Dealers lose aftersales business in cost-of-living crisis

Dealers are losing aftersales business as motorists cut back on car servicing and maintenance. A third of drivers in Great Britain have admitted to skipping an essential service on their car due to the cost of living crisis. The squeeze is hitting younger drivers hardest, with almost half (43%) of 18-34 year olds likely to… Continue reading Dealers lose aftersales business in cost-of-living crisis

Ford reveals E-Tourneo Courier to dealers in Denmark

Ford revealed the five-seat, multi-activity E‑Tourneo Courier in Copenhagen, Denmark. E-Tourneo Courier is one of ten all-electric vehicles Ford has committed to offering in Europe by 2024, as it targets zero emissions for all vehicle sales in the region by 2035. “The company is investing $50bn globally through 2026 to achieve a targeted run rate… Continue reading Ford reveals E-Tourneo Courier to dealers in Denmark

Ford outlines plans for EVs and agency roll-out across Europe

  Ford outlined its plans to roll out the agency model across Europe to dealers attending the Bring On Tomorrow Live event in Copenhagen, Denmark. It said that research showed 77% of car-buyers prefer fixed prices, so that they know upfront how much they will pay, and for what. Ford has already introduced transparent pricing… Continue reading Ford outlines plans for EVs and agency roll-out across Europe

Dealers need more support from finance providers to sell EVs

The majority of dealers (58%) believe that more support is needed from their motor finance providers to retail electric vehicles (EVs). May’s Startline Used Car Tracker reported that 41% said their lenders are less keen to finance EVs, 10% want higher deposits from buyers and 5% charge higher interest rates. A further 5% say their… Continue reading Dealers need more support from finance providers to sell EVs

Greenhous expands business with bodybuilder acquisition

Vauxhall, Nissan and VW van dealer group Greenhous Group continues to build up its commercial vehicle arm with the acquisition of commercial vehicle bodybuilder, Bulkrite. Greenhous, rated 13 in the Motor Trader Top 200 Dealer Groups with annual turnover of £1.24bn, is one of the UK’s largest DAF dealer groups. The move will bolster Greenhous… Continue reading Greenhous expands business with bodybuilder acquisition

April records highest increase in used car values in 18 months

The average price of a used car was £17,843 in April, a 1.5% rise on March levels and the largest monthly increase since November 2021. According to Auto Trader, while used car prices have grown on a year-on-year (YoY) basis for 37 consecutive months, the rate of growth has gradually softened since April 2022, when… Continue reading April records highest increase in used car values in 18 months

Brayleys Cars acquires Grovebury Kia from Camplins

Brayleys Cars has acquired Grovebury Kia Dunstable for an undisclosed sum. It now has 18 dealerships, representing Kia, Honda, Mazda, Renault and Dacia across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, North & South London, Essex, Kent and Oxfordshire. Brayleys is majority owned by Dubai-based international investors AW Rostamani. last year it turned in a strong performance with pre-tax… Continue reading Brayleys Cars acquires Grovebury Kia from Camplins

Motor Trader Retailing Expo 2023 – a new event for dealers

The Motor Trader Retailing Expo 2023 is a new event taking place this October at Silverstone Circuit, the home of Formula One. The event enables UK motor retailers to interact with suppliers and exhibitors and the large numbers of dealers attending the event The Expo will offer opportunity for exhibitors to showcase new products and… Continue reading Motor Trader Retailing Expo 2023 – a new event for dealers

Stock availability is “biggest challenge” facing used car dealers

Stock availability is still a problem for dealers although it has seen some improvement. That’s the conclusion of research from Startline which found that 62% of dealers reported stock availability was a problem although 12% said availability is improving. Stock availability was also named as the biggest challenge for the future retailing of used cars… Continue reading Stock availability is “biggest challenge” facing used car dealers

Lexus offered dealers the “best opportunity for profit” in March

Lexus offered dealers the best opportunity for profit in March 2023. According to Dealer Auction, premium marque clocked an average retail margin of £3,350, followed by Subaru at £3,100 and Land Rover at £3,000. This represents the most significant shift in the top three makes since the launch of the Retail Margin Monitor, which has been… Continue reading Lexus offered dealers the “best opportunity for profit” in March