Car Dealer Magazine: Issue 170 by Blackball Media

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF BMW’S M DIVISION

INVESTIGATION USED CAR DEALER CAZOO: THE PEOPLE, THE MONEY AND ITS PLANS

FIRST DRIVES Issue 170 | May 2022 | CarDealerMag.co.uk | £6

ON TEST: MASERATI GRECALE TROFEO + DACIA JOGGER + SUZUKI VITARA FULL HYBRID + JEEP RENEGADE E-HYBRID

NEWS

• PENDRAGON TAKEOVER BID • DAKSH GUPTA BREAKS SILENCE • HONDA CIVIC’S HYBRID ENGINE • ECO PROTEST AT JOE MACARI • CORSA & MOKKA SIMPLIFIED • KIA’S EV9 SET FOR EUROPE • NEW CATERHAM SALES RECORD

PLUS: WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE ALL-NEW LOTUS ELETRE

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THE BOSS FOUNDER James Baggott

james@thebaize.com Twitter: @CarDealerEd

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE EDITOR James Batchelor

james.batchelor@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @JRRBatchelor

CHIEF SUB-EDITOR John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk

STAFF WRITER Jack Williams

jack.williams@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @JournoJack25

MULTIMEDIA MANAGER Jon Reay jon@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @JonReay

HEAD OF DESIGN Graeme Windell

graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @graemewindell

CONTRIBUTORS Darren Cassey, Rebecca Chaplin, Jack Evans, Nigel Swan, Ted Welford

FINANCE FINANCE MANAGER Kate Gordon kate@blackballmedia.co.uk

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Kevin Day

kev@blackballmedia.co.uk

ACCOUNT MANAGER Michelle Searle

michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @cardealermich

Distribution Car Dealer is distributed to a database of up to 12,000 franchised car dealers, independents, service and repair sites, car manufacturers and suppliers. Advertisers are supplied with a print certificate every month.

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Car Dealer is published by Blackball Media Ltd (company number 6473855). All rights reserved. Conditions of sale and supply include the fact Car Dealer shall not, without our consent, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated way or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to any part of a publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. Car Dealer is fully protected by copyright. Nothing may be reproduced wholly or in part without permission.

WELCOME. T

ake one look at the numbers for new car sales in March and it’s clear that what should have been a bumper month for the industry was, at best, lacklustre. On the face of it, the worst March for new car sales in 24 years looks pretty depressing. Usually, March accounts for 450,000 registrations, so it’s little wonder that the 243,000 that actually found homes meant we saw a few negative headlines. But the big issue isn’t demand. Despite the rising cost of living, there are still plenty of people out there who want to buy new cars. No, as we all know, the real issue is supply. Some car dealers I’ve been chatting to have said they’ve been told not to take any orders for certain models, while others said a few cars are facing 18-month waiting lists. The semiconductor shortage is still having a lasting impact on new car production and the boss of BMW has admitted he can’t see it getting better until at least next year. Add in the war in Ukraine, which has halted car plants in Germany and the UK as parts stopped flowing out of the country, and the supply issue doesn’t look like it will get better any time soon. To counter this, car makers have been putting what chips they can get hold of into their electric models. These are usually higher margin and, importantly, help them hit their emissions targets so they avoid fines. That’s seen EV sales rocket, and in March car buyers actually bought more electric cars than in the whole of 2019. Around 39,000 were sold last month compared with 38,000 in 2019. Of course, consumer interest in EVs is also soaring, thanks to the cost of fuel being more per litre than champagne, while a looming 2030 ban on combustion engines has been imprinted on the consumer consciousness. Auto Trader is even predicting that EV sales could overtake petrol and diesel as soon as 2025. Meanwhile, Tesla has topped the best-selling car chart with the first and second positions, as its Model Y found 6,464 homes and the 3 some 6,457 in March. When you think about it, that shows you just how crazy the past few years have been when you sit back and contemplate how a relative automotive upstart has surpassed the likes of Ford and Vauxhall in the best-selling car stakes. Tesla has managed to avoid the same semiconductor woes thanks to the fact that its software engineers were able to quickly rewrite programs. And when other car makers scaled back their semiconductor orders, placing them at the back of the queue when they needed them again, Tesla continued ordering, meaning it’s been able to navigate the crisis relatively unscathed. It has said its Cybertruck and Semi will be delayed – they were both due last year – but it’s still been impressing the industry with the numbers of cars it’s been able to deliver. So what’s next? Well, consumer confidence might be down, fuel and living costs up, but new car supply doesn’t look like it’ll get better any time soon. Chances are we’ll see more disappointing new car sales figures in the months to come, but it won’t be down to a lack of demand – just continued restricted supply. Despite all this, car dealers continue to make record profits thanks to buoyant used car prices and the fact they’re not discounting. When there are waiting lists for new cars, the price is the price, meaning margins are protected. Car dealers may be selling fewer new cars but the profits they’re making right now speak for themselves. This industry is never dull, is it? Enjoy the issue.

Despite the rising cost of living, there are still plenty of people out there who want to buy new cars.

JAMES BAGGOTT Founder, Car Dealer CarDealerMag.co.uk | 03

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IGNITION. ISSUE 170 | MAY 2022

CONTENTS

44 INVESTIGATION

‘We had built up an aftersales network across the UK and that was of interest to them.’ 6

61 USED CAR AWARDS

‘Last year was an amazing event that brought the industry back together again after Covid.’ 10

BIG MIKE

‘I now have a back-to-front Nissan logo embossed on my forehead from where my head hit the steering wheel.’ 20

Used Car Awards 2022 The appreciation curve Car news round-up News digest Feedback Business news Car Dealer Live & podcasts Finance Supplier news

10 16 24 26 46 48 50 52 55

COMMENT James Baggott Big Mike James Litton

19 20 23

INVESTIGATION Used car dealer Cazoo: The people, the money and its plans

FORECOURT Maserati Grecale Trofeo Dacia Jogger Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid Jeep Renegade E-Hybrid

32 36 38 40

FEATURES Lotus Eletre explained 50 Years of M Division Cool stuff

14 42 44

DATA FILE The Statistics LCV news Suppliers Guide Long-termers

56 58 60 61

STATISTICS

‘While demand remains robust, this decline illustrates the severity of the global semiconductor shortage.’ 56 CarDealerMag.co.uk | 05

INVESTIGATION

USED CAR DEALER CAZOO: THE PEOPLE, THE MONEY AND ITS PLANS by James Baggott @CarDealerEd

ar Dealer has released a special video investigation into online dealer Cazoo – looking at if it really will change used car sales forever. The feature is the latest in our new series of documentaries and is also available as a podcast. The piece delves into one of the biggest disruptors to launch in the car industry in recent years and looks at whether the firm will change used car sales forever. The video features a wide range of industry experts including car dealers plus motoring and finance specialists giving their opinion on the used car retailer. Car Dealer also interviewed former Imperial Car Supermarkets operations director Neil Smith – who was at the firm when Cazoo bought the business in July 2020. In the exclusive chat, which is featured in the video, Smith explains the real reasons why Cazoo wanted to buy the car supermarket. Car Dealer met him at Imperial’s former site at Southampton, which is now a Cazoo handover centre. ‘There were probably four main factors why Cazoo wanted Imperial – none of which were what the industry thought they wanted the business for,’ Smith explains in the video. He goes on to detail why Cazoo will be a force to be reckoned with, explains what he thinks it has done well so far and why he thinks it shouldn’t be doubted by the motor trade. Car dealer bosses including Swansway Garages director Peter Smyth and Cambria CEO Mark Lavery are also interviewed as part of the feature. Smyth says: ‘Like everybody, I have got particular opinions on Cazoo. ‘I don’t believe they are what they purport to be, because they purport to be a disruptor. ‘I don’t think they’re a disruptor, because they have very quickly started to follow the same model that the standard motor trader has been using for the last nearly 100 years.’ Financial experts from UHY Hacker Young as well as motor industry analysts from Zeus Capital and Liberum examine the numbers behind Cazoo for Car Dealer in the feature. They detail how the stock market listing worked when Cazoo reversed into an SPAC in the States and experts give their opinion on why the firm’s share price has dropped since it listed. At one point, shares in Cazoo were down by 70 per cent. And our experts give their opinions on the firm’s mercurial founder Alex Chesterman, who has made millions for the business already. We look at where he made his money and how he is believed to have cashed in shares worth £100m soon after the business listed in the States. Carwow founder James Hind told our video that Chesterman’s reputation helps him generate cash from the city. Chesterman was an angel investor in Carwow. You can watch the video by clicking on the link on the right or listen to it as a podcast by searching for ‘Car Dealer Investigations’ on your favourite podcast platform. 06 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

I don’t believe they are what they purport to be, because they purport to be a disruptor. Peter Smyth Swansway Garages director

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CAR DEALER INVESTIGATION VIDEO

FORMER IMPERIAL DIRECTOR REVEALS WHY USED CAR DEALER CAZOO BOUGHT SUPERMARKET GROUP

ormer Imperial Car Supermarkets director Neil Smith has revealed why online used car disruptor Cazoo wanted to snap up the traditional dealership business. In an exclusive interview, filmed as part of our special documentary on Cazoo, Smith explains that the digital dealer wanted Imperial for four main reasons, including distribution and aftersales. He also talks about what it was like when Cazoo took over Imperial in July 2020 and why the trade shouldn’t doubt it becoming a success. Smith said he was ‘surprised’ at Cazoo’s interest when approaches were first made, but reveals he was in contact with the brand from the start of 2020 – just a few months after the pure-online disruptor launched. ‘There were probably four main factors [why Cazoo wanted Imperial] – none of which the motor industry thought were the reasons,’ Smith revealed in the interview. ‘One was the distribution network we had across the UK at the time. They wanted to use our sites for internal distribution and then final-mile delivery. ‘There was the aftersales piece. We had built up an aftersales network across the UK and that was of interest to them as they owned the customer journey up to the sales pieces but then lost control, so that was the second element. ‘The third element was to do with the ability to utilise our sites as very large billboards from an awareness piece, and then beyond that it was about allowing them to offer a clickand-collect option.’ Working for Cazoo was ‘intense, enjoyable and different’, said Smith, who stayed with the firm for just over a year after the takeover, working as its retail operations director. He was in charge of turning the Imperial sites into Cazoo handover centres, and when that work was finished he agreed an exit and set up as a motor trade consultant. He said: ‘Coming from a traditional used car retail background and moving into what is ostensibly a fin-tech company that happens to sell vehicles and trying to get to grips with that mindset was challenging, but they were great people. ‘It was interesting and fast moving and was certainly not a traditional retail model.’ In the past, Chesterman branded dealers as ‘flawed on every level’ and says the industry is ‘broken’ and needs ‘fixing’. ‘It’s the path a disruptor takes,’ said Smith in response to the comments. ‘The reason for coming and being a disruptor is because there are things wrong with that market, so calling that out probably didn’t go down well with traditional retailers. ‘I think what they did was certainly revolutionary.’ Smith said the Imperial team ‘played’ with online sales for four or five years and realised it wanted to improve its digital journey. Continues over page

We had built up an aftersales network across the UK and that was of interest to them as they owned the customer journey up to the sales pieces but then lost control. Neil Smith Former Imperial Car Supermarkets director

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 07

INVESTIGATION Continued from previous page ‘We never ever thought we’d get to the point, if I’m honest with you, that we deliver cars sight unseen,’ he added. ‘We never thought that would happen and I think no one in the trade did either.’

DOUBTERS BEWARE!

Smith said the motor trade shouldn’t doubt Cazoo and do so ‘at their peril’. He thinks the online car dealer is in a ‘relatively good position with their five-year plan’ and that right now it isn’t about making a profit. ‘They have had challenges with the way cars are retailed and have challenges all the way through the process, but most dealers have those as well,’ he said. ‘Cazoo know what they’re doing. They’ve got projections for 100,000 cars this year and they can sell vehicles. ‘The model is based on five years in terms of projections and in five years they’ll be turning a profit. ‘You’ve got to give Cazoo another two to three years to make good on their projections and the model. This is a brand-building exercise at present. They are continuing to build volume. The trade can continue to knock the fact they’re not a profitable business at the moment but none of these disruptors in the early days are. ‘It’s about building a business.’ Since it listed on the New York Stock Exchange via an SPAC, shares have tumbled – at one point they were down by 70 per cent. ‘Yes, dropping from a $7bn valuation to a $2bn valuation doesn’t look great, it doesn’t look good at all, but it’s still a $2bn valuation and at a point it will bounce back,’ said Smith.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CAR DEALER INVESTIGATION VIDEO 08 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

nline used car disruptor Cazoo came under fire from BBC One’s Watchdog programme over its 300-point checks. Three customers told the show they weren’t happy with the quality of the cars they bought from the online dealer. Presenter Matt Allwright took issue with Cazoo’s ‘300-point check’ that it says it carries out on all cars. When asked by customers who complained about their cars for a copy of the 300-point checks, Watchdog said Cazoo was unable to provide the documents. In the edition, broadcast on April 6 as part of The One Show, Allwright said: ‘Cazoo – You spent millions getting your name out there and encouraged us to trust that name by saying you provide a thorough system of checks and inspections. ‘But if when their cars go wrong you can’t provide customers with evidence of those inspections, what are they really worth?’ Cazoo reported a £180m loss in 2021 despite revenue increasing by more than 300 per cent to £668m. The first customer featured in the Watchdog programme bought a Ford Ka in March last year that turned out to have a problem with the gearbox and the exhaust, which snapped. Cazoo eventually bought her car back and paid her a £700 goodwill gesture. A second customer bought a BMW who took it to a franchised dealer for a health check and they identified it ‘had a problem with the brakes’. Cazoo told Watchdog the brakes were legal when it checked the car and paid to replace them. The third customer bought a Mazda MX-5, but that had issues with the traction control and headrests. When the customer priced up the repairs, Cazoo wouldn’t pay for them, but it did offer to exchange the car for a different MX-5 and knocked £500 off the price. However, when he got that vehicle and washed it for for the first time, the roof leaked and filled the car with water. Cazoo paid for his car to be repaired. The customer asked for a record of the 300-point inspection it carried out and it couldn’t provide him with one, said the show. Allwright said: ‘Things can go wrong unexpectedly and it does seem like when that happens Cazoo is trying to do the right thing, but if, as it appears, there’s an internal record of every car’s 300-point inspection, why not share the result with customers if there’s a problem?’ Car Dealer contributing editor Rebecca Chaplin was interviewed by Allwright as part of the programme. She told Watchdog: ‘I think this is really something that Cazoo needs to look at and rectify. If a car is coming to you and you’ve never seen it before, you want to know it is going to work. ‘Being able to provide something that says “This is what we found, this is what we checked and this is what we fixed” will fill a customer with confidence a lot better than coming back and finding there’s a problem.’ Cazoo told Watchdog that it was ‘sorry the customers didn’t have an experience that matched their expectations’. It said it did ‘all it could’ to rectify the ‘isolated issues and ensure they weren’t left out of pocket financially’. Cazoo also told the show that it had sold 60,000 cars in the past two years and 95 per cent of its reviewers on TrustPilot had rated it as ‘excellent’ or ‘great’.

If a car is coming to you and you’ve never seen it before, you want to know it is going to work.

We have made sensible investments by bringing UK reconditioning in-house and with the launch of our car-buying channel. Stephen Morana, CFO of Cazoo

Rebecca Chaplin Car Dealer contributing editor

CLICK TO LISTEN TO THE CAR DEALER LIVE INVESTIGATION CAZOO REPORTS £180M LOSS IN 2021 DESPITE REVENUE INCREASING BY MORE THAN 300 PER CENT TO £668M

azoo reported a loss of £180m adjusted for EBITDA for the year ending December 31, 2021 – even further down from the previous year’s £103m. Revenues were record-breaking for the online car dealer, though, at £668m – up 312 per cent versus 2020’s £162m. The loss for 2021 without adjustments was a staggering £550m, according to the group. Gross profit per unit was up £656 to £427 versus a loss of £229 per car in the previous year. In total, it sold 49,853 cars during the year – on target, it says, with its aims, and also more than three times the 14,981 sold in 2020. The news came the day after BBC One’s Watchdog questioned Cazoo’s 300-point check. Cazoo added in its statement about the financial year that the fourth quarter had been strong, with 16,325 cars sold, but profit per unit during the three months dropped to £233 because of investments in its car-buying channel

by Rececca Chaplin @BelieveBecca and a ramp-up in its in-house reconditioning capabilities. Over the year, Cazoo launched in Spain and Italy, and purchased companies Swipcar, brumbrum and Cazana. In August, it also listed on the New York Stock Exchange, generating approximately $836m (£639.5m) net of fees. Alex Chesterman, who is the founder and chief executive of Cazoo, said: ‘During 2021, we made some important strategic progress, creating further moats around our business. ‘In the UK we brought our vehicle reconditioning in-house well ahead of schedule, a challenging process but one which has significant long-term advantages. ‘We also successfully launched our car-buying channel, now sourcing a substantial proportion of our vehicles directly from consumers.’

