Car Dealer Magazine: Issue 182

DASHBOARD

DOOR ‘CLOSED’ TO NEW DEALERS AT INEOS AUTOMOTIVE

PLUS: PENDRAGON

NAMED AS BYD’S LEADING LAUNCH PARTNER

FIRST DRIVE: CHINA’S BYD

ATTO 3

AWARDS

IT’S TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITES

• CAZOO’S LOSSES DEEPEN

• CINCH TAKES AXE TO JOBS

• MAJOR BLAZE AT JLR SITE

• CORRUPTION AT MERCEDES?

• MINI COPYRIGHT ROW • WRAITH

PLUS: WE DRIVE JAGUAR’S NEW F-TYPE R 75 AND FERRARI’S V12-POWERED PUROSANGUE

FEATURE SEOUL TIME!

CAN GENESIS REPLICATE ITS SUCCESS IN EUROPE? WE HEAD TO SOUTH KOREA TO FIND OUT

FOUNDER

James Baggott james@thebaize.com

Twitter: @CarDealerEd

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

Becca Chaplin, Jack

WELCOME.

The Chinese are coming! And how many times have you heard that said in recent years?

Well, it would seem as though they really are here now – and they’re causing a lot of chatter in our industry.

FINANCE MANAGER

Kate Gordon kate@blackballmedia.co.uk

I remember way back in 2011 one of the first cover features I ever did at Car Dealer ran with that very theme. We’d had the full lowdown on Great Wall’s plans to launch in the UK with a pick-up and a supermini. A small dealer network duly followed but it only ever got the pick-up to sell, and within a few years the brand disappeared.

SALES MANAGER

Kevin Day kev@blackballmedia.co.uk

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Michelle Searle michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @cardealermich

I talk more about this in my column on page 13 of this issue, but there seems to be a bit of déjà vu with this month’s cover story as we explore how BYD plans to roll out its vision for selling cars in the UK, and we’ve had a drive of the first model to launch here.

Or is it déjà vu? I remember all those years ago the casual dismissals that Chinese car brands would ever make an impact here in the UK. But this time around, it seems as though our industry is a bit more awake to the potential opportunities Chinese carmakers can offer. In less than a year, we’ve seen Great Wall Motor having another go but this time with its Ora division, there’s BYD, and over the past decade SAIC has established itself as a key player with its MG and (to a lesser extent) Maxus brands.

Industry grandee Mark Lavery even told the audience at last month’s Car Dealer Live conference: ‘In certain cases, we see a lot of Chinese OEMs as being real dynamic, extraordinarily well-funded, great products. I think that’s the biggest change coming. Agency, I think, is not as relevant as the arrival of the Chinese OEMs.’ Strong words, you have to say.

Speaking of things that could potentially be big, also in this issue we chat to Ineos about its dealer network for its old-school Grenadier 4x4 (page 6), and our man Ted Welford gets a taste of upmarket Genesis in its native South Korea (page 32).

I hope you enjoy the issue.

JAMES BATCHELOR Associate editor

I remember all those years ago the casual dismissals that Chinese car brands would ever make an impact here in the UK.

IGNITION.

Have you voted yet? Make sure you do –here’s how you can

CONTENTS

DASHBOARD FORECOURT BIG MIKE DATA FILE

‘The partners are very happy because there’s no £8,000 reception desks and there’s no £14,000 signs.’

‘I know all too well that the general public are rubbish at selling cars. But this guy took things to a new level.’

‘The days of characterful V8-powered sports cars are numbered, and the F-Type is a fitting tribute to the genre.’

‘The best month ever for zero-emission vehicles is reflective of increased consumer choice and improved availability.’

DOOR ‘CLOSED’ TO NEW DEALERS AT INEOS AUTOMOTIVE

• Sales and marketing boss Gary Pearson speaks exclusively to Car Dealer about brand’s plans

• He explains how direct-to-consumer sales will work for the new firm and its dealers

• And he reveals that the network – at just 25 sites across the UK – is all he needs for now

by James Baggott @CarDealerEd

The man who set up Ineos Automotive’s UK dealer network says the door is now closed to new partners as the brand prepares to roll out its 4×4.

Following a series of delays, customers are starting to get their rugged SUVs –built by the British brand as a spiritual successor to the Land Rover Defender. Speaking to Car Dealer exclusively at Goodwood, where the brand will feature at the estate’s events in 2023, Gary Pearson, the head of sales and marketing for the UK, Middle East and North Africa, talked candidly about setting up the new dealer network in the UK. Pearson hand-picked dealer partners as he looked to cut up the UK into sales zones and said he wanted to find passionate partners who ‘finished each other’s sentences’.

Dealers are being run by the likes of Endeavour Automotive, Cambria Automobiles and the recently acquired Jardine. In total, there are just 25 outlets across the UK operated under an agency agreement by 19 partners.

Pearson, pictured above right, told Car Dealer the brand was very relaxed with its partners about where they put showrooms. In some cases, Ineos shares space with other carmakers, whereas some partners have decided to build dedicated showrooms, or ‘boxes’, as it likes to call them. ‘The partners are very happy because there’s no £8,000 reception desks and there’s no £14,000 signs,’ Pearson explained.

He said most of the dealers had been able to repurpose existing buildings or plots of land they already owned to set up their sites. It’s this unusually relaxed attitude that has led to Pearson receiving a lot of interest from other dealers wanting to get involved.

‘I probably get two or three calls a week from people asking if there’s an opportunity,’ he told Car Dealer. ‘We think the shape and size of the footprint of the network is right for now. We have a volume cap of 6,000 sales in the UK, so that’s important in terms of the opportunity for existing partners.’

Because of strict emissions regulations for car manufacturers, Ineos Automotive is limited to 6,000 sales per year in the UK.

If it tips over that, it has to meet a 95g/km overall fleet average for its range, and with only a diesel and petrol in its current line-up, that isn’t possible.

Pearson said the firm has already announced that an electric version of the Grenadier will join the line-up soon and this will help bring the brand’s emissions average down and allow more sales. But it was this sales limit that meant Pearson could have frank conversations with the partners he signed up.

He said: ‘One of the first things I gave them was a business plan and I said “Look, I’m gonna have this many partners, this is a map, this is roughly where the dots are gonna be on the map and I’d like you to do that dot. Here’s a five-year business plan, this is the share of that 6,000 on agency terms you will get, they are fixed commissions and this is your profit progression”. These guys have seen these glossy manufacturer brochures a million times before, but they don’t often see someone who says “I’d like you to make some money

We think the shape and size of the footprint of the network is right for now. We have a volume cap of 6,000 sales in the UK.

Gary Pearson

Ineos Automotive’s head of sales and marketing for the UK, Middle East and North Africa

Ineos Grenadier retail concept

out of this”.’ Grenadiers are sold on an agency basis, with dealers given a fixed commission on sales made either on the manufacturer’s website or orders taken in store.

More revenue can be earned from the sale of add-ons, dealers get a small amount for setting up finance documents and they take any profit on the part-exchange.

Orders aren’t automatically allocated to a dealer depending on the customer’s location. Instead, the manufacturer lets the buyer choose which dealer they want to deliver their car. That means a buyer in London can choose to get theirs near to their country home in the Cotswolds, for example. ‘We do agency, but we do it our way,’ explained Pearson.

‘Having done this for over 20 years, the best dealerships I’ve ever worked with I could have given them any contract I wanted and they would have still done brilliant things and still wanted to make money and still look after customers.

‘Our model keeps dealers competitive. I don’t want to remove that competitiveness, and with some agency agreements it can be lost.

‘I want dealers to compete, I want them to want to be the best and be better than the one down the road, and they can do that by being more highly rated.

‘Customers can choose which dealer delivers their car and dealers have this notion of wanting to nick each other’s customers and they can do that here by giving better service.’

Ineos has a widget on its website for part-exchange valuations that Pearson hopes will ‘take the heat out’ of deals.

It offers customers a price based on details they input and Ineos asks its partners to treat that as the ‘base price’ as long as the details are accurate, so customers aren’t later ‘chipped’ on the value when they walk into a showroom.

‘That’s the painful side of buying a car,’ Pearson tells Car Dealer.

‘By telling our partners they can only go up on these part-exchange prices means customers don’t have to worry they’ll be getting less than they thought for their car. Dealers can also be competitive here because they can offer more for the cars if they want.’

Pearson – who previously worked for Audi and McLaren – told Car Dealer that the conversations with potential partners about the model weren’t always smooth.

‘A lot of the ones we didn’t end up with didn’t like it,’ he said, adding: ‘It’s quite a closed door to new partners at the moment. The partners we have will like to read that because they’ve made their investment and they’ve been allocated their space on the map.

‘It’s about having respectful partnerships. Nothing’s hidden.

‘So the door is pretty closed, because we’re very happy to have the dealers we’ve got.

‘They’re all doing what they said they were going to do.

‘Barring some delays we’ve had in terms of starting to deliver, they’re pretty happy that we’re doing what we said we were going to do.’

PART-EXES GIVE GOOD SCOPE FOR USED SALES

THE Ineos Grenadier starts at £55k and has a huge range of options. It’s available with a BMW 3.0-litre straight-six petrol unit or the same-sized twin turbo diesel and there’s no price difference between the two powerplants.

Residual values for models after three years have been set at 62 to 68 per cent, and Gary Pearson expects dealers to buy back as many as they can for their used forecourts. He says dealers will be able to build a decent used 4×4 business off the back of the part-exchanges that come in for new Grenadiers.

Demo cars are owned by the manufacturer and dealers are charged a monthly fee for them, but at the end of its time showing off the model to customers, they get the first option to sell it as a used vehicle.

So, when do the doors open again to new dealers?

That could be some time, according to Pearson.

‘I’d like to think our existing partners will always have the opportunity to expand with us first. There’ll be people reading this who are disappointed the doors are closed.

‘But I also want to make sure the first 19 or 20 partners know it’s them we’ll go to first.

‘It’s the same thing I would say to their face, which is, “If we do a great job by you, you won’t want to get rid of us. And if you do a fantastic job, we won’t want to get rid of you”.’

An Ineos Grenadier off road

Gary Pearson

PENDRAGON NAMED AS BYD’S LEADING LAUNCH PARTNER

• Stratstone BYD Birmingham and Stratstone BYD

Milton Keynes are Pendragon’s first all-electric sites

• Forthcoming Mayfair dealership will be Chinese carmaker’s flagship UK showroom

• Pendragon to open five more BYD locations this year and beyond

by John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk

Pendragon has been named the leading launch partner of BYD as the Chinese carmaker releases its Atto 3 EV in the UK.

The UK’s third-most profitable dealer in the Car Dealer Top 100 opened the first of its BYD sites in Birmingham and Milton Keynes last month under its Stratstone brand, making them Pendragon’s first showrooms entirely dedicated to EVs.

They’ll be followed by Stratstone BYD Mayfair later in the year, which Pendragon said will be BYD’s UK flagship showroom.

Bill Berman, chief executive of Pendragon, said: ‘It is a privilege and honour to be a pivotal part of BYD’s launch into the UK market with the introduction of two key Stratstone BYD sites in Birmingham and Milton Keynes.

‘Followed by the upcoming opening of BYD’s flagship, Stratstone Mayfair, in the capital and an additional five dealerships in 2023 and beyond, we are certain our new EV partner will excite automotive fans across the country.

‘As we move closer to the government’s 2030 EV plan and British drivers’ appetite for greener vehicles, the launch of our first all-electric showrooms is a special moment in history for Pendragon.’

Two of the three BYD Atto 3 model variants – Comfort and Design – have been made available to order at the Birmingham and Milton Keynes showrooms.

The Active model will be following later this year, ahead of the release of more BYD models.

The Atto 3, which scored the top five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s safety tests, has a 60.48 kWh battery offering a claimed WLTP combined range of 260 miles and DC charging from 30 to 80 per cent in 29 minutes.

Michael Shu, general manager and managing director of BYD’s Europe and international co-operation division, said: ‘BYD’s passenger car business has developed rapidly.

‘At present, BYD has served a total of 3.5 million new energy vehicle car owners, and we hope to bring these experiences to the United Kingdom, which we recognise as one of the top European markets.

