Wednesday, December 22, 2010
BCA reveals its Top 10 Cars of 2010
From a Bugatti Veyron to a Road Train!
Leading vehicle auction company, British Car Auctions (BCA) has drawn up its top 10 of unusual vehicles sold during 2010. The company handles handles an enormous variety of vehicles during the year, with the vast majority being the popular makes and models we all drive from day to day. But with up to 3,000 vehicles being sold every day from its 21 locations, BCA also sees vehicles that are weird, wonderful or just hugely valuable.
"This year's big ticket items were a 2006 Bugatti Veyron, which went for £625,000 and a 2008 Rolls Royce Phantom, which realised £195,500," says Tim Naylor at BCA. "Both sales created a huge amount of interest with buyers registering from all over the UK and even further afield."
"The most unusual vehicles we sold were a pair of Road Trains, more often seen at beach resorts and other visitor attractions. The New Holland Leisure train sold for £4,900, while the Italian made Dotto Train realised £2,500. BCA also sold a lavishly appointed one-off Mobile Office with 12 workstations based on an Iveco truck for £38,500 - ironically it had been used to promote recycling and was being recycled itself!"
"We also held a sale of 'barn find' classic cars, previously in the hands of one owner from the Margate area and hidden in lock-ups and garages for a number of years. The star of the show was a 1959 Ford Zodiac Convertible which made £6,300 despite being in bits and pieces."
"Charity auctions this year included a pink Smart Car supporting the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign and the Bangers4BEN sale, which raised £5,350 towards the Motor Industry Benevolent Fund. We also sold a beautifully restored Royal Mail Morris Minor van with all the funds raised going to Barnados."
"BCA also had cars with a showbiz connection. In November, we sold a Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe for £18,500, formerly owned by Justin Hawkins, ex-lead singer from The Darkness, while earlier in the year a vintage Ford Cortina 2000GT previously featured on the BBC's Culture Show was sold."
Renault cuts new car prices to reduce discounting
Renault is cutting its recommended retail prices in January at a time when most car prices will rise as a result of the new 20 per cent VAT rate.
The initiative is intended to close the gap between Renault’s list prices and discounted transaction prices and follows its recent move to simplify its model line up by deleting around 30 per cent of its model variants.
The new pricing, which starts on 4 January 2011, sees cuts ranging from £170 off the entry-level Scénic to £2,300 off the range-topping Laguna Coupe GT.
Thierry Sybord, Renault’s UK managing director (pictured) said the move will reduce the level of discounting in its dealer network.
“There’s been a big difference between catalogue prices and transaction prices and when you do that for a while it destroys the value of the brand. Over the next two years I want to work on the value of the brand and come back with the magic,” he said.
“It’s important to train our network and try and change the habit they have to sell the discount before they sell the product. It’s a big challenge and the network agrees with us. We’re in the same boat.”
DATED: 22.12.10
FEED: MT
Chrysler Jeep UK network set for expansion
Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne (pictured) is aiming for a six-fold increase in Chrysler Jeep sales in the UK.
In his five year plan for Fiat/Chrysler in the UK sales of Chrysler Jeep are targeted to grow from 4,300 over the past year to 29,000 by 2014.
In the past the group has sold more than 22,000 cars a year in the UK.
Fiat UK managing director Andrew Humberstone and Chrysler UK director Nigel Land plan to expand the dealer network from the current 48 to 70 by 2012 and 90 by 2014.
The first recruitment will be in the big cities where Chrysler and Jeep are under-represented. Existing Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealers are favoured candidates.
A key part of the Fiat deal is the integration of the Chrysler and Lancia brands.
In left-hand drive markets of Western Europe, Chrysler will disappear in favour of an expanded Lancia range.
But in the UK and Ireland, where Lancia withdrew from the market in 1994, the Chrysler brand is being retained, Lancia will not be introduced and Dodge is axed.
In June 2011 dealers will get the Chrysler Delta and later the smallest-ever Chrysler, the Ypsilon, a clone of Lancia’s new city car to be launched this coming spring.
Jeep continues as a stand-alone brand which in the UK will have a freshened range of US-built cars consisting of the new Grand Cherokee, the classic Wrangler, and two ‘soft-roaders’, the Patriot and the Compass.
DATED: 22.12.10
FEED: MT
Dealers report ‘mixed’ demand in showrooms – RMI
Dealers are reporting mixed demand for new cars, according to trade body the RMI.
“Dealers are not negative about market conditions but it’s proving tough and they’re relying on strong, robust processes to ensure sales are made and these seem to be working,” said RMI director Sue Robinson.
“Market conditions are mixed, and brand dependent, with demand for some models outstripping availability. On these, popular models, both margins and volumes look set to be strong before the year end,” she said.
Robinson said demand for less attractive models is being fuelled by promotions and competitive prices in a push to achieve carmaker targets, moves which could adversely impact on used car values.
“November was busier than October, and we’re hearing from dealers that specific brands are selling well, perhaps above expectations, most likely as a result of a very competitive pricing and some attractive new models.
“One dealer described looking ahead as ‘like driving through fog’, but for the time being trade is ‘better than expected’.”