Stephen Morana, the chief financial officer of Cazoo, added: ‘I am also extremely encouraged by the strategic steps we made in 2021 that we believe have set us up for significant future GPU expansion. ‘We have made sensible investments by bringing UK reconditioning in-house and with the launch of our car-buying channel, which has seen incredible traction, and in Q4 2021 we sourced over 30 per cent of our retail sales directly from consumers. ‘Whilst these investments have impacted GPU in the short term, the benefits are clear and give us much greater visibility and confidence to deliver on our long-term GPU target of £3,000. ‘We remain laser-focused on continuing our path to profitability, and while our UK retail GPU will be sequentially lower in Q1 2022, we expect to see material improvements through the year, up significantly in Q2 2022 and approaching £900 for FY22.’

WHY DO CAZOO AND ALEX CHESTERMAN WIND UP THE INDUSTRY? – PAGE 19 CarDealerMag.co.uk | 09

USED CAR AWARDS 2022

NOW’S THE TIME TO GET YOUR NOMINATIONS IN FOR OUR BIG EVENT • GLITTERING NIGHT FOR THE MOTOR TRADE WILL BE BACK ON NOVEMBER 28, 2022 • HEADLINE SPONSOR BLACK HORSE SIGNS UP FOR FURTHER THREE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP • HUGELY POPULAR AWARDS SOLD OUT IN 2021 AS CAR DEALERS GOT BACK TOGETHER AFTER COVID

he Car Dealer Used Car Awards in association with Black Horse are back for 2022 – and NOW is the time to get your name in the frame for a gong. Entries for the used car industry Oscars have opened and it takes just a few minutes to get your car dealership in line for an award. There are 23 categories to put your dealership or staff forward for and nominations can be made by filling out the form accessed at the bottom of this page. Car Dealer will also be handing out eight manufacturer gongs, including naming seven used cars of the year, at the 11th annual event. This year’s awards will be held on November 28, once again at The Brewery in central London, and hosted by TV’s Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer. ‘Last year was an amazing event that brought the industry back together again after Covid,’ said Brewer. ‘It was an incredible, sell-out night that saw the motor trade celebrate with a party like never before – we absolutely cannot wait to do it all over again in 2022.’ Car dealerships that think they should be in the running should put their name forward online now. The survey asks for a few short details and you can nominate your business, your staff or anyone you think is deserving of an award. Our judges assess every entry submitted and whittle them down to a Nominations List after a first round of judging. These firms are then put forward to the mystery shopping stage, which looks at a huge variety of elements. The top five are named in our Shortlist and then the winners are announced on the night.

To nominate your business for any of the categories fill out the form here 10 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

It was an incredible, sellout night that saw the motor trade celebrate with a party like never before – we absolutely cannot wait to do it all over again in 2022. Mike Brewer TV’s Wheeler Dealer

All of the winners at last year's Used Car Awards

BIG PARTNERS

Mike Brewer and James Baggott

KEY DATES FOR THE 2022 AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: Nominations open April 11 Nominations close September 30 Nominations List October 10 Shortlist October 24 Awards night November 28

The Used Car Awards are proudly sponsored by finance firm Black Horse, which has renewed its headline partnership with the event for another three years. The deal means that come next year Black Horse will have put its name to the awards for a decade. Lloyds Banking Group’s Richard Jones said: ‘We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of Car Dealer’s Used Car Awards. ‘The awards go from strength to strength and they are now recognised as the leading event for the used car sector. ‘We look forward to seeing all the finalists in person at The Brewery on November 28.’ The pre-dinner drinks and casino will once again be sponsored by eBay Motors Group and the afterparty will again be hosted by GardX. ‘Last year, the event was the most popular we have ever held and sold out a month ahead of the awards,’ said Car Dealer editor-in-chief James Baggott. ‘This year’s event is already proving incredibly popular and we have just four awards left to sponsor. Tables also sold out quickly last year, so we advise dealers to book early to avoid disappointment.’

The awards go from strength to strength and they are now recognised as the leading event for the used car sector. Richard Jones, Lloyds Banking Group

NEW CATEGORY

CAR Dealer has also added a new Used Car Award category this year – the Diversity & Inclusivity Award, sponsored by MotoNovo Finance. Judges will be looking for businesses that offer equal opportunities for all in their businesses, and firms will be required to provide evidence of this when entering. Documents can be uploaded to support entries. ‘As a business, MotoNovo has always been committed to helping dealers embrace the opportunities afforded by change,’ said commercial director Debbie McKay. ‘D&I is one of those opportunities. In creating this award category with Car Dealer, we aim to help dealers challenge themselves to assess the opportunities that D&I affords, internally and externally.’ Entrants to all awards will be subjected to the mystery shopping phase if they make it on to the Nominations List after the first round of judging.

CATEGORIES

If you are interested in sponsoring an award or would like to book tickets for the event on November 28, email the sales team HERE.

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FEATURE

LOTUS

Hyper SUV

New SUV carries the weight of Lotus’s future fortunes and is the first step in the brand’s new all-electric model range. James Batchelor explains more.

Lotus isn’t just calling the Eletre an SUV but the world’s first electric ‘hyper SUV’. It anticipates a new breed of super-powerful high-riding electric performance cars and believes the Eletre leads the way. Lotus does have a point – other performance SUVs from Porsche, Aston Martin, BMW and Audi currently use petrol power.

Powertrain

The Eletre uses a new electric car platform that’s been designed with the flexibility to use different battery sizes and motors. That means there’s the potential for fewer and more powerful Eletres in the future, but the car revealed here packs nearly 600bhp from its twin electric motors, giving a sub-three-second 0-60mph acceleration time.

China

The new SUV isn’t being manufactured in Lotus’s home factory of Hethel, Norfolk, but in parent company Geely’s stomping ground of China. The Eletre is being positioned as a car to deliver growth and profits to the British sports car brand in China and the USA. Other models to arrive in the next few years include a smaller electric SUV, a four-door EV saloon plus a Hethel-built electric sports car. 14 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Range

There’s the likelihood Lotus will add different versions of the Eletre over time, but the car revealed at BBC Television Centre uses a 100kWh battery pack with a claimed range of up to 373 miles. It can charge at speeds of up to 350kW, making it the fastest-charging EV on sale today. This should add almost 250 miles in just 20 minutes, says Lotus.

Safety systems

The Eletre comes with various advanced driver-assistance systems, with over-the-air updates allowing many of them to be improved and added to over time. A light detecting and ranging (Lidar) system deploys above the windscreen when required, allowing for the use of automated driving technology.

COMMENT

Stop moaning about ‘brand purity’ – the Eletre is exactly the car that Lotus needs by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor

Inside

The Eletre’s cabin has an incredibly modern appearance, with Lotus saying it used ‘ultra-premium materials’. A large infotainment display dominates the sleek dashboard, with a slim screen behind the wheel displaying important information such as battery charge, range and speed. Buyers can choose from four- and five-seat layouts.

Design

With no engine under the bonnet, Lotus has been able to move the cabin forwards so the bottom of the windscreen is over the front wheels – much like the Lotus Esprit. There are short front and rear overhangs but the big news is the aero. Airflow is managed through the grille, wheel arches, rear apron and spoiler to aid downforce and cut drag.

BC Television Centre, London. It’s been home to Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who and Blue Peter over the decades, and the famous Studio 1 still puts on The Graham Norton Show. But at the beginning of April, it was the place for something a little bit different – the global unveiling of an electric SUV from another British institution, Lotus. Sitting in the tiered seating normally used by laughing sitcom and chat show audiences, it was easy to be enraptured by the enthusiasm whipped up by the Lotus senior management. This was a bold new direction for the brand, and they were rightly proud. Outside, however, there was a slightly different audience reception. The reveal was live-streamed around the world, and as the dancers did their thing on a stage shrouded in frozen ice and strobe lighting and brand ambassador Jenson Button quipped that his order was already in, social media expressed disgust. Catching a glimpse of the live stream over the shoulder of one Lotus executive, I saw the comments section was riddled with accusations that by launching an SUV the British sports car maker was ‘diluting its brand’, and ‘Colin Chapman would be turning in his grave’. The fact the Eletre was powered not by a well-balanced twin-cam four-cylinder engine but by electricity only made the haters whine even more noisily. But here’s the rub: car makers build cars to make money, otherwise they die. Lotus – a brand loved by so many ‘petrolheads’ who’d never actually buy one of its cars – has been in financial peril so many times that it’s easier to state the times that it has been profitable. And yet, here’s a car that could add considerable quantities of cash to the coffers but is instantly dismissed by those who supposedly love the brand. With around 600bhp from twin electric motors and amazingly clever wind-cheating aerodynamics, Lotus calls the Eletre a ‘hyper SUV’, effectively putting the car into another league compared with petrol-powered rivals from Porsche and Aston Martin. What’s more, Eletre’s interior has the plushness of any other exotic performance brand’s SUV, only better. Using Geely’s thick cheque book, enormous economies of scale and considerable electric know-how, Lotus has the potential to lead the way when it comes to the electric performance market. Built in China, the Eletre will in time be joined by a smaller Macan-sized electric SUV, electric four-door saloon and a Hethel-built EV sports car. It’ll give Lotus’s 13 UK dealers a product pipeline like they’ve never seen before. But Lotus needs to expand its brand recognition outside of Norfolk and to bring in a wealthier, more international customer base. Sports cars can’t woo these new buyers on their own – SUVs can. With Geely pouring in millions and the promise of Lotus becoming its halo brand, the future should be safe. I think it’s about time we all stopped moaning and perhaps even smiled knowing that Lotus is in good hands. CarDealerMag.co.uk | 15

FEATURE

THE APPRECIATION

CURVE

Used car prices are continuing to rocket, leading some owners to ditch their recent models to cash in the equity…

sed car prices in the UK are more than a third above what they were this time last year, with values 34 per cent higher in the first quarter of 2022 than they were in the same period in 2021, according to industry analysts Indicata. The company collects data from used car transactions across Europe and analyses real-world transaction prices to attain realistic valuations. According to Indicata, one of the main reasons used prices are so high across the board at the moment is that a shortage of used cars coming back into the market is continuing to constrain sales. Much lower new car transactions in the daily rental sector for the past two years means lower volumes being remarketed, while long lead times on new car orders means leasing companies are extending contracts and mileage allowances to retain their customers. Combine the two effects, add the fact that many retail customers are being pushed into the used car market to avoid lead times of up to six months and the net result is a continuing worsening of the used car stock crisis. Indicata group sales director Jon Mitchell said: ‘This current market trend of demand exceeding supply looks set to continue into the back end of 2022. Both the wholesale and retail markets have got to get used to prices at this level being the new normal. ‘Stock levels show no sign of improving, which guarantees prices will remain strong. There are restricted numbers of part-exchanges coming into the market, and a vast number of leasing contracts will continue to be extended until such time as new car supplies improve.’ The demand has led to private motorists who own their cars outright cashing in their assets while they’re ahead. One such owner, Norman Dawes, recently sold his 2016 Volkswagen Passat AllTrack for £15,000 after two years of ownership, having bought the car in April 2020 for £13,700. The 51-year-old HGV driver from Spalding bought the car privately when his Mercedes E-Class reached the end of the road after 15 years of ownership, and he’d planned to keep it for more than a decade. ‘I’m the kind of person who normally buys a car when it’s two or three years old and the worst of its depreciation is done but it still has loads of life left in it,’ he said. ‘I planned to keep the Passat for 10 years at least, but when I realised it was worth more than I paid for it two years on, I decided to cash in my equity instead. ‘Like so many people in the UK, my wife and I have seen a change in our lifestyle in the 16 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

This current market trend of demand exceeding supply looks set to continue into the back end of 2022. Jon Mitchell Indicata group sales director

2016 Volkswagen Passat AllTrack

£13,700 Price paid in April 2020 £15,000 Price sold for in April 2022

past couple of years, and while I do more driving than ever working in the haulage industry, my wife works from home and barely uses her car, so there seemed little point us having money tied up in two newer models.’ Instead, Dawes sold the Passat to an independent VW-Audi specialist for £15,000 and used £1,000 of his ‘profit’ to buy an aged but perfectly functional Toyota Avensis. ‘Our other car is a Mercedes convertible,’ he said. ‘So, we’ve now got something boring but very useful for when we need two cars, or if we’re going somewhere we don’t want to park the other car. And we’ve got money in the bank that was tied up in what I thought was a depreciating asset, but wasn’t.’ The trend isn’t uncommon, either. Joe Fisher runs Fisher’s of March, a dealership in north-east Cambridgeshire specialising in cars from £2,000 to £5,000. ‘We’ve never been busier,’ he told us. ‘Historically, most of our customers were buying on finance at the lower end of the market, but that’s changed now. ‘I’ve sold more cars to cash customers than ever before, a lot of whom have sold their newer cars or are on the waiting list for a new one and need transport to tide them over. ‘It’s making it harder than ever to find stock and is pushing prices up – an 11-year-old Corsa is a four-orfive-grand car these days.’

It’s making it harder than ever to find stock and is pushing prices up – an 11-year-old Corsa is a fouror-five-grand car these days. Joe Fisher Fisher’s of March

Xxx Xxx

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 17

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Why do Cazoo and its founder Alex Chesterman wind up the motor trade?

I think the real reason Cazoo has riled dealers is that really they know Cazoo isn’t doing much different to anyone else.

here are few businesses that provoke quite such a fierce reaction as Cazoo – but why is that? Ask anyone in the motor trade what they think of the online used car disruptor and I can guarantee they’ll have at least something to say. Maybe it’s because it arrived on the scene amid a blitz of publicity and jibes from its founder that car dealers are currently ‘flawed on every level’. Perhaps it’s the huge budgets it’s been able to splash about – hoovering up motor trade businesses across Europe and blowing millions as it increases its reach. Or then it could be the fact it’s got even more millions to append its name to pretty much every sport you can think of – Premier League football teams, golf, snooker, darts, rugby, horse racing and more have got used to Cazoo branding. The motor trade has never seen anything like it. While traditional car dealers get on with selling cars, Cazoo has told investors it has torn up the rule book as its founder Alex Chesterman aims to change the way it sells cars forever. I think the real reason Cazoo has riled dealers is that really they know Cazoo isn’t doing much different to anyone else. It’s selling used cars online, delivering some to people’s homes and handing others over in car dealerships it bought up from Imperial very early after its launch. Most car dealers look at Cazoo and compare it to their setup and ask themselves ‘what do they really do that’s different to me?’ And the answer is – not very much. The real difference is the billions it has managed to raise. With a promise to disrupt the used car market not just here in the UK but across Europe, it has convinced investors to plough in millions. Shares may have fallen by 70 per cent at one point since it launched on the New York Stock Exchange by reversing into an SPAC, but it’s still worth billions when comparable listed dealer groups are worth hundreds of millions. The big differentiator between Cazoo and the rest of the motor trade, then, is its bank balance. So is it jealousy? Are car dealers jealous of what Chesterman has managed to achieve in such a short space of time? Maybe. Since the firm launched in late 2019, I’ve been covering the disruptor’s every move – and pretty much every one of them has provoked a reaction. It’s the main reason I wanted to produce the closer-look video and podcast that we’ve published on our platforms this month. It can’t be denied that Chesterman has done his best to wind up the motor trade. Poking it at every opportunity with derogatory comments in the national press, he’s stirred up a lot of hatred for his brand from traditional dealers. But he probably doesn’t care. He’s made his mark, reportedly cashed out multimillions already and will likely soon be on to the next thing. We asked Chesterman for an interview for our piece but he declined. That was a shame, because there was actually a lot of respect for what the firm has achieved from those we spoke to for the video, and it would be good to tell his side of the story. I’d like to know if he really believes the things he’s said about car dealers. No one in the motor trade will deny that the internet will play a growing role in car sales in the future. The pandemic helped push many dealers online that never would have dabbled had it not been for the lockdowns. But pure online car sales taking over completely? I can’t see it and neither could most of the experts I chatted to on camera. At the heart of it, Cazoo isn’t really doing anything that much different to the rest of the motor trade. I can’t help thinking that if it hadn’t been for some misguided comments from its founder, car dealers would have a bit more admiration for what Cazoo has achieved. Because, let’s face it, it’s certainly brought the used car industry into sharp focus – and is that really such a bad thing?