‘With the advantages of BYD’s core technology, cost and production capacity, combined with the localised resources of local dealer groups, we will bring diversified choices to consumers and provide great customer service.’

Rob Miller, head of BYD operations at Pendragon, added: ‘We look forward to welcoming motorists to our Stratstone BYD sites, where they will be able to test-drive and order the Atto 3.

‘We anticipate demand will be high, with the attractive price point and features in this family-friendly SUV.’

FIRST DRIVE: HAS THE NEW WAVE OF CHINESE BRANDS GOT WHAT IT TAKES? WE TEST BYD’S

BYD PLANS TO HAVE UP TO 100 UK CAR DEALERS BY END OF 2025

BYD plans to widen its dealer focus to more regional areas, despite initially operating with a series of larger ‘pioneer partners’.

Tim Bryant, European training and customer experience manager for BYD Europe, says the Chinese-owned firm recognises ‘regional expertise’ and that buyers could expect a ‘regional roll-out to happen’.

It is initially rolling out at a number of sites operating through existing dealer partners, with Pendragon, Arnold Clark, Lookers and LSH Auto all announced as key retailers. These initial partners form what Bryant calls the ‘backbone of the UK’. BYD will provide additional training for partners, too, with ‘the learning and expertise from one division’ transferred to other areas.

It plans to operate 20 to 30 showrooms by the end of 2023, and hopes to have between 90 and 100 car dealerships by the end of 2025. ‘We very quickly recognised that even if you put a store in Manchester, that doesn’t mean you’ve covered the north,’ Bryant added.

BYD already operates around 3,500 electric buses in the country.

IT’S TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITES

• Car Dealer Power 2023 survey lets dealers have their say anonymously

• Survey is open until May for retailers to fill in

• The top car manufacturers and suppliers will be revealed in June

Have you voted yet in this year’s Car Dealer Power?

Make sure you do, because our awards give dealers the ultimate chance to have their say and rate the suppliers they do business with, as well as the car manufacturers they represent – all without fear of any possible reprisals!

Brought forward this year to be presented in early summer – like we used to do pre-Covid – these awards are the only ones voted for by those who matter the most: you, the car dealers.

We use your marks in 13 categories to determine an overall score for each manufacturer and rank them from the best to the worst to represent.

You can rate everything from your manufacturer’s marketing to the requirements that it puts on you as a franchisee.

Voting in our anonymous survey opened in February and traders certainly haven’t been backward in coming forward.

Dealers really can say what they think, as only the scores published on this website are shared with the manufacturers.

Last year, Kia won the survey for the third year running, narrowly beating sister firm Hyundai, which came second, while Suzuki was third.

Can it manage it for the fourth year in a row? Only YOU can decide!

We’ll also be looking to name the best suppliers to car dealers, with votes cast in 20 categories here.

Any car dealer can vote in the Car Dealer Power awards and independents can skip straight to naming the best suppliers to do business with.

Voting only takes a few minutes.

As well as the best manufacturers to represent and the best suppliers to partner with, Car Dealer Power also names the Car of the Year, as voted for by Car Dealer’s readers.

Last year, the new Range Rover won the top gong, with Nissan’s Ariya and Dacia’s Jogger runner-up and highly commended respectively.

Car dealers can vote for their favourite car from any brand.

Voting for the Car Dealer Power awards 2023 closes on Sunday, May 21.

The award winners will then be announced in a special video to be broadcast around Wednesday, June 28. In the meantime, you can watch last year’s awards by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

The Range Rover came top last year with the Nissan Ariya and Dacia Jogger runner-up and highly commended.

following categories

SUPPLIERS

• Cleaning Product

• Recruitment Agency

• Stock Acquisition – for those providers who help dealers source stock via trade-to-trade or consumer-to-trade channels online

• Auction House – firms that have either a physical or online presence, or both

• Used Car Valuations

• Consumer Lead Generation

• Dealer Management System

• Website Provider for Independent Dealers

• Website Provider for Franchised Dealers

• Provenance Checks

• Warranties

• Paint Protection

• Trade Insurance

• Online Advertiser for New Cars

• Online Advertiser for Used Cars

• Finance (Sub-Prime)

• Finance (Prime)

• Personalised Video

• Extra Mile Award

• Product Innovation

MANUFACTURERS

• Manufacturer of the Year

• Car of the Year

Voting for this year’s awards will close on Sunday, May 21 –but don’t delay!

IN DETAIL CITROEN OLI

This concept car could very well be the French manufacturer’s EV future. James Batchelor has the details.

This mad-looking thing is the Citroen Oli. It’s a concept car, but unlike a lot of visions of the future, the thinking that has gone into this vehicle is clever and feasible. The French firm believes current electric cars are too heavy and inefficient, so the Oli is a comprehensive reimagining of how electric cars should be. Car Dealer was invited to drive the Oli this month, and here we share the car’s vital statistics.

Styling

Let’s face it, the Oli looks like nothing else. One of its distinctive features is its flat windscreen. Having such an upright piece of glass is bad for aerodynamics, but the Oli features special air curtains to push the air away from the screen. The reason why it’s flat is that it maximises space inside and makes the interior cooler on hot days as it’s in shade. The doors, meanwhile, are similar to those on the Mazda MX-30, and the front windows pop out rather than having heavy electric window mechanisms.

Wheels

Most cars have either steel or alloy wheels, which tend to be very heavy. So Citroen has combined the two to make these ones much lighter, contributing to a 6kg weight saving. The tyres are also experimental ones from Goodyear and feature reusable carcasses – only the tread is replaced, which means less weight, and the tyres themselves last for up to 300,000 miles.

Interior

Inside is just as wacky and well thought out. There’s no infotainment system; instead, the driver slots their phone into a slot in the dash. The ultra-lightweight seats take design and comfort ideas from the world of the office chair, and the Oli’s sound system consists of removable Bluetooth speakers. There’s space for four, and the rear loading area can convert into a pick-up truck.

Weight

Boy, is the Oli light. It may look like a big car but it has a similar footprint to a Volkswagen ID.3. However, while the heaviest ID.3s weigh around two tonnes, the Oli only weighs one tonne, which is the same as the considerably smaller and less practical Smart Fortwo. How is it so light? Well, the roof, pick-up bed and bonnet are made from cardboard (corrugated cardboard is stuck between fibreglass panels that are then coated in polyurethane paint for strength), which comes in at around half the weight of equivalent steel panels.

Will it make production?

Citroen could put the Oli straight into production, bar a few modifications. But what’s more likely is the car’s clever features will be seen in future models. So, expect to see cardboard panels, special seats and lightweight wheels sometime soon.

Battery

The Oli has a 40kWh battery. That might seem small, but thanks to the car’s weight and efficiency – Citroen claims six miles per kWh – a range of 250 miles is said to be possible.

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COMMENT

Electric revolution could well see Chinese triumph with their second assault

It was over some sandwiches and assorted finger food that the plan was laid out. The mighty IM Group had acquired the distribution rights to offer an unheard-of Chinese car brand to UK customers and it was going to make an impact. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? (The plan, not the buffet.) However, this meeting didn’t take place recently but in spring 2011.

It was one of the first cover features I was ever involved in for Car Dealer. We had travelled up to IM’s then-offices and heard all about this Chinese brand –Great Wall – and the IM Group’s plans for it.

Industry veteran Paul Hegarty was the man charged with the role of disrupting the UK car industry, and it all sounded very interesting to me as a young, innocent 20something. Vol-au-vents might have been served; I can’t remember.

Great Wall was going to bring over a rather basic but bang-on-the-money pickup called the Steed, as well as a supermini that looked surprisingly like a Toyota Yaris. Only the pick-up made the journey west, though.

As for dealers, Great Wall did have a reasonably sized network in the end under the circumstances. However, at the time of the decadent lunch, no dealers had been signed up. But they would, we were promised, and all would agree to Great Wall’s ‘Customer Charter’. This was a scheme that rewarded dealers based on customer reviews and how impressed buyers were by the level of service they’d received from that particular dealer.

It wasn’t just customer service that’d win over the sceptical British buying public either but that age-old thing of throwing free stuff at them. The Great Walls would be packed with equipment other carmakers would charge extra for.

Ultimately, though, Great Wall wasn’t a success. The Steed disappeared from sale in 2016 due to it falling foul of upcoming emissions regulations, and its demise took the brand with it. Why am I telling you this? Well, it was interesting to think back to that lunch meeting now that Chinese brands are making major waves in the UK car market all these years later.

It’s fair to say that the Chinese powerhouse SAIC has done most of the ground work in turning Brits on to Chinese cars. It owns MG, and the cars that wear the octagon-shaped badge have, let’s face it, very little to do with the MGs that went before them. And while we’re being honest, I’d expect the vast majority of owners of ‘new’ MG cars know very little of the dainty British sports cars of years gone by, but it’s a name that resonates enough for people to take a look at the product offering. By using a British brand, SAIC has cleverly sold its wares to Brits.

Just over a decade on from that tentative start by Great Wall, the landscape has changed immensely. MG has shown that cars from China can be accepted, but more than that, it’s the industry’s switch to electric that will be the Chinese brands’ major free pass to success.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the roll-out of electric cars is a great leveller. Electric technology standardises cars to previously unseen levels, thanks to their shared platforms and off-the-shelf motors and batteries. European legacy brands will have just their heritage to trade on in an age of uniform electric cars, and this is how the Chinese carmakers can really make their presence felt.

The onslaught by the Chinese has already begun. Aside from MG, Great Wall is having another go at wooing the Brits with its pure-electric Ora division and then there’s BYD. Some of the biggest dealers are taking out franchises with these two newcomers. Privately, some have told me that they don’t expect large numbers of sales just yet, but there’s potential.

I for one am grabbing a vol-au-vent and watching it all unfold.

Great Wall was going to bring over a rather basic but bang-onthe-money pick-up called the Steed.

Big Mike

Octavia and I were made for each other so why play hard to get?

Anyone who works in the car trade will tell you that one of the biggest challenges at the moment is finding stock. In the auction houses and in the small ads, it’s a bun fight. To get the cars with the margins attached, you have to be first on the scene and watching the internet morning, noon and night.

It’s one of the reasons why, in recent times, I’ve moved to selling more unusual stuff – performance cars, convertibles, modern classics. It’s just too dog-eat-dog out there for a gentleman of my advancing years to even get drawn into a bidding war over something as unmemorable as a Vauxhall Corsa or a Kia whatever-the-boring-mid-size-SUV-is-called.

As such, I spend a lot of my time looking for the weird stuff that most mainstream dealers wouldn’t know what to do with but which I know has a pretty lucrative niche market.

Late-Nineties and early-2000s stuff in the right kind of condition is good news to a certain type of buyer, and it was that type of buyer to whom the lovely, original and unmodified Skoda Octavia vRS would have appealed when I saw it advertised on Gumtree the other week.

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.

It looked right in the photos, the paperwork was spot on, the mileage was reasonable and the MOT history online was flawless. Plus at £1,300, it was also cheap enough to more than double its money with the right level of prep and the correct marketing, so I decided to have a go on it. A cheapie, but a goodie. One that would be easy to sell and would cover this week’s electricity bill. (I think I’m joking, but based on last month’s bill, I’m not sure.)

I dropped the vendor a message and asked if I could go and view it, to which he responded positively with lots of information about the car but no mention of his address. So I replied to say I was definitely very interested but he’d need to send me his address so I could go and have a look at it.

The response was radio silence, despite a follow-up message just in case he’d not seen the first one. I presumed that in the meantime, someone else had come along with the readies and bought it, and irritating as that would be, as someone who sells cars for a living I fully understand that the first person to put the money in your hand gets the prize. I chalked it down to experience and continued looking for similar-aged stock elsewhere.

Two days later, while idly browsing Facebook Marketplace, a very familiar Skoda appeared. Same price, same photos. Rather puzzled, I dropped the vendor a message.

A similar exchange ensued. On Gumtree, you don’t know who you’re talking to, so he had no idea it was the same chap, and I asked pretty much the same questions.

