All articles by Verdict Staff

Verdict Staff

Features

Tony Worthy: Motor month

New car registrations were up 31.6 percent in October to 168,942 units, but year-to-date registrations at 1,685,981 were down 12.3 percent

Fleet deals

A roundup of the month’s fleet deals, compiled by Jo Tacon

On the move

Matt Dyer, the former MD of LeasePlan International, took up the role of commercial director of LeasePlan UK, while that post’s previous incumbent, Tim Hudson, moves to head up the lessor’s international division

Software and systems update

UK asset finance software specialist CHP Consulting has just released ALFA v5, the latest version of its flagship end-to-end ALFA software.

Behind the figures

In a year in which many captives started to feel the effects of the credit crunch, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK Limited (MBFS) fared quite well.

Features

Media’s PCP ‘negative equity’ claims debunked

Recent articles in the national press warning of ‘negative equity’ for customers on personal contract purchase (PCP) schemes have been criticised by motor finance experts for their potential to mislead the public… Negative Equity: Showroom Showdowns

Features

Across the pond

The threat of dealership closures has lenders with their ears to the ground Lenders are beefing up procedures to predict when slumping sales volume and floorplan difficulties might become too much for their dealership-clients to bear.

Features

Andy Tong: At the sharp end

Andy Tong discusses his opinions and analysis of business during the economic downturn, and how to improve it.

Scrappage scheme will have ‘no impact’ on sub-prime customers

The government’s plan to offer a £2,000 discount on a new car or light van for anyone scrapping a vehicle over 10 years old will have very little impact on sub-prime customers, said ACF Car Finance Ltd. The scheme is due to be introduced next week (12 May), but ACF said that the incentive will largely pass sub-prime customers by, as “the availability of suitable finance to purchase a brand new car is unlikely to change,” the lender commented. Sales and marketing director Norman Beaumont added: “The majority of sub-prime customers wouldnt necessarily qualify; they tend to be in the market for cars which are three to five years old, mainly due to the fact that the majority of sub-prime lenders dont extend finance to cover older vehicles

Features

Tony Worthy: Motor Month

Sales of new cars rose 11.4 percent in September, to reach 367,378 units as the benefits of the scrappage scheme were felt by car dealers across Britain