Speaking out

COMMENT

JAMES BAGGOTT

AGAINST OUR BETTER JUDGMENT, WE LET THE CEO HAVE HIS SAY EACH MONTH James Baggott founded Car Dealer Magazine and is the chief executive officer of parent company @BaizeGroup, an automotive services provider. He now spends most of his time on Twitter @CarDealerEd and annoying the rest of us. CarDealerMag.co.uk | 19

Big Mike OUR MAN ON THE INSIDE SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON THE CAR BUSINESS

Who is Big Mike? Well, that would be telling. What we can say is he’s had more than 40 years in the car trade so has probably forgotten more about it than we’re likely to know. 20 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

COMMENT

Our friends electric? They don’t really get my ‘volt’...

ell, the revolution starts here, I guess… After four decades in the car trade, last week I took my first electric car in part-exchange – a 2013 Nissan Leaf. It came in against a Mercedes Sprinter that I’d actually got on sale or return from a mate in the trade – he had nowhere to park it so said he’d bung me 15 per cent if I flogged it, which is really not a bad margin, especially on £20k’s worth of van, so I allowed it to take up two spaces on my forecourt. It sold really easily, too. With the waiting list for new vans running up to a year in some cases, a five-year-old high-roof, long-wheelbase Sprinter with less than 100k on the clock is hot property. The buyer was starting his own business, having taken redundancy, for which he needed to stop pretending to be eco-friendly and instead invest his hard-earned into a big old diesel van, but the car came as part of the deal. Up until that moment, I’d actively avoided electric cars. Partly because I usually find their owners are annoyingly sanctimonious, cardigan-wearing bores who can only ever talk about range, carbon offset and charging networks, and partly because I look at them and generally don’t have a clue what to do with them. Anyway, the magic book (or app, as it is these days) informed me that the Leaf was worth about eight grand out the door, so I offered six and a half as a chopin and he shook my hand. The Sprinter disappeared into the sunset and I was left with something I initially stared at like one of those wooden puzzles you sometimes get in your Christmas stocking. I just stood there looking at it, without a clue as to what to do with it or whether or not I could even be arsed. Job one was to take it for a test drive, but the problem with an electric car is that you don’t actually know if it’s switched on or not (or you certainly don’t if you’re a Luddite West Midlander already into his seventh decade), so for the first few minutes I sat on the forecourt jabbing at various buttons and switches before the Leaf suddenly lurched forward and propelled itself on to the A38 – luckily into a convenient gap in the traffic rather than a big white Volvo with ‘Stagecoach’ written on the side of it. Also, the brakes… I guess because there’s no vacuum feed to the servo, they’re electric themselves and completely devoid of feel, to the extent that I now have a back-to-front Nissan logo embossed on my forehead from where my head hit the steering wheel. I’d driven into work that morning in a 25-year-old Jag with lovely, progressive brakes (a much nicer way to travel, I should add) and – with my work boots on – the AC/DC Datsun was a bit difficult to judge. Just ask the Uber driver behind me, who ended up swerving into a bus stop to avoid smashing me up the exhaust pipes (if I’d had them). Anyway, once I’d got used to the Leaf and realised that it was essentially very boring but probably quite good at being what it was, I decided to learn a bit more about it to sharpen up my sales patter. I also decided that I should plug it in, as the range was only about 15 miles to empty and unlike a petrol car, where the general rule in the motor trade is to play fuel-light roulette until you have to do the walk of shame back to the forecourt to pick up ‘the can’, the rule with electric cars is a bit different. And while it’s generally accepted practice among traders that your

I’d actively avoided electric cars. Partly because I usually find their owners are annoyingly sanctimonious, cardiganwearing bores.

transport to and from work is going to be whatever has come into stock with a fuel gauge above the red and a trade plate in the window, it’s not a risk to take with something that weighs over two tonnes and can’t be topped up via a bendy plastic spout. So, to ensure I could at least get back to my house in the Nissan, I got my trusty five-metre extension lead out of the container, ran it across the lot to my caravan and plugged the car in. None of these fancy charging docks for me – and after all, why bother if you can charge a car up via a three-pin plug? Well, I was about to find out... For starters, with the car plugged in, it tripped the circuit breaker every time I put the kettle on (which I hope doesn’t happen at home, as herself and I consume rather a lot of tea), and secondly, after leaving it plugged in all afternoon, it now had the ability to go four miles further than it would have done had I not plugged it into the extension lead. With home being 20 miles away, I took the Jag and plugged the Nissan in to charge overnight. The following day, I came back to the yard with the Jag running on fumes – very expensive £1.70-a-litre fumes at that – with an open mind, ready to embrace the EV revolution. I’d sat at home thinking how these EVs were probably the future of car sales, and of how many of the things I’d be able to sell once I’d mastered the art of operating them and learnt all about them, unlike so many of the troglodytes at the darker end of the car trade. Except, although I’d plugged the Leaf in before leaving the previous day, I’d also forgotten to turn the wall switch on at the socket, so my efforts were utterly futile. Especially when I had a call from a chap in Stoke-on-Trent who’d seen it advertised and wanted to collect the same day – something that neither the car nor I were prepared for. By day four, I hated it. I’d been able to charge it up sporadically and at great inconvenience (I’m told a seven-pin charger is the way around this), but this glimpse of the future wasn’t filling me with confidence, as it still only claimed to have 84 miles of range at 100 per cent charge. I know the newer EVs are better, but all that hassle just to get from here to Warrington barely seems worth the effort, especially as you’d then just be in Warrington at the end of it, and I’d not wilfully wish that on anyone. To go the same distance in my old Jag, even at today’s petrol prices, would be about twenty-five quid. £25 I’ll happily spend just to avoid all the faffing about. So, the Leaf found itself down the local independent auction, which seemed an easier way of getting rid of it than dealing with men called Clive with pleats in their trousers and who’ll want to know all about which home charging pod is better than which after dropping ‘Wifey’ at the garden centre. I’m sure they’ll catch on. But for me, retirement seems more appealing than that…

I now have a back-to-front Nissan logo embossed on my forehead from where my head hit the steering wheel.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 21

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It’s Covid – not Cazoo – that’s been the catalyst for online sales rethink

Cazoo offers nothing in the fundamental practice of used car acquisition.

y early 20s were spent in the coastal town of Bournemouth. Having attended the local university, it was hard not to be seduced by the beach, the New Forest and a vibrant night life that many readers may have experienced on a wedding party. Every few months, a new bar or club would open, and for a while at least, the place would be packed. Often, this would be an old haunt given a new name with some slick new signs, and the punters would roll in. Unfortunately, in a town that has a transient student population and a local cadre of Instagram wannabes, the initial success was never prolonged. There was always a new place cooler to go to, so the average shelf life wasn’t more than a couple of years. This was the immediate parallel I thought of when I watched the recent Car Dealer video about Cazoo. If you remove any bias about who it is and what it represents and just ask yourself if it does anything different to anyone else, you’d be hard-pressed to look beyond the simple answer of a nice website. The acquisition of Imperial gave it some solid infrastructure from which to buy and sell cars, but these showrooms don’t look fundamentally different to any other. The employees, while engaging and charming, look and sound like any other employee at a decent showroom. There might be a more customer-orientated experience, but if the true measure of success is selling a car, then established retailers still know what they’re doing. Cazoo wasn’t the catalyst for many dealers to enhance their online purchase attitude – that accolade belongs to Covid. Only the most stubborn retailer has resisted national delivery and the use of video and enhanced photographs. If this is what set Cazoo apart upon its market entry, then that USP has been diluted. The main reason it will fail to make anything more than an impact relative to its capital base is that used cars are – and always will be – about the buying. Cazoo offers nothing in the fundamental practice of used car acquisition. The market is simply too competitive. Cazoo has spent fortunes on pay-per-click for its online purchase tool to compete with the likes of WeBuyAnyCar and Motorway, and there are many rave reviews from sellers about their fantastic experience. Yes, for them. I have seen lots of instances where the price Cazoo has offered was way above market average. For example, a friend sold it a Jaguar F-Type. Cazoo’s price was at least £2,000 more than the nearest equivalent. The more worrying aspect was that while it had a host of optional extras, there was no recognition of this fact in the price. Therefore, while they were lucky in this case, there will be many times that specific used car skill would have prevented an overpriced purchase. When a mate opened his nightclub in Bournemouth, the place was rammed and he was selling bottles of champagne and beer aplenty – it was name your price. However, just six months later another club opened and all the cool people left and it was just another sad business trying to make a living.

Trader Tales

COMMENT

JAMES LITTON

CASTING AN EXPERIENCED EYE ON THE WIDE AND CHALLENGING WORLD OF MOTOR SALES

James Litton is an automotive retail consultant who always has something to say about the industry he loves. CarDealerMag.co.uk | 23

DASHBOARD

CAR NEWS ROUND-UP Manufacturers have been busy refining existing models and producing new ones. We look at 10 of the results... KIA

Electric EV9 will be coming to Europe next year KIA has confirmed that the electric EV9 SUV will go on sale in Europe in 2023. The model currently only exists as the Concept EV9, which was revealed last year, but it gives a good idea of what the SUV will look like. It’s about the same size as Kia’s US-only Telluride SUV and was initially pitched as an

DAVID BROWN AUTOMOTIVE

Mini remastered for 60th anniversary of Marshall amps DAVID Brown Automotive has released a special edition of its Mini Remastered model for the 60th anniversary of Marshall amps. The Mini Remastered Marshall Edition is limited to 60 examples but features a variety of unique styling and audio touches to differentiate it from other versions of the firm’s refinished Mini. Each car gets an exterior finished in Marshall Black paint, which is contrasted with dark chrome exterior styling pieces. There are also Marshall Gold painted accents, with a coachline applied to the roof matching hand-painted pinstripes and Marshall logos. 24 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

electric alternative to that car, but with the rise of large SUV sales showing no signs of slowing, the EV9 will now be sold in Europe, too. The Concept EV9's 800V architecture allows for 350kW fast charging, and it’s likely to have both single- and twin-motor options with a maximum range of up to 300 miles.

CUPRA

Born again with e-boost derivatives CUPRA’S electric car – the Born – has been bolstered with the addition of e-boost derivatives to bring some extra power. To kick things off, there’s a 58kWh battery version with a range of between 223 and 264 miles and, thanks to a 201bhp electric motor, a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds. Prices start at £34,715. Up next is a Born variant with the same size battery but with e-boost takes the power up to 227bhp. This drops the car’s 0-60mph time to 6.4 seconds, yet it's still capable of up to 261 miles on a single charge. Prices start from £37,445. The top-spec, starting at £40,215, packs a 77kWh battery linked to a 227bhp electric motor. It has a claimed range of up to 341 miles and can manage the 0-60mph sprint in 6.8 seconds.

VAUXHALL

Corsa and Mokka ranges simplified VAUXHALL has revised its Corsa and Mokka line-ups with new simplified trim levels. Designed to make it easier for buyers to choose the right specification for them, the move drops the Corsa range from 15 models to eight, while the electric Corsa-e has been reduced from three models to two. The Mokka line-up, meanwhile, has been taken from 16 models to 11 while its electric version – the Mokka-e – will go from four to two.

HONDA

Latest Civic arrives with hybrid engine MERCEDES-AMG HONDA has unveiled its latest generation of Civic, continuing a line-up of cars that stretches back 50 years. The new model – badged Civic e:HEV – arrives with an efficient new hybrid engine and a more technologyfocused cabin. Its new powertrain is a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine linked to two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. In total, it produces 181bhp and 315Nm of torque. Honda has yet to confirm efficiency figures but has said it is targeting CO2 emissions of 110g/km and around 50mpg.

MERCEDES-MAYBACH

AMG GT Track Series is firm’s most powerful car at 724bhp

Final collaboration with Virgil Abloh

MERCEDES-AMG has revealed its most powerful customer sports car ever, designed for use on track days. Called AMG GT Track Series, the supercar has a hardcore focus inspired by the firm’s GT3 and GT4 race cars, making it ineligible for road use. The familiar 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine has been tuned to produce 724bhp and 860Nm of torque, with one upgrade including the use of custom motorsport injectors. It uses a Hewland six-speed sequential racing gearbox, while the suspension has ‘comprehensively adjustable’ four-way Bilstein dampers. Meanwhile, the anti-roll bars are individually adjustable. AMG has overhauled the bodywork for performance and aerodynamics. For example, the bonnet, wings, sills, back door and rear apron are carbon fibre to reduce weight.

MERCEDES-Maybach has revealed its final collaboration piece with the late designer and entrepreneur Virgil Abloh. The Maybach by Virgil Abloh is a fully loaded S-Class S680 and was designed last year by Abloh with Mercedes-Benz Group’s chief design officer Gorden Wagener. The model has a unique two-tone exterior paint job, with a glossy obsidian black on the top half and a sandy hue for the bottom half and wheels.

TOYOTA

FERRARI

Teaser image of forthcoming SUV ‘Purosangue’ released on social FERRARI has put an end to months of speculation with a teaser image of its upcoming SUV. Expected to be called Purosangue, the new model was revealed on the firm’s social channels, accompanied by the caption ‘You’ve heard the rumours… and we’re delighted to confirm that they’re true (some of them)’. The Maranello-based manufacturer says people should ‘stand by for a genuine game-changer’, with more details due to be revealed later this year. It added that the new model had a bloodline that could be ‘traced back through our 75-year history of innovation, evolution and uncompromising performance’.

ALPINA

Toyota GR86 to start from £29,995

Alpina B4 Gran Coupe unveiled

TOYOTA'S new GR86 will start from £29,995. Acting as the successor to the highly acclaimed GT86, it retains the original’s lightweight approach but features more power and sharper handling. It uses a four-cylinder boxer engine as before but has increased in size from 2.0 to 2.4 litres and now produces 231bhp and 250Nm versus 197bhp and 205Nm. Toyota claims the GR86 with a six-speed manual will complete the 0-60mph dash in 6.1 seconds or 6.7 seconds in the automatic.

BMW tuner Alpina has unveiled the B4 Gran Coupe as a striking new performance saloon model. Based on BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupe, Alpina takes the standard car and tunes its engine, gives it a range of mechanical tweaks and changes the way it looks. Using the same straight-six 3.0-litre petrol engine as found in the 3 Series-based B3, it puts out 488bhp and 730Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-60mph time of just 3.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 187mph.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 25

DASHBOARD IDENTITY

Lotus Exeter first in UK with new look

HERE ARE TASTERS OF STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

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LOTUS is continuing the global roll-out of its new ‘visual identity’ for showrooms, with a dealership in Exeter sporting the layout. The British brand opened its first showroom displaying the new look in Bahrain last autumn, and is now expanding the ‘sculptural and artistic’ look to dealers in Europe and the USA. The first overhauled Lotus showroom in the UK has now been completed – Lotus Exeter, a solus site operated on the Marsh Barton trading centre by the Hendy Group.

END OF ERA

Last Astra rolls off production line

CELEBRATION

Ray Chapman Motors wins Volvo’s Regional Retailer of the Year award for the second year RAY Chapman Motors in Yorkshire has been awarded Volvo’s prestigious Regional Retailer of the Year award for the second year running. The dealership, in the market town of Malton, was judged in several areas including new and used car sales, part sales and customer retention and satisfaction. A total of 94 retailers were in the running for the award but the judges said they were impressed by the business’s ability to ‘consistently exceed the market opportunity’ and surpass all targets.

MARGINS

VW to axe up to 60 per cent of ICE cars

PRODUCTION of the Vauxhall Astra at Ellesmere Port has ended as the plant prepares for a £100m upgrade to become the first Stellantis site to make solely battery-electric models. Vehicle manufacturing has taken place at the Cheshire factory for 60 years, beginning with the Vauxhall Viva. Subsequent models included the Chevette as well as the Astra. More than 5.2m vehicles have been made there since 1962, with production of the Astra beginning in November 1981. 26 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

VOLKSWAGEN is to cut up to 60 per cent of its petrol and diesel models to focus on money-spinning premium cars, one of the firm’s executives has announced. Arno Antlitz, chief financial officer of Volkswagen Group, said it was planning to change direction and concentrate on margins rather than sales volumes. It currently makes some 100 petrol and diesel models across its brands.

LOCATION

It can’t be denied that Alex Chesterman has done his best to wind up the motor trade.

James Baggott p19

Vertu buys land and showrooms at site

VERTU Motors has bought the land and buildings at its multi-franchise site in Derby for £7.1m. It was granted a lease when it bought the trade and assets of the 5½-acre site from Co-operative Group Motors Ltd in September 2012. The lease on the premises was due to expire in February 2026. Chief executive Robert Forrester said: ‘I am delighted to have secured the long-term interest in this important location for the group.’

