It seems 2024 will be the year of 'peak petrol' when it comes to how UK cars are powered, more than 160 delegates heard at the annual seminar of the Vehicle Remarketing Association. Louis Maxwell, senior insight manager at Auto Trader, told the audience at The Slate, Warwick University, that growth in sales of electric vehicles (EVs) meant that volumes of petrol cars would soon start to fall. He … [Read more...]
Government’s ZEV Mandate must change to save jobs – AFP
It has become clear that, however well-meaning its intentions, the ZEV Mandate needs to change, and it is good news that the government has recognised this fact relatively soon after being elected and appears to be taking the issue seriously, said Paul Hollick, chairman of the Association of Fleet Professionals. It is also positive that the consultation announced by Jonathan Reynolds last night … [Read more...]
New car sales slow ahead of new plate change
August signalled the end of two years of growth in the new car market, a disappointing development despite traditionally being a quiet month, according to Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, commenting on the latest SMMT new car registration figures. In August, a total of 84,575 new cars were registered, a decrease of -1.3% from the same period last year. … [Read more...]
BEVs are trickling along
Battery EVs continued their best ever start to the year, as sales in the first 5 months of 2024 rose 10% on the same time last year, whilst the market share of BEVs in new car sales reached 17.9%. Total car sales were up just under 2.2% in May 2024 on May 2023 levels, but pure petrol and diesel sales cratered over the same period, falling from 55% to 45% market share in just 12 … [Read more...]
Government rejection of EV plans disappoints
There’s mounting concern at the Government’s reaction to a House of Lord’s Committee study into electric vehicles. Baroness Parminter, Chair of the inquiry said, “Whilst we welcome the Government’s acceptance of some of the recommendations in our report, it is particularly disappointing that it is not committing to incentivising the purchase of more EVs, equalizing the VAT differential between … [Read more...]
EV price war on horizon
A price war is looming in the ev sector which will benefit buyers but hit dealers and fleets, an analyst said this week. This week, as Tesla cut prices again and the number of cheaper Chinese-made models are coming into Britain, the European motor industry and trade is seriously worried about how they will make money as spending tightens. Early this year, the UK Government introduced the Zero … [Read more...]
Tradelines 10 January
KGM Motors UK says all 80 dealerships will showcase the brand’s new corporate identity by mid-2024. KGM Motors UK confirmed its name change from SsangYong Motors UK to KGM Motors on 19 December supporting KGM Global with its brand purpose and future strategy following its own transition from SsangYong Motor Company. Honda today unveiled the “Honda 0 Series,” a new EV series it will launch … [Read more...]
Car makers want more EV incentives for private buyers
The UK new car market has recorded its best year since the pandemic as a strong December up 9.8%, wrapped up the 17th month of consecutive growth. Some 1.903 million new cars reached the road during 2023 – an increase of 17.9%, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. In Wales last year, registrations reached 66,761, a rise of nearly 16% over 2022 and … [Read more...]
ZEV Mandate is unrealistic, say dealers
The UK Government must slow down its drive towards a totally electric car and van deadline, said a car dealers' pressure group. Politicians and green lobbyists are expecting 'too much too soon' and the demand among van owners is particularly weak as they struggle with a scattered charging network, rising costs and efficiencies, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised … [Read more...]
New car sales slowing quicker than expected
The brakes have gone on hard for sales in Britain's car showrooms. UK new car registrations fell -24.3% in June, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders with 140,958 new vehicles registered, the weakest June performance in 26 years. Volkswagen emerged top last month with 8.27% of share, Vauxhall reached 7.07% and just behind was Ford … [Read more...]
