F&I Management & Training

The current-model Vito is available with free optional extras including metallic paint, air conditioning, upgraded wheel trims, and a driver’s comfort seat.

If a bigger van is required, the two-series Sprinter 213 CDI, an ideal tradespeople vehicle, is available with the option of a special upgrade pack.

The pack offers air conditioning, pre-wiring and module for Becker MapPilot, a Driver’s Comfort seat, wheel trims, fog lights, factory plylining and Parktronic, including electric and heated wing mirrors, worth over £3,000, for just £750.

In addition to the 0% APR representative finance offer, every new Mercedes-Benz Vans vehicle purchase comes with free 30-year MobiloVan UK cover.

Service24h is a free call-out service across the UK and Europe which comes as part of MobiloVan UK. Across the 150 Service24h roadside recovery vehicles covering the UK, there is an average response time of 55 minutes, with 85% of vehicles fixed at the roadside.

MobiloVan UK will send out a Service24h roadside assistance van, which is well-stocked with GenuineParts and manned by a Mercedes-Benz trained Technician, at no cost to the customer. Also covered are minor non-warranty roadside repairs up to £130 including VAT and recovery to the nearest Mercedes-Benz workshop if roadside repairs are not possible.

These offers from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services are available on vehicles registered by 30 June 2015.

DATED: 02.04.15

FEED: HA

The RX is the best-selling model in Lexus’s 26-year history. With more than 2.1 million reaching the road, it represents three out of every 10 vehicles the company has sold. The new fourth generation model looks to build on that achievement, with a completely redesigned, luxurious interior, wrapped in a chiselled new body with a longer wheelbase.

A large dose of Lexus’s brand DNA has been artfully incorporated into the details, things you can feel as well as see. The reimagining of the model also yields superior on-road performance and new safety technologies, including the innovative Lexus Safety System+.

Takayuki Katsuda, RX Chief Engineer, said: Our ambition has been to make a completely new statement in this segment while building on and staying true to the ground-breaking values of previous RX generations.

“Lexus’s pioneering spirit drives our creation of new technology and generates new ideas. It allows us to introduce new vehicles with leading-edge features. We are committed to bringing ‘progressive luxury’ to the world.

“I believe this new RX will not only surprise new customers, it will also delight and satisfy our loyal customers, whose high expectations will be met by many innovations.”

Details and specifications of the production model for the UK and Europe will be announced later this year.

New design

It is obvious at first glance that the new RX makes a powerful visual statement. The completely new front end features a stronger spindle grille design with a chrome-finished border and triple L-shaped LED headlamps. Together with the redesigned fog lights, this gives the new RX an elegant yet futuristic look. Muscular flares to the front wings add to the vehicle’s sporty look.

In side view, the sharp character line running from the front wings to the rear and the flowing roof line create a dynamic profile that minimises drag and reduces front and rear lift. This makes the vehicle more stable at high speed and sharply reduces wind noise. The blacked-out C-pillars create a floating roof effect. New 20-inch aluminium wheels (replacing the current 19-inch rims) can be customised with different coloured inserts, increasing the scope for customer personalisation.

The appearance of the RX’s rear has been sharpened and exudes a sense of rock-solid stability, highlighted by new L-shaped taillights that wrap around the sides of the vehicle. When illuminated, these give the car a wider, more authoritative presence, creating a brilliant glow that extends laterally from the body to the tailgate – a Lexus first.

The cabin puts the emphasis on comfort and luxury, with repositioned trim elements that create a high-class feel. Those who want extra opulence can opt for new laser-cut wood ornamentation. A large head-up display takes centre stage, while the information zone features a 12.3-inch monitor, set apart from the cockpit’s main operation zone.

The shift lever has been moved from the front of the instrument panel to make it easier to use and give the driver more space. The longer wheelbase means more leg and knee-room for rear seat passengers. The rear seats themselves can be equipped with power recline adjustment and heaters. A panoramic sunroof adds to the sense of spaciousness in the cabin.

Gen Ikeda, RX Chief Designer, said: “We designed the RX to have a high amount of excitement and strength. The longer wheelbase and larger wheel size create sporty, powerful proportions. At the same time as we have secured a highly luxurious and spacious cabin, we have kept a sleek and dynamic vehicle silhouette.”

Powerful and efficient engines

The new RX will be available (according to market) with an upgraded, more powerful 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a target output of 300bhp, matched to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The full hybrid powertrain will feature an improved, Atkinson cycle 3.5-litre V6. System output, including the electric motor, will also be around 300bhp.

Both engines have been tuned to achieve high fuel economy and low carbon emissions.

Better handling and stability

The all-new RX has been engineered to deliver car-like handling. The entire chassis has been strengthened to provide better stability and control through bends. The body structure has been made stronger, too, with extra stiffness that contributes to drastically improved handling response and to a reduction in engine and road noise levels in the cabin.

The Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) is designed to recognise potentially dangerous situations and to make automatic and often transparent adjustments to ensure the car is kept under control when entering and exiting corners. All-wheel drive improves handling performance on dry and slick surfaces alike.

The fully independent suspension features front MacPherson struts and a rear double wishbone set-up. This has been tuned and reinforced to improve handling while keeping the ride remarkably smooth. Most RX versions will be available with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which electronically monitors and adapts suspension damping and steering to secure the best handling and ride according to the driving conditions.

Lexus Safety System+

The new RX benefits from significant improvements in active and passive safety provisions, in line with Lexus’s continuing focus on improving vehicle safety performance.

