Becca Chaplin, Jack Evans, Cameron Richards, Nigel Swan, Kevin Bennett
SALES MANAGER
Kevin Day
kev@blackballmedia.co.uk
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Michelle Searle
michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @cardealermich
Leaders in warranty and mechanical breakdown across Europe.
We are independent experts in the automotive and insurance sector, with over 40 years’ experience, operating in 9 European markets.
1.8 million vehicles have an Opteven warranty
1,100 employees including automotive professionals and technicians
Committed to quality, innovation, and customer service
In the UK, we have offered mechanical breakdown warranty and asset protection products for all types of vehicles, new and used, for over 20 years.
In 2023 we managed 449,000 used car warranty subscriptions and processed 104,000 claims. Let us provide peace of mind for your customers.
https://uk.opteven.com/contact-us/
Govt needs to ‘do their bit’ for EVs
THE government should be helping to give buyers a ‘nudge’ towards EVs through the use of incentives, Vauxhall’s UK boss has said.
James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall in the UK, told Car Dealer that the government needs to ‘do their bit’ to help stimulate private demand for EVs,
But he added that the incentives wouldn’t need to go as far as the previous plug-in car grant, which reduced an EV’s price by up to £1,500 before it was axed in 2022.
BUSINESS
Jobs at risk as dealership closes
DEALER group Vertu has admitted jobs are at risk after taking the decision to close one of its sites in the south of England.
Vertu BMW Dorchester closed its doors for the final time on December 6 with the dealer group saying the site was ‘not viable’ due to rising costs.
The showroom employed a small workforce of 12 people, some of whom are now facing the prospect of redundancy as Christmas approaches.
NEWS DIGEST
Bernie Ecclestone chooses Tom Hartley Jnr to sell ‘most important race car collection in the world’
High-end car dealer Tom Hartley Jnr has been chosen by Bernie Ecclestone to sell his 69-strong collection of Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars.
Regarded as probably the greatest collection of Formula 1 history, the line-up covers 70 years of racing.
It consists of Ferraris driven by the likes of Hawthorn, Lauda and Schumacher, a pair of pre-war MercedesBenz and Auto Union cars, a Vanwall VW10 driven by Sir Stirling Moss, and a string of Brabhams – including the one-off 1978 Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘fan car’ – from the time when Ecclestone owned the team.
The 69 cars have been stored away from the public for decades, with many of them never having been seen since Ecclestone purchased them.
Ecclestone, 94, said he chose Hartley Jnr as he trusted his knowledge of the cars, and was guaranteed ‘transparency’ with the sales, which ‘is important’.
‘I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example,’ the former F1 tycoon said.
‘Whilst many other collectors over the years have
opted for sports cars, my passion has always been for Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars. A Grand Prix and in particular a Formula 1 car is far more important than any road car or other form of race car, as it is the pinnacle of the sport, and all the cars I have bought over the years have fantastic race histories and are rare works of art.
‘I love all of my cars but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them. After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone and not leave them for my wife to deal with should I not be around.
‘Tom [Hartley Jnr] is handling the sale for me because he knows the cars better than anyone else, his business is best placed to sell them, and I am guaranteed transparency which is important to me.’
Ecclestone added: ‘Having collected what are the best and most original Formula 1 cars dating back to the start of the sport, I have now decided to move them on to new homes that will treat them as I have and look after them as precious works of art.’
Big Motoring World sales exec killed colleague in horror 100mph crash
A BIG Motoring World sales executive killed his colleague when he smashed head-on into a 26-tonne truck after losing control of his BMW, a court has heard.
Dash-cam footage of the crash showed 24-year-old Ivan Zailac’s BMW M340d colliding with the lorry as it bombed through Enfield, North London at almost 100mph.
Stephanie Nye-Diroyan, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene just under two hours after the collision, at 7.54pm on October 23 2022, the Old Bailey heard.
The pair had worked together at the used car supermarket’s Enfield site, where Nye-Diyoran was employed as a finance administrator.
Another colleague was FaceTiming them at the moment of impact and heard a scream before connection was lost, jurors heard.
Zailac is charged with causing death by dangerous driving but has been ruled unfit to stand trial, meaning the jury must now decide whether Zailac did the act alleged.
The CarGurus & PistonHeads Difference
PRODUCTION
Ineos resume new car production
PRODUCTION of the Ineos Grenadier and Quartermaster will restart in the new year after the 4×4 manufacturer was forced to halt production due to what it called a ‘critical component shortage’.
The company was forced to mothball its production line at the former MercedesBenz factory in Hambach, France, just days after seat manufacturer Recaro filed for bankruptcy leading to speculation that this was the source of the production delay.
NEWS
‘Life-threatening’
dealership crash
A PASSENGER involved in a crash at a car dealership in Scunthorpe is battling lifethreatening injuries.
Police say that a grey Audi was involved in a collision with the showroom at Drayton Motors at around 10pm on November 28. The passenger in the vehicle suffered ‘serious injuries’ which police described as ‘life-threatening’.