‘Please can I come and view the car?’

‘Yes, sure.’

‘Excellent. When can I come round and what’s your address, please?’ Silence. Absolute radio silence. And this time, with it being a Messenger

I know all too well that the general public are rubbish at selling cars. It’s how the likes of you and I can actually make a living out of it.

conversation, I could see that he’d read what I’d sent him. Now, I know all too well that the general public are rubbish at selling cars. It’s how the likes of you and I can actually make a living out of it, after all. But this guy took things to a new level.

Imagine my surprise, then, when the following Sunday I was out doing my weekly food shop at a well-known grocery outlet when I spotted said Skoda in the car park, so I figured I’d give it one last shot.

I scribbled a note on the back of an old till receipt explaining that I was the chap who’d messaged him via Facebook and that I was desperately keen to get my hands on his car, then I did my shopping while simultaneously trying to work out which of my fellow trolley-pushers was the type of person who’d own an immaculate 20-year-old Octavia vRS and be hopeless at returning phone messages. Was it the man shopping in his pyjamas, or the one with a giant haircut that could be better described as a plumage?

I got home an hour or so later and was just running myself a bath when the phone rang. ‘Hello Mike. It’s Steve, with the Skoda,’ said a voice that was quite clearly in the pub, or if not, at least somewhere else where the football was on the telly and there were lots of folk about.

Wonders may never cease, I thought.

Keeping it friendly, I replied: ‘Thanks for calling me – I’m actually really keen to buy your car. Would that be possible?’

‘Well, actually, no,’ said Steve, a scratching, rustling noise coming from his phone suggesting that he was indeed the chap with the plumage. ‘And that’s why I’m calling you from the pub. I don’t want to sell it at all and it’s only fair that I front it up with you. I bought it a few weeks ago and I love it, but my fiancée hates it and she’s told me I have to sell it. So, I keep advertising it to show willing and then deliberately ignoring inquiries.’

At least he had the decency to tell me, poor chap. I now find myself wondering which one will go first – the fiancée or the Skoda? I’ve a feeling I know which one I’d keep...

It was that type of buyer to whom the lovely, original and unmodified Skoda Octavia vRS would have appealed.

It’s just too dog-eat-dog out there for a gentleman of my advancing years to even get drawn into a bidding war over something as unmemorable as a Vauxhall

CAR NEWS ROUND-UP DASHBOARD

Manufacturers have been refining their models and

GENESIS

FORD

Ranger toughened with Wildtrak X and Tremor versions

FORD has extended its Ranger line-up with two new off-road-focused models.

The creation of the Wildtrak X and Tremor means the number of specifications available for the Ranger is now the broadest it has ever been. They also bring toughened features and better load-carrying options. Both models receive a ‘substantially’ reworked

chassis with upgraded suspension that incorporates Bilstein dampers as standard, while a range of new offroad driver-assistance systems means that heading off the beaten track is even easier than before.

Both versions also get a flexible rack system designed to help with loading longer items. Standard on Wildtrak X and Tremor, it’ll be an option on other Ranger models.

GENESIS

Smaller model could be on way to Europe

GENESIS has given a first look at a new production model with the GV80 Coupe Concept.

A sleeker version of the large GV80 SUV, the model was revealed at the Genesis House in New York ahead of a full debut at the New York Auto Show, which took place between April 7 and April 16.

The GV80 Coupe Concept hints at sportier things to come from the South Korean premium manufacturer. While Genesis has shown a series of sportier concept cars, such as the X Speedium Coupe, the firm has largely ruled out introducing these as production models.

But the GV80 Coupe Concept looks far closer to a showroomready vehicle and a departure from its traditional luxury and comfort-focused models.

LAMBORGHINI

Revuelto is a 1,000bhp hybrid supercar that can hit 217mph

LAMBORGHINI has unveiled its new flagship Revuelto supercar. Equipped with the Italian firm’s first plug-in hybrid V12 engine, which combines the 12-cylinder petrol engine with three electric motors coupled to a 3.8kWh battery, it can be charged either via a plug or directly from the engine, with the former taking around 30 minutes and the latter around six minutes to fully charge. Combined, this setup produces 1,000bhp and results in a 0-60mph time of under 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 217mph. It’ll also manage the zero-to-124mph sprint in just seven seconds flat.

SOUTH Korean premium firm Genesis is considering introducing a smaller model for the European market as the brand looks to boost its sales.

Genesis was launched in the UK in 2021, with its smallest car so far being the mid-size electric GV60 SUV. Marc Choi, vice-president and product officer, said: ‘We are looking into expanding our models.

‘One of the key requests we get, especially from Europe, is a smaller segment model, such as Mint.’

THE KOREAN WAVE: PAGE 32

producing new ones. We look at some of the results...

GV80 Coupe Concept hints at sportier things to come

MERCEDES

GLS SUV receives styling tweaks

MERCEDES has revealed an updated version of its GLS SUV, bringing small styling changes as well as electrified powertrains as standard.

At the front, the GLS –Mercedes’ largest SUV – gets a redesigned grille with more prominent horizontal bars across it, while the new bumper features additional gloss black elements.

Around the rear, the SUV is given a new LED lighting signature with three horizontal blocks at each side, while a new set of 20-inch alloy wheels is also offered.

More clues about upcoming Puma EV

FORD has given further clues about its upcoming electric Puma, including powertrain details and charging times.

The firm recently revealed its new E-Transit Courier electric van, with Ford confirming that this new commercial vehicle shares the same B2E platform as the Puma. It uses a front-mounted electric motor producing 134bhp and 290Nm of torque.

Ford says it’ll be able to charge at up to 100kW, allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in around 35 minutes.

Flagship EV9 SUV will offer claimed range of 336+ miles

KIA has announced a range of new details about its new EV9, with the flagship electric car set to bring technology advancements and Kia’s largest battery yet.

Using a specific electric car platform, the EV9 will be offered in rear- or all-wheel-drive guise, with two battery and motor options. The entry-level model will use a 76kWh battery mated to a single electric motor producing 201bhp. A ‘Long Range’ version is also available, using a 100kWh battery that is the largest to be fitted to a Kia, with this unlocking the EV9’s maximum range. Kia claims an ‘estimated target range of over 541km (336 miles)’.

ROLLS-ROYCE

Limited-edition Black Arrows mark end of Wraith production

ROLLS-ROYCE’S Wraith production is drawing to a close with a special release of just 12 Black Arrow models.

The Wraith will be the last V12 coupe built by Rolls-Royce as the firm switches to a fully electric future.

This Black Arrow Collection is inspired by the world land speed record-beating Thunderbolt from 1938. Driven by George Eyston, it reached 357.497mph. A large black arrow incorporating a yellow central circle motif was painted on the side of the car so that it could be clearly seen at high speed.

Courier updated to include electric van

T.33 Spider supercar could cost £1.8m

FORD’S new Transit Courier –the next generation of its most compact van – will include an electric version.

The Courier isn’t based on a van platform but rather one used on the Ford Puma crossover. A much more practical van is promised, with a far larger load area that’s longer and wider. It’ll also have a payload of up to 845kg.

And as well as the petrol and diesel models, there’ll be an E-Transit with a 134bhp electric motor allowing up to 100kW DC rapid charging.

GORDON Murray Automotive has unveiled its T.33 Spider – a V12 convertible supercar that promises an especially pure driving experience.

Following the T.50 hypercar and T.33 coupe, both of which are sold out, this new Spider model will be limited to 100 units. It uses a lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque construction, and its 3.9-litre Cosworth V12 produces 609bhp, revving up to 11,100rpm. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but there is speculation of a £1.8m tag.

GMA

KIA

HERE ARE TASTERS OF STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

McLaren site sets eyes on global title

NEWS DIGEST

CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR THE FULL STORY

MCLAREN’S New Forest dealership has been named one of the manufacturer’s top retailers in the world.

The Bramshaw luxury supercar showroom, which opened in 2019, was chosen in recognition of its exceptional performance over the past 12 months and is now one of 11 worldwide showrooms battling for the Global Retailer of the Year crown.

It sees the dealership automatically granted membership of McLaren’s Premier Club.

HONOUR RESTORER

Administrators are brought in

A USED CAR Mini specialist dealership has taken a creative approach to its new signs after BMW said it couldn’t use the word ‘MINI’.

Previously called Mini World, the dealership has rebranded as ‘iNi World’ and amended its signs after BMW claimed it had breached its copyright. The dealership, on Ayr Road in Kilmarnock, is owned by independent family dealer Bridgend Motor Group. It took a tongue-in-cheek approach by changing the ‘i’s to lower case, crossing out the ‘M’s and covering the logos with emojis.

EXCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE

Group 1 Automotive UK boss quits role

LAND Rover Defender restorer Spirit of 48 has gone into administration along with parent firm ARM Automotive Yorkshire.

Previously known as LR Motors, Spirit of 48 – which had its head office and main workshop in Thirsk plus an office in Germany – had only changed its name in January.

A statement cited ‘escalating financial pressure’ as the reason for the collapse. Mark Ranson and Emma Mifsud from Opus Restructuring LLP have been appointed as the administrators.

GROUP 1 Automotive has parted company with UK managing director Mark Bridgland.

Car Dealer can exclusively reveal that Bridgland left the business, with staff informed via an email bulletin.

The bulletin was leaked to Car Dealer and gave no indication as to why Bridgland, who was only appointed to the role last summer, had left. Car Dealer contacted Bridgland for a comment but did not receive a response.

Solus site celebrates making £1.8m profit

A SINGLE-FRANCHISE car dealership is celebrating an impressive performance that saw it generate a staggering £1.8m profit in a year.

Pre-tax profit for BRD Retail Ltd –the company behind Burton Kia – for the year to August 2022 was £1.79m, which was up from £820,000 in 2021. Turnover rose to £24m from £18m. MD Charlie Bullock exclusively told Car Dealer: ‘We’re incredibly proud of last year’s achievement.’

Image: Google Street View

Used car dealer is forced to rebrand Mini site after BMW claims that its copyright has been breached

It’s the industry’s switch to electric that will be the Chinese brands’ major free pass to success.

James Batchelor p13

RESULTS

Losses at Cazoo deepen to £704m

EXPANSION

Polestar opens Space at Cribbs Causeway

USED car dealer Cazoo lost a whopping £704m in 2022 – a huge increase on the £544m loss posted the year before.

Results for the full year show revenues were up to £1.25bn from the sale of 65,366 cars. However, losses for the troubled group have increased dramatically as it battled to shut down its operations across Europe and focus on the UK.

Gross profit per unit for the year also FELL from just £427 per car in 2021 to a woeful £403 in 2022.

Massive blaze hits JLR showroom

POLESTAR has opened its fifth ‘Space’ in the UK.

Located at Cribbs Mall in Cribbs Causeway, north of Bristol, the Space will be operated by Waylands Automotive. Polestar said the new facility will share the same look and feel of its other Spaces with a minimalist design, test-drive opportunities and product specialists who aren’t on a commission.

A sixth site is set to open in Glasgow later this year, under the Lookers banner.

EXCLUSIVE

Cinch announces shock redundancies

ONLINE-ONLY used car dealer Cinch has announced a swathe of redundancies as it looks to shed six per cent of its workforce.

Consultations have started after staff in the firm’s technology division were told their jobs were at risk.

News of the meeting was leaked to Car Dealer and Cinch confirmed it will be looking to cut staff numbers.

The source told Car Dealer the consultations were likely to result in around 60 jobs going. Cinch made a £149m pre-tax loss last year.

UK Carline snaps up Vertu’s leasing outfit

A HUGE fire caused substantial damage to Inchcape’s Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Preston.

At the height of the blaze – which broke out early on Good Friday – 11 fire engines were used to tackle the inferno.

The dealership is closed while investigations take place to establish the cause of the fire. Nobody was injured.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

CAR leasing company UK Carline has bought Vertu Motors’ leasing division.

The deal – for an undisclosed sum – will see staff at Vertu Lease Cars join the Preston-headquartered outfit, pictured, to provide vehicles on lease to people nationwide.

The two companies have worked together since 2007, and UK Carline MD Darren Godbert said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Vertu Lease Cars to the UK Carline family.’

