Vertu Motors looking to come out of the pandemic and take advantage of the acquisition opportunities likely to arise in the months ahead. During the year it added 12 sales outlets and three new franchises. The group delivered pre-tax profits down 71% to £7.3m on turnover up 2.8% to £3.1bn in the year to 29… Continue reading Vertu looks to expand through acquisitions and consolidation
Author: Motor Trader Online News
Dealers advised to review property requirements
Dealers are being advised to review their property requirements following the impact of COVID-19. . Lower sales may mean fewer dealerships are required while social distancing and increased online sales will change the use of space. John Roberts, head of automotive and roadside at Colliers International, said dealers with leasehold dealerships need to be talking… Continue reading Dealers advised to review property requirements
Dealers see spike in enquiries prior to opening today
Dealers saw a spike in levels of digital enquiries for new and used cars in late May Digital enquiries into dealers across the UK during May were 16.5% behind 2019 levels. It marked a significant improvement from April, which saw a drop of 61.5% on 2019, according to lead management company Dealerweb. James Hill, managing… Continue reading Dealers see spike in enquiries prior to opening today
Dealership closures cost Treasury £61m a day, SMMT reveals
The UK automotive industry is today calling on government to allow new car showrooms to reopen as a matter of urgency, as the SMMT reveals the £61m daily cost to the Treasury of keeping dealerships closed. The annual tax-take from VAT, VED and other taxes on new car sales to private buyers alone amounts to… Continue reading Dealership closures cost Treasury £61m a day, SMMT reveals
Dealers to source more cars online as lockdown eases
Dealers are set to see a “paradigm shift” in remarketing as more cars are sold online instead at physical auctions. That’s the view of online remarketing firm ADESA UK which said it was receiving “high levels” of enquiries from finance and leasing companies drawing up strategies to enable them to defleet the high volume of… Continue reading Dealers to source more cars online as lockdown eases
Groupe PSA sets social distancing and hygiene guidelines for dealers
Groupe PSA has created a new set of social distancing and hygiene guidelines for its retail network. These include demonstration videos, ensuring showrooms are ready to open safely to the public as soon as the Government lockdown restrictions lift. Since April, Groupe PSA retailers have been accommodating safe home deliveries, conducted in accordance with official… Continue reading Groupe PSA sets social distancing and hygiene guidelines for dealers
“Not all bad news” for dealers as buyer interest holds up
Consumer interest in buying a car is holding during lockdown, with 84% of those who plan to buy in 2020 are actively researching now. A recent CarGurus survey revealed that only 4% who were planning to buy this year before the pandemic have now delayed their plans indefinitely, but many buyers are likely to return… Continue reading “Not all bad news” for dealers as buyer interest holds up
Jaguar Land Rover dealers expand delivery options for customers
Jaguar Land Rover UK is expanding its online and remote retail capabilities to deal with COVID-19 restrictions. Since May 2019, customers using its online configurator have been able to buy cars online. Jaguar and Land Rover retailers are now offering tailored services for vehicle deliveries Some have individual handover bays which have been prepared in… Continue reading Jaguar Land Rover dealers expand delivery options for customers
Consumers wary of visiting dealerships once lockdown is lifted
The majority of consumers are concerned about visiting dealerships when the lockdown is lifted. That’s the conclusion of a survey carried out by Auto Trader in mid-April. It found that while 82% of consumers researching their next car are looking to buy now or as soon as they’re able to make a transaction, more than… Continue reading Consumers wary of visiting dealerships once lockdown is lifted
FCA helps dealers maintain links with customers
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK (FCA UK) has launched a video conferencing system to allow its retailers to maintain an essential link with customers and prospects. The CAR@HOME system allows retailers to help customers configure their car, send in videos and images for a trade-in evaluation and even send through finance offers. From next week FCA… Continue reading FCA helps dealers maintain links with customers