Two other riders in the car received treatment for injuries which are not being treated as serious.
Vertu boss blasts ZEV Mandate as 1,000s cannot collect new petrol cars before Christmas
VERTU Motors has brand new sold petrol cars stuck in compounds and cannot deliver them to customers in time for Christmas because of the ZEV Mandate, its boss has said. In a column for Auto Express, CEO Robert Forrester blasted the government’s ZEV Mandate and its decision to move the date of the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesels from 2035 to 2030. He said the UK is ‘out of step’ with other countries such as the USA, and, as a consequence, manufactures are ‘exasperated’ and workers are losing their jobs.
Forrester revealed that despite the listed dealer group asking for conversations with government ministers to understand the consequences for the motor trade, Whitehall has so far spurned all meetings.
Boss Carlos Tavares quits Stellantis
STELLANTIS boss Carlos Tavares has abruptly quit his post after ‘different views’ emerged between him and the board.
The car maker – which runs Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler and DS – said Tavares had stepped down with immediate effect last night.
Tavares, 66, said in October he was going to retire from the global car firm in 2026.
Senior independent director Henri de Castries said: ‘Stellantis’ success since its creation has been rooted in a perfect alignment between the shareholders, the board and the CEO.’
VW backing away from ‘agency sales’
VOLKSWAGEN Group dealers have been told the firm will be canning agency sales for the foreseeable future.
Outgoing group MD Alex Smith wrote to franchise partners in December to explain to them that agency sales would be paused.
Volkswagen says agency sales is still its ‘long-term’ aim, but has not given any indication of when it will return.
Agency sales see car dealers act as handover agents for cars sold directly by a car manufacturer on their own website. Dealers are paid a handling fee for the deal.
Motorpoint back in profitability
MOTORPOINT is back on the road of profitability after it finished the past six months in the black and grew retail volumes.
The used car supermarket filed its H1 2025 interims on the London Stock Exchange this morning (Nov 27), with bosses hailing its turn-around ‘Brilliant Basics’ plan ‘delivered what it needed to’.
In the six-month period ended September 30, 2024, the listed firm made a pre-tax profit of £2m – a huge bounce-back from the £4.7m loss it made in the same period last year.
BITE-SIZE
Click on the text box for the full story
FINANCE: Used car dealers have been warned to expect ‘modest’ growth in the coming years, with Cox Automotive only forecasting marginal gains between now and 2027.
The automotive giant has published its predictions for the next three years.
BUSINESS: A family-run dealership has closed without warning with liquidators preparing to swoop in.
The doors to Swanson Motor Company slammed shut on Nov 22 and a message confirming the closure has appeared on the firm’s website.
MARKET: The car market has hit ‘peak petrol’ as the number of petrol cars on UK roads is expected to tumble.
Latest analysis carried out by Auto Trader shows the number of petrol cars in the UK is set to decline from the current 18.7m to just 11.1m.
COURTS: A motorhome dealer, who has been caught driving while disqualified four times, has avoided jail after a court heard his business would suffer if he was put behind bars.
Christopher Dickson runs Dicksons of Perth – a dealership in central Scotland.
BUSINESS: Motorpoint’s much-anticipated Norwich store is now open to the public.
The used car supermarket group snapped up the site last month, following Lithia Motors’ decision to axe its UK CarStore sites having completed its takeover of Pendragon.
NEWS DIGEST
Staff accuse Lookers of ‘back street garage conditions’ as Christmas parties are scrapped
STAFF at Lookers say that their Christmas parties have been scrapped for the second year running as the dealer group goes ‘from bad to worse’ under its new Canadian ownership.
The former Car Dealer Top 100 retailer was bought by Global Auto Holdings in late 2023 and immediately upset employees my cancelling festive bashes and announcing mass redundancies.
Now, 12 months on, it seems that staff are facing the same scenario, with Car Dealer reporting last month that more job losses are on the way. Since breaking that story, more unhappy staff members have contacted Car Dealer to complain about at how the dealer group is being run.
JOBS
Vauxhall Luton plant to close in April 2025
MORE than 1,100 jobs are at risk at Vauxhall’s Luton plant as owner Stellantis announces plans to shut the plant from next April.
However, Stellantis has said it is hoping to transfer ‘hundreds’ of jobs from the van plant to the group’s Vauxhall site in Ellesmere Port.
It plans to invest £50m into the Ellesmere Port factory where Stellantis builds Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen electric vans. It is now in consultation with unions and employees.
FINANCE
Constellation lost £50.5m in 2024
NEW and used car sales giant
Constellation made a loss of £50.5m in 2024, its latest accounts show.
In a detailed annual report, Constellation Automotive Holdings Limited – the parent company of the complicated motor trade behemoth behind Marshall Motor Group, BCA and WeBuyAnyCar.com – show it generated revenues of £9.3bn.
It said it was negatively impacted by the ‘sharp correction’ in used car prices in the final quarter of 2023 and higher interest rates.
