All articles by Richard Irvine-Brown
Richard Irvine-Brown
HPI pocket vehicle-check service
Those trading second-hand vehicles will be able to search HPI vehicle history and mileage checks, as well as CAP, Glass and HPI valuations from a smartphone. HPI, alongside both the Trading Standards Institute and Officer of Fair Trading, have recently reminded those in the market to be vigilant when buying or selling used motor stock, highlighting the risk of clocking and finance fraud.
2011 new car sales beat SMMT forecast
Just over 1,940,000 new cars were sold in 2011, according to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Though sales dropped by 89,593 units, or 4.4%, compared to 2010, the contraction was not as drastic as the 100,000-plus units predicted, thanks in part to increasing sales in fleet and non-petrol vehicles. December 2011 saw sales fall by 3.7% compared to the same month the previous year, though also not as sharply as forecasted, and fourth-quarter sales were down 1.8% on 2010.
December used car values up 4% – BCA Pulse
British Car Auctions (BCA) Pulse report has recorded a highest-ever average used car value of £6,451 for December 2011, up £250 on the previous month, and £546 (9.2%) up on December 2010. BCA attributes this rise in part to lower stock and the relatively short trading window in December, although suggests the 8% rise in values across November and December demonstrates increased competition in the second-hand market As with new car sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, much of the market strength lies in fleet and lease sales as the average value reached its highest point since January 2011 of £7,658, a rise of £270 (3.6%) on November.
New Year dealership round-up
Korean manufacturer SsangYong has appointed three new dealerships in the UK, including franchised outlets in Wolverhampton and Russington. Pat Kirk Ltd, of Strabane, Northern Ireland, which formally offered servicing for SsangYong, will now sell the brand alongside its Ford, Mazda, Nissan and Chevrolet stock.
1st Stop is next in line for DealTrak
Hire purchase lender 1st Stop Car Finance has become the latest company to install DealTrak, the motor dealer finance management system run by Frontline Solutions, with the expectation of funding new business Taking up the DealTrak software, the first finance lender to do so, will enable 1st Stop to manage its proposal receipts and responses within one system
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BCA moves motors to Bridgwater
British Car Auctions (BCA) is moving its Newport and Tewkesbury operations to the auction groups 20-acre Bridgwater site in Somerset, one of its biggest. The move, including that of some staff, will expand BCAs business at Bridgwater from three to four sales days per week: Budget vehicles on Monday, BMW on Tuesday, South-West stock and Citron on Wednesday and Motability fleet sales on Thursday. BCA are hoping the transfer to a site which includes two auction halls, indoor viewing for 600 vehicles and infrastructure for online sales will capitalise on business available in the M5 corridor catchment area.
Renault to cut dealerships by a third in 2012
French carmaker Renault is downsizing its UK retail operation in 2012, discontinuing the sale of some models and reducing its dealer network from 190 to 135 retailers.
Fleet, not cash freedom aids UK resilience – PwC
UK car sales are likely to fall in 2012 but the market will be more resilient than other EU nations, due in part to comparative ease of access to cash and the strength of fleet vehicles, according to automotive experts at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC). According to Michael Gartside, senior analyst with the companys automotive forecasting service, the expected decline in consumer spending will push the UK new car market below 1.9m units in 2012, down approximately 3% on 2011. Though recessionary fears span the continent, the UK car market may hold stronger than expected in most EU nations including Poland, one of the more robust European economies, where car sales fell 20% in November, and 8.7% year-to-date.
Mazda dealers’ online retail gamble
Mazda dealers in the UK will introduce a range of online interactive tools, citing survey figures which show just over half of all buyers shop online despite many customers finding online car research a minefield. According to the Interactive Media Survey by Mindshare, 51.1% of shoppers made purchases over the internet in 2010, prompting Mazda to introduce a public website template for dealers to buy into. The website will include sales and marketing tools for retailers and customers, including the purchase of parts and accessories and a used vehicle stock-checker for the brand.
Smithy Garage UK Mistubishi dealer of 2011
Mitsubishi Motors UK has awarded Smithy Garage Dealer of the Year for 2011, citing the excellent service and customer satisfaction of the Gwynedd-based dealership. The UK arm of the Japanese manufacturer has also begun the Mitsubishi Experience programme for all head office and franchised dealer staff to promote excellent service in a competitive marketplace The programme includes a rating system based on real-time customer feedback under which Smithy Garage has scored a consistent five stars since the launch in June, translating to somewhere between 95 and 100% of customers would recommend the dealership