Image:

I spend a lot of my time looking for the weird stuff that most mainstream dealers wouldn’t know what to do with.

Big Mike p14

‘The days of characterful V8-powered sports cars are numbered, and the F-Type is a fitting tribute to the genre.’

Forecourt: p26

HERE ARE TASTERS OF STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Bowker installing 1,600 solar panels

NEWS DIGEST

CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR THE FULL STORY

BOWKER Motor Group is putting in 1,600 solar panels on its dealership roofs with the aim of generating a quarter of its electricity from the sun’s energy.

The dealership chain, which has BMW and Mini centres in Blackburn and Preston, said the panels would also save 130 tonnes of emissions a year.

Group director Chris Eccles said: ‘We want to lead the way in environmentally friendly business.’

ENERGY SCHEME

Pictured is electrical contractor

Shaun Mann

Tesla tries out remote test drives

The 63-year-old saw the plant rise from an empty field to become a leading UK carmaking factory. He was one of the original 22 supervisors hired before the plant opened to oversee the start of production for the Nissan Bluebird, and later held a range of senior positions. He has been replaced by Alan Johnson, pictured left, who in turn has been replaced by Adam Pennick, seen here on the right.

MILESTONE AWARD

Wrexham site takes VW crown once again

TESLA has announced an innovative new way of selling cars with the launch of its ‘remote test-drive’ scheme.

The initiative allows potential buyers to get behind the wheel of a Tesla without the need for a salesperson or showroom.

Users simply book a test drive online before heading off to a designated centre where the car will unlock for them remotely.

The scheme is being introduced across Europe, with the first UK location in Perth, pictured above.

WREXHAM Volkswagen has been named the brand’s best UK dealership in a ceremony celebrating the company’s network of retailers.

The Swansway dealership took top prize in the Retailer of the Year category of the Volkswagen One Business Awards 2022.

It’s the second year in a row that the north Wales outfit has scooped the prestigious gong ahead of around 180 dealers in VW’s UK network.

3.1

10,000th TX rolls off LEVC production line

LEVC is celebrating producing its 10,000th vehicle.

The company’s first TX electric taxi rolled off the production line at its state-of-the-art Ansty factory in 2018 and delivered in London.

Since then, 10,000 of them have been built and sold across the world from Paris to Madrid and Cairo to Tokyo.

LEVC sold 2,508 TX taxis in 2022, making it the manufacturer’s best annual sales performer to date.

NISSAN Sunderland veteran and senior vice-president Kevin Fitzpatrick has retired after a career with the Japanese carmaker spanning nearly 40 years.

Nissan Sunderland veteran retires after seeing plant rise to become a leading carmaking factory

of

service

experience

PROBE PARTNER

Corruption suspects at Mercedes factory

Lookers plans £5.6m CarHub used EV site

LSH Auto welcomes first BYD customers

BITE-SIZE

Click on the text box for the full story

TWO Mercedes-Benz employees are being investigated for suspected corruption, according to reports.

The German tabloid Bild said prosecutors carried out searches at the manufacturer’s factory in Sindelfingen, near Stuttgart.

A computer and mobile were seized. It quoted chief prosecutor Aniello Ambrosio from the Stuttgart public prosecutor’s office as saying: ‘We are investigating two people on suspicion of corruption and commercial bribery.’

CREDITORS

Collapsed Autovogue was £1.09m in debt

LOOKERS has revealed plans to be a major player in the used EV market. Speaking to Car Dealer after the dealership chain announced its results for 2022, COO Duncan McPhee said the Car Dealer Top 100 company was looking to spend £5.6m on building its first standalone multi-franchise CarHub in Middlesbrough with used cars, multibrand value servicing, cosmetic repairs, EV charging with six 150kW supercharger points, plus an EV experience centre.

LSH AUTO has welcomed its first BYD customers at its flagship Stockport showroom.

The dealer group was named in January as one of the first in the UK to partner with the Chinese EV maker and its BYD Pioneer store in Brighton Road, Stockport, now showcases a range of BYD vehicles including the Atto 3. MD Vaughan Blackman said: ‘We are honoured to have been chosen by BYD as one of its UK partners for new car sales and ongoing aftersales support.’

CEREMONY EXPANSION

Rainworth Mansfield is Skoda’s top UK site

BAC to open three more Asian sites

RESHUFFLE: Hendy Group has transferred its Moke sales operation from Poole to Southampton. The move was made as part of an expansion of Hendy’s performance brand, bringing the electric Moke into the heart of the division.

PURCHASE: Inchcape has expanded its distribution footprint in Indonesia after buying Mercedes-Benz’s business there. The deal involves local partner Indomobil and is expected to reap it £200m extra revenue a year.

HOURS: A dealership has won permission to extend its opening hours despite noise fears. LSH Auto’s Mercedes-Benz site in Whitefield can lengthen weekday hours of 8am-6.30pm to 6am10pm and open two hours earlier on Saturdays at 6am.

AUTOVOGUE – the used car dealer that blamed failing used Jaguar Land Rover vehicles as one of the reasons for its collapse – ended up owing more than £1m to creditors.

New documents filed with Companies House show the nowliquidated luxury car dealer owed a variety of motor trade businesses £1.09m. The names listed are some of the biggest companies in the motor trade – with some owed hundreds of thousands of pounds.

SKODA honoured the best of its UK dealer network at a glitzy ceremony.

The prestigious Retailer of the Year honour was scooped by Rainworth Skoda Mansfield, which beat DM Skoda Grimsby and Simpsons Skoda Great Yarmouth into second and third respectively.

It has represented the brand since 2001 and previously won the overall prize in 2019. Pictured are Simon Beckett, left, and Jon Atherton from Rainworth Skoda Mansfield

SUPERCAR brand Briggs Automotive Company is expanding in Asia with three new showrooms set to open.

Japan is to get two retailers – in Tokyo and Fukuoka – and Taiwan will have one in Taipei, building on BAC’s presence in Asia, which accounts for more than a third of the Liverpool-based brand’s total international export volume.

Its Mono and BAC Mono R are the world’s only road-legal, single-seater supercars.

LOSSES: Ford’s EV business has lost $3bn – equivalent to £2.44bn – before taxes over the past two years and is set to lose a similar amount this year. The Blue Oval said the losses were unavoidable as it invested in the new technology.

DEAL: The largest roll-out of on-street charging by a local authority will see 10,000 public chargers installed across Surrey by 2030. The £60m project will be funded by charge point provider Connected Kerb. Drivers will have to pay to use them.

‘We can provide a level

customer

and

that goes beyond the other offerings in the market.’

Feature p32

WHAT IS IT?

The BYD Atto 3 is the Chinese firm’s first full production car to arrive on these shores and it’s doing so with a wealth of technology plus plenty of cutting-edge battery systems.

WHAT’S NEW?

The Atto 3 is underpinned by a clever new ‘Blade’ battery that can offer a higher power density – meaning more range – for less space and weight. It also makes up an integral part of the car as a whole, so it’s part of the structure rather than being an add-on.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

You’ve got a 60.5kWh battery bringing a range of around 260 miles, while a 201bhp electric motor means a zero-to-60mph time of 7.1 seconds and a 99mph top speed. The Atto 3 doesn’t have the best of charging times but it’ll still manage a 0-80 per cent charge in 44 minutes when hooked up to a 150kW rapid charger. Plug in at a 7kW home unit and you’re looking at a full charge in nine hours and 45 minutes.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The cabin of the Atto 3 might be a little off the wall but the driving experience is familiar. The steering is well weighted and there’s a pleasant lean towards a more comfortable ride quality than we’ve found with other EVs. The overarching sensation you get is of solidity –this feels like a well-put-together car.

The performance is more than adequate for this size of car, too, while the seats are a standout feature as they’re really comfortable without being under-bolstered. The active steering is a little too intrusive in the bends, mind you; as the car tries to steer you around a corner, it goes against your natural line and ends up feeling as though it wants to go one way while you’re aiming for another.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

Much the same as the rest of the car, the BYD Atto 3’s design strikes a nice balance between being interesting without trying to force itself into people’s eyeline. The front end’s slim headlights carve a nice, athletic portrait, while the upright, SUV-like stance means that it’s got a good deal of presence on the road.

Around the back, there are equally slimline lights tied together with a central bar. You

THE KNOWLEDGE

BYD Atto 3

Price (as tested): £36,490

Engine: Electric motor

Power: 201bhp

Torque: 310Nm

Max speed: 99mph

O-60mph: 7.1 seconds

Range: 260 miles

Emissions: 0g/km CO

Power

The 201bhp motor gives a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 99mph.

The Atto 3 promises plenty of electric range, loads of in-car tech and good practicality, too. Jack Evans finds out if it actually delivers.

Style

The Atto 3’s front and rear benefit from slimline lights that help give the car an athletic look.

also get BYD’s name – Build Your Dreams – spread out in lettering across the bootlid. This is down to personal opinion, of course, but the moniker is a little too ‘Disneyland’ for our liking.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

The fundamentals of the Atto 3’s cabin are spot on. There’s great headroom and legroom for those sitting in the rear, while the clear and open view for those up front is great, too, and as we’ve already touched upon, the seats are really comfortable.

At 440 litres – or 1,338 litres with the seats down – boot space is more than adequate, although it’s less than the 520 litres you’d find in the Audi Q4 e-tron.

Fit and finish is good, too, and the material quality is by and large on the money. We also like some of the quirky features, such as the side pockets, which have been designed like guitar strings, or the chunky controls for the air vents. It all throws a nice bit of colour and personality into the Atto 3.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

Prices for the Atto 3 kick off from £36,490, rising to £38,990 for the top ‘Design’ spec car. In fact, there are only three trim levels to choose from, as well as five exterior shades. All cars get a panoramic sunroof as standard, alongside LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Importantly, a heat pump comes as standard – it’s an option on many EVs – and this helps to boost efficiency in cold temperatures.

Entry-level Active and mid-level Comfort specs get a 12.8-inch central screen, while ‘Design’ models boost this to 15.6 inches. Whichever you choose, they all rotate – so you can have it either landscape or portrait at the touch of a button – while the software it runs is really quick and easy to use. Every model gets BYD’s own voice command function, as well as wireless smartphone charging.

WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK?

Autocar said: ‘BYD has jumped straight into one of the most competitive car segments going – and produced a credible contender.’

WHAT DO WE THINK?

The BYD Atto 3 feels like a car that has been designed specifically to slot into a place left by a traditional petrol or diesel car. It’s easy to drive, easy to live with and easy to look at, too, while its £36,490 starting price makes it particularly attractive, given the level of standard equipment you get.

BYD’s only stumbling block is heritage. Being relatively unknown means it’s starting out as a new kid on the block in the EV segment. However, thanks to its partnerships with some big and trusted UK dealers, we can only see things going one way for BYD – up.

Inside

The Atto has some quirky features and the overall fit and finish is good.

TARGET BUYERS:

Family crossover buyers looking for something a bit different.

THE RIVALS:

Kia Niro EV

Skoda Enyaq iV

Audi Q4 e-tron

KEY SELLING POINTS:

1. Generous standard equipment

2. Easy to drive and live with

3. Distinctive interior

DEAL CLINCHER:

An EV that will ideally fill the gap left by a petrol or diesel car.

We also like some of the quirky features. It all throws a nice bit of colour and personality into the Atto 3.

JAGUAR F-TYPE R 75

THE KNOWLEDGE

Jaguar F-Type R 75

Price (as tested): £102,870

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Power: 567bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Max speed: 186mph

O-60mph: 3.5 seconds

MPG (combined): 27mpg

Emissions:

The new F-Type 75 will be the British marque’s final combustion-engined sports car. James Batchelor gets behind the wheel for a last hurrah.

WHAT IS IT?

The F-Type P450 75 and F-Type R 75 represent the final iteration of the F-Type sports car before it’s killed off next year in readiness for Jaguar to become a pure-electric carmaker from 2025.

WHAT’S NEW?