£2bn lending milestone broken. Supplier News: p55

‘Dacia’s whole approach to the car has been well thought out and executed.’ Forecourt: p36

CHANGES

Peter Waddell quits as Carzam director

WARNING

Delivery costs are poised to increase

ANNIVERSARY

Daksh Gupta tells of ‘amazing’ years

T S A C D PO Driven by

BIG Motoring World boss Peter Waddell has resigned as a director of online disruptor Carzam as venture capitalists take a stake in his car supermarket business. Freshstream has taken what is believed to be a multi-million-pound slice of Big Motoring World as exinvestor John Bailey, seen right with Waddell, resigned from the business. The firm said its investment – for an undisclosed sum – will ‘enable the business to accelerate its growth’ as it looks at ‘new geographies’.

AUTOMOTIVE logistics costs are set to rise in response to high fuel prices among other challenges putting pressure on dealers’ supply chains. Cox Automotive is predicting a ‘severe disruption’ thanks to a shortage of delivery drivers and higher fuel costs. Insight and strategy director Philip Nothard says there are several headwinds to come. ‘The increased cost of fuel will force logistics companies to either raise prices across the board or suffer financial losses.’

FULL CIRCLE

Mitsubishi returns to Cirencester

INTERNATIONAL Motors Group has opened a new home for Mitsubishi in the UK in Cirencester. It bought Mitsubishi’s UK aftersales business in October 2021. Mitsubishi announced in 2020 that it would be exiting the UK, and IM Group has now signed a five-year lease for the brand’s UK home – back where it was for more than 40 years. IM Group MD Andrew Edmiston officially opened the offices.

MARSHALL Motor Group CEO Daksh Gupta has broken his silence with a post on LinkedIn about the growth of the listed dealer since he took over. Posting seven years to the day since Marshall Motor Group was listed on the London Stock Exchange, Gupta said ‘it’s been an amazing seven years’. The charismatic CEO has been uncharacteristically quiet since Constellation Automotive Group agreed to take the business private in a £325m deal.

OM R F M A E THE T EALER CAR DBOUT TALK ATEST THE LAAND NEWSVIEWS IN INTER EGULAR THIS R ST PODCA

PLAN

Although I’d plugged the Leaf in before leaving the previous day, I’d also forgotten to turn the wall switch on at the socket. Big Mike p20

Motorpoint sets eyes on former B&M site

E R E H K C CLI

MOTORPOINT wants to turn an old B&M store into a car dealership. The used car supermarket group has submitted an application to Milton Keynes Council for permission to transform the site, which has been derelict since it closed in 2017. It plans to invest £1.5m in redeveloping the Bletchley store plus £4.5m in stocking and hopes to create 40 new jobs. A decision is due within the next few weeks. Picture: File Image

PAST O T N E T S TO LI ES OF THE EPISODEALER CAR DASTS PODC Turn over page to catch up on more stories

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 27

DASHBOARD REVAMP

Flagship JLR site to be refurbed

STRATSTONE’S flagship JLR showroom in Mayfair is to undergo a major refurbishment. It’ll be the first JLR showroom in the country to boast the new Modern Luxury design philosophy. Stratstone didn’t disclose how much the revamp will cost or how long it’ll take, but among the new features will be private consultation areas plus digital art and content screens showcasing everything Jaguar Land Rover. The showroom will operate from a neighbouring site while

ACQUISITION

Autorama snapped up for £200m

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DEMONSTRATION

Extinction Rebellion protesters disrupt election campaign launch at luxury dealership Joe Macari A SPEECH by education secretary Nadhim Sahawi at luxury dealership Joe Macari Performance Cars was halted by Extinction Rebellion protesters. Sahawi was interrupted by two climate change campaigners on a balcony who unveiled a banner proclaiming ‘No Planet B’ and shouted as he began his speech at the south-west London showroom, which was hosting Wandsworth Tories’ push for the local polls. The demonstrators were pulled away by others on the balcony, using what Extinction Rebellion called ‘totally unnecessary and unwarranted violence’.

THROWN OUT

Secretive £400m takeover bid rejected

AUTO Trader has agreed to buy lease deal aggregator Autorama which operates using the Vanarama brand The £200m deal is subject to regulatory approvals, but will give Auto Trader the chance to offer ‘the biggest choice of vehicles’ in the marketplace. Autorama, under its Vanarama brand, has sold more than 120,000 vehicles to date. Vanarama was founded by Andy Alderson in 2004 as a used vehicle dealer, moving into B2B CV leasing in 2007. 28 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

PENDRAGON has thrown out a secretive bid to buy it for £400m. Hedin Group – the automotive retailer’s biggest shareholder – made the secret offer a few weeks ago via subsidiary Hedin Bil at 28p a share, according to Sky News. But Pendragon’s shareholders weren’t told about it and the board rejected it. Pendragon operates in the UK under the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone banner as well as the used car supermarket Car Store.

373 The possible range in miles claimed by Lotus for its Eletre ‘hyper SUV’.

James Batchelor p14

AWARD

Julia Muir honoured for inclusion work

THE Institute of the Motor Industry has paid tribute to the work of Automotive 30% Club founder Julia Muir with a top honour. Muir was given the Sue Brownson Award at the IMI’s annual dinner in recognition of ‘the significant strides she’s achieved in increasing female leadership representation in the industry’. Pictured from left are event MC Nina Hossain, IMI CEO Steve Nash, Julia Muir and IMI board chairman Kevin Finn

From e-bikes to Speedmaster watch wannabes, check out the cool stuff

‘Quote.’ Feature: pXX

Feature: p44

DELIGHT

2021 sees Caterham set new sales record

CATERHAM clocked up its highest sales figure last year, the British sports car maker has said. In total, it shifted 670 cars in 2021 – a 41 per cent increase on 2019, and beating the firm’s previous record-breaking sales of 667 in 2017. Commenting on the results, Graham Macdonald, Caterham’s chief executive, said: ‘While 2021 saw plenty of challenges across the automotive sector, I’m delighted to announce such positive sales figures for Caterham.’

HYPERCAR

Czinger gives H.R. Owen UK exclusive

LOS Angeles-based hypercar manufacturer Czinger has appointed H.R. Owen as its exclusive UK dealer. The announcement comes ahead of Czinger’s 21C hypercar having its dynamic UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June. First deliveries are set to be made in 2023, with production limited to just 80 units. It has a 281mph top speed and can reportedly reach 60mph in under two seconds. Picture: @iamted

PARTNERSHIP

Cazoo offers nothing in the fundamental practice of used car acquisition. The market is simply too competitive.

James Litton p23

DEAL

Sytner Group buys Specialist Cars

SYTNER Group has bought Specialist Cars Holdings Ltd. The strategic deal was for an undisclosed sum and will see owners Clive Fletcher and Michael Donovan retiring from the industry. Specialist Cars, which represents BMW and Mini in Stevenage, Luton and Tring, had been under their ownership since a management buyout in 1999. Google Street View image shows Specialist Cars Mini in Tring

Shelbourne Motors adds Maxus brand

SHELBOURNE Motors has expanded its CV offering by adding Maxus vans to its multi-franchise Newry complex. Andrew Setterfield, pictured right, has been recruited as sales manager to lead the sales strategy for the marque, which is part of the Harris Group. Dedicated sales, servicing and aftersales services will be available. Director Paul Ward, seen left, said: ‘This partnership further strengthens our position as one of Northern Ireland’s leading vehicle retailers’

APPLICATION

Plan lodged for Fiat sales on disused site

A SMALL family Vauxhall dealership has applied for permission to turn a disused building on its site into a Fiat showroom. Bosses at Eastbourne Motoring Centre say it would create six jobs. The site was bought in 2015 and the building has been mostly rented out ever since. The dealerships would be next door to one another and be run by the same management group. A decision is expected on May 9.

BITE-SIZE Click on the text box for the full story

DELIVERY: Mazda has begun shipping cars directly from Japan to Britain for the first time. The first consignment of 2,355 cars – made up of 2022 model-year CX-5s, Mazda3s and CX-30s – arrived at Bristol’s Royal Portbury Dock on March 28.

FORECAST: The global semiconductor shortage could last until next year, says BMW’s boss. CEO Oliver Zipse told Swiss daily newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung: ‘We will still have to deal with a fundamental shortage in 2023.’

BANNED: The DVLA has released a 343-strong list of 22 plates that will be banned after being deemed obscene or offensive. They include ‘A22 HLE’, ‘BA22 TRD’, ‘BE22 END’, ‘BU22 GER’, ‘CO22 ONA’, CO22 VD’, ‘PO22 RNO’ and ‘VA22 GNA’.

MOVE: Charity Ben is to throw its annual flagship ball at a new venue this year. Previously held at The Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, it’s moving across the capital to Old Billingsgate Market in the heart of the City for this year’s event on December 7.

LAUNCH: Tesla has opened its first European Gigafactory on the outskirts of Berlin to challenge German carmakers on their home turf. The US EV company said the new site will employ 12,000 people and produce 500,000 vehicles a year. CarDealerMag.co.uk | 29

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Holistic underwriting process and personal service underpins everything we do, taking time to get the know our clients Dealers and Brokers have direct access to Credit Underwriters Lending from £25K For more information call 020 3355 0047 or visit jbrcapital.com Finance and terms subject to status. JBR Capital Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm reference number is 682493.

30 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

PARTNER

If the car industry we know and love is to continue to thrive, we must all play our part in being more sustainable

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Darren Selig, founder and chief commercial officer of high-end vehicle finance lender JBR Capital, reflects on the car market’s rapid transition to electric – and how business practices have to keep pace.

Every company in 2022 has a responsibility to look at its own impact on the planet – and if you haven’t done so already, then what are you waiting for? Darren Selig JBR Capital founder and chief commercial officer

‘A

dapt or die’, says Brad Pitt in the baseball film Moneyball. If you haven’t seen it, the quote comes at a pivotal moment where Pitt’s radical new team-selecting methods are being questioned by an old hand. It’s a metaphor for every business: moving with the times can be difficult but it’s absolutely vital to ensure not just that your operation stays relevant, but that it continues to flourish. And has a future. Right now, the automotive industry is undergoing one of the biggest changes in its history and, without a doubt, this shift is requiring some serious adaptation. You only have to look at the figures to see how rapid the growth is in electric car sales. In March, Brits bought 39,315 new pure EVs – that’s more zero-emission vehicles sold in one month than in the whole of 2019 (37,850). At JBR Capital, we’re seeing that, too. While the core of our business remains high-end internal combustionengined supercars, we’re being inundated with demand for finance on high-performance electric vehicles such as Porsche’s Taycan. For these customers, that new EV may simply be a daily driver – but it might also be a total replacement for a petrol sports car. Whatever the reason, there is a significant trend taking place. This shift is being accompanied by a focus on sustainable business practices like never before. Every company in 2022 has a responsibility to look at its own impact on the planet – and if you haven’t done so already, then what are you waiting for? We’ve been thinking about this a lot over the past year. We love the sound of internal combustion engines as much as our customers do – exhibit A being the exhaust note of the new Cayman GT4 RS at 9,000rpm – but if we, as a sector, want to carry on enjoying these wonderful cars, then we have to do so in as sustainable a manner as possible. Our mantra is ‘Fund your passion’, and as a highly responsible business and champion of this industry, we want to preserve driving pleasure. That’s why we recently introduced an initiative to offset the emissions of customers’ ICE cars for the first 5,000 miles of a finance agreement. This enables clients to enjoy a passion for driving and simultaneously fits in perfectly with our ethos. I’m very proud of this. And if I can puff my chest out for a moment, no-one else in the finance world is offering anything like it. Also, as a father of three young boys (the initials of JBR Capital each stand for their names), I am also very mindful, as any parent is, that what we do today impacts on tomorrow. I’m also proud that we’re working with one of the leading creators of redefined electric classics, too. Everrati takes icons such as the Porsche 964 and repowers them with a state-of-the-art EV drivetrain. Its CEO, Justin Lunny, tells me that surging demand for its products is being led by sustainability-conscious millennials and Gen-Z buyers who want an iconic car from the ’80s and ’90s but would no more consider one with an internal combustion engine than they would taking up smoking. For them, it’s EV power only – and with finance an expected purchasing method. All of which shows that our industry is evolving in ways we might never have considered. It’s all very exciting indeed and I’m hugely glad to be part of it. And while I’m no Brad Pitt (nor much of a baseball fan), something tells me that adapting successfully might just help you, and your business, be in a league of your own.

For more information visit jbrcapital.com CarDealerMag.co.uk | 31

FORECOURT

MASERATI GRECALE

Under the bonnet 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine pumps out 523bhp and 620Nm of torque.

Maserati has expanded its line-up with a smaller SUV. Ted Welford went to Milan to find out if it has what it takes in a competitive segment.

THE KNOWLEDGE Maserati Grecale Trofeo

Base price: £60,000 (approx) Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol Power: 523bhp Torque: 620Nm Max speed: 177mph O-60mph: 3.6 seconds MPG (combined): 25.2mpg Emissions: 254g/km CO2

WHAT IS IT? The Grecale is designed to sit underneath the marque’s Levante as well as rival cars such as the Porsche Macan and Range Rover Velar in the lucrative premium mid-size SUV market. WHAT’S NEW? There are three engines on offer, while next year will see the new electric Grecale Folgore added. Elsewhere, there’s a range of ‘technology firsts’ for Maserati, including a new headup display, its largest touchscreen to date and a completely redesigned interior layout. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? Kicking off the Grecale line-up are a pair of 2.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engines, producing 296bhp in the standard GT trim level and 325bhp in the Modena grade. But here we’re trying the flagship Trofeo model, which uses a revised version of the brand’s new 3.0-litre V6 engine that’s taken from the MC20, with drive sent to all four wheels (although with a strong rear bias) through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Put your foot down and it soon gathers pace, while in ‘Sport’ mode and on full chat the engine and exhaust sound excellent. Put it in ‘Comfort’ mode, avoid the tendency to press the sport dampers button and the ride is compliant, if having a firm edge to it. Our set route was largely restricted to motorway and inner-city driving, so full judgement on its handling will be reserved until we can try it in the UK, but the signs are certainly promising. HOW DOES IT LOOK? This SUV has a certain anonymity. Being ultra-critical, the front end makes it appear like a Ford Puma (a crossover costing a fraction of the price), while the sloping rear window and lights have strong Jaguar tones to them. There are some great touches, though, including a fantastic set of alloy wheels, along with a superb set of colours to pick from, but the whole design package lacks the glamour and coherence usually expected from a Maserati. WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? One area where there are no complaints is the Grecale’s interior. It’s a big step up from Maserati’s current line-up, with the quality and technology coming on in leaps and bounds.

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TARGET BUYERS:

Premium family SUV buyers looking for something different to the usual German marques.

THE RIVALS:

BMW X4 Porsche Macan Range Rover Velar

KEY SELLING POINTS:

Looks It lacks the glamour that you’d expect from a Maserati but there are still some great touches, including colour options.

Interior The Grecale’s cabin feels like a wonderful place to be, with great quality and technology.

One area where there are no complaints is the Grecale’s interior.

1. Upmarket interior. 2. Exclusive badge. 3. Strong performance from the Trofeo.

DEAL CLINCHER:

A Maserati that – for the first time in a while – offers little need to compromise.

THE CARS THE MASERATI GRECALE WILL GO UP AGAINST From the leather dashboard to the huge metal gearshift paddles, it really feels like a special place to be, with the figure-hugging sports seats adding greatly to the Trofeo experience. One gripe, though, is the buttons on the steering wheel, which look and feel cheap to use and let down an otherwise excellent cabin. The Grecale certainly impresses when it comes to spaciousness, though, with this SUV having a large and practical 570-litre boot (540 litres in non-Trofeo models because of their mild-hybrid system). Rear space is also excellent, with adults given plenty of room. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? If you like a car to feel modern inside, the Grecale will impress. It’s like a tech show in here, with a large 12.3-inch digital cockpit and clear head-up display fitted. Two touchscreens also replace virtually all physical buttons and they’re both wrapped into a single piece of glass that appears folded. Sometimes, such all-encompassing screens can seem a bit distracting, but both of the Grecale’s are easy to use on the move. Large 19-inch alloy wheels, a Sonus Faber sound system plus a full leather interior are included as standard on the GT mode, too. Upgrade to the Modena and you get a wider track, giving it a more impressive stance, along with even larger 20-inch wheels and a sportier styling kit. At the top of the range is the Trofeo, which you’re primarily paying for because of its V6 engine and range of mechanical tweaks, although other extras include a perforated leather cabin, a sports exhaust system and plenty of carbon fibre. Maserati is yet to confirm pricing, but it’s expected the Grecale will start from around £60,000, with Trofeo models commanding a rather larger premium. WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK? Auto Express said: ‘The Grecale is the car Maserati has needed in its line-up for nearly a decade. It offers something a little different in the small luxury SUV sector and that alone will be enough for some to buy it.’ WHAT DO WE THINK? The interior and technology feel like a big advance, and for the first time in a long time a Maserati cabin feels good enough to justify the high price. It’s not the perfect package though, with the design not feeling distinctive or glamorous enough in a segment where style really matters, while the driving experience still needs to be proved on UK roads. CarDealerMag.co.uk | 33

FEATURE

MASERATI

Mercedes GLC

The GLC has been a mainstay in the Mercedes range of SUVs for a little while now, sitting in between the smaller GLB and larger GLE. It brings, for many drivers, the best of both worlds thanks to a raised ride height but a relatively compact bodystyle. It’s also got a particularly highend interior, with a variety of glossy touchscreens helping to give the GLC’s cabin a futuristic feel.