MARKETS
Auto Trader backs car market growth
THE new car market will rise slightly next year despite manufacturers and dealers dealing with a number of new challenges.
That is according to fresh research from Auto Trader which is forecasting around 1.98m UK registrations in 2025.
That figure represents a 2% rise on 2024’s 1.94m, even though manufacturers and retailers will be battling stricter regulatory targets, uncertain brand loyalty, and increased market share competition.
Car Care Plan’s 2024 in review:
Progress, innovation and community impact
2024 has seen the automotive industry continue to move towards a more sustainable future, with new EV sales in the UK projected to reach 18.5% market share 1. Despite this record performance and the soaring popularity of hybrid vehicles, the industry has fallen short of government’s ambitious zeroemission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which had a target of 22% for 2024.
Total new vehicle registrations are up 3.3% from 2023 2, the increase driven entirely by fleet sales, which rose over 14%. Private sales fell by almost 10% and business sales saw a 5% decline. Based on the figures, it appears more drivers are turning to the used car market, which experienced a robust 7% growth in 2024 3 , entering the final quarter in strong shape according to Auto Trader 4
The used car market is now just 3% below pre-pandemic levels and used electric vehicle sales have soared over 50% in the past 12 months, as the industry continues to recover from various challenges, from the Covid pandemic to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, high inflation to increased borrowing costs.
Innovation at Car Care Plan
Here at Car Care Plan, we’ve continued to support some of the industry’s most recognised brands and businesses, ensuring their customers have access to industry-leading vehicle aftercare. In 2024, we strengthened our commitment to innovation to match consumers’ evolving needs, such as with subscriptionstyle vehicle aftercare packages, a focus that will carry forward into 2025 and beyond.
We were also among the first vehicle aftercare providers to recommence the sale of Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance in 2024, after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed our products provide fair value to customers. In February, the FCA announced multiple insurance firms had agreed to pause sales of GAP while they conducted a review. Three months later, in May, Car Care Plan was given the green light to continue sales, which resumed in July.
Throughout 2024, Car Care Plan Protex, our branded motor insurance arm, has worked closely with several of our manufacturer partners to develop fully integrated white label motor insurance products that plug directly into retailers’ existing vehicle finance application processes. This new approach has streamlined the journey of obtaining a branded motor insurance quote, increasing quotability and conversions, while removing the administrative burden of more traditional methods.
We’ve also worked closely with several major manufacturers to integrate our Protex Accident Aftercare Solutions into their offer to customers. The service provides motor insurance claims assistance from a dedicated, UK-based team of claim handlers, as well as roadside recovery, a replacement vehicle, and repairs at manufacturer approved body shops, using only manufacturer genuine parts.
Our Community Commitment In other news, Car Care Plan proudly supported several charities, groups, and awareness initiatives this year. We contributed to Bradford Central Foodbank and Advice Centre, raised funds for St. John Ambulance, supported Mental Health Awareness Week and International Women’s Day, and promoted tyre safety awareness. We welcomed students from Bradford College to our Thornbury office, where they enjoyed a tour and insight into the industry. And we challenged colleagues to a step competition to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise, which saw participants clock up an impressive 7.7 million combined steps.
Looking ahead to 2025
As we head into 2025, our dedication to offering the highest quality vehicle warranty and add-on insurance products remains as strong as ever. We will continue to support our partners as they navigate a challenging and rapidly changing market.
From all of us at Car Care Plan, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
FEATURE STAR CAR: TYPE 00
James Batchelor picks out some interesting details on the new concept car.
New face
Jaguars have always had imposing front-ends with large grilles and distinctive headlights, but not the Type 00. The concept car dispenses with a grille as, technically, EVs don’t need them. Instead, the Type 00 wears another ‘new Jaguar’ design trait – the ‘Strikethrough’. This consists of a panel of stripes which are also repeated at the rear. This new design theme is expected to transition to the first of the new Jaguar production cars, a £130,000 four-door GT. The headlights are thin LEDs with a matching pair positioned lower down.
Name
Firstly, is it Jaguar or jaGUar? Technically, due to the firm’s new font (called ‘Exuberant’ and referred to as a ‘Device Mark’), it’s the latter – but it looks awful written down. ‘Jaguar’, then, hasn’t just slapped any model name to the concept, though. Type 00, pronounced ‘zero zero’, references other landmark ars in Jag’s history (E-type, naturally, and others), its ‘reset’ and it now being a zeroemissions car maker.
Cameras
Like the Polestar 4, the Type 00 doesn’t have a rear-view window – it allows the roof to be lower and space in the rear can be maximised. Instead, the Type 00 uses a complex array of cameras. The rear-view mirror is a camera display (like it is in a number of JLR models for the last few years), and side cameras pop out from brass ‘ingots’ in the car’s front wings. This is another feature that is expected to cross to the new production Jags.