There’s a handful of little tweaks plus a unique colour to mark out the special positioning. Giola Green Metallic signals the 75 special editions, but it’s an optional extra on the regular P450 75, costing £765.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

The ‘regular’ P450 75 gets a 444bhp version of Jag’s unashamedly old-school 5.0-litre supercharged V8 with drive going to the rear wheels, while the F-Type R 75 gets a 567bhp tune of the engine and adds all-wheel drive. As in the past, the V8 only comes with an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

It almost feels wrong to be driving such a leviathan in these days of pure-electrics and mild hybrids, but fire up the V8 and it utterly dominates proceedings. The 5.0-litre loves to rev, with every subsequent gearshift from the eight-speed automatic emitting a loud ‘crack’ from the four tailpipes and a thump through the drivetrain.

The 2020 updated F-Type R pinched the suspension set-up from the previous F-Type SVR, so it’s harsh and uncompromising when ‘Dynamic’ is selected as the drive mode. But play around with the settings and the dampers can be softened while the rest of the car is turned up to 11. And while the F-Type is getting on a bit, it revels in fast, undulating corners with quick, deliciously accurate steering; on twistier stuff, a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS would scamper away and leave the lardier Jag behind, but there’s an appealing sporty GT feeling with the F-Type.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

One word: stunning. The F-Type looks almost as fresh as it did when it appeared in a wave of pomp and noise a decade ago. A styling refresh in 2020, which mostly focused on giving the F a more aggressive-looking nose, certainly helped with the age-defying process.

Power

The 5.0-litre supercharged V8 pumps out 567bhp and 700Nm of torque.

But generally speaking, the F-Type in either coupe or convertible form is as good-looking as it always was, especially with its gorgeous styling references to the E-Type. The F-Type was a key model for Jaguar in the 2010s, and arguably helped to redefine the company’s image and regain some of its kudos. It’ll be interesting to see if Jaguar returns to an E-Type homage when it goes electric in 2025.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

The interior is the area where the F-Type has changed the least since its launch a decade ago. The design is still a highlight with chunky air conditioning knobs, well-placed controls and that sweeping grab handle. But the quality isn’t quite up to standard any more and the sense of cosiness sometimes makes visibility a tad hard.

The chief bugbear, though, is the infotainment, as the F-Type doesn’t have the current operating system but an older version, which is frustrating to use and the screen is illegible in bright sunshine. The seats hug you well though, and so long as that suspension is in a softer setting, it’s a comfortable car in which to cover vast distances.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

If you want a V8 F-Type, you can only go for either of these special edition 75 models. That means there are a few nice options thrown in, such as ‘slimline’ sports seats trimmed in Windsor leather, Ebony ‘suedecloth’ headlining and a smattering of badges showing the F-Type’s silhouette. Both P450 75 and R 75 get 20-inch alloys in differing designs, and there’s the unique Giola Green option for the paintwork, which – as mentioned earlier –Jaguar will charge you £765 for on the 75 but is a no-cost option on the R.

Our car seen in the pictures wears special paint developed by Jaguar’s specialist SV division. The satin Ligurian Black certainly looks amazing and gives the F-Type a roguish vibe but selecting it isn’t cheap – it comes in at £9,990.

WHAT DOES THE PRESS THINK?

Auto Express concluded that the F-Type R 75 ‘looks expensive compared to the still very powerful P450 75, particularly as the model is feeling its age inside, but as a send-off for Jaguar’s last ICE sports car, it certainly appeals’.

WHAT DO WE THINK?

Cards on the table, the 75 models don’t bring anything new to the party, and if you’re after a comfortable and fast GT a Porsche 911 does the job far better in most departments. But this is a leaving party after all, and the F-Type isn’t departing quietly.

The R struggles to justify its near-£25,000 price premium over the P450 75 and the latter would likely be our choice, but it’s hard to be rational with these last-of-the-line F-Types. The days of characterful V8-powered sports cars are numbered, and the F-Type is a fitting tribute to the genre.

TARGET BUYERS:

Sports car buyers, of course, but also enthusiasts wanting the last of the F-Type line.

THE RIVALS:

Porsche 911

Design

The age-defying styling still looks almost as fresh as it did when the F-Type was launched.

Inside

The cabin has changed the least in the F-Type’s 10 years but the interior quality isn’t quite up to standard any more.

Mercedes-AMG SL BMW M850i

KEY SELLING POINTS:

1. Beautiful styling

2. Raucous soundtrack

3. Good fun to drive

DEAL CLINCHER:

It’s the last of its type –and it’s a great finale to an amazing tradition of combustion-engined sports cars.

The days of characterful V8powered sports cars are numbered, and the F-Type is a fitting tribute to the genre.

FERRARI PUROSANGUE

The Purosangue is Ferrari’s latest V12-powered model, but it brings practicality on top of performance. Jack Evans put one to the test.

THE KNOWLEDGE

Ferrari Purosangue

Price (as tested): £313,120

Engine: Naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12

WHAT IS IT?

Power

The naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 pumps out 715bhp and can push the Purosangue from 0-60mph in an impressive 3.1 seconds.

This is Ferrari’s first four-door, four-seater model. Designed to offer the space and versatility that people can’t get from other Ferrari models – yet while delivering the same razor-sharp performance and agility – the Purosangue has been absolutely loaded with go-faster technology and a host of innovations.

WHAT’S NEW?

Ferrari downright refuses to call the Purosangue an SUV, instead placing it alongside its historic range of 2+2 models. But there’s no denying it’ll be seen by many potential buyers alongside cars such as the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX707.

A wealth of lightweight materials and clever building processes also ensure the Purosangue isn’t as heavy as its previous four-seater models, even though it’s larger.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

Power: 715bhp

Torque: 716Nm

Max speed: 193 mph

O-60mph: 3.1 seconds

MPG (combined): 16.3mpg

Emissions: 393g/km CO2

Burbling away is a mid-front-mounted 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12, with 715bhp and 716Nm of torque to access at a moment’s notice. The Purosangue is four-wheel-drive, too, with the gearbox mounted at the rear and a special ‘Power Transfer Unit’ positioned ahead of the engine to provide near-perfect weight distribution.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

It can feel a little intimidating to begin with. It’s also much lower down than you might expect, so you do get the sensation of sitting ‘in’ the car rather than ‘on’ it as you do in other ‘conventional’ performance SUVs. But it’s no trouble getting up to speed with the Purosangue, thanks to a spot-on driving position with loads of adjustability.

Then there’s the engine. There’s certainly a countdown on naturally aspirated behemoths such as the Ferrari V12, but it’s an absolute joy to behold. Responsive and sharp – and not to mention hugely characterful in sound – it’s a real delight and, when coupled with the sharp, agile steering, makes for an experience you’ll get from no other car of this size. Even the ride quality is good, helped no end by the superbly complex active suspension system.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

The Purosangue definitely takes styling cues from other Ferrari models but it blends all these attributes in a very different way. It’s far lower than your ‘traditional SUV’ but also

has those trademark Ferrari elements of a long bonnet and a short, sharp rear end. The front lights look ultra sleek, too, while the light units at the back play closer to the ones you’ll find on the Roma. There are aerodynamic elements at play throughout the car, too, with clever inlets on the front wheel arches, for example, helping to channel air to ‘seal’ the front wheels in and make things as slippery as possible.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

The Purosangue is a dedicated four-seater, with those in the rear having plenty of space to stretch out and relax. The rear seats can be folded flat, too, extending the boot space. Plus, access to the rear is excellent, courtesy of the forward-hinged doors. The material quality is, as you might expect, very good. But it’s the ergonomics and space that we find very impressive. Our only gripe is with the large screen in front of the passenger – it can’t be used to input a destination into the navigation, which is one of the things that’d be really handy for someone travelling alongside the driver to be able to do.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

At just over £313,000, the Purosangue is one of the most expensive cars of its type today.

Cabin

The build quality of the interior is top-notch, plus the ergonomics and space are very impressive.

TARGET BUYERS:

Those looking for a Ferrari that can be used every day.

THE RIVALS:

Aston Martin DBX707

Bentley Bentayga Speed

Lamborghini Urus Performante

KEY SELLING POINTS:

1. Remarkable V12 engine

2. Genuine practicality

3. More agile and engaging than other performance SUVs

DEAL CLINCHER:

A Ferrari that, possibly for the first time, brings no compromise.

Style

The Purosangue takes its stying cues from other Ferraris, such as a long bonnet plus a short and sharp rear end.

In fact, with options, you could probably start heading towards the £400,000 mark. The interior feels decidedly special, though, with the main screen ahead of the driver showing a huge array of data and features. The Purosangue relies on smartphone mirroring for navigation, too, but trying to operate Apple CarPlay using the buttons on the steering wheel can prove a bit frustrating. Those in the back get their own heating and ventilation controls accessed via a cool rotary dial, and there’s the same for people in the front.

WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK?

Evo said: ‘Overall, the Purosangue is a deeply impressive and intriguing car.’

WHAT DO WE THINK?

It’s almost frustratingly hard to find fault with the Purosangue. Yes, it’s expensive and yes, it’s far from efficient, but as a proper driving experience – and one that allows you to bring passengers along for the ride – it’s remarkable. That V12 engine may not be long for the new car market, but while it’s here it remains one of the great characters in motoring. Against the current crop of performance SUVs, the Purosangue is easily the most agile and engaging, yet it can deliver this while also having the flip side of a comfortable and relaxing driving experience. It’s an impressive thing indeed.

Against the current crop of performance SUVs, the Purosangue is easily the most agile and engaging.

COOL STUFF

With the clocks having gone forward, the days are now getting longer and it seems that there’s a glimmer of warmer weather on the horizon.

That means more opportunities to get out of the house and see some of the world – and this month’s cool products can help with just that.

We’ve rounded up some of the best new items for you to make the most of the great outdoors in a variety of pursuits.

SONY has really mastered the art of making compact cameras that deliver big on quality. The new ZV-E1, which is actually focused around vlogging and handheld videos, takes the title of the world’s smallest, lightest, full-frame interchangeable lens blog camera.

Capable of filming in 4K, it’s got an adjustable LCD screen and can be paired with your smartphone for easy uploads to social media.

Garmin Edge 540 and 840 Cycle Computers

IF you’re getting into cycling, then it’s nice to see how far you’ve been and how quickly you’ve done your route. Many people use smartphones, but dedicated cycle computers are a must-have if you want the best possible information.

Industry leader Garmin has just released its new Edge 540 and Edge 840 models, which bring advanced mapping and loads of performance insights into one neat package.

THE weather is starting to warm up and that means it’s prime time to get out on the course.

Adidas already produces a variety of golforientated shoes, but this is the first time that it has incorporated its super-supportive Ultraboost technology into new golfing footwear.

Available initially in two exclusive colours, the Adidas Ultraboost Golf gets raised textured lugs to give you the best possible traction when hitting the ball.

Adidas Ultraboost Golf Shoes £TBA from £349

£various Oakley Bike Collection

OAKLEY sunglasses and cycling go hand in hand, which is probably why it has just released a new range dedicated to life on two wheels. Not only does the collection include eyewear, but it’s also got helmets, clothing and accessories that cover all aspects of cycling.

Highlights include the new Encoder Strike Vented glasses, which – as the name suggests – have a small vented brow section to help keep things cool.

THE KOREAN WAVE

Can Genesis replicate the success it’s had in South Korea here in Europe? Ted Welford

find out.

The past couple of decades have seen South Korea enjoy its moment – both culturally and economically.

You’ll have likely heard the irritatingly catchy Gangnam Style song from 2012, sampled the deliciousness of Korean Fried Chicken (no, not KFC) and watched the Netflix phenomenon that is Squid Game while bored in lockdown.

And it’s this interest in the eastern Asian country that led to the term ‘Korean Wave’ being coined. A slightly unfortunate name after Covid, we’ll admit.

But it’s this Korean Wave that premium carmaker Genesis, which launched in the UK in May 2021, hopes will generate interest in its products and brand in Europe. It’s an exceptionally tough market at this upper end of the spectrum, where buyers will do anything to drive a new car with a Mercedes, BMW and Audi badge on the centre of their steering wheel but – generally speaking – won’t consider other premium brands.