THE CARS IT WILL GO UP AGAINST Firm’s new mid-size SUV is entering a very competitive segment. Jack Evans takes a closer look at its competition.

aserati has just unveiled its new Grecale – a mid-size SUV that slots neatly underneath its existing Levante model. With a multitude of powertrain options – alongside a fully electric version that will arrive soon – it’s definitely weighing into this hugely competitive segment with a lot of equipment on its side. But that’s not to say it’ll be plain sailing. The Grecale has numerous rivals to go up against, but what are they and what do they offer? Let’s take a look...

Porsche Macan

The Macan is a car the Grecale has squarely in its sights. Porsche’s popular SUV has become the segment leader in driving dynamics and driver involvement, infusing the model with some of the sparkle usually reserved for its sports cars. Recently updated with a muchimproved interior and a slightly sharper exterior design, the Macan is definitely the one to beat in this segment. 34 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Audi Q5

Audi’s Q5 is a popular option within the SUV sector, thanks to its premium interior and refined driving experience. It’s also available with a good variety of engines, ranging from entry-level petrol and diesels right up to the performanceorientated SQ5. The Q5, like others here, has been recently updated, bringing an even classier design alongside a more user-friendly interior.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The Stelvio has been a real hit for Alfa Romeo. It’s easily one of the most dynamic to drive in this sector, while its exterior design really helps it to stand out in this class. It’s even got a good range of engines to choose from. At the top of its line-up sits the Quadrifoglio, which brings some real excitement to the market, courtesy of a 2.9-litre twinturbocharged V6 engine.

BMW X3/X4

BMW already has a long history when it comes to creating SUVs, with its recent X3 and coupe-styled X4 key options within the line-up. These models have also had a recent facelift to ensure they stay current in a very fast-moving market. The X3 and X4 can be specified with a variety of engines, while the fully electric iX3 has the zero-emissions side of things covered, too.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 35

FORECOURT

DACIA JOGGER

THE KNOWLEDGE Dacia Jogger Comfort Price (as tested): £16,595 Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol Power: 109bhp Torque: 200Nm Max speed: 114mph O-60mph: 11 seconds MPG (combined): 47.1-49.6 Emissions: 130-131g/km CO2

Under the bonnet

The 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine produces 109bhp and 200Nm of torque.

Dacia’s new Jogger arrives with a cleverly packaged interior and space for seven. Jack Evans discovers if it might just be the all-rounder of the moment. WHAT IS IT? Dacia has been a company with one eye on the financial purse strings for a while now, offering cars that have tremendous value at their very core. The new Jogger aims to take that one step further with a more spacious, practical and family-focused approach than ever. WHAT’S NEW? It’s got the chunky looks you might associate with the crossover segment but there’s some real background to the whole affair. It’s a seven-seater – and the cheapest one on sale at the moment at that – plus it’s based on Renault Group’s CMF-B platform, which brings a more upmarket ride and better in-car storage flexibility. Dacia has also approached the Jogger with a real focus on weight. So while others in this class might feel somewhat bogged down, the Jogger’s 1,200kg kerb weight means it’s light and easy to drive. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? From launch, there’s just a single engine option available. It’s a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that brings 109bhp and 200Nm of torque. Although 11 seconds to hit 60mph might not be exactly pacy, it has a decent amount of punch and, because of the car’s light weight, actually feels a little quicker in reality. It’s all sent through a sixspeed manual gearbox. Dacia will add a petrol-electric hybrid option to the range in 2023. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? It’s not quick away from the line, but the peppy three-cylinder is willing and keen to get up to speed. The six-speed manual is light in its action and so is the clutch, so it’s a doddle to drive around town. There’s a small amount of wind noise when travelling at speed, but it’s not overbearing in the slightest. You get a great view, too, with the Jogger’s slightly elevated driving position allowing a clear look around. It does feel quite long, mind you, and you have to get acclimatised to that, but large wing mirrors and a decent amount of rear visibility help to address this. HOW DOES IT LOOK? The front end, with its stylish headlights and chrome grille, definitely looks the part, while around the back the tail rear lights have a certain Volvo-esque feel to them.

36 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

It only struggles with the area past the rear windows – it can look a little ‘stuck on’ from some angles. However, given the Jogger’s real focus on function, it’s a resoundingly successful look, to our eyes at least. WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? It’s in the cabin where the Jogger feels most at the top of its game. You won’t find plush materials nor soft-touch plastics here, but given the car’s price, you really can’t fault it for that. No, the Jogger’s interior has been designed to be as practical as possible. Both the second and third row of seats are light and easy to move, with the middle row rolling forward to grant access to the back. And those rearmost seats? They can be removed entirely should you need to and doing so is really easy too. There’s plenty of space, with a huge amount of headroom for those in the middle row. The rearmost chairs will no doubt be best suited to kids, but even taller adults will be able to get comfy there over shorter periods of time. Boot space is 212 litres with all seats in place, rising to 2,085 litres with the rearmost seats removed and middle row folded down. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? Entry-level ‘Essential’ models boast air conditioning and parking sensors, as well as Dacia’s ‘Media Control’ infotainment system that uses a smartphone as the ‘heart’. But at £16,595, the mid-spec ‘Comfort’ still offers great value, with additional features such as a reversing camera and heated door mirrors. You also get cool modular roof rails that pivot out from the main ‘rails’ to form bars on to which you can then mount features such as a roof box. At the top of the chain sits the £17,395 Extreme SE. Here, there are 16-inch alloy wheels and extra styling elements, but in truth, it’s starting to price the Jogger away from its core ethos. WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK? Top Gear said: ‘Dacia’s focused relentlessly on building the best-value seven-seater – everything else is a bonus.’ What Car? said: ‘You could be forgiven for thinking that spending so little on an MPV would bring big compromises, but the Dacia Jogger is a well-thought-out people mover with genuine seven-seat usability, decent driving dynamics and plenty of equipment.’ WHAT DO WE THINK? The Jogger feels like a car made for our time. Sure, it’s not going to be setting any lap records, but where efficiency, spaciousness and budget-friendliness are concerned, it’s very impressive indeed. Dacia’s whole approach to the car has been well thought out and executed, while the firm’s ability to create a decent seven-seater that can be sold for under £15,000 is to be commended. All the car you could ever really need? The Jogger certainly feels that way.

TARGET BUYERS:

Style

Those who want seven-seater versatility at a fraction of the price of rivals.

The rear of the Jogger has a Volvo-esque feel, while the front gets stylish headlights and a chrome grille.

THE RIVALS:

Skoda Kodiaq Volkswagen Caddy Peugeot e-Rifter

Inside

The cabin has been designed to be as practical as possible, with plenty of space front and rear.

KEY SELLING POINTS:

1. Impressively low price. 2. Spacious interior. 3. Decent levels of equipment.

DEAL CLINCHER:

Dacia’s whole approach to the car has been well thought out and executed.

The Jogger might be one of the most compelling options on the new car market today. Spacious and practical, it’s bound to go down a treat with families.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 37

FORECOURT

SUZUKI VITARA

THE KNOWLEDGE Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid SZ5 2W AGS Price (as tested): £28,334 Engine: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Power: 113bhp Torque: 138Nm Max speed: 111mph O-60mph: 12.5 seconds MPG (combined): 53 Emissions: 121g/km CO2

38 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Under the bonnet

The 1.5-litre petrol engine combined with a 140V lithium-ion battery delivers 113bhp and 138Nm of torque.

Suzuki is expanding its electrified range with a new hybrid version of its Vitara crossover. Ted Welford has been checking it out. WHAT IS IT? Suzuki was one of the first manufacturers to introduce a mild-hybrid, while today every car sold in the UK comes with some form of hybrid system, whether it be mild, full or a plug-in. So far, the last two have come from a partnership with Toyota, which effectively lets Suzuki rebadge the former’s Corolla and Rav4 as the Swace and Across respectively. Now, though, it’s rolling out its own in-house-developed full hybrid system, which makes its first outing here on the brand’s compact Vitara SUV. WHAT’S NEW? This new Vitara powertrain uses an adapted 1.5-litre petrol engine from the loveable-ifflawed Jimny, and pairs it with an electric motor and battery. But the Vitara gets no other changes as part of this new hybrid version, with the exception of a new ‘Eco’ driving mode. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? The redeveloped 1.5-litre petrol engine is connected to a 140V lithium-ion battery and inverter, but the stats don’t make for the most impressive reading, with the combined setup putting out just 113bhp and 138Nm of torque. These also aren’t favourable next to the mildhybrid version, which makes 127bhp and 235Nm of torque. It’s worth noting that an ‘All Grip’ all-wheel-drive model remains available, which is somewhat of a rarity in this class. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? One of the best things about the standard Vitara is its boosty petrol engine, and when combined with the manual gearbox it’s actually decent to drive. But sadly this new full hybrid doesn’t have much going for it. It’s 2.5 seconds slower to 60mph than the standard car, and while this isn’t a vehicle that’s all about performance, it really is exceptionally slow – not helped by the powersapping six-speed automated manual gearbox, which is a real letdown. When you need some power, such as when pulling away from a junction, it just dillydallies about and gives you nothing for what feels like seconds. There are a few positives, though, as it will quite easily return close to 50mpg in steady driving (but so will the mildhybrid) and it’s comfortable enough in most settings.

HOW DOES IT LOOK? Suzuki hasn’t changed the look of the Vitara at all, and it remains quite an appealing and sturdy-looking choice. There are some very bright colours for those who don’t like anything too monochrome – such as the fluorescent Solar Yellow and Atlantis Turquoise – which in tandem with the contrasting black roof make for quite a smartly styled SUV. The boxy and chunky looks will appeal to people who like something more rugged-looking, and it sits noticeably higher up than rivals such the Ford Puma and Renault Captur. WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? There’s the same cheap tablet-like touchscreen in the middle, which isn’t high tech but functional and easy enough to use, while the buttons and layout– while lacking in ‘premium’ feel – are easy to use and operate on the move. The leather and suede-effect seats on top-spec cars look and feel the part too, although the same can’t be said for all the materials used in the Vitara’s cabin. There’s not a vast amount of space on offer either, as the boot measures just 289 litres thanks to the lack of underfloor storage – because of the room taken up by the battery. If you have passengers in the rear, it’s worth avoiding the top-spec SZ5 too, as while its panoramic glass roof is a nice high-end touch, it puts a significant dent into headroom. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? One area where there are no complaints is equipment levels. Even as standard, the SZ-T features 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control and the touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and sat nav. It also provides class-leading levels of safety equipment, including adaptive cruise control plus blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring. Move up to the SZ5 – which you have to if you want all-wheel drive – and it brings a panoramic sunroof, suede seat upholstery plus front and rear parking sensors. As for pricing, the full hybrid starts at £25,499 – £1,750 more than the mild-hybrid, although you’re also paying for the automatic gearbox – and rises to just short of £30,000 for a top-spec all-wheel-drive car. WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK? Autocar said: ‘The new full hybrid version is more expensive [than the mild-hybrid] yet worse in every appreciable way.’

This hybrid model is less powerful, much slower, more expensive and not as nice to drive as the mild-hybrid Vitara.

WHAT DO WE THINK? There’s really not a huge amount going for this new Suzuki Vitara full hybrid, and its main weakness is the fact the standard car is better in most areas. This hybrid model is less powerful, much slower, more expensive and not as nice to drive as the mild-hybrid Vitara, with its only real advantage being that it’ll be slightly cheaper to run. If you like the Vitara, choose the mild-hybrid, though you’ll have to settle for a manual gearbox.

Style

The new colour range with contrasting roof colour makes for a smart-looking SUV.

TARGET BUYERS:

Loyal Suzuki owners looking for a hybrid-powered model.

THE RIVALS: Ford Puma Renault Captur Kia Niro Hybrid

KEY SELLING POINTS:

1. Efficient hybrid setup. 2. Lots of standard equipment. 3. All-wheel-drive available.

DEAL CLINCHER: Cabin

Low running costs and generous equipment levels.

The interior is certainly less than premium, but although the touchscreen isn’t high tech, it’s easy to use when on the move. CarDealerMag.co.uk | 39

FORECOURT

JEEP RENEGADE E-HYBRID Jeep is continuing its roll-out of electrified models with a new mild-hybrid system. Ted Welford headed to Italy to try it out. WHAT IS IT? As the climate crisis worsens and legislation forces manufacturers to take action, Jeep is introducing mild-hybrid versions of the Renegade and Compass. WHAT’S NEW? Rather than electrify an existing engine, the setup here is all new for Jeep, including the unit itself and gearbox. There’s also a special edition called the Upland that aims to major on sustainability with a range of recycled materials to promote Jeep’s ‘eco’ credentials. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? This new e-Hybrid setup uses a turbocharged four-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine, combined with an electric motor housed within the new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. There’s a belt-starter-generator electric motor, too. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? The e-Hybrid powertrain isn’t as pleasant as you’d hope. Though Jeep claims the transition between electric and petrol is ‘silent’, it’s really not, with the powertrain feeling clunky and indecisive at times. The engine itself is held back by the hesitancy of the gearbox, too. That said, the light controls of the Renegade make it easy to drive and park around town. HOW DOES IT LOOK? In an age where people are trying to make their cars look like ‘coupes’, there’s something refreshing about its boxy and chunky styling, which makes it look a lot more rugged than many of its rivals. It’s packed with cool details too, such as the iconic seven-slot grille.

THE KNOWLEDGE Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid Upland Price (as tested): £31,130 Engine: 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol Power: 128bhp Torque: 240Nm Max speed: 118mph 0-60mph: 9.5 seconds MPG: N/A Emissions: 130-139g/km CO2

TARGET BUYERS:

Families looking for a crossover that’s a bit different to the norm.

THE RIVALS: Ford Puma Nissan Juke Suzuki Vitara

KEY SELLING POINTS:

1. Cool and distinctive styling. 2. Plenty of interior space. 3. Lots of standard equipment.

DEAL CLINCHER:

A Jeep with considerably lower running costs than you might expect.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? Not a lot has changed about the Renegade’s interior, and it’s the part that is just starting to show its age. It isn’t as plush inside as many rivals are, while the 8.4-inch touchscreen and analogue dials just feel a bit old fashioned. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? Oddly for a special-edition trim, the Upland is the entry-level option, although you still get a wide range of equipment, including 17-inch alloys, heated front seats and adaptive cruise control. Upgrade to the S and there’s some nice leather upholstery along with more safety kit. It’s worth noting the e-Hybrid doesn’t come cheap, though, with prices starting from £31,130 for the Upland and £1,000 more for the S. WHAT DO WE THINK? Jeep should be applauded for increasingly looking to electrify its range, and by the end of the year it aims to have rooted out pretty much all its non-electrified cars in Europe. This e-Hybrid doesn’t show the Renegade at its best, though, as the powertrain lacks refinement and finesse and it’s not hugely efficient. If you want an electrified Jeep, it could be worth going for the much better plug-in hybrid or looking at more conventional and noticeably cheaper rivals such as the Ford Puma and Volkswagen Taigo. 40 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

The cabin

The Renegade’s interior is starting to show its age and it’s not as plush as some of its rivals.

1961

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 41

FEATURE

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF BMW’S M DIVISION BMW’s famous M performance division hits a golden milestone this year. Jack Evans takes a look at some of its most famous models.

MW’s M division hits 50 this year, marking an incredible milestone for one of the best-known names in the business. Since 1972, it has created some of the most iconic and desired performance cars, consistently delivering vehicles that have gained the attention of motoring enthusiasts the world over. Here, we’re going to take a stroll down memory lane to look at some of BMW M’s finest creations.