The improvements include a stronger body structure that raises the overall level of passive safety, and the introduction of the Lexus Safety System+, which helps avoid or mitigate collisions at a wide range of vehicle speeds.

Lexus Safety System+ is being introduced worldwide. It integrates several existing Lexus active safety technologies: the Pre-Collision System (PCS), which detects and warns the driver of potential collision risks with vehicles, pedestrians and obstacles on the road ahead; Lane Departure Alert (LDA), which triggers a warning sound if the vehicle moves out of its lane without signalling; and Automatic High Beam (AHB), which helps maintain the best forward visibility when driving at night.

The system’s multi-faceted approach to active safety makes use of a millimetre-wave radar that works with a camera to help keep the RX in its intended driving lane, via the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) feature. These elements also support the performance of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

Higher safety levels can be secured using optional features including an Adaptive High Beam System, Panoramic View Monitor and Blind Spot Monitor.

New RX F Sport

The F Sport version of the new RX is aimed at customers seeking more excitement and performance from their luxury SUV. It will be available with both powertrains and will benefit from a number of special visual and performance features that will set it apart from other versions in the range.

The spindle grille and lower centre section of the rear bumper have a F-motif mesh. There are also new alloy wheel designs, exclusive to the model, and in the cabin there is a dedicated instrument cluster and a sports steering wheel, wrapped in perforated leather and featuring paddle shifts. Exclusive colour options and trims are also part of the package.

The new RX F Sport’s on-road performance is enhanced by an active stabiliser system which keeps the vehicle remarkably flat through corners. The Adaptive Variable Suspension (details above) is fitted as standard, further helping to keep the Lexus planted on the road. The Drive Mode Select system adds a Sport S+ mode with AVS in addition to the Eco, Normal and Sports S settings.

New RX preliminary dimensions

With an election just weeks away, members were asked which party they trusted to deliver a fair deal for drivers, only 15% trusted the Conservatives, 2% trusted Labour, 1.5% the Lib Dems and 28% UKIP. Over 50% didn't trust any party to represent them.(3)

ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries said:
"The car is essential to the country's economy and the lives of millions of people, creating opportunity and increasing quality of life. However, drivers are saying loud and clear that over the last 5 years, the Government has failed to keep its promise to end the war on motorists. 
Drivers are especially angered by the continual reduction of speed limits demanded by vested interest lobby groups. Road safety should be about improving poor drivers not punishing good drivers.
With the election just weeks away and with the prospect of another close result, perhaps political parties will come to regret not doing more for the nation's 30million licence holders."

DATED: 02.04.15

FEED: HA

Automotive technology solutions provider, HPI, is bringing dealers a new level of insight into the potential cost of vehicle acquisition and resale, with the addition of MOT and Tax information to its vehicle provenance and mileage verification services for the motor trade.  

In addition to confirming if the vehicle is Taxed or untaxed and the due date,  HPI will give dealers an overview of the vehicle's 6 and 12 month Tax rates, as well as monthly direct debit costs for 6 and 12 months, where applicable.  HPI will also confirm if a vehicle has a current or expired MOT, its expiry date or if no details are held by the DVLA.   

"The addition of MOT and Tax data, means HPI continues to bring dealers the fullest possible picture of a used vehicle, helping them understand the financial implications of investing in or part exchanging stock,"  explains Neil Hodson, Managing Director for HPI. "As margins are squeezed tighter and tighter, dealers need to take advantage of the wealth of data now available to them. By listening to the needs of used car dealers, HPI delivers the data they need to ensure they can protect their bottom line against unexpected costs and boost sales, in a tough market."

DATED; 02.04.15

FEED: HA

Exclusive insights into business performance are shared between dealers each month in a unique survey coordinated by CAP which is then used by professionals across the motor industry to help them better understand their commercial landscape.

Despite a strong new and used car sales month in March 41% of dealers reported that margins were tighter than the month before. This signals a change on the picture a year ago, when CAP’s own research revealed that average margins had increased over the previous 12 months by £277.  

Although some dealer groups are seeing an increase in used car profit per unit, margin decline is still an underlying problem for many dealers. 

At the heart of it are a range of issues. One is that over the past 12 months there has been a decline in the condition of cars typically available for stock, as volume increases. Lower quality means higher preparation outlay at a time when workshop running costs are growing faster than retail prices. Other pressure on retained margins comes from auction fees and transport costs.

Despite March bringing an influx of fresh stock into the marketplace – due to an increase in part-exchange vehicles – only 23% of dealers described the choice of cars available as “better”.  This signals further profit erosion in the coming weeks as those cars will also need refurbishing for retail, just as consumer demand is expected to reduce after Easter.

The latest inter-dealer survey also reveals that online consumer interest increased during March more than physical visits to showrooms.

Online activity grew significantly in March for 62% of dealers, with the figure for increased physical showroom visits lagging some way behind at 51%.  This indicates that, for many consumers, the car sales activity of a new plate month sparks additional attention and interest without translating into a decision to purchase.

Philip Nothard, of CAP Automotive, said: “Dealers may, on the surface, be enjoying a very successful time but the number of sales isn’t the whole story.

“The squeeze on margins is a constant complaint and the problem is fuelled by a general deterioration in the quality of the majority of cars now available in the market, which forces them to invest much of their potential profit in refurbishment.”

DATED: 02.04.15

FEED: HA