used cars ‘haggle margin’ eases sales
Almost half of dealers (47%) build a small “haggle margin” into the price of their used cars, new research shows. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 22% agree customers feel better about their deal if they achieve a small discount – although 33% believe fewer customers walk away because they don’t get the discount they want. Paul Burgess, … [Read more...]
Touchscreens are fingers of complaint
Eight out of 10 motorists say they would rather have buttons for major controls in their cars rather than a big central touchscreen, new research shows. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker also reveals that only 51% think that having controls on a touchscreen is safe and 64% say it makes them take their eyes off the road more often. Paul Burgess, CEO at … [Read more...]
New Government challenged over fuel and roads
Fairer petrol and diesel pricing (68%) and fewer potholes (66%) are the two areas where motorists most want to see action from 2024’s new government, according to the latest research. Also, 45% would like to see moves made to reduce insurance premiums and 32% want to see traffic congestion tackled, shows March’s new monthly Used Car Tracker from Startline … [Read more...]
Used car prices to fall this year, traders tell Startline analysis
More than eight out of 10 used car dealers expect used car prices and values to continue to fall this year, new research shows. The March Startline Used Car Tracker says that one in five (20%) think the rate of fall will accelerate, 28% believe they will continue at the current speed, and 36% that they will be less severe. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline … [Read more...]