BMW M1

Arguably one of BMW M’s most recognisable cars, the M1 was the first car to feature that iconic letter. Making its debut at the 1978 Paris Motor Show, the M1’s wedge shape was an instant head-turner, while its 277bhp six-cylinder engine backed up these looks with some serious performance, too. Just 460 examples were created, while the M1 was then a feature in the one-make Procar racing series.

BMW M5

BMW M635CSi

Though many might lean towards the M535i, we’d have to pick out the beautiful M635CSi as another key entrant on this list. BMW M took the elegant lines of the 6 Series and installed a 282bhp engine to give it a whole lot of punch. Extremely limited in number, the M635CSi commands serious attention, even today.

42 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Few could’ve imagined that the arrival of the original M5 would go on to start a lineage of cars stretching for decades. On the outside, it looked like a humble saloon car, but it packed the same four-valve straight-six as the M635CSi, exceeding the amount of power you got from the regular 518i by nearly three times.

BMW M3

It was in 1986 that BMW M would create one of its most iconic models – the M3. This compact saloon car was an instant success, with its fourcylinder 16-valve engine combined with a lightweight body to create an agile yet composed performance car.

The BMW M5 returns

The M5 made its triumphant return in 1988, bringing a straight-six engine – originally a 3.6-litre and later a 3.8-litre. Just as stealthy as its predecessor, this new generation of M5 brought a more refined character. Plus, it was available as an estate – or ‘touring’ – broadening its appeal and giving it some added practicality.

BMW Z3 M Coupe

In the late ’90s, BMW created a real cult classic – the Z3 M Coupe. Known affectionately as the ‘clown shoe’, it featured the compact and lightweight body of the regular Z3 but took its power from the second-generation M3.

Arrival of the E46

The new millennium saw the arrival of an M3 generation that would go on to define the sports car – the E46. Featuring more performance mechanicals than ever, this third-generation M3 could manage 0-60mph in around five seconds yet be easily driven every day. Later on, in 2003 a lightweight CSL version would be created, using a variety of carbon-fibre elements to drive down weight and improve handling.

The V10 M5 and M6

BMW M went all out in 2004 with the arrival of the V10-powered M5 and M6. The former was the most powerful up to that point, bringing 500bhp and 520Nm to the table, with 0-60mph taking just 4.5 seconds. In fact, the M5 would do 124mph in just 15 seconds.

The V8 M3

BMW turned the dial up on the M3 in 2007, fitting it with a new 4.0-litre V8 engine. It made it a proper muscle car, while a lightweight construction meant that the M3 still handled as elegantly as its predecessors. Available as both a coupe and saloon, it proved a very popular generation.

1 Series M Coupe

BMW M would go back to its compact roots in 2010 with the 1M Coupe – a punchy take on the thennew 1 Series Coupe. Kitted out with a straight-six engine, the 1M’s lightweight handling and strong performance made it a cult classic. Even today, 1M values continue to rise.

A striking M3 arrives

The M3 goes modern

In 2014, the M3 arrived with a revolution – a turbocharged engine. As well as the standard saloon, a coupe version – now badged M4 – was made available, while a more agile M3 CS would arrive later on.

BMW M turns to SUVs

In 2021, the fun really started with the arrival of the G20-generation M3 Competition and M4 Competition. This new generation of M3 and M4 didn’t hold back in terms of performance and design, while an upcoming M3 Touring will give enthusiasts the car they’ve been wanting for years.

The M5 goes all-wheel drive

BMW cars are famous for their rear-wheel-drive layout, but that all changed in 2017 with the new M5. It used a clever all-wheel-drive system – as well as a 4.4-litre V8 engine – to bring brutal acceleration but a whole lot of traction, too.

BMW M had already made a brief foray into the world of SUVs, but in 2019 it created some of its most powerful with the X3 M and X4 M. Both used the same 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, while more powerful Competition versions came with a fearsome 503bhp.

The future

BMW M has showcased an awareness of the future with its i4 M50 – the division’s first electric car. From here, we can only see the number of electric M cars increasing as EV demand surges. One thing’s for sure: the future looks exciting! CarDealerMag.co.uk | 43

FEATURE.

COOL STUFF It’s been a busy old month when it comes to cool products. We’ve had a whole lot of new releases from across the spectrum, meaning that if you’re after something that beeps, flashes, folds, ticks or grips then you’re definitely in luck. Here are highlights from the past few weeks.

VanMoof S5

£2,298

THE e-bike world has absolutely exploded in recent years, with people of all types seeing a real benefit in opting for these battery-assisted options. The VanMoof S5 is a pretty sharp bit of kit, with a tubular design more reminiscent of Dutch-style shopper bikes. It’s got a top speed of 15.5mph, plus a clever USB port and holder that uses your smartphone as an on-board sat nav.

Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280 trail-running shoe

£160

TRAIL running gets you up and out into nature but does add some extra requirements from your trainer. It’s why the trail-running-focused section of the running segment has expanded so much recently, with these knobbly, comfortable options being snapped up by buyers. Inov-8 is one of the most trusted names in the business and has just released what it calls the ‘ulimate road-to-trail running shoe’ in the snappily titled Parkclaw G 280. With grippy soles and a comfy foam midsole, this could be the running shoe for all occasions.

Helinox Chair Zero High Back

Omega x Swatch Moonswatch

£207

IT’S crazy what a little bit of hype will do, isn’t it? Swatch and Omega partnered up on a new, value-focused model that mimicked the look of the classic Omega Speedmaster at a fraction of the price. Then the buzz about the Moonswatch got around and shops in London were being closed after 10 minutes because of demand, with examples selling for several thousand pounds online. It isn’t a limited edition, so hold on and you should be able to get one online soon. 44 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

£159

SOMETIMES it’s nice to stop and take a moment to relax when you’re out and about, isn’t it? Adventure firm Helinox understands that people like to do this, so has designed a range of lightweight yet comfortable chairs that fold up in next to no time. The Chair Zero High Back is one of its latest examples, acting as a comfortable seat that weighs just under two pounds. It’s backed by a five-year warranty, too.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Cheers to the fundraising dinner!

New app will revolutionise the way used car dealers buy and sell

Motor industry professionals raise more than £13,000 for charity at inaugural dinner

rade 2 Trade raised more than £13,000 for a cancer organisation at its first annual charity dinner, with Tiff Needell entertaining as guest speaker and Car Quay’s Jamie Caple acting as a highly persuasive master auctioneer. A total of 150 motor trade professionals attended the fantastic evening of music, fine food and fundraising in aid of Cavendish Cancer Care. This is a charity very close to the hearts of the T2T team – joint CEO Ben Mitchell and customer liaison manager Zoe Johnson from Team T2T were helped by the services of the Cavendish centre after the sad loss of their father in October 2021. The event – held on February 26 – got off to a lively start, as lots of people in the room had often dealt with one another via the T2T app and 21,000-strong Facebook group CSDG (Car Sales Dealer Group) but had never actually met! It was a great chance for everyone to introduce themselves and cement what were already great working relationships! As the night continued and the drinks carried on flowing nicely, Tiff Needell gave everyone a fantastic insight into his career highs and lows, including a few inside stories about the time he worked with Jeremy Clarkson. Next up was the charity auction, with Tiff rightly pointing out that everyone should forget about the monetary value of the prizes and focus more on what the money was being raised for. With that said, nobody’s bidding disappointed! A phenomenal sum of money was raised, with motor-trade-favouriteturned-auctioneer-for-the-night Jamie Caple from Car Quay even managing to get a whole table to club together to pay £1,000 for a CSDG mug! The whole night raised more than £13,000 – an incredible amount for the well worthy charity. Ben said: ‘We are over the moon with the success of the whole evening and so thankful to everyone who took the time to come and enjoy the night with us. Everyone’s generosity was extremely humbling, proving that the motor trade truly is just one big family!’ Trade 2 Trade founder James Vaughan said: ‘This is the first of many special evenings we intend to organise and we can’t wait for the next one, so watch this space!’

Everyone’s generosity was extremely humbling, proving that the motor trade truly is just one big family!

he new app by Trade 2 Trade is set to revolutionise the way used car dealers buy and sell trade vehicles. It offers a sophisticated e-commerce platform that builds on the original app launched in 2020 – a platform that has become the UK’s number one marketplace to trade used cars with a community. There are currently around 1,700 members who collectively list more than 3,000 vehicles each month. Fuelled by feedback, the team has put a great deal of investment and commitment into refining it to create a safer, slicker and simpler app for desktop and mobile. The new Trade 2 Trade app has been engineered to combine efficiency and profitability with networking and safety. Key features have ingenuity at the forefront and include details such as push notifications, in-app calling and keyword search so that app users never miss a car again.

To discover how our new app can help your dealership, go to trade2trade.co.uk and register today CarDealerMag.co.uk | 45

FEEDBACK TOP TWEETS

This month, Cazoo came under fire on BBC One’s Watchdog. Here’s what you had to say…

Your comments via email to editorial@blackballmedia.co.uk

Customer is threatening court action after owning car for 11 months – what should I do? A customer who bought their car through Zuto has come back after 11 months saying it has problems, wants to return it for the full price that she paid and is threatening to take me to court. Where do I stand on this issue? Chan Do you have previous dealings with this car or is this the first mention of problems? For example, did you do warranty work and these repairs are now possibly recurring? It’s me

PaulBushUK @PaulBushUK

If Cazoo can’t provide a document to Watchdog showing each part of the 300-point check has been done, then one has to ask if it really happened.

She came back earlier for a different problem that we fixed, which was a key barrel problem and back window not coming down. Chan

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

So, minor issues, therefore the car has behaved and the problem she has now is not related to these issues and has been used for 11 months and X miles. The problem is more Zuto than the small claims threatening. What do Zuto say? It’s me Zuto hasn’t contacted me yet. Do you think Zuto would ask me to take the car back even after 11 months? Chan

Lee Wadlow @Leewads

Very odd they can’t provide a copy of the 300-point check. Worried about advisories

🤷

Bruce J Beaton @beaton_bruce 300 not 289 or 316? Exactly 300!

‘Fool’ marks go to Caterham for its April 1 prank this year – announcing a move into the food industry! This ‘DIY snack kit’ comprised cheese, ham and crackers – a nod to the fact that you can buy all the parts for a Caterham and make it yourself. ‘Seven-ses’ was, of course, a play on its most famous model, the Seven, that riffed on ‘elevenses’.

They will ask for sure as it’s an easy out for them. How much mileage has the customer done? Run the maths and sometimes these returns are a gold mine. No chance on earth would I repay the full amount. Justina3 Eleven months? I wouldn’t even entertain them. Tell ‘em to take you to court. BHM

This is quite true if you’d been paid in conkers, but in this case we’re dealing with another party in the middle, and the old adage ‘Do I need them more than they need me?’ is always my first thought before firing both barrels and shooting myself in both kneecaps. It’s me If I were you I’d ignore it, because she’s really reaching by coming back after 11 months. After six months, it’s up to her to prove there was a problem with the vehicle when sold to her. She’ll have to provide evidence of this to establish the condition of the vehicle when sold to her – which is unlikely to be proved if she’s done a lot of miles and only spotting the issue now. Kayah

More and more of our readers are joining the debate – and it couldn’t be 46 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Our website at CarDealerMag.co.uk

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Forum: CarDealerMagazine.co.uk/forum

PROBLEM

Refund offer was refused and now it’s all escalating Please can I ask you how much you can deduct for a refund? Rucker coming back after five months on 10-year-old R56 Mini Peugeot M14 engine. Is 0.56p per mile usage and £150 for a valet reasonable? He has been using it for five months. Barclaywoodmotorco

months? Any fault can’t have been present since you sold it, surely? In that case, it’s his baby to sort out, not yours. He could have done anything to it. Low oil comes to mind, as they use oil like a BP disaster spills it. David Horgan

Lawgistics recommends 45p per mile but this is only a starting point (dated five years ago). As you have accepted the car back I would assume you have negotiated a fair price for both parties. Get it all in writing and get it all signed off. So many if and buts here though, so it might still be wise to take legal advice. It’s me

They’ve travelled 3,433 miles in five months. Barclaywoodmotorco

Sold it in November 2021. In December, it had a MAP sensor and throttle body fix. He called me in March and said the fault had come back, so I said I’d look at it again for him. He refused and said he wanted a mechanic of his choice. I offered a refund with a fair usage reduction but he refused. I offered to pay half the bill of the £500 estimate at his garage. He refused. Found a direct message to me on my phone dated December 11 thanking me for fixing the car the first time round. He said he is taking this further. Barclaywoodmotorco

Equals £1,544.85 reduction. Seems a fair deal to me. In five months it’s worth a grand extra now, too! Is it using oil? Chain gone? Turbo? If it’s one of those things, then why does the customer expect to return it after five

Has to give you a chance to inspect it, as it could be a scam just to get money out of you. If you hear more, tell him to return the car for inspection and stop driving it. Get him to tell you an exact mileage too at present day. David Horgan

How many miles had they done?

Petrol head

We’ve teamed up with Car Sales Memes to bring you a few of their funniest captions and slogans each month. Enjoy!

Crazy prices and nasty bidders at auction COLCHESTER last night, 18-yr-old Mk1 Focus diesel estate on sale at £500, hammer down at £1,000 plus fees. Someone must be waking up this morning thinking ‘What did I do?’. Metcars Last Wednesday, very low-mileage N reg (yes, N reg) wait for it… Kia Sportage! Last MOT looked pretty tragic to me.....£1,425 on the hammer, so there’ll be another £300+ of fees before they even look at it. They must know something I don’t… BHM

Remember being at Brighouse BCA a few years ago, Golf GTI and my daughter bidding on it. In front of me were three guys who thought girls shouldn’t be in an auction. They are verbal, to the point of me listening very easily – ‘Bid her up, take her £6,000, mate’. So I nip over and say ‘Your last bid is £5,900. Some guys are trotting you.’ Last bid went to them at £6,000 plus fees. They were devastated, yelling at each other. £1,000 over CAP – a lot of money then. Auctioneer saw daughter later and shook her hand. David Horgan

easier to get involved! Sign up to our forum at CarDealerMagazine.co.uk/forum

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DASHBOARD

BUSINESS NEWS

A ROUND-UP OF WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE UK INFLATION

EXPANSION

Warning sounded over hit to national income

BANK of England deputy governor Ben Broadbent has warned that Britain is likely to face the worst external hit to national income from inflation as the Ukraine war compounds the cost-of-living crisis. He said the scale of the impact was potentially unprecedented as the UK braces for inflation to hit a 40-year high of nearly nine per cent in October.

Diageo to invest £40.5m in factories DIAGEO is to double production at its canning factory in Belfast with a £24.5m investment. The drinks giant is also investing £16m in its Runcorn bottling plant. It said the ramping-up of production was needed to meet growing demand for Guinness at home and abroad. Existing warehouses at the Belfast facility are being converted into a new packaging line capable of producing 72,000 cans an hour. The Runcorn investment will upgrade its bottling line and expand warehousing. Deirdre Delaney, pictured, operations manager at the Belfast site, said: ‘The £24.5m investment will further support our supply chains and local communities.’

PERFORMANCE

Moonpig hikes revenue forecast to £300m

STABLECOINS

Plan unveiled to let Brits pay with crypto money THE government has moved closer to bringing crypto money into the mainstream as it unveiled plans that would allow so-called stablecoins to be used as payment in the UK. Stablecoins, a form of crypto that is pegged to normal currencies, will be regulated in the same way as normal money when they are used for payments, the Treasury said. They only move in value if the traditional currency they are linked to changes, making them better to use than, say, bitcoin.

48 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

MOONPIG says that a successful Mother’s Day and positive postlockdown trends helped drive a ‘strong’ trading performance for the current financial year. The online card retailer upgraded its revenue expectations for the year to April 30 to about £300m. It had previously predicted about £285m. The company is investing in its networks to increase sales capacity.

2013 WINNER

WINNER

ECONOMY

Growth accelerates despite spread of Omicron

THE UK economy grew at a faster pace than first thought in the final three months of 2021 despite the spread of coronavirus variant Omicron, according to lastest figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said economic growth accelerated to 1.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of the year, versus the initial estimate of one per cent. It marked a bounceback on downwardly revised growth of 0.9 per cent in the third quarter of last year.

Thank you for your vote! Finance Provider of the Year (Sub-Prime)

TAKEOVER

John Menzies accepts £571m bid BOSSES at John Menzies have accepted a £571m takeover bid for the air services company by a subsidiary of Agility Public Warehousing. The offer from the Kuwaiti rival follows two previous lower bids. Founded as a bookshop in 1833, it later became a news distributor. Various acquisitions put it into the airport services sector in the 1980s, and it sold its distribution arm in 2018 to private equity firm Endless for £74.5m.

