New car sales in Wales have stagnated. Figures from the SMMT yesterday show 5,591 new cars were registered last month compared to 5,566 in the first month of 2015, so they have increased by under half-percent. This contrasts with 2% and 3.59% rises in Scotland and England, while Northern Ireland saw a big 2.63% drop over the month. Overall the combined new registrations of 169,245 marked the … [Read more...]
Retail News
City cars take a bashing when sold
Cap reveals that the city car sector was one of the main used car sectors under pressure through 2015. For those motorists who simply want to nip around town without the need to carry multiple passengers, city cars are often seen as a cost-effective alternative to their bigger, fuel-hungry counterparts, but this brings valuation problems. This resulted in a higher overall … [Read more...]
Newslines 3 February
Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace company that owns the Saab brand, will not allow its name or logo to be used on future models produced by National Electric Vehicle Sweden. NEVS, which bought the assets of bankrupt Saab Automobile in 2012, has announced two big deals in the past few weeks to supply electric Saab 9-3-based sedans to two separate Chinese companies as part of China's push to make … [Read more...]
Car makers urge in-vote for EU membership
British automotive firms have spoken out about why remaining in Europe matters to their businesses in a series of case studies published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Entitled Voices on Europe, it features six companies from across a broad spectrum of the automotive sector, all driving technological innovation. They range from research and product testing houses to … [Read more...]
Manufacturer deposits for nearly new models
Motor manufacturers are being forced to introduce deposit contributions on some nearly new cars in order to create differentiation with the monthly rates now available on subsidised new vehicles. Glass's, the motor industry data market leader, said that the move had been made after some manufacturer dealer councils complained that it was difficult for them to make used car PCPs price … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 January
Japanese auto parts makers will be fined for allegedly fixing prices of starter motors and accelerator modules, reports Automotive News Europe. European Union antitrust regulators will punish the world No. 2 parts maker Denso, Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and a Hitachi Ltd. Unit. Tootle is a new online marketplace that allows dealers to source the used cars they want directly from private … [Read more...]
British vehicle plants break production records
British manufacturers made more cars in 2015 than any year since 2005 when 1,595,697 vehicles were produced. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, production increased 3.9% on 2014, with output at 1,587,677 overtaking pre-recession levels for the first time. It was also a good year for commercial vehicles built in Britain. British commercial vehicle … [Read more...]
North Wales company expands business offering
The Jolly Group has extended its proposition following the launch of Jolly Good Vehicle Leasing. Jolly Good Vehicle Leasing will complement local firm, Jolly Good Vehicle Rentals, giving retail and business customers a full range of vehicles available on one to five year contracts. Customers can opt for any make and model and various flexible-funding options are available, providing a … [Read more...]
Used dealers face very challenging 2016
It’s going to be a challenging year in the used car market, according to analysts at Cap. Cap is predicting 2016 will be a tough with more used cars entering the market after record levels of new car registrations in 2015. Derren Martin, senior editor at cap Black Book said, “Stability in the market will rest on strong retail demand. The record levels of new registrations in 2015 were … [Read more...]
Sheer genius of Gravells
Kia is currently trialling its new Kia Genius programme with six dealerships across the country taking part – each employing a ‘Kia Genius’. Kia identified a shift in its customers’ habits with the increase in digital and mobile technologies that in some cases can remove the personal aspect from the buying process. This new scheme, which has been developed to address the changing … [Read more...]