Robinson said the VAT rise set for January was not having a significant impact on footfall.
DATED: 22.12.10
FEED: MT
Sunday, December 19, 2010
TSS CEO to oversee automotive industry quality drive
Motor Codes has appointed Ron Gainsford OBE, Chief Executive of Trading Standards Institute (TSI), as Chairman of the Independent Compliance Assessment Panel (ICAP).
ICAP supervises the work of Motor Codes as part of government requirements for Motor Codes' self-regulation of the automotive retail, service and repair and warranty sectors.
Taking up his position in the New Year, Ron will work to ensure ICAP's continued, effective monitoring of each Code, concentrating efforts on the growth of the Service and Repair Code and ensuring subscriber standards continue to be met and maintained.
Ron takes over the position from retiring industry stalwart, Alec Murray, at a time when Motor Codes subscription levels have exceeded 6,500 and the satisfaction level of customers of those garages has reached 95%. Murray's stewardship has been crucial in the formation of today's widely respected industry Codes and paves the way for Motor Codes to extend its reach, setting the bar on operational standards across a greater proportion of the UK garage network.
Stressing the significance of the new appointment, Motor Codes Director, Chris Mason said,
"Government and industry already recognise Motor Codes' achievements in raising standards for the motorist, through self-regulation. Now, with Ron's Trading Standards expertise, we will bring about even greater peace of mind for motorists, while delivering an environment within which the best businesses can flourish."
Ron has welcomed the opportunity to further support Motor Codes, "The Trading Standards Institute has worked with the automotive industry for many years now, to encourage and support improvement in its transactions with consumers. We want to continue to see progress and for consumers and the sector to benefit from the growing confidence that the robust and successful Motor Codes will bring to the market. At a time of extraordinary economic challenge, the need for mutual confidence can rarely have been more important."
Finance sales increase on used cars
The number of used cars sold on finance rose for the fourth consecutive month, according to new figures published by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA).
Used car finance increased 7 per cent by value and 11 per cent by volume during the month compared to October 2009.
Meanwhile year-on-year sales of finance on new cars dropped 11 per cent in October as the new sales fell 22 per cent in the month. However, the FLA said over half of all new car sales were sold with dealer finance, the highest level July 2009.
“The continued revival of the used car market reflects a return to traditional buying habits as buyers look to manage their budgets by seeking out affordable cars and finance,” said Paul Harrison, FLA’s head of motor finance.
“Until recently there was a shortage of popular models of used cars and this drove up the price. The end of the scrappage scheme has led to a rebalance of supply and demand.”
DATED: 19.12.10
FEED: MT
Infiniti to open first Scottish showroom
The UK roll-out of Infiniti, the Japanese performance automotive brand, is gathering pace with the opening of Infiniti Centre Glasgow, the country’s fourth centre and the first in Scotland.
The new showroom joins centres in central London, Reading and Birmingham.
The centre is operated by Infiniti retail partner MPA which also operates the recently opened Infiniti Centre Birmingham and has two more centres under construction, in Stockport and Leeds and both due to open in 2011.
Jason Blane, former manager of a Scottish Toyota centre, has been appointed to run Infiniti Centre Glasgow.
Blane, who has worked in the Scottish retail car industry for 14 years, is additionally responsible for all Infiniti sales throughout Scotland.
Corporate sales specialist Steve Boland is appointed sales and development consultant at the Glasgow Centre.
MPA is looking at adding further centres in south and east London, Cambridge, Bristol, Newcastle and Nottingham.
Infiniti’s other retail partner, Rymco UK, already operates showrooms in Reading, Berkshire, and at 77 Piccadilly, and plans to open two more – in Chiswick and Hatfield – in 2011.
DATED: 19.12.10
FEED: AM
Cost of motoring to fuel consumer downsizing
Customers are likely to continue downsizing as the cost of motoring increases next year.
Based on VAT increases alone, research from Auto Trader found that a Ford Focus’ yearly petrol bill will increase by nearly £60 next year, from £2,762 in 2010 to £2,821 in 2011. Fiesta owners, on the other hand, will only see £27 added to their yearly petrol expenditure, rising from £1,293 to £1,321.
As cost increasingly becomes a factor for consumers, Auto Trader predicts that downsizing and a trend for more efficient cars will continue.
Looking at the nation’s top five most popular cars, which consistently received the highest volume of searches on Autotrader.co.uk in 2010, those planning on purchasing a Volkswagen Golf will be hit hardest by the VAT rise, with total running costs increasing by an estimated £775. While splashing out on a BMW 3 Series next year will set consumers back an additional £560, they can take comfort in the fact that its good fuel economy and low emissions will only cost an additional £36 and £28 in petrol and tax, respectively.
Matt Thompson, Auto Trader marketing director, said: “We are seeing a trend for smaller, more efficient cars and I’m sure the Fiesta will give the Focus a good run for its money in the popularity stakes.
“Prices are rising and motorists need to be able to assess all the factors affected by the rise to ensure the next car they buy is the right one, in the long and short term.”
DATED: 19.12.10
FEED: AM