PARTNER WITH AN AWARD-WINNING COMPANY 0115 946 6260

enquiries@frfl.co.uk

frfl.co.uk/car CarDealerMag.co.uk | 49

DASHBOARD

INDUSTRY VIEWS NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM CAR DEALER LIVE JBR CAPITAL

I don’t think rates going up to 1.2 per cent by the end of this year is going to significantly impact the luxury sector market. Darren Selig JBR Capital founder and chief commercial officer

Customers may question rise in interest rates but they’ll quickly adjust to them

ising interest rates and a squeeze on incomes is unlikely to affect sales of luxury and performance cars this year because ‘owners have seen it all before’. That’s the view of the founder and chief commercial officer of luxury car finance provider JBR Capital. Darren Selig predicted sales of high-end cars will stay strong this year despite the rising cost of living. ‘I’ve seen rates rise, come down and go back up again. ‘You see these headlines, “interest rates highest ever in the UK for 13 years”, “disaster looming”, and you’re talking about rates going from 0.1 per cent to what the Bank of England is predicting around 1.2 per cent at the end of this year, and around two per cent by the end of 2023. ‘That’s not great compared to point one per cent. However, back in 2006 and 2007, pre-global financial crisis,

the base rate was at 5.75 per cent – 10 to 12 times where it is now. ‘It comes back to consumer sentiment – “how good am I feeling about my life and my earnings?”. In 2006, the market was extremely buoyant, and with base rates at 5.75 per cent then, consumer interest rates were about 10 to 13 per cent APR – people just accepted it. ‘I don’t think rates going up to 1.2 per cent by the end of this year is going to significantly impact the luxury sector market. A lot of people in the luxury sector have seen it all before.’ He added: ‘Customers at the higher end are always really conscious [of cost] – they want to deal at the lowest rate and have the best of everything. ‘Will they question it? Of course they will, but they will adjust very quickly. ‘The extra one per cent is not going to detract someone from buying a car.’

BLACKSHAWS

T S A C D PO Driven by

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MORE CAR DEALER PODCASTS 50 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Never mind the range, what about the towing capacity of EVs? Nobody’s talking about that!

ore innovative EVs have been launched recently as the automotive industry turns its head further away from conventional fuels, but one dealer is looking for substance in the numbers behind the beauty shots. Blackshaws dealership boss Will Blackshaw said: ‘I keep looking at products like that [Kia EV9] and thinking where does the towing capacity go with these electric cars? ‘Being up in rural Northumberland, there’s a lot of equestrian lifestyle, and nobody talks about towing. It’s all about range, range, range,

but we’ve got a lot of customers who need to tow things. What are the towing capacities going to be and how will that affect the range?’ He added: ‘I think there’s a big opportunity for someone to play on the towing element of electric vehicles. I’ve not really seen anyone doing that. I’ve obviously seen Outlander PHEVs, but that’s petrol at that point still.’ Blackshaw added: ‘Every conversation we have with people now in public is about electric cars. It’s “What about these electric cars, especially in our neck of the woods?”’ And there’s still room for hydrogen as far as he’s concerned.

The latest from our fleet. Long-termers: p61

Watch our Car Dealer Live broadcasts as they go out or catch up on any that you’ve missed at: cardealermagazine.co.uk/live TOM HARTLEY CARS

AUTO TRADER

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to 50 per cent drop in supercars interest

upercar salesman Tom Hartley says sales have plummeted since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The devastating war has caused business at his dealership to drop by 50 per cent. Hartley – who won the Lifetime Achievement trophy at last year’s Used Car Awards – said that while supercar prices might be strong now, a drop was on the horizon. ‘I’m so hands-on in the business here that the minute this guy Putin started dropping bombs, [I noticed] the level of inquiries went down by about 50 per cent,’ he said. Hartley added: ‘I’ve never in all my life of being in business known the market the way it is. ‘We’re giving the same money for cars that we sold almost 18 months ago to customers to buy them back. ‘However, I am predicting that like everything – I’ve

seen four recessions in my lifetime – it will change, it will move. Interest rates will go up and this guy dropping bombs all over the place is not helping.’ Some models have gained value, explained Hartley – especially the McLaren P1. ‘They’ve got very strong. Last time we spoke, they went from about £1.2m to around £850-900k in a very short space of time. ‘Now they’re back and they’re rising. ‘To buy a P1 today for less than a million is very rare. And they’re going up.’ Hartley said a LaFerrari he had in stock when he appeared on Car Dealer Live was one of the ‘most-sought-after cars in the supercar league’. He commented: ‘We paid super-money for that car as we wanted it. It has gone up £100,000 in six months. Retailing at £2.395m, 12 months ago I would have paid £2m for it.’

Brand snobbery goes out of window with EVs TRADITIONAL brand snobbery plays a less important role for buyers choosing an electric car, Auto Trader has revealed. Commercial director Ian Plummer explained how customers’ longestablished brand aspirations are changing, as they become more focused on range and technology rather than the badge on the nose. ‘Kia, in the ICE market, has a share of around 4.4 per cent – far smaller than the German premium brands – but in the EV market, Kia leads the way with a 15 per cent share of new car advert views. ‘Hyundai, MG and Fiat all jump massively in the EV market, too, and that’s a reflection of a real shift in the market.’

LAWGISTICS

There are other cases where the APR is in the 40s and you think is it a mis-selling? John McDougall Lawgistics

Ignore any claims of mis-sold finance deals at your peril because they won’t simply go away

egal adviser John McDougall spoke about mis-sold finance claims, with 25 a week currently being handled. ‘We’re not having any major problems at the moment, but the key is you need to respond.’ James Batchelor asked whether the claims were legitimate or scams and McDougall said: ‘They’re legitimate in the sense that a car has been bought and a finance agreement has been put in place. ‘Their legitimacy in regards to whether anyone has been mis-sold? That’s debatable. ‘If you’ve been sold finance [by a manufacturer] in the last couple of years at 5.98 per cent APR,

personally I think that’s a really good deal. You’re not likely to go out and get that anywhere else. ‘There are other cases where the APR is in the 40s and you think is it a mis-selling? But then that’s sub-prime lending, so you naturally expect higher-risk customers.’ He explained: ‘What they’re saying is it’s about the commission. If a dealer is making £500 out of a finance deal then they are saying they should have told the customer at the time.’ McDougall said dealers must face it head-on to avoid court. ‘The biggest problem is not responding. We’ve only had one case that’s gone to court and that was due to the client not responding.’ CarDealerMag.co.uk | 51

DASHBOARD

FINANCE NEWS STARTLINE

Monthly research to track used car market sentiment CONSUMERS

Credit borrowing grows at fastest rate in two years

by John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk

ouseholds leaned on their credit cards for support in February as consumer credit borrowing grew at the fastest annual pace in two years. The annual growth rate for all consumer credit accelerated to 4.4 per cent in February, up from 3.2 per cent in January, according to latest Bank of England figures. It was the highest annual growth rate since February 2020 – the month before the first UK coronavirus lockdown started. Consumer credit includes forms of borrowing such as credit cards, overdrafts, personal loans and car dealership finance. Within the 4.4 per cent annual increase, borrowing using credit cards increased by 9.4 per cent. The figures were released as households are being surrounded by rising bills, including for energy, food, rent, mortgages, council tax and transport, as well as a hike in national insurance to help pay for health and social care. Households borrowed an additional £1.9bn in consumer credit in February, compared with a pre-pandemic average of £1bn in the run-up to February 2020, the report said. Credit cards accounted for £1.5bn of the additional borrowing in February 2022, with the remainder made up of other forms of credit such as car dealership finance and personal loans. Peter Tutton, head of policy, research and public affairs at debt charity StepChange, said: ‘More and more, what we are seeing is that people experiencing problem debt have problems meeting not just their credit repayments but also their priority bills.’ He added that as the year goes on, more support will be needed ‘for those who are simply unable to absorb the cost of living increases into their household budgets’.

52 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

NEW monthly research looking at consumer and dealer sentiment in the used car market will be launched in midApril by Startline Motor Finance. The Startline Used Car Tracker is designed to provide a regular update on an aspect of the sector where information isn’t widely available, said chief executive Paul Burgess. ‘There is a lot of what you might call “hard” information published about the used car sector. For example, vehicle valuations play an essential role in dealers setting prices and customers deciding if they are fair. ‘However, there is much less attitudinal research, looking at how consumers and retailers feel about subjects affecting car-buying and selling over time, and this is where the tracker will play a new and useful role, we believe.’ The study is being carried out by APD Global Research, whose executive chairman Paul Turner said: ‘The tracker brings something new to publicly available research covering the used car sector and will be of use to anyone who has an interest in the market.’

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

TIME IS MONEY RICHARD PYGOTT

A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE AND MARKETING

How easy are you making it for people to communicate?

Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk

t’s good to talk, as Bob Hoskins used to say in those famous BT adverts from the mid-1990s. Like many people recently, I had to call my energy supplier to make inquiries about my tariff and submit a meter reading. While I was on hold, the prerecorded voice continually advised me to go on their website, which frustratingly wasn’t working. I’d also emailed my inquiry and received a response from an address that quite clearly stated not to expect a reply. All I wanted to do was talk to a person, and it didn’t have to be in person either – I just wanted an answer to my question, nothing more. The online chat wasn’t much help either, as it obviously wasn’t a real person, merely a chatbot that was only programmed to answer specific subjects and questions. At times, it can appear that companies just don’t want to talk to you, make it overly difficult to communicate with them, or want to funnel you down a route that better serves them rather than the customer. We like to give our dealer network as many options as possible when it comes to communicating with us. At times, our dealers just want a quick response to their inquiry so they can focus on selling their vehicles. We’ve been investing heavily in our IT systems in recent years so that we can offer our dealer network a more flexible communication option when they just want a quick answer. We recently rolled out a chat option, which is available to our dealer network when they log in to our online system. This allows dealers the convenience to ask any question, and it can be kept open on their PC or phone all day! Our dealers have found the chat is faster than email. That means less waiting, it’s cheaper than a phone call, is answered very quickly and, more importantly, is operated by people with their names displayed on the chat itself – not a robot in sight! However, we never dictate how anyone should communicate with us. If our dealers still prefer a phone call, an email, or even a fax, our team is always on hand to answer any queries, regardless of the method via which we receive them. Reviewing how your customers can communicate with you is certainly recommended, and ensuring that they can easily communicate with you how they want to can often be the difference between making a sale or not. Yes, it’s ‘good to talk’ – that will likely never change – just ensure that you’re aware of how your customers want to talk to you, and that those methods are available to them. While this form of investment and communication system may be out of reach for some, there are cheaper alternatives worth considering, some of which you may already have access to, such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

All I wanted to do was talk to a person, and it didn’t have to be in person either – I just wanted an answer to my question, nothing more.

PARTNER WITH AN AWARD-WINNING COMPANY 0115 946 6260

enquiries@frfl.co.uk

frfl.co.uk/car CarDealerMag.co.uk | 53

Since we began lending in 1998, we have helped over 200,000 new customers get finance. The awards we have received throughout the years are a testimony of the exceptional service that we provide. Let us help your customers by joining our network of trusted dealers...

AND RECEIVE A WELCOME HAMPER

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DASHBOARD

SUPPLIER NEWS

A ROUND-UP OF WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY WARRANTYWISE

Dealer department undergoes restructure

WARRANTYWISE has restructured its dealer department with the aim of improving service and support. The company has also begun a partner programme for dealers to gain a better understanding of the relationship with a warranty firm. Dealer sales director Rachael Taylor said: ‘Our aim is to work with automotive retail partners who share our values, and this is reflected in our investment in a partner programme.’

BLUE MOTOR FINANCE

Delight as £2bn lending milestone is broken BLUE Motor Finance has smashed through the £2bn lending mark. The fintech company, which was founded in 2014 and provides hire purchase motor finance via a network of 2,000-plus used car dealerships, has lent the money to more than 200,000 customers during that time. CEO Tiku Patel said: ‘Smashing the £2bn mark is a significant step for us and further reinforces that we have got our offer right. Dealers appreciate our simple-to-use platform.’

AUTO TRADER

Valuations data deal signed with Experian

AUTO Trader has struck a deal with Experian to provide valuations data for its iCache platform. The platform gives insurance companies data so they in turn can give more competitive consumer quotes. More than 50 insurance companies use the platform for more than 15m transactions a day. This is the first time Auto Trader’s daily pricing analysis data will be used at the point of quote.

JBR CAPITAL

At times, it can appear that companies just don’t want to talk to you.

Richard Pygott p53

IVENDI

Sustainability initiative Online used EV will offset emissions searches nearly treble

PRESTIGE car finance provider JBR Capital has announced a new sustainability initiative that claims to greatly reduce the environmental impact of its clients’ cars. The firm, working with Carbon Neutral Britain, will offset 5,000 miles of carbon emissions for each car financed by its clients via the purchase of carbon credits, effective from January 1 this year. Carbon Neutral Britain projects have already offset 500,000 tonnes of CO2.

USED electric car online search volumes have nearly trebled in 12 months, according to iVendi. Each year, the company sees more than nine million searches for used cars, and this has increased for EVs from 0.53 per cent a year ago to 1.34 per cent today. Rob Severs, senior VP of product and insight, said: ‘Electric vehicles remain a relatively small part of the used car sector but our figures show that interest is growing at a pace.’ CarDealerMag.co.uk | 55

DATA FILE

STATISTICS

THE LATEST REGISTRATION FIGURES

SMMT

SALES DATA

MARCH/YEAR TO DATE

TOP

‘DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING’

Worst March for 24 years as supply problems strike hard

CARS SOLD IN MARCH 2022

by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor

espite dealers reporting strong order banks for 22-reg cars last month, it was the worst March for new car registrations since 1998, new figures show. The latest data from the SMMT shows the number of new cars registered in March 2022 slumped by 14.3 per cent compared with March 2021. A total of 243,479 cars were registered during the month – results that have been branded as ‘deeply disappointing’. Even though showrooms were shut in March 2021 because of social distancing regulations, March 2022 was still down, ‘underscoring the long-term impact the pandemic is wreaking on the industry’, said the SMMT. Ongoing chip shortages were also blamed for stifling new car sales, as well as concerns over the long-term effects of the Ukraine crisis. It means the total figure for the first quarter of 2022 is down by 1.9 per cent on 2021. Private registrations actually grew by 8.2 per cent, but overall, figures were hit massively by a 34.4 per cent fall in fleet registrations. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) continued to grow, notching up a 78.7 per cent rise, with more than 39,000 BEVs leaving dealerships in March. The SMMT also warned that ‘economic headwinds’ such as rising energy costs, fuel costs, inflation and a squeeze on household incomes ‘could impact new vehicle demand’. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: ‘March is typically the biggest month of the year for the new car market, so this performance is deeply disappointing and lays bare the challenges ahead. ‘While demand remains robust, this decline illustrates the severity of the global semiconductor shortage, as manufacturers strive to deliver the latest, lowest-emission vehicles to eagerly awaiting customers. With increasing household and business costs, the government must do all it can to support consumers so that the growth of electric vehicles can be sustained and the UK’s ambitious net zero timetable delivered.’

Model

Regs

Tesla Model Y

6,464

Tesla Model 3

6,457

Vauxhall Corsa

5,515

Nissan Qashqai

5,401

Hyundai Tucson

4,876

Ford Puma

4,755

Kia Sportage

4,563

Ford Kuga

4,223

Toyota C-HR

3,910

Ford Fiesta

3,890

Tesla takes gold and silver with the all-electric Model Y and Model 3 TESLA was the winner in a challenging plate-change month with the all-electric Model Y and Model 3 first and second. The Model Y was marginally ahead with seven more registered at 6,464 in total, versus the 3’s 6,457 units. Deliveries of the Model Y began officially

in the UK this February, following order books opening in October 2021. It’s now sixth overall in the sales charts for the year with 7,774 cars delivered – one ahead of the Model 3 in seventh place. The SMMT said that with grants for battery-electric vehicles ongoing until at

least next March, there were significant benefits for drivers who could order new vehicles now. In third place was the Vauxhall Corsa, which is still the best-selling car in 2022 so far. Vauxhall registered 5,515 of them, taking the Corsa to 9,797 for the year to date.