Interior
There’s no denying the cabin is pure concept car. There’s a huge brass central ‘spine’ that arcs from the front to the rear, and it separates the driver from the passenger. The dashboard rotates to reveal screens, and special ‘totems’ can be used – brass, travertine and alabaster – to control the mood of the interior. The concept is a two-seater with plenty of storage behind the seats – the production car will be a four- or a fiveseater GT with plenty of luggage space.
Badges
Not only has Jaguar given itself a new font, but it’s given its other mascots a refresh too. Called ‘Maker’s Mark’, this is made up of two elements – a new medallion-shaped monogram that combines the letters J and R in an Art Deco-like design, and the traditional ‘Leaper’ has had a refresh.
Ingots, prisms and a pink panther: Behind the scenes of Jaguar’s new car launch
by James Baggottt @CarDealerEd
Jaguar has finally taken the wraps off the concept car that it hopes will lead the brand’s revival – and I was at the rather bewildering unveiling.
On Armistice Day, a gathering of motoring hacks were treated to one of the most bizarre launches I’ve ever attended and now, finally, we can talk about the car.
The whole day felt like a cross between a sci-fi movie and an acid trip as we were shown the brand’s plans to ‘copy nothing’ and ‘live vivid’. By now you’ll probably have seen the adverts, read the internet bile and witnessed the fall out.
The new branding had what can only be described as mixed reviews. The unveiling came complete with a car advert with no cars in it, a fresh logo peppered with random upper and lower case letters and marketing-babble slogans that would make even a thesaurus sick.
The branding went down like a lead balloon with die-hard Jaguar fans. The Daily Mail branded it ‘woke’, Elon Musk questioned if the car maker ‘even sold cars’ and even Nigel Farage got upset (shame).
Now the Type 00 has been unveiled, the internet will have something else to moan about.
Calling it a ‘complete reset’, design chief Gerry McGovern told journalists at the launch that his team had ‘not been sniffing the white stuff – this is real’.
‘Real’ is a concept car that comes complete with a lunch-box style ‘prism’ that contains ‘totems’ – chocolate bar-sized pieces of precious metal – that owners can place inside their new cars to change its mood and colours.
As baffling as that sounds, once they’re finished with these ‘ingots’, owners will be able to store the ‘prism’ behind a motorised slot in the side of the car (below).
At this point in the presentation, I did question whether someone had laced the morning pastries with magic mushrooms, but apparently it did actually happen.
Journalists were hustled into a holding pen where the ‘copy nothing’ cult mantra was burnt into our retinas accompanied by deep, bassy trance music, the sort of which previous Jaguar owners wouldn’t even know existed.
As the car was revealed there were no gasps, not that I’d expected any from the bewildered journalists. I suspected that by this point in the day, many had succumbed to the cult hypnosis. I was certainly teetering on the edge.
Personally, I got more Hyundai Veloster and Chrysler Crossfire love child from it, with a hint of Thunderbirds FAB1. That last bit might have been the colour, but there are definitely some similarities. One car dealer who’s seen the pictures dubbed it the ‘Pink Panther’.
• •
•
• Our USPs
80% of the net premium is allocated to the claim fund
Profit share is payable based on a burn rate lower than 70%(min 100 policies per year).
We can offer a fully bespoke warranty product; you tell us what you would like covered, a minimum of 250 units per year.
We give you full access to your warranty account with complete transparency, live burn rate reports, claim frequencies, all claims discussions and all financials in and out.
Try Us - Risk Free
We are convinced that Bluechip Warranty is providing the best vehicle repair agreements and claims service currently available in the market... Trial us for three months and see for yourself.
Our guarantee to you is - if you are not completely happy after 3 months, we will refund all of the net premiums, less any paid claim values (once all policies have expired).
Opportunities
Warranty Sales: Area Managers
Bluechip Warranty are a forward thinking, established warranty provider.
We are always on the lookout for field-based sales professionals who can enhance our reputation within this industry.
Ideally, you will already be working within this environment and perhaps looking for a fresh challenge with an industry leading product and service level.
For the right individual, we can offer various pay structures. Earnings are genuinely unlimited. Letʼs have a chat...
ARNOLD CLARK LEADS CAR DEALER TOP 100 AS MOST PROFITABLE CAR DEALER GROUP IN THE UK
• Scottish car dealer giant tops our list of the most profitable dealers once again
• Car Dealer Top 100, sponsored by Heycar, showcases the most successful car dealers
by James Baggott @CarDealerEd
Arnold Clark has been named the most profitable car dealer group in the UK once again after chalking up £366.1m of earnings for 2023.
The Scottish car dealer group retained its place at the head of the Car Dealer Top 100, sponsored by Heycar, and produced by accountancy experts Cooper Parry, despite revenues falling to £4.96bn.
The first place comes despite Arnold Clark battling a devastating cyber attack at the start of 2023 which it admitted dented its performance.
Eddie Hawthorne, Arnold Clark chief executive, said: ‘The results over the past year are a testament to the hard work of our employees. I want to thank everyone throughout the Arnold Clark Group for everything they’ve done to contribute to our success.
