Cazoo acquires reconditioning company Smart Fleet Solutions

Cazoo has acquired Smart Fleet Solutions (SFS), an independent vehicle reconditioning and storage specialists, for an undisclosed sum. SFS has a team of over 500 staff operating from four vehicle refurbishment facilities across 110 acres in Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Wiltshire and Scotland, processing over 100,000 vehicles annually with storage for more than 20,000 vehicles. This deal… Continue reading Cazoo acquires reconditioning company Smart Fleet Solutions

Dealers see shift to battery-EVs in used market

The UK Government has an ambitious plan to stop the sale of new cars and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) with pure internal combustion engines. Originally due to come into force in 2040, the Government has brought forward the ban to 2030. Between 2030 and 2035, new cars and vans can be sold with internal combustion… Continue reading Dealers see shift to battery-EVs in used market

Dealers confident economic conditions will improve

Most dealers believe economic conditions are going to improve in the months ahead with a minority saying conditions will deteriorate. That’s the conclusion of the January automotive market report from Cox Automotive, which found that over half (55%) dealers felt the economic conditions would improve over the coming months, with 23% feeling it could worsen.… Continue reading Dealers confident economic conditions will improve

Autorola offers dealers white label car disposal portal

Autorola UK is offering dealers a white label version of its online wholesale used car sales portal to support dealers in disposing of unwanted or over age stock. The portal gets dealer’s used cars in front of other wholesale buyers digitally without any of the transport costs. Peugeot, Citroen, Skoda, SEAT, VW Commercials, Audi, Nissan,… Continue reading Autorola offers dealers white label car disposal portal

Top Renault dealer acquires Vauxhall specialist

Lowestoft-based Mitchells, Groupe Renault UK’s 2019 top-performing dealership, has acquired Kerridges at Halesworth, a third-generation family-run Vauxhall specialist and used car garage. Matthew Huke-Jenner, Mitchells managing director and owner, said he was in talks with some carmakers about taking on a franchise and a decision would be made in early 2021. “We will be continuing… Continue reading Top Renault dealer acquires Vauxhall specialist

Renault Retail Group sells London dealership for £39m

Renault Retail Group has sold its flagship premises at Concord Road on the Western Avenue for £39m. The group has entered a short-term, two-year lease back on the property to allow time for relocation. In results filed at Companies House it said turnover in 2019 was £501.8m compared to £545.5m the previous year with reduced… Continue reading Renault Retail Group sells London dealership for £39m

Dealers saw increase on 2019 December orders, says Dealerweb

Dealers in the UK saw orders for new vehicles rise by 9.5%, against December 2019, as 2020 drew to a close. According to the latest data from Dealerweb. Orders for used vehicles fell by 10% while the average sale price increased from £18,682 to £20,900. Enquiry levels fell for both new and used vehicles by… Continue reading Dealers saw increase on 2019 December orders, says Dealerweb

Vertu buys BMW and MINI dealerships from Inchcape

Vertu Motors has bought BMW and MINI dealerships located in York, Sunderland, Teesside, Durham and Malton from Inchcape. The £18.7m deal also included a BMW Motorrad motorcycle operation in Sunderland and a used car operation located in York. The assets acquired include £16m of freehold and long leasehold properties and a payment in respect of… Continue reading Vertu buys BMW and MINI dealerships from Inchcape

Dealers in a ‘much better place’ now compared to March lockdown

Dealers are in a much better place in the latest lockdown than they were back in March when the pandemic hit and showrooms closed for business. That’s the view of Philip Nothard, insight and strategy director for Cox Automotive who said the experience gained by dealers and the acceleration of digital had a significant impact.… Continue reading Dealers in a ‘much better place’ now compared to March lockdown