Citroën uncovers next C3 Aircross
New C3 Aircross is 4.39 metres long providing greater interior space, the long wheelbase is the largest in its category. This allows for more legroom for rear passengers. The design of the rear quarter panel provides a dynamic and vertical rear end, ensuring generous space for occupants in the third row.
Marketing Delivery appoints former Lookers’ exec to support growth
With over 15 years of automotive retail experience, Glasgow-based Gerber brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into how marketing solutions can benefit retailers within the industry. She joined Taggarts – part of Lookers Motor Group – in 2008 as Group Marketing Manager, later advancing to Divisional Marketing Manager in 2014 where she oversaw a diverse range of volume and prestige brands.
BEV sales set to hit 400k in 2024
Latest analysis from the cap hpi POWER UPdate identifies a significant shift in size segment in January 2024, with a considerable decline in upper-medium vehicles, from 45% to 30% of all UK BEV sales, and an increase in smaller cars, from 20% to 30%.
Dealer profit return satisfaction dips
Assessing the trends, from previous DAS surveys, current profit return scores have been variable with dealers having had to weather shortages in the global supply chain and a cost-of-living crisis. Kia held the top spot with a score of 8.8, a reduction of – 0.3 from their score of 9.1 in the previous survey.
Classy touch – Peugeot E-308
Now in it third generation, some 1.3 million Peugeot 308s have been sold globally since launch 15 years ago, highlighting how important this car is to the brand. So this latest version has to be right, and in looks it certainly scores highly.
How vulnerable are your finance customers?
Motor retail technology company said that, from a sample of more than half a million sessions of consumers using its motor finance tools, 4.3% were potentially classified as vulnerable. Of these, almost one in five (17%) were successfully signposted to third party and lender links such as support lines.
Trend is developing against agency model
April’s new Startline Used Car Tracker also reveals that 36% think more manufacturers will change their minds and drop agency, 23% that it is proving wrong for dealers, and 21% that it is proving wrong for manufacturers.
Independent dealers encouraged to stock EVs
Cap data shows that many dealers seem reluctant to stock EVs despite rising demand from consumers. If the ZEV mandate is to work effectively, every new car needs a used buyer later in life, and dealers have a role to play in building their local markets.
Evolving wholesale network sees record-breaking quarter for LCV arrivals
Overall average selling prices remained stable in the LCV sector but price re-alignments across Euro 6 LWB product was evident. The average selling price over the quarter was £8,766, a year-on-year reduction of 3.2% (or £287). A change in age dynamics was very evident in Q1, according to Manheim’s figures. At 64 months, the average is a full 11 months younger than the same period in 2023. On the flip side, overall return mileages remain high at 82,056, 166 more than the 2023 average.
White paper shows used BEV and ICE cars reaching price parity
INDICATA white paper shows prices of used BEVs peaking in Q3 2022 where demand and the chip shortage weakened supply. But then prices fell as OEMs pushed discounted new and nearly new used BEVs into the market which coincided with rising volumes of two and three-year ex-PCP, leasing and salary sacrifice BEVs. This caused prices to crash by over 30%.
NFDA’s Dealer Attitude Survey reveals concerns around EV’s
Dealer satisfaction levels for battery electric vehicles currently offered by manufacturers received a 0.2 increase to 6.1 from 5.9 in the Summer 2023 edition, equating to a 3.4% change. Comments submitted by dealers alongside ratings suggested concerns from dealers included the lack of product offering (35%) and product quality (15%).
Young drivers increasingly favour leasing
The shift towards leasing is especially evident in the electric vehicle (EV) market. With the looming phase-out of traditional petrol and diesel cars, drivers are eager to explore EVs without committing to long-term ownership. Leasing allows them to enjoy the benefits without worrying about battery issues, as they can easily switch to a new EV at the end of their contract.
Vehicle finance volumes grow
The consumer new car finance market reported new business by value in February 4% higher than in the same month in 2023, while new business volumes fell by 5%. In the first two months of 2024, new business volumes in this market were 12% lower than in the same period in 2023.
White choice – Nissan Leaf Shiro
Shiro is Japanese for white and accordingly comes with Arctic White paint as standard. This new variant is available with optional Spare Wheel Pack and two-tone paint (Storm White with a Pearl Black roof). Staying true to the Leaf's roots as the original affordable mass-market electric family car, the Shiro comes with over £1,000 worth of benefits for £28,495, £2,000 less than the N-Connecta on which it is based.
Swansway Motor Group to represent BYD in Cheshire
Representing the brand in two locations in Cheshire, Swansway will be opening BYD sites in Crewe, where its Head Office functions are based, and Chester where the business also has a substantial presence with their Swansway Chester Peugeot retailer and used car supermarket Motor Match.
Vauxhall reveals new Frontera EV
There's a modern look both outside and in where clever design meets practicality. There's a fully digital Pure Panel cockpit with two 10-inch displays and Multimedia infotainment system awaits occupants and is just as eye-catching as the bold and elegant new steering wheel.
Online Consumer Duty compliance appears to be working
One thousand recent car buyers were asked a series of questions about the online motor finance process* – with 87% saying it was fair and transparent, 82% that they felt in control and 85% that they were given sufficient information which explained the available finance products.
Latest survey shows improving relations between manufacturers and dealers
Average score for the question ‘How do you rate your manufacturer overall?’ leapt from 5.8 out of 10 six months ago to 6.4 with Kia and Mini shared top honours, scoring 9.2. The eight Stellantis brands combined average score was up from 2.6 in October 2023 to 5.3 in April although JLR did not fare so well with Jaguar in last place with a score of 2.9. Land Rover was the second fastest falling brand.
Driving Digital 2024 – NFDA announces speaker line-up
Speakers at Driving Digital 2024: The Dealership of the Future are Graeme Potts, CEO of Eden Motor Group; Dale Wyatt, director of Suzuki GB; Mark Busby, commercial director of Hendy Group; Owen Edwards, automotive business consultant at Grant Thornton; Ian Plummer, commercial director of Auto Trader; and Neil Addley, managing director of JudgeService.
March new car market sustains growth
Growth was again driven by fleet investment, up 29.6% as the sector continues to recover following the constrained supply of previous years. Registrations by private buyers fell by 7.7%, with a challenging economic backdrop of low growth, weak consumer confidence and high interest rates. The small business registration segment, meanwhile, declined 8.0%.