That’s been shown in its sales figures. It registered 127 cars in 2021, growing to a suspiciously round figure of 1,000 in 2022. So far in the UK, it’s only sold cars via its ‘Studios’ (sites in shopping centres) and purely online. There are currently two Studios in the UK, both of them in London – one in the Westfield shopping centre; the other in the revitalised Battersea Power Station.

It will open a third site much further north this summer in Edinburgh – likely coinciding with the Scottish Open taking place in July, of which Genesis is the main sponsor. The firm also recently confirmed it would establish its own dealer network in the UK as part of its next ‘phase’. The firm hopes to have operation deals by the start of 2024 and is currently seeking partners with which to work.

To get an idea of what Genesis’s future might look like in a market where the firm has been around since 2015 and is well developed, we headed to its home city of Seoul to ‘experience’ this country and explore the brand for ourselves.

Straight out of Seoul’s Incheon airport, it’s clear that Genesis cars are everywhere. If you see one of the firm’s models in the UK, it’s surprising; here, you can’t move for them. It’s almost as if Genesis is sponsoring the airport, but it’s the same scene everywhere.

It’s clear South Korea likes large cars, as predominantly it’s the BMW 5 Series-sized

headed to Seoul to

The Genesis Suji building is inspired by Korean architecture

Genesis G80 and Audi Q7-rivalling GV80 that are around, as well as an impressive number of G90s – the firm’s flagship luxury saloon, and one not sold in Europe.

It’s the G90 that is our first initial taste of Genesis and South Korea too – chauffeurdriven, of course – as we soak up the view of Seoul’s skyline from our massaging, heated, cooled (you name it) seats, with the strongest tinted windows you’ve ever seen. We’re transported around in a fleet of these blacked-out G90s for our full week in Seoul, in the most aggressively driven convoy of cars you’ve ever seen.

So the next day it’s as if the Mafia has descended on Genesis Suji – the firm’s largest showroom worldwide. With almost 5,000 sq m of space spread out across four floors, this is a mightily impressive place. Clad in rust-coloured weathered steel, which changes colour naturally, it most certainly stands out in what is otherwise quite an unremarkable part of southern Seoul.

Upon entering, this place is huge and about as far removed from a traditional dealership as you can get. There’s only one car on the entire ground floor – a G90 in this case. Seen under a spotlight, it’s as if K-pop band BTS is taking to the stage. It’s essentially an atrium with all floors overlooking this one car.

Around 110,000 people visit Genesis Suji a year, averaging around 330 people a day when it’s open. Of those who walk through the doors, only 120 buy a vehicle directly from the site each year, so it’s clear that this is very much an ‘experience’ site rather than one where deals are done.

The remaining three floors are assigned to a set type of vehicle. The second is for saloons while the third is for SUVs and the fourth is dedicated to the firm’s largest SUV, the GV80. Overlooking them all is a ‘car tower’ that can house up to 32 models and is there to display a host of models and configurations.

Speaking of configurations, we’re huge fans of the way Genesis displays car colours. Rather than a small square displaying the different shades, there are full-sized doors with contrasting interior combinations to give a better idea of what a vehicle will look like. It’s perhaps slight overkill, though, given that nearly every car in Seoul is black, grey or white… Genesis says it wants us to be its ‘son-nim’, meaning ‘honoured guest’ – a big part of what Genesis is about – and because of this, we get to see how a vehicle is handed over

PICTURES: DOMINIC FRASER

Being driven around in our convoy of G90s

Genesis Suji is the firm’s flagship showroom – a G90 is seen here under the spotlight

Genesis hopes that Korean culture will attract European buyers

At a cultural level, there is huge interest in Korea.

Graeme Russell Chief brand officer of Genesis

FEATURE

A sole G90 is the only car on the ground floor

Genesis shows its car colours in a unique way

Genesis Suji displays various electric models

The site has floors for SUVs and saloons

A car tower helps to show models in different colours and configurations

to a customer should they elect to pick it up from this site. We’re ushered into a room where there’s a G90 behind a glass door. There then entails a slightly odd ‘handover’, where a series of robots with cameras swivel about the car, effectively doing a ‘quality control’. Cynically, we ask if this also happens at the factory. It does, we’re told. This is all a free service, too.

Graeme Russell, the chief brand officer of Genesis and a Brit who’s previously worked for almost a decade in various positions at Bentley, tells us it’s this hospitality that helps to set Genesis apart from other brands.

‘Hospitality, we believe, is an opportunity to differentiate – to show that we can provide a level of customer service and experience that goes beyond the other offerings in the market,’ he says.

‘The approach in Europe is about time and valuing customers’ time, and finding ways to maximise it, such as minimising interaction when it comes to warranty, servicing and roadside assistance as part of the five-year Genesis Care programme.’

We get a first-hand taste of this hospitality at this showroom, but there are other examples, too. One is the Genesis Lounge, located at the five-star Shilla hotel in central Seoul. It’s a bar, as well as a meeting area and an event space that can be hired out.

The catch? It’s only available to owners of the firm’s G90 Long Wheelbase who then take out an additional membership. A third of owners have subscribed so far, equating to 300 people who are part of this slightly unusual members-only lounge located on the sixth floor of this hotel.

But back to South Korea itself, which is one of the busiest, wealthiest and culturally rich places we’ve ever visited, and something Genesis hopes it can leapfrog off.

Russell says: ‘At a cultural level, there is huge interest in Korea. Korea is definitely having a cultural moment. We believe that around the world, and we see it and we feel it, that there’s a curiosity and an interest in Korea and we believe that we’re part of it. Not just to benefit from it but to keep the momentum. It’s a responsibility that we feel about Genesis.’

The growth in Genesis’s home market has been key to helping the brand expand, with the firm being the market leader in the premium segment in South Korea – and by a significant margin. ‘Western’ cars are relatively rare on the roads.

In fact, while Genesis might be small in the UK, later in 2023 it will have produced its millionth car, and it’s now making around 200,000 vehicles a year – with most of them ending up in South Korea and the USA, which is now a significant market for the firm.

It is expanding its footprint in other parts of the world, too, such as the Middle East and Canada.

Russell says: ‘The decision to launch Genesis here in Korea and establish it in its home market has been a key element of the brand. The authenticity, relevance, market conditions and awareness of the parent company Hyundai gave us a very strong platform to help us launch into international markets.’

While Genesis says it will be in Europe for the long term, the only countries

Europe is very peculiar, and not in a good way, and the expectation of a premium brand is very high. It’s not an easy task.

We can provide a level of customer service and experience that goes beyond the other offerings in the market.

Marc Choi

Vice-president and product officer of Genesis

Graeme Russell

Chief brand officer of Genesis

Genesis Suji isn’t like any other car dealership that we’ve ever visited

within the continent that it currently sells in are the UK, Germany and Switzerland, and while the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries are thought to be in the pipeline, there has been no confirmation as yet.

But the firm acknowledges the struggles of establishing a new brand in Europe, describing the region’s car market as ‘very peculiar’.

Marc Choi, vice-president and product officer of Genesis, said: ‘Obviously, the domestic market is an easy target, relatively speaking. We know the Korean market very well, and we almost take it for granted. Koreans tend to receive luxury products very well, and we can count on a certain level of demand.

‘Based on our success and the level of expectation and quality, it can easily transfer overseas, but the difficulty of the European market is that such reliance is not there, so we need to create the same level of response from the region. Europe is very peculiar, and not in a good way, and the expectation of a premium brand is very high. It’s not an easy task.’

But it’s clear that Genesis likes a challenge and that Europe is a very specific challenge. We’ve seen the introduction of the G70 Shooting Brake (okay, it’s an estate, but a very good-looking one) that was designed purely for the region, and the brand is also exploring introducing smaller models that will help widen its audience.

SangYup Lee, Hyundai and Genesis’s head of design who coincidentally has just scooped the World Car Person of the Year title, reflects on this, too.

Lee says: ‘The European market is the home of luxury. We want to get respect in Europe – that is one of the most audacious visions of our future. No other Asian car company has done that in Europe.’

Getting to see Genesis and its success in South Korea is eye-opening. It’s all too easy in the UK when looking at the firm’s small sales figures to question its future viability. But seeing what it has achieved in less than eight years in Korea is immense, helped not least by the financial backing of the Hyundai empire.

Chatting to South Koreans, a Genesis is seen as that ‘you’ve made it’ car here, especially for those in their 20s and 30s, in a similar way you might judge someone’s success if they’re driving around in the latest Audi or BMW.

While, of course, Genesis will never sell as many cars in Europe as will the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes, this brand’s determination to conquer the European car market is bold and confident. Only time will tell if the Korean Wave manages to translate into sales.

The European market is the home of luxury. We want to get respect in Europe – that is one of the most audacious visions of our future.

SangYup

Lee Hyundai and Genesis’s

GENESIS TIME

2008 In the beginning...

Long before Genesis became a standalone brand, it was Hyundai’s baby. The Hyundai Genesis was unveiled in 2008. Never sold in the UK, it helped to show that this South Korean firm could manage something a little more luxurious.

2014

Second hit from Genesis Hyundai returned with a second generation of its Genesis in 2014, with this model actually being available in the UK. On sale between 2015 and 2017, just 50 examples were shifted.

2020

Genesis launches first SUV

Up until now, Genesis had only sold saloon cars, which remain popular in its key markets. The GV80 was its first SUV in 2020, however, and brought plenty of growth.

2022

First EVs introduced

After launching with purely petrol and diesel models, Genesis expanded with three EVs in 2022 – electric versions of the G80 and GV70 – as well as the GV60, a bespoke battery-powered model.

2015

Genesis becomes standalone brand Hyundai may have been selling a Genesis until 2017 in Europe but separately – in November 2015 – it was announced that Genesis would become a standalone firm. It launched in Korea, China, North America and the Middle East first.

2021 Genesis comes to Europe

Genesis arrived in Europe in May 2021, launching with two models (the G80 and GV80), with the G70 and GV70 out shortly after. Its first ‘Studio’ was also announced for London.

2023 Evolution of the dealer model

Up until now, Genesis has purely sold cars online and via its two ‘Studios’ in London. But in 2023, the firm announced that it would be establishing its own dealer network to handle expected growth. It’s set to be operational in early 2024.

BUSINESS NEWS

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

Wowcher probed over ‘pressure selling’

AXE

Lloyds and NatWest groups to close 81 sites

TWO of the UK’s biggest banking groups are to make big cuts to their branch networks this year, closing 81 sites around the country.

Lloyds Group and NatWest Group say the sites in England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man will close between July and November this year. The 81 branches comprise four Bank of Scotland, nine Halifax, 26 Lloyds, 40 NatWest and two Royal Bank of Scotland.

LAST ORDERS

Almost 60 per cent surge in pub closures

MORE than 150 pubs have gone for good from England and Wales over the first three months of 2023, according to new figures.

The rate of pubs being demolished or redeveloped for other purposes has risen by almost 60 per cent since the start of the year as bumper energy bills have hammered the sector, said commercial real estate intelligence firm Altus Group.

DEBT RESTRUCTURE

THE Competition and Markets

Authority has launched a probe into whether Wowcher placed ‘unfair pressure’ on customers.

It is examining if the deals platform ‘misled consumers by using countdown timers and other urgency claims’. A Wowcher spokesman said the business supported the aims of the inquiry and would be working with the watchdog.

Cineworld halts sale of UK and US operations

CINEMA chain Cineworld has said it will raise $2.26bn (£1.8bn) in new funding as part of a plan to exit bankruptcy and terminate a planned sale of its US, UK and Irish businesses. The debt-ridden group, which runs around 750 sites globally, filed for bankruptcy protection in the US last year. It has now said it’ll restructure its roughly five billion dollar debt pile in order to emerge from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy during the first half of 2023.

Work stress costing £28bn every year

PEOPLE taking sick days because of work-related stress or burnout is costing the UK economy £28bn a year, according to new research highlighting the financial toll of poor mental well-being.

More people said they were struggling in the UK than in any other nation, the survey of 30,000 adults across 16 European, Asian and American countries by insurer Axa UK and the Centre for Economics and Business Research found.