Click here to see our top 10 rolling sales charts for March 2021 to March 2022 56 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Supply and delivery still a problem. LCV news: p58

-54%

+137%

LAND ROVER

Figures supplied by SMMT

MARCH 2022 Marque

2022

MARCH 2021

% market share

2021

YEAR TO DATE

% market share

% change

2022

% market share

2021

% market share

% change

Abarth

207

0.09

415

0.15

-50.12

281

0.07

541

0.13

-48.06

Alfa Romeo

246

0.10

202

0.07

21.78

395

0.09

316

0.07

25.00

0.02

0.01

24.32

0.02

0.01

85.71

15,322

6.29

19,105

6.73

-19.80

27,199

6.51

29,403

6.91

-7.50

247

0.10

189

0.07

30.69

438

0.10

306

0.07

43.14

14,950

6.14

21,003

7.40

-28.82

27,913

6.68

31,944

7.51

-12.62

Alpine Audi Bentley BMW Citroen

4,151

1.70

6,027

2.12

-31.13

7,527

1.80

8,605

2.02

-12.53

Cupra

1,015

0.42

633

0.22

60.35

1,895

0.45

924

0.22

105.09

Dacia

3,115

1.28

2,149

0.76

44.95

5,347

1.28

3,276

0.77

63.22 69.64

305

0.13

233

0.08

30.90

704

0.17

415

0.10

Fiat

4,049

1.66

2,376

0.84

70.41

6,044

1.45

3,213

0.76

88.11

Ford

17,834

7.32

22,237

7.83

-19.80

29,738

7.12

36,072

8.48

-17.56

Genesis

0.03

0.00

0.02

0.00

Honda

2,802

1.15

3,055

1.08

-8.28

6,965

1.67

4,520

1.06

54.09

Hyundai

10,999

4.52

9,065

3.19

21.33

19,739

4.73

13,422

3.15

47.06

Jaguar

2,301

0.95

3,880

1.37

-40.70

3,311

0.79

5,128

1.21

-35.43

319

0.13

567

0.20

-43.74

593

0.14

852

0.20

-30.40

Kia

17,820

7.32

11,221

3.95

58.81

32,119

7.69

20,365

4.79

57.72

Land Rover

6,872

2.82

15,086

5.31

-54.45

10,601

2.54

20,551

4.83

-48.42

Lexus

1,983

0.81

2,575

0.91

-22.99

3,141

0.75

3,393

0.80

-7.43

105

0.04

0.03

10.53

194

0.05

157

0.04

23.57

Jeep

Maserati Mazda

3,455

1.42

4,058

1.43

-14.86

6,714

1.61

5,302

1.25

26.63

15,062

6.19

21,313

7.51

-29.33

24,893

5.96

31,700

7.45

-21.47

9,367

3.85

3,956

1.39

136.78

13,838

3.31

6,161

1.45

124.61

Mini

5,110

2.10

7,567

2.66

-32.47

11,099

2.66

10,794

2.54

2.83

0.00

1,256

0.44

0.00

1,828

0.43

0.00

Nissan

10,194

4.19

14,178

4.99

-28.10

16,041

3.84

21,086

4.96

-23.93

Peugeot

Mercedes-Benz

Mitsubishi

9,799

4.02

10,824

3.81

-9.47

16,535

3.96

15,705

3.69

5.28

Polestar

789

0.32

335

0.12

135.52

1,438

0.34

922

0.22

55.97

Porsche

2,590

1.06

1,819

0.64

42.39

4,280

1.03

2,931

0.69

46.03

Renault

5,270

2.16

5,787

2.04

-8.93

8,602

2.06

8,066

1.90

6.65

Seat

3,778

1.55

7,482

2.63

-49.51

6,827

1.63

11,460

2.69

-40.43

Skoda

5,447

2.24

8,911

3.14

-38.87

10,552

2.53

14,242

3.35

-25.91

Smart

296

0.12

264

0.09

12.12

445

0.11

407

0.10

9.34

SsangYong

238

0.10

175

0.06

36.00

395

0.09

239

0.06

65.27

Subaru

193

0.08

258

0.09

-25.19

313

0.07

310

0.07

0.97

Suzuki

3,638

1.49

2,932

1.03

24.08

5,378

1.29

3,903

0.92

37.79

Toyota

16,112

6.62

16,911

5.96

-4.72

27,817

6.66

23,783

5.59

16.96

Vauxhall

12,869

5.29

15,868

5.59

-18.90

23,898

5.72

24,826

5.83

-3.74

Volkswagen

14,620

6.00

23,698

8.35

-38.31

26,417

6.33

36,219

8.51

-27.06

6,322

2.60

8,996

3.17

-29.72

11,159

2.67

13,964

3.28

-20.09

385

0.16

384

0.14

0.26

639

0.15

608

0.14

5.10

13,187

5.42

6,842

2.41

92.74

15,968

3.82

7,624

1.79

109.44

-14.26

417,560

Volvo Other British Other imports Total

243,479

283,964

425,525

-1.87

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 57

DATA FILE

DROP

LCV NEWS

Supply and delivery issues still plague sector by John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk THE LCV market plummeted by 27.6 per cent in March to 40,613 units versus the same month last year, according to latest figures from the SMMT. Supply and delivery issues, including the ongoing worldwide shortage of semiconductors, continued to hamper the sector. A total of 74,344 vans were registered during the first quarter of 2022 – a drop of 23.6 per cent versus the 97,356 registered during same period last year thanks to pent-up demand – while 2019’s first quarter enjoyed 102,743 registrations. Battery-electric vans continued to attract interest, though, with registrations rising by 17.7 per cent year on year to 1,909 units.

REGISTRATIONS OF NEW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES LESS THAN 3.5 TONNES Marque

Ford Vauxhall Peugeot Volkswagen Citroen Mercedes Toyota Renault Fiat Isuzu Nissan Iveco Land Rover Maxus MAN Renault Trucks Isuzu Trucks SsangYong Suzuki Fuso LEVC Dacia LDV Mitsubishi Total light CV

Figures supplied by SMMT

MARCH 2022

2022

17,035 4,244 3,326 3,323 3,321 2,509 2,359 833 691 562 512 411 350 312 274 179 172 104 48 26 20 2 0 0 40,613

% market share

MARCH 2021

2021

41.94 10.45 8.19 8.18 8.18 6.18 5.81 2.05 1.70 1.38 1.26 1.01 0.86 0.77 0.67 0.44

20,479 5,149 4,210 6,316 3,846 3,860 2,487 2,053 1,238 364 2,790 406 624 138 409 301

0.42 0.26 0.12 0.06 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00

124 77 0 35 11 0 14 1,191 56,122

YEAR TO DATE

% market share

% change

2022

36.49 9.17 7.50 11.25 6.85 6.88 4.43 3.66 2.21 0.65 4.97 0.72 1.11 0.25 0.73 0.54

-16.82 -17.58 -21.00 -47.39 -13.65 -35.00 -5.15 -59.43 -44.18 54.40 -81.65 1.23 -43.91 126.09 -33.01 -40.53

28,464 7,872 7,202 6,199 7,205 5,577 3,629 1,346 1,171 838 661 840 664 1,035 393 445

0.22 0.14 0.00 0.06 0.02 0.00 0.02 2.12 100.00

38.71 35.06 0.00 -25.71 81.82 0.00 0.00 0.00 -27.63

393 218 62 67 61 2 0 0 74,344

% market share

2021

38.29 10.59 9.69 8.34 9.69 7.50 4.88 1.81 1.58 1.13 0.89 1.13 0.89 1.39 0.53 0.60

33,936 9,662 8,343 9,729 6,780 7,735 4,256 4,590 2,165 587 3,928 819 756 188 863 623

0.53 0.29 0.08 0.09 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00

301 97 0 68 21 0 53 1,856 97,356

REGISTRATIONS OF NEW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 3.5 TONNES TO 6.0 TONNES Marque

Ford Mercedes Peugeot Fiat Citroen Iveco MAN Volkswagen Isuzu Trucks

MARCH 2022

2022

% market share

MARCH 2021

2021

% change

2022

6.45 25.12 13.22 33.06 1.49 7.77 3.64 6.78 0.17

476.92 -13.82 30.00 -59.50 222.22 -65.96 -59.09 -90.24 300.00

287 288 227 158 62 56 11 25 12

% market share

2021

225 131 104 81 29 16 9 4 4

36.82 21.44 17.02 13.26 4.75 2.62 1.47 0.65 0.65

39 152 80 200 9 47 22 41 1

Renault Trucks

0.49

1.82

-72.73

Vauxhall

0.49

0.00

Other imports

0.33

0.00

Renault

0.00

0.17

0.00

0.09

Maxus

0.00

611

100.00

605

100.00

0.99

1,154

100.00

1,284

Total heavy CV

58 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

% change

34.86 9.92 8.57 9.99 6.96 7.95 4.37 4.71 2.22 0.60 4.03 0.84 0.78 0.19 0.89 0.64

-16.12 -18.53 -13.68 -36.28 6.27 -27.90 -14.73 -70.68 -45.91 42.76 -83.17 2.56 -12.17 450.53 -54.46 -28.57

0.31 0.10 0.00 0.07 0.02 0.00 0.05 1.91 100.00

30.56 124.74 0.00 -1.47 190.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 -23.64

Figures supplied by SMMT

YEAR TO DATE

% market share

% change

24.87 24.96 19.67 13.69 5.37 4.85 0.95 2.17 1.04

111 364 179 359 16 78 37 77 6

8.64 28.35 13.94 27.96 1.25 6.07 2.88 6.00 0.47

158.56 -20.88 26.82 -55.99 287.50 -28.21 -70.27 -67.53 100.00

1.21

3.04

-64.10

0.26

0.16

50.00

0.87

1.09

-28.57

0.16

-50.00

0.00

100.00

-10.12

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CarDealerMag.co.uk | 59

DATA FILE

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W: marketingdelivery.co.uk/ T: 01892 599911 E: get.in.touch@marketingdelivery.co.uk Info: Our SocialStock helps target prospects with tailored stock remarketing and social media advertising tools, and automated lead capture for Facebook.

W: metatrak.co.uk T: 020 8867 2340 E: enquiries@metatrak.co.uk Info: Total vehicle security. Clever tracking technology, advanced immobilisation, 24/7 monitoring and an easy-to-use app. Security. Connectivity. Peace of mind.

W: autoprotect.co.uk

T: 01279 406888 E: sales@autoprotect.net Info: AutoProtect offers a full portfolio of award-winning protection products, including GAP. We lead the market with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot.

W: warrantywise.co.uk/dealer T: 0800 001 4551 E: dealers@warrantywise.co.uk Info: Warrantywise sells over 100,000 warranties per year. Quentin Willson personally designed Warrantywise to be the UK’s best used car warranty.

W: wmsgroup.co.uk T: 01844 293810 E: sales@wmsgroup.co.uk Info: Open 24/7, we offer award-winning warranty products for FCA- and non-FCA-registered dealerships.

Key Control

Oil & Lubricants

Warranty Providers

Website Design & Digital Marketing

Traka

Mobil™

Car Care Plan

Bluesky Interactive

Finance

Lead Management

Recruitment

Warranty Providers

Website Design & Digital Marketing

Close Brothers Motor Finance

GardX AD-Vantage

WeRecruit Auto

Händler Protect

Haswent

Finance

Blue Motor Finance

W: blue.co.uk T: 020 3005 9331 E: dealersupport@blue.co.uk Info: Blue is transforming the car finance market, making car ownership simple and flexible and providing motor traders with access to essential finance.

W: closemotorfinance.co.uk/ Info: Close Brothers Motor Finance are a specialist finance provider, working with over 8,000 dealer partners to offer flexible finance solutions for car, motorcycle and LCV customers.

W: traka-automotive.com T: 0333 355 3726 E: automotive@traka.com Info: Bespoke software and electronic key management cabinets to deliver the most effective solution to dealerships to manage their keys and vehicles.

W: gardx.co.uk/gardx-ad-vantage T: 01243 376426 E: goforaspin@gardx.co.uk Info: The award-winning 360 service offers an engaging display of the vehicle while additionally presenting profitable F&I products to a consumer.

W: mobil.co.uk T: 0800 0857 420 Info: Whether using Mobil 1™ or Mobil Super™, Mobil™ engine oils meet or exceed the latest standards of the oil industry and vehicle manufacturers.

W: werecruitauto.co.uk T: 01603 550041 Info: Permanent recruitment – here to assist businesses within the automotive sector find the best fit for their company in terms of skillset, experience and culture.

W: carcareplan.com T: 0344 573 8000 Info: Car Care Plan is a leading provider of motor protection products, trusted around the world to deliver quality protection with integrity and a customer-oriented outlook.

W: handlerprotect.com T: 0800 088 7889 E: sales@handlerprotect.com Info: Händler Protect is an exclusive dealer warranty provider. Proud to partner and represent more than 1,000-plus ‘active’ independent motor dealers across the UK each month.

W: blueskyinteractive.co.uk T: 01926 651000 Info: Bluesky Interactive drive dealer websites and digital marketing forward thanks to game-changing innovation, the latest technology and our exceptional relationships with our clients.

W: haswent.com T: 020 3920 6164 E: hello@haswent.com Info: Composer is a next-gen automotive platform. You have extensive stock management options, and you’ll gain a brilliantly responsive new website.

To have your details included email sales@blackballmedia.co.uk and ask for Suppliers Guide listings 60 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

LONG-TERMERS

CUPRA FORMENTOR THE KNOWLEDGE

Cupra Formentor V2 TSI DSG-auto 150 Price (as tested): £32,980 Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol Power: 148bhp Torque: 250Nm Max speed: 126mph 0-60mph: 8.7 seconds Economy: 39.2-42.2 mpg Emissions: 155g/km CO2 Mileage: 3,025

This month’s highlight: The comfort – especially bearing in mind the long journeys being taken.

OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING

Audi Q4 e-tron Mileage: 8,197 Trying out long-distance driving with the Q4 e-tron has been a case of ups and downs.

Citroen C3 Aircross Mileage: 8,129

We’ve been learning to live with the Aircross, and some big miles have been going under the wheels.

Is the Formentor the car to set this Spanish brand apart from Seat? Ted Welford welcomes Cupra’s first bespoke model to the fleet.

here certainly aren’t many £30,000 crossovers that have the ability to make heads turn, but after a month or so in ‘my’ new Cupra Formentor, that’s what I’m noticing. I’d like to say that they are all admiring glances – and in many cases they probably are – but it’s the Cupra badge that seems to make people pay attention. Whether it’s the familiarity of a Volkswagen logo that means just about anybody could identify a Golf, the Cupra attracts puzzled looks as people can’t work out what on earth it is. I’ve even had a few people come up to me in a car park and ask what the Formentor is. Although I’ve already established that ‘Cupra’ means little to many, you get the response ‘isn’t that just a sporty Seat?’ from quite a few. For a time, it was, and it wasn’t helped by Cupra – at its original launch and split from sibling Spanish brand in 2018 – largely just rebadging Seats and giving them more potent engines. But the Formentor is of note because it’s the first bespoke model to come from Cupra. There’s no such thing as a Seat Formentor, although plenty of the technology – such as the large touchscreen and full-width LED light bar – is borrowed. Understandably so, too. It’s why I’m keen to be running a Formentor for the next six months, as I find out if it’s the car to give Cupra that credibility to stand on its own two feet. So far, and on the basis of how many Formentors there seem to be on the road already (it was launched less than a year ago), I reckon it is. Cupra had its foundations set on performance, but what makes the Formentor different is that it’s not all about performance. Sure, you can get it with a 306bhp engine from the Audi S3 and VW Golf R, but it’s also available with non ‘sporty’ options – including plug-in hybrids and the standard petrol option that’s in this test car. It’s a 148bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol that’s widely found in other Volkswagen Group cars, and comes with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox here, although a six-speed manual is available too, and is the only Cupra with a conventional gearstick. My Formentor also comes in the mid-range V2 trim, which essentially makes it look like the quickest Formentor, but without any of the – ahem – performance. It means you get smart 19-inch matt-black and silver alloy wheels that mirror those in the 300bhp version, and even the same black leather bucket seats. The list of other equipment it gets as standard is generous too, and includes a large 12-inch touchscreen, digital dials, an electric driver’s seat and a reversing camera. I could go on. In fact, the only option here is the paint colour – the £575 Magnetic Tech Grey shade that brings this Formentor’s price up to £32,980. The Cupra has already clocked up plenty of miles as well. I got the keys to it at the start of February with a few hundred miles on it and it’s already up to more than 3,000. I’m based near York and it’s been to Glasgow, Heathrow a few times and Portsmouth. So quite literally up and down the country. That many miles can easily show up a car’s negative points, but I’m pleased to say things are largely very positive. Even the ride is proving surprisingly comfortable – something I was slightly concerned about, considering the Cupra’s large alloys with such little tyre sidewall. With plenty more trips planned for the Formentor in the coming weeks and much of its tech still to explore, let’s see if the Cupra can continue its initial winning streak… CarDealerMag.co.uk | 61

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