‘The automotive sector is evolving and that brings significant challenges, but we can’t stand still.
‘By adding new services like our Charge network and new manufacturers to offer more choice, we’re in a position to provide customers with everything they need to keep them moving.
‘And all of that is underpinned by our founding principles; to provide genuine value for money and the highest levels of customer service.’
The Car Dealer Top 100, sponsored by Heycar, ranks dealers using EBITDA profit – Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation – as it’s the fairest comparison of the businesses’ profitability.
The details are taken from accounts filed with Companies House for 2023.
Dealers have seen their profit before tax numbers hit considerably in the last year after facing higher interest charges. While EBITDA numbers have remained largely sheltered, they have still taken a hit.
Total profit for our Top 100 for 2023 was £2.62bn, down on the £2.78bn registered in 2022 while turnover rose considerably to £88.8bn (2022: £73.7bn).
Revenues have rocketed for the largest dealer groups – Sytner, in second place in the list, saw revenues sore from £6.8bn in 2022, to £7.4bn last year.
The results over the past year are a testament to the hard work of our employees.
Eddie Hawthorne Arnold Clark chief executive
When we got into the data we were surprised at how little EBITDA had fallen.xx.
Ian McMahon Cooper Parry
Click here to watch a special Car Dealer Live video discussing the Top 100 in more detail with compiler Ian McMahon from Cooper Parry
The top 10 largest dealer groups in the UK accounted for an incredible £1.47bn of the total EBITDA profit generated by the Top 100.
Ian McMahon, compiler of the list at accountancy firm Cooper Parry, said: ‘When we got into the data we were surprised at how little EBITDA had fallen.
‘And if you’d have asked us two years ago what we thought would happen to turnover we’d have predicted it would fall because of agency sales, but it’s actually grown.’
Group 1 – the American giant that recently bought Inchcape’s dealerships – rose three places in the table to fourth. The Inchcape revenues or profits are not yet included in the numbers.
The list does not yet include Pendragon’s acquisition by Lithia either. During the year, the American firm sealed the deal to acquire Pendragon’s dealerships and combine them with those it bought from Jardine. The extent of that partnership will be fully seen in next year’s list and is likely to see them placed in the top three.
JTG Holdings – the firm behind Welsh car dealer group Gravells – was the highest riser on the list, jumping 46 places to 55th, with £7.2m profit for the year.
Partridge of Hampshire Holdings Ltd jumped 41 places to 63rd, while AWR Holdings Ltd, which owns the former West Way car dealerships, rose 33 places to 52nd.
Plummeting 60 places to 95th on the list was the troubled used car dealership group Motorpoint which achieved EBITDA profits of £3.4m. Accounts for the year showed a pretax loss of £300,000.
Other big fallers included Vindis Group, which dropped 34 places to 75th and Saxton Limited, which fell 34 places to 79th. CLICK
DASHBOARD.
Q&A
The Car Dealer Top 100 – sponsored by Heycar – is the only list that ranks the motor trade by the figures that matter the most – their profitability.
Using EBITDA profit as a guide – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation – it is the fairest way to compare dealers’ performance like for like.
Why do we use EBITDA as a guide?
The Car Dealer Top 100 is compiled by accountancy experts Cooper Parry and their audit partner Ian McMahon oversees the list.
In a special video interview, which you can watch at the top of this post, he chats about the performance of the most successful car dealers in the UK.
It’s a measure that’s often referred to because it indicates cash generative profit. In some respects, depreciation and amortization is an accounting adjustment. It doesn’t affect cash. However, it is worth mentioning that interest, especially in the current climate for dealers with the stocking loans and the typical funding that they do require, does have a big impact in terms of their net profit. Net profit is another good indicator, but I think for the purposes of what we’re doing, trying to compare a very mixed bag of businesses, it’s our favorite go-to measure.
We’ve seen a fall in profits in 2023 – what has caused that?
We were actually surprised at how little the absolute value of EBITDA had fallen. Anecdotally, a lot of dealers who had a December 23 year end, took quite a considerable level of provision against the used stock they had. If you’d asked us two year ago what would to happen by turnover, I think we would have expected it to actually fall if agency had come in the way we expected it to. In reality, the absolute value of sales has gone up year on year and EBITDA has dropped slightly.
Arnold Clark’s performance is impressive – they really are a juggernaut of a business are they not?
Yeah, they absolutely are. And there’s an expectation that they would have struggled with certain aspects of their business during the year, but EBITDA does seek to sort of normalise that. The top 10 of the top 100 account for more than 55% of the total earnings of the whole top 100 dealer portfolio.
Arnold Clark is an amazing business and to keep all the business units performing on target is a fantastic achievement. I’m sure many lesser businesses, and I say that, in terms of size and sort of breadth of skill sets they have, would have suffered more as a result of that cyber attack. Credit to them for ploughing through.
What makes Arnold Clark so special?
They have always had a fantastic used car focus, and I suppose part of that goes into understanding the product that they retail. You will have seen some really good initiatives that they have rolled out in terms of educating customers about EVs, about the market opportunity, about the need to knows before committing to buy. I think that reflected in the fact that it has given their customer base the confidence to go out and invest money in an EV platform, where others have maybe not been as full of thinking.
Has there been any major surprises for you?
I was surprised at the level of EBITDA. It’s reassuring that with aftersales components, these businesses are robust. And being quick to react to the market conditions on used cars has really seen that some of these businesses can weather the proverbial storm and do so with a degree of confidence.
How would you summarise the 2023 list?
I think it’s a great turn out. It’s a really good result and very positive. From here, I’m sure many dealer groups are looking towards cash generation and effectively reducing risk against any future borrowing needs or any adverse changes in rates.
Arnold Clark is an amazing operation and to keep all the business units performing on target is a fantastic achievement.
Ian McMahon
CLICK
HERE TO SEE THE CAR DEALER TOP 100 LIST IN FULL
With a stream of quality leads, partnering with heycar will help you stay resilient in the face of market challenges and build a blueprint for future success, with at least 6x return on your investment.*
Want to see if we click? Say hey today.
Car Dealer editor-in-chief
JAMES BAGGOTT has launched a subscriber-only Substack newsletter. Every Friday, he digests the week’s news and gives his opinion on the biggest stories. Here’s a selection of his comments from the most recent newsletters. To subscribe, head to cardealer.substack.com
JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS
Lookers cancels Christmas parties once again
LOOKERS employees have raised concerns over worsening work conditions, including a lack of workwear and ongoing cost-cutting measures. Complaints include Christmas parties being cancelled for the second consecutive year, frozen pay for 18 months, and reduced staffing levels at workshops. The firm, now under Canadian ownership, has yet to respond to the allegations, which follow a reported £1.8m pre-tax loss for 2023 and significant redundancies.
What do I think?
Here we go again. Yet another negative Lookers story and, this time, with no response from the company. Staff members from the firm often email us with their frustrations as they’re clearly not getting anywhere with raising the problems with their bosses. It’s shocking the firm didn’t even bother to respond to the claims made in this latest story. We gave them plenty of time to have their say but they didn’t speak up. The car industry needs to remember that its number one asset is its staff and really needs to stop treating them like this.
New car registrations fall as carmakers race to meet ZEV mandate
REGISTRATIONS of new cars fell by 1.9% in November, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, with 153,600 vehicles sold. Battery electric vehicles showed strong growth, climbing 58.4% to make up 25.1% of the market, driven by significant manufacturer discounts. The SMMT highlighted the challenge of meeting the ZEV mandate and called for greater government support to bolster EV adoption.
What do I think?
The industry needs help and that help needs to come now. Private buyer demand was down 3.3% in November with fleet sales down 1.1%. SMMT boss Mike Hawes is once again asking for support in his commentary and other experts say we need to increase consumer confidence in EVs if we’re to get anywhere near the tough targets next year. I couldn’t agree with them more.
Charlie Nunn, CEO of Lloyds, said the motor finance crisis has spooked investors and the knock-on effects are unclear. Some experts believe banks could face a redress scheme of up to £30bn. Quote
‘The level of uncertainty means we just don’t know what it’s going to mean yet. We have a legal decision, a Court of Appeal decision, that is at odds with the last 30 years of regulation. The uncertainty that creates in our environment is unique; it’s very different from other economies in the world.’
Carlos Tavares quits Stellantis with immediate effect
CARLOS Tavares, the 66-year-old mastermind behind Stellantis’ formation, has abruptly resigned as CEO following disagreements with the board. Stellantis announced his departure just weeks after Tavares signed off on the controversial closure of its Luton plant, which put 1,100 jobs at risk. While the board searches for a permanent replacement, interim leadership will be handled by chairman John Elkann.
What do I think?
Well, that was a bit of a shock. The cost cutter in chief has been cut himself after a reported fall out over strategy. Reports suggest the board were concerned Tavares wasn’t looking to the long-term and instead trying to make himself look better in the face of falling sales and plummeting revenues. Stellantis is a huge group and a tough business to manage. But the role is one of the biggest in the automotive industry and I’m sure they’ll be a queue of execs lining themselves up for the job.
Subscribe to James’s
Used car dealers warned to expect only modest growth over coming years
Cox Automotive forecasts used car transactions in the UK to rise from 7.4m in 2024 to nearly 7.9m by 2027, signalling slow growth. The shrinking car parc and lingering supply chain issues are expected to keep new and used car sales below pre-pandemic levels. Experts predict EV registrations will grow significantly, but economic pressures and affordability concerns will maintain high demand for internal combustion engine vehicles.
What do I think?
A shrinking used car parc is good news for one thing – used car prices, which won’t be dropping off a cliff any time soon. With fewer cars in the market, prices are likely to remain solid, but it does mean getting hold of stock will continue to be a challenge. That’s been a problem for some time, thanks to the drop in new car sales during Covid, and we’re still playing catch up.
and directly emailed
BERNIE Ecclestone has tasked Tom Hartley Jnr with selling his 69-car Grand Prix and Formula 1 collection, spanning 70 years of racing history. The lineup includes iconic cars like Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari and the unique 1978 Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘fan car.’ Ecclestone, 94, stated that his trust in Hartley Jnr’s expertise and transparency influenced his decision, ensuring these rare automotive ‘works of art’ find proper homes. Bernie
James Baggott, founder of Car Dealer, welcomes everyone to the Used Cars Awards
We publish an initial list of nominees who have impressed the judges – then another exhaustive round whittles them down further.
The shortlist of nominees, along with the categories, is published online in advance.
At the awards ceremony, Mike Brewer announces the winner and two highly commendeds in each category.
DEALERS’ DEALER
Category sponsored by Trade 2 Trade
Presented by James Vaughan
Estelle Miller, EV Experts
Highly commended
Scott Sibley, Redgate Lodge
Joe Betty, Berrow Motors
Estelle Miller collects her award from Mike Brewer and James Vaughan, founder and CEO of Trade 2 Trade
Joe Betty from Berrow Motors with Mike Brewer
SERVICE & REPAIR OUTLET
Dan Bush from Snows
Michelle Brewer
The team from Greg Mitchell Motors collect their highly commended certificate from Mike Brewer
Bespoke warranty solutions for you. T&Cs Apply
USED EV DEALERSHIP
Category sponsored by Warrantywise
Presented by Wayne Duxbury, dealer sales director
Winner Drive Green
Highly commended
EV Experts
Luscombe Leeds
Richard Norris (centre) from Drive Green collects the trophy from Wayne Duxbury
EV Experts collect its highly commended certificate from Mike Brewer
Why Multi-Lender Financing is the Future for Dealerships.
The financing process can make or break a sale. Delays, limited options, and cumbersome systems often lead to missed opportunities and frustrated buyers. FIVE REASONS WHY
In today’s competitive automotive market, standing out takes more than just offering great vehicles. Dealerships need a financing experience that’s fast, transparent, and tailored to meet every consumer’s needs. Integrated multi-lender platforms rise to this challenge by streamlining the financing process. Bringing all lender options together in one place creates a smoother, more efficient experience for both dealerships and consumers.
Diverse Loan Products
Partnering with multiple lenders on a single platform allows dealerships to offer a broad range of financing options in one place. This variety, covering different interest rates, terms, and conditions, ensures they can cater to diverse credit profiles and financial situations. Providing customised loan offerings within a single platform enhances transparency and helps consumers make well-informed choices, leading to a smoother and more satisfying experience.
With access to multiple lenders, dealerships can significantly boost loan approval rates. Each lender has unique criteria, increasing the likelihood of finding a suitable match for consumers. This translates to more closed sales and happier customers.
Transparency and variety give dealerships a distinct advantage. Consumers prefer dealerships that offer a single platform for comparing financing options, setting these businesses apart as customer-focused and innovative.
Meeting consumer duty standards is critical. Multi-lender platforms can help deliver the necessary transparency, supporting dealerships in tailoring financing options to individual needs, complying with regulations, and fostering trust.
iVendi is the market leader in connected vehicle retailing technology, creating digital products that help consumers to buy and finance vehicles more easily and retailers to sell them more efficiently, both online and in the showroom. Through our platform, we see transactions from around five million consumers every month, working with thousands of car, van, and motorcycle retailers, alongside motor manufacturers and leading finance providers.
Today’s buyers value control and transparency. A multi-lender platform provides clear comparisons of loan options, ensuring consumers feel confident in their decisions. This boosts satisfaction, loyalty, and the dealership’s credibility.
By adopting an integrated financing solution, dealerships can streamline processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and stay ahead of competitors.
Ready to transform your dealership’s financing approach? Contact us today to learn how multi-lender platforms can drive your success, and to discuss lender options.
SOCIAL MEDIA USER
Category sponsored by iVendi
Presented by Bradley Walker, director of strategic partnerships
Winner Berrow Motors
Alexanders
Berrow Motors’ Joe Betty collecting his award from Mike Brewer and Bradley Walker, director of strategic partnerships at iVendi
With a stream of quality leads, partnering with heycar will help you stay resilient in the face of market challenges and build a blueprint for future success, with at least 6x return on your investment.*
Want to see if we click? Say hey today.