CBI boss sacked over misconduct allegations

THE Confederation of British Industry has sacked boss Tony Danker and suspended three other employees after a series of misconduct allegations.

The board of the business group, which represents 190,000 companies across the UK, said Danker’s conduct ‘fell short’ of what was expected of him. The trade body has been rocked by allegations of a toxic workplace culture since Danker was last month accused of allegedly making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the CBI.

INDUSTRY VIEWS

NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM CAR DEALER LIVE

Used car prices set new record as they rise for three months in a row to give robust first quarter

Used car prices jumped by 0.5 per cent in March, setting a new record.

In an exclusive video interview, Cap HPI’s director of valuations, Derren Martin, said used car prices had remained strong and March completed a robust first quarter.

Derren Martin

Moreover, March’s 0.5 per cent rise in prices at the three-year/60,000-mile mark represented three months of increases in the first quarter – a new record and something the valuations expert hasn’t seen before.

‘It’s been another interesting month for values,’ Martin said in our interview, which you can watch by clicking on this story.

‘It’s fairly unusual that values go up this month, but they have done.

‘It’s the third month in a row that we’ve seen prices increase, albeit slightly. It’s been a strong first quarter – we’ve never had all three months [January,

February and March] where there has been a valuation move up at the start of the year.’

Martin explained that there were caveats, though, with softening values of older cars and ‘volatility’ around electric cars.

‘Older cars have been strong but they can’t keep going up,’ he said.

‘[The softening] Is not just because these cars are older and cheaper, but dealers aren’t wanting to buy cars that need work at the moment.

‘Dealers want to buy cars that they can turn around quickly. Their margins have been slightly affected recently by wholesale prices going up, and being unable to push retail prices up because they’re already high as there’s a lot of competition.’

Values at the three-year/60,000-mile point for petrols and diesels rose by one per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively, while pure-electrics, hybrids and plug-in hybrids all fell by 5.4 per cent, 0.9 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively.

Car Dealer Podcast celebrates 100th episode and looks forward to next 100

We reached a special landmark for the Car Dealer Podcast when we recorded and released our 100th episode.

To celebrate the occasion, we assembled a dream team of our very own James Baggott, James Batchelor, Rebecca Chaplin and Jon Reay.

The quartet each picked their favourite Car Dealer story of the week before a winner was declared by colleague Ted Welford.

Among the topics up for discussion were Ford’s new Explorer EV, the EU’s recent ruling on e-fuels and the performance of Pendragon in 2022. The panel also spoke about Jason Crookes – the aftersales manager who was left a rare Honda sports car in the will of a customer.

In addition, you can hear about Ted’s ‘unique’ experience with a rather ‘exciting’ seat massager in the Genesis G90.

Car Dealer editor-in-chief James Baggott said: ‘It’s an amazing achievement to reach 100 episodes of the Car Dealer Podcast and is testament to all the hard work of our team.

‘Over the past three years, we have interviewed some of the biggest names the automotive industry has to offer and had a huge amount of fun and laughs along the way.

‘Here’s to the next 100 episodes!’

You can watch all our Car Dealer Live broadcasts by clicking here: cardealermagazine.co.uk/live

It’s fairly unusual that values go up this month, but they have done.

CAP HPI

WE’RE AWARD-WINNING THANKS TO YOU!

This year we’ve won not one, but three awards - an achievement that we are all very proud of.

Our customers voted First Response Finance as the ‘Best Car Finance Provider’ in the Consumer Credit Awards 2022 for the second consecutive year. In addition to that, we’ve won the prestigious ‘Firm of the Year’ award!

The second recognition came from our dealer partners who voted us ‘Finance Provider of the Year (Sub-Prime)’ in the Car Dealer Power Awards. We are honoured to have won this award 8 times!

Vans, cars, motorbikes - it doesn't matter what type of vehicle we’re financing, our award-winning service remains the same.

FINANCE NEWS

FINTECH

Bumper enjoys massive rises in revenue

FINTECH firm Bumper is celebrating huge increases in revenue.

Stellantis shakes up finance services throughout Europe

by John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk

Stellantis has streamlined its financing and leasing services in Europe, bringing in the newly formed Stellantis Financial Services and Leasys organisations. After the exclusive negotiations that were started on December 17, 2021, Stellantis has confirmed the entry in force of its agreements with BNP Paribas Personal Finance, Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance and Santander Consumer Finance. Banque PSA Finance is now called Stellantis Financial Services and will have a single financing entity per country for all Stellantis brands, in partnership with BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Santander Consumer Finance.

Stellantis has also created a multi-brand operational leasing company called Leasys, which is a 50/50 joint venture with Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance following the consolidation of Leasys and Free2move Lease. Its objective is to become the European leasing leader, with the target of reaching a fleet of one million vehicles by 2026.

The multi-brand manufacturer says its strategy, as outlined in the Dare Forward 2030 plan, is to better leverage its financial services arms, with the aim of doubling its net banking income by 2030, and says the new structure will achieve that target.

Philippe de Rovira, Stellantis chief affiliates officer, said: ‘Today marks the birth of Stellantis Financial Services, a major player in European automotive financing, and of the new consolidated Leasys. This simplification allows for superior agility to serve our customers, better support of the commercialisation across Stellantis brands and strengthened competitiveness by leveraging various synergies.’

In addition, Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance has acquired the 50 per cent stake in FCA Bank Group that was previously owned by Stellantis.

Figures released to Car Dealer show that the company, which offers interest-free loans for car repairs, brought in £7.8m in 2022 versus £4.3m in 2021 –an 81 per cent increase.

That’s also a 271 per cent rise on 2020’s figure of £2.1m.

Gross merchandise value, meanwhile, went up from £57.6m in 2021 to £111.34m last year – a 93 per cent increase.

Compared with 2020’s figure of £23.5m, that equates to a whopping 374 per cent rise over the two years.

Bumper was also ranked 30th in the fintech category in the Financial Times’ list of the fastest-growing companies in Europe last month – the third year in a row it has featured in the list. Based on revenue growth over the past three years up to 2021, it sees Bumper as just one of 125 firms to have ranked consecutively in the past three years.

Co-founder and chief commercial officer Jack Allman said: ‘We are incredibly proud of the growth Bumper has seen in the past two years.’

Could your dealership benefit from having a spring-clean?

Here at First Response Finance’s HQ in Nottingham, we’ve had one of our offices fully refurbished and the team has done an excellent job in making it a lovely place to work. I’d left some personal items in the yet-to-be-renovated office and had been advised to collect them before they were put in the large skips that had appeared in the car park out front.

As I walked round collecting my belongings, I found myself feeling nostalgic, reminiscing about the 13 years I’d spent working, sitting in the same chair at the same desk. The memories of my first day, the fun, hard work and friendships that I’d developed over the years came flooding back and made me a little sad in all honesty.

Although I’d previously voiced my opinion about the need for a fresh lick of paint in the office or even just a splash of colour on the wall, part of me longed for the office to stay the same. It felt like a piece of history would be lost and the past forgotten as soon as the skips were full of the old furniture. However, I also know too well that in business, change is inevitable, but it always brings challenges and opportunity.

I recently visited one of our dealer partners I hadn’t seen in quite a while but have kept in touch with over the years. When I arrived, it became pretty clear that they’d also decided to have a spring-clean. They’d revamped everything from their branding and website to logos, floors, walls and more! It made my visit more enjoyable, and I could only imagine that customers would feel the same as well – even the staff had more of a spring in their step.

The sales manager explained that they hadn’t made any changes for more than 12 years and the site was starting to look outdated. Faced with stronger competition and an ageing appearance, it was decided to have a refresh and improve the customer experience, increasing sales and creating a better working environment.

I’m not suggesting that every dealer reading this should completely overhaul their business with expensive renovations – we are living in difficult economic times, after all. What it may be worth doing, however, is looking at the different aspects of your dealership and deciding if anything could do with a refresh or a simple update.

Look for areas that might need improvement and then prioritise the changes that will have the most impact. Improving the visible aspects of your business or even your sales processes can improve productivity, morale and gain more sales.

I can’t wait to see the changes that have been made and how it will positively impact on our staff over the coming years. At First Response Finance, we believe change brings opportunities, and we’re fully committed to embracing it. Stay tuned, as we’ve got some more exciting developments and announcements in the not-too-distant future.

It felt like a piece of history would be lost and the past forgotten as soon as the skips were full of the old furniture.

Picture of the month

MANUFACTURERS put out some ace April Fools this year – and we paw-ticularly liked Skoda’s.

It claimed that its UK retailers would have a Pumped-Up Pooch stock cabinet, boasting a full-size inflatable dog for every one of the 222 breeds recognised by The Kennel Club, to help buyers check if their hound would fit inside.

A barking mad idea? Certainly an impractical one – and including a quote by Kaye Niyn, supposedly Skoda’s head of interior space, should have set alarm bells ringing!

Cazoo latest has ingredients to make Netflix documentary

Having blown several hundred million borrowed from pension funds, the penny must have dropped for these amateurs running Cazoo, as I see they have appointed a professional car dealer to salvage the business [Former CarShop CEO Jonathan Dunkley joins Cazoo as COO].

trade vet

What a brilliant idea [Peter Vardy opens former Cazoo handover site as… a used car dealership]! Buy an ex-car site, fill it with motors and let customers view them. Once purchased, they can be delivered. A great idea – well done Peter Vardy! Doing the job just like me and thousands of others: selling used cars and putting the customer first.

It’s me

Careful! You might give Alex Chesterman an idea for a business model that actually works! Absolutely sweet deal for Peter Vardy, picking up a great site from the man who was deriding the retail motor trade as not fit for purpose!

Not all dinosaurs became extinct; some evolved into motor dealers, and we’ve been around for a wee while now and will be for some time to come. Grrrrr, Mr Chesterman!

Trade Survivor

To avoid Cazoo being thrown off the New York Stock Exchange, its shareholders were given one new share for every 20 old shares they held. I reckon shareholders are down about $197 per share.

I think Cazoo banks with Silicon Valley Bank, which has just been rescued by HSBC [Editor’s note: Silicon Valley Bank’s UK subsidiary was bought by HSBC in March for £1]

How long before they pull the plug to stop them flogging off more assets? It’s got all the ingredients for a Netflix documentary!

trade vet

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DASHBOARD

SUPPLIER NEWS

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

More used car buyers opting for physical sites

PETER Vardy Group’s finance division CarMoney has launched its first international branch – in Western Australia.

USED car buyers are being driven away from online purchases and into dealerships because of the cost-ofliving crisis.

That’s according to Startline’s latest Used Car Tracker, which found that 55 per cent of people are now less likely to buy a used car online because of pressure on personal finances. It quizzed 300 consumers and 60 dealers and found that 31 per cent of people prefer to view the car and meet the retailer in person.

AUTOGUARD WARRANTIES

Partnership ensures rules changes covered

The Perth operation went live on April 3, as the Vardy family celebrates 100 years of trading in the UK automotive industry. Ex-Vardy Group employee Stuart Mackay has rejoined the company as CEO of CarMoney Oceania.

He has jumped ship from MB Perth, where he was head of business. He also worked for Mercedes-Benz, BMW Group and Lexus in Australia in the interim.

Mackay said: ‘To join the Vardy family again by launching CarMoney here in Australia is an absolute privilege.’

SHOREHAM VEHICLE AUCTIONS MOTORWAY

Delivery team racks up 150,000 miles in EV

AUTOGUARD Warranties has partnered with training provider Catalyst to ensure its workforce and appointed representatives are qualified and well regulated ahead of the Consumer Duty and Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) rules.

The partnership will help Autoguard staff develop their ability and knowledge, and support dealer partners and customers. By 2025, independent dealers must be SAFapproved to offer finance.

A TRADE plate delivery team at an auction house has notched up 150,000 miles in its all-electric Nissan minibus.

Shoreham Vehicle Auctions’ eNV200 is still going strong, too, taking the drivers around the south of England to collect vehicles from sellers and deliver them to dealers.

The eight-year-old Nissan, which was bought nearly new, charges overnight and gives between 80 and 100 miles of range.

USED car marketplace Motorway has launched new features to help dealers save even more time when buying stock.

They include a downloadable CSV file for car purchase history and purchase status tag filters plus MOT data.

New product features help dealers save time

CarMoney opens Down Under in expansion first

It felt like a piece of history would be lost and the past forgotten as soon as the skips were full of the old furniture.

Richard Pygott p43

THE LATEST REGISTRATION FIGURES

New car market enjoys eighth month of growth in a row as sales rise by 18 per cent

by John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk

New car registrations in March delivered the best new plate month performance since before the pandemic, according to figures released by the SMMT on April 5. They bounced back by 18.2 per cent on 2022’s figure of 243,479 to see 287,825 units delivered – the eighth consecutive month of growth for the new car market – as supply chain challenges slowly continued to ease.

March 2019 saw 458,054 new cars sold, while March 2020 saw only 254,684 units shifted as the coronavirus crisis started to take a grip, and March 2021 saw the figure rise to 283,964.

As a result of the latest figures, said the trade body, the first quarter of 2023 was the strongest since 2019, with just under half a million new cars joining the road.

Year to date saw 494,260 deliveries – up 18.4 per cent on the figure of 417,560 during the same period last year. That represents an extra £2.7bn of deliveries, which the SMMT said underlined the contribution the sector can make to UK economic growth, despite the market still being significantly below pre-pandemic levels – down 29.5 per cent on 2019’s first quarter of 701,036 units.

Registrations rose across all sales types, with deliveries to private buyers up by 1.4 per cent and those to businesses with fleets of fewer than 25 vehicles up 26 per cent.

The best-selling vehicle was the Tesla Model Y, with 8,123 units sold. Second favourite was the Nissan Juke at 7,532 and third was the Nissan Qashqai at 6,755.

Large fleets were the main drivers of March’s growth, with registrations rising by 40,651 units – a 40.9 per cent increase to take an overall 48.6 per cent market share.

Petrol-powered vehicles remained the most popular fuel type, comprising 56.3 per cent of new units, while battery-electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries reached a record monthly high of 46,626, representing growth of 18.6 per cent.

Overall, the BEV market share remained almost the same as last year at 16.2 per cent. With plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations growing by 11.8 per cent, plug-ins comprised 22.4 per cent of the market – a slight drop on 2022.

The biggest growth, however, was in hybrids (HEVs), with a 34.3 per cent surge helping electrified vehicles account for more than one in three registrations for the month.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: ‘March’s new plate month usually sets the tone for the year, so this performance will give the industry and consumers greater confidence.

‘With eight consecutive months of growth, the automotive industry is recovering, bucking wider trends and supporting economic growth.

‘The best month ever for zero-emission vehicles is reflective of increased consumer choice and improved availability, but if EV market ambitions – and regulation – are to be met, infrastructure investment must catch up.’

With eight consecutive months of growth, the automotive industry is recovering.

Click here to see our top 10 rolling sales charts for March 2022 to March 2023

Mike Hawes SMMT chief executive

Best start to the year, says SMMT

MARCH 2023 MARCH 2022

REGISTRATIONS OF NEW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

LESS THAN 3.5 TONNES

New van sector grows for third month in a row

by John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk

THE LCV market grew for the third month in a row in March – increasing by 17.3 per cent to 47,634 units sold.

Figures published on April 5 by the SMMT show the traditionally large-volume month courtesy of the new number plate was further boosted by comparison with a weak March 2022, when lingering supply chain shortages drove the market down by 27.6 per cent. March 2022 saw just 40,613 units sold, versus 56,122 in March 2021.

In all, 87,272 LCVs have been sold in the first quarter of 2023 – up 17.4 per cent against the first quarter of last year – in what the SMMT hailed as the best start to the year since 2021’s 97,356 units.

REGISTRATIONS OF NEW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 3.5  TONNES TO 6.0  TONNES

Figures

Figures

SUPPLIERS GUIDE

LOOKING FOR A MOTOR TRADE SUPPLIER? YOU CAN FIND THE DETAILS OF SELECTED COMPANIES HERE

Auctions & Trade-To-Trade Sales

BCA

W: bca.co.uk

T: 0344 875 3480

E: customerservices@bca.com

Info: BCA’s remarketing programmes deliver volume, choice and availability for buyers, and speed, efficiency and market-leading returns for sellers.

Automotive E-Commerce

ATG

W: atg.auto

T: 0844 264 3519

Info: Leading provider of retailing solutions, Automotive Transformation Group maximises sales for retailers, OEMs, financiers and fleet suppliers by making car buying easier for their consumers.

Data

Real World Analytics

W: realworldanalytics.com

T: 0808 1890 617

E: auto@realworldanalytics.com

Info: We are a SaaS-based data analytics solution provider for multisite dealers. Our business intelligence tools help customers make faster and better decisions.

DMS

DealerDesk

W: dealerdesk.co.uk

E: contact@dealerdesk.co.uk

Info: Modernise your stock management, advertising, communication, sales and website. DealerDesk provides you with easyto-use tools designed to simplify your dealership management.

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.

Finance

Close Brothers Motor 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.

Finance

First Response

W: firstresponsefinance.co.uk

T: 0115 946 6317

E: marketing@frfl.co.uk

Info: First Response is an awardwinning UK finance company providing simple financial solutions. Get in touch and let us help increase your profits.

Finance

Forza Finance

W: forzafinance.co.uk

T: 01245 245678

Info: Benefit from Forza Finance’s expertise, choice of products and lenders. Their personal approach will help you achieve higher levels of finance penetration and, ultimately, sell more cars.

HR & People Management

HR Manager

W: hrmanager.co.uk

T: 01480 455500

E: info@hrmanager.co.uk

Info: HR Manager is Lawgistics’ new digital compliance portal designed to assist employers in managing their legal obligations, responsibilities and duties.

Insurance

Tradesure

W: tradesureinsurance.co.uk

T: 0121 248 9313

Info: Providing motor trade insurance to full- and part-time motor traders in the UK, the Tradesure team are reliable professionals who know how to help you.

Key Control

Traka

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.

Lead Management

GardX AD-Vantage

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.

Lead Management

iVendi

W: ivendi.com

T: 0330 229 0028

E: tellmemore@ivendi.com

Info: iVendi delivers a fully connected platform that engages consumers, converts buyers and manages transactions of vehicles online and in the showroom.

Legal & Compliance

Lawgistics

W: lawgistics.co.uk

T: 01480 455500

E: sales@lawgistics.co.uk

Info: The legal experts for the motor trade, giving advice and support to our industry for over 15 years. Not anti-consumer, just pro-trader.

Marketing, PR & Video OnCue Communications

W: oncuecomms.com

T: 020 8125 3880

Info: We are a leading provider of PR, video and events services to the automotive industry. The PR team has a proven track record of securing high-value, big-impact media coverage.

Marketing, PR & Video Marketing Delivery

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.

Oil & Lubricants

Mobil™

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.

Recruitment

WeRecruit Auto

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.

Stocking Finance

STAR Stocking Finance

W: starassetfinance.com/ stocking-finance

T: 0330 202 0619

Info: STAR Stocking Finance offers simple and flexible stocking finance that enables you to cost-effectively manage the buying and selling of your forecourt stock.

Trade Bodies

Ben

W: ben.org.uk

T: 0808 131 1333

Info: Ben is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with the automotive industry to provide support for life to its people and their families.

Vehicle Photography

Dealer 360

W: dealer360.co.uk

T: 01270 780855

E: nicky.spratt@ukturntables.com

Info: UK makers of photo booths incorporating our turntables for car, van and motorcycle dealers. Our software controls turntable and cameras – a onestop solution.

Vehicle Tracking

Meta Trak

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.

Warranty Providers

Autoprotect

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.

Warranty Providers

Car Care Plan

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.

Warranty Providers

Händler Protect

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.

Warranty Providers

Warranty Administration Services

W: warrantyadmin.co.uk

T: 01522 515600

E: tellmemore@warrantyadmin.co.uk

Info: Unlock new profit and aftersales flexibility with Crystal Clear Warranty. Ideal for franchised dealers, groups and independents.

Warranty Providers

Warrantywise

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.

Warranty Providers

WMS

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.

Website Design & Digital Marketing

Bluesky Interactive

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.

Website Design & Digital Marketing

Haswent

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.

SKODA ENYAQ IV

Range isn’t quite so much of a concern in this EV, Jack Evans has found.

Ireally do enjoy that ‘comfortable’ period with a new car. It’s the happy time when you’ve overcome some of a vehicle’s initial quirks and habits, leaving you to realise just exactly where you are with it. For a petrol or diesel car, that means – for me at least – knowing where the fuel light comes on and just how much I’ve got left in the tank.

How does that work with an electric car such as the Enyaq? Well, it all boils down to range.

You see, for a little while with the Enyaq I was quite scared of getting too low with the amount of electric range. After all, running out of charge with an EV means game over, a humbling phone call and the likelihood of a trailer home. So you can understand why I wasn’t too keen about running low on charge.

But as I’ve got more comfortable with the Enyaq, I’ve become a lot more trusting with its range. Of course, if I’ve got some motorway miles – which tend to eat up an electric car’s range sharpish – I’ll need to charge up when the car is low, but for pottering around town or nipping to the shops, I know where the Enyaq ‘is’ in terms of range.

Lately, that means I’ve been far more relaxed about the car’s state of charge. In fact, I’ve been dawdling about with around eight per cent charge for a little while, as it’s more than enough for doing shorter trips. In fact, the Enyaq shows around 20 miles of range in this state, and when you’re only doing slow speeds or hopping through traffic, it barely goes down. It’s actually quite a rewarding way to drive, as you focus on making progress in a relaxed, easy fashion. It could be described – or whispered – as relaxing.

I will, however, say that recently I finally lost my nerve and decided to top up the Enyaq. In fact, a little yellow warning appeared with a turtle graphic – implying that the car was running on restricted power – so I thought it was probably about time to give the big Skoda some charge. I actually didn’t notice any real drop in power during my drive to the charger, but I didn’t fancy testing its patience any further.

I’ve not got a home charger, but thanks to a decent number of them nearby, I’ve not found it too much of an issue. It’d be lovely to rock up at the house and plug in right away, but I’m in a far more fortunate position than many EV owners. I tend to use a few 50kW rapid chargers nearby if I’m in need of a quick boost, but for the most part, I use a slower 7kW one nearby and leave it for longer. It’s cheaper and, when I’m not in a rush, I just don’t see the point in paying more for a rapid unit.

And actually, I don’t mind spending a bit of time at a charger. Sometimes I’ll take a coffee with me, check emails and use the car as a little mobile office. Also – as something of a peoplewatcher – I’m quite happy to sit and watch the world go by as I’m waiting for the car to charge. Fortunately, plugging into a 50kW for around 30 minutes gives me enough range to play with for a while, so I don’t have to be there all that long.

One thing I’ve found quite useful is that you can check the charging speed via the smartphone app. Plug the car into the unit, and once it’s all up and working, you can see how quickly the energy is being sent into the car. More often than not, though, this is an underwhelming experience – through no fault of the car’s – as it usually shows a charger to be delivering a significantly slower speed than it’s meant to. It’s all the more annoying, as EV charging is meant to be at its fastest when the car itself is at a really low state of charge, too.

I’ve not got a whole lot of time left with the Enyaq, but I’m making the most of it while it’s here – and I’m making the most of the range, that’s for sure.

THE KNOWLEDGE

Skoda Enyaq iV

Price (as tested): £51,765

Engine: Dual electric motor

Power: 261bhp

Torque: 425Nm

Top speed: 99mph

0-60mph: 6.7 seconds

Range: 313 miles

Emissions: 0g/km CO2

Mileage: 2,170

This month’s highlight: Getting more relaxed about the Enyaq’s state of charge – especially when pottering around town.

OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING

Mileage: 13,674

We’ve been racking up the miles in ‘our’ Civic and found it shines on longer trips.

Mazda CX-5

Mileage: 15,290

A recent journey to Belgium gave our Mazda CX-5 a good opportunity to stretch its legs.

Honda Civic

Services that make a difference

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Find out how we can help you at www.blackhorse.co.uk