USE OF VIDEO
Winner Acklam Cars
Category sponsored by heycar
Presented by Tim Holdsworth, sales manager
Joe Khan, sales director at Acklam Car Centre, collecting the award from Mike Brewer and Tim Holdsworth
Prestige Diesels & Sports
Berrow Motors
G3 BEDFORD
P h y s i c a l L a u n c h E v e n t G 3 B e d f o r d M o n d a y 6 t h J a n u a r y 2 0 2 5
USED CAR WEBSITE
Category sponsored by G3 Vehicle Auctions
Presented by Gareth Jones, director
Winner
MB Motors Ballymena
Highly commended
Richlee Motor Company
FOW Car Supermarket
Gareth Jones, left, from G3 Vehicle Auctions presents the award to Malcolm Beattie from MB Motors Ballymena
USED CAR ONLINE SALES EXPERIENCE
Category sponsored by Visitor Chat
Presented by Chris Wateridge, managing director
Winner Carsa
Highly commended
Frosts Cars
Norwich Car Store
The Carsa team of Richard Bradshaw, Jon Churcher, Russell Churcher, Matt Gill, Ian Lashford, Rishi Patel and Kyle Wood pick up their award from Mike Brewer and Chris Wateridge
Norwich Car Store
Frosts Cars
SPECIALIST USED CAR DEALERSHIP
Category sponsored by We Swap
Presented by Jamie Kingsley, CEO and co-founder
Winner Alexanders Prestige
Highly commended
Romans International
Targa Florio Cars
David Sellwood and James Appleby, from
Alexanders Prestige, collect their award from Mike Brewer and Jamie Kingsley (far left)
USED CAR DEALER PRINCIPAL
Craig Vladimirovs
award from Mike Brewer and Mark Barker, development manager at Warranty Solutions Group
Category sponsored by Warranty Solutions Group
Presented by Mark Barker, development manager
Winner
Craig Vladimirovs, Car Quay
Highly commended
Mark Gothard, Rangebrook
Joanna Smith, Wink Cars
collects his
Breathe. We’ve got this covered.
Do you ever wonder what happens to your customer once they have signed their finance agreement? Will they be managed well, will they get the support they deserve?
Breathe easy− as Northridge has got this covered.
Northridge offer a full end-to-end journey, for our intermediary customers, by providing access to a 7 day per week in-house support team. This team makes sure that your customer has the opportunity to interact with us at all times and are given support and assistance they need. In addition, all customers can download our App that gives them direct control of their finances, allowing them to view their agreement and do so much more.
Improving the after sales support for your customer is just another example of how Northridge Finance is working to solve problems by enhancing our service standards. We just want to make it easier for everyone, not just our intermediaries, to engage and transact with us as efficiently as possible.
So take a Breath.… find out how Northridge could help your business improve your customers’ car finance journey.
For further information contact: dealersupport@northridgeuk.com
FUTURE STAR AWARD
Category sponsored by Northridge Finance
Presented by Lee Rowlatt, business development manager
Patricia McMahon collecting her award from Mike Brewer and Lee Rowlatt, Northridge Finance’s business development manager
Winner
Patricia McMahon, Saltmarine Cars
Highly commended
Oliver Sutherland, Sutherland Automotive
Louis Gaskin, Snows Peugeot Portsmouth
Louis Gaskin
Oliver Sutherland
additional revenue channels including Service Plan, and Cosmetic Insurance*.
USED CAR CUSTOMER CARE
Category sponsored by RAC Dealer Network
Presented by Lee Coomber, client director
Winner Redgate Lodge
Highly commended
Alexanders
RAC Dealer Network client
director Lee Coomber
(far left) and Mike Brewer present the award to the Redgate Lodge team
Prestige Diesels & Sports
USED CAR SALES TEAM
Greg Mitchell Motors
The team from Greg Mitchell Motors receives its award from Motorway COO James Wilson, left
LM Motor Company
MB Motors Ballymena
DAYS TO TURN AWARD
Category sponsored by Auto Trader
Presented
by
Gail Clark, sales director
Winner Affordable Prestige Cars
James Elkington from One Automotive accepts the award on behalf of
Affordable Prestige Cars from Auto Trader’s Gail Clark
The team from Mercland recieve its certificate from awards host Mike Brewer
The SAF Approval deadline is 1 January 2025.
Becoming SAF approved shows your commitment to a better customer journey. We’ll support you ahead of the January 2025 deadline.
USED COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DEALERSHIP
Winner VanStar
Category sponsored by Close Brothers Motor Finance
Presented by Ryan Scaife, head of sales south
Highly commended
Anchor Vans
Beechwood Autos
The VanStar team take to the stage to receive its trophy
Beechwood Autos
Backing
your customers to go for it!
Ê Award winning finance provider
Ê Market leading technology
Ê Quick pay outs
Ê Open 7 days a week
To find out more about MotoNovo, scan the QR code. For intermediary use only
Category sponsored by Motonovo Finance
Presented by Rhys Knapman, senior account manager
Winner Hilton Car Supermarket
The Hilton Car Supermarket team take to the stage to collect its award
Carbase proudly receive its highly commended certificate from Mike Brewer
CHOOSE SIMPLICITY WITH LIFESHINE
As an Autoglym Partner, offering LifeShine has never been easier. With our simple, hassle-free process, you can deliver premium ceramic exterior, interior, and glass protection to your customers with confidence. Our comprehensive training and support ensure seamless integration into your dealership, boosting customer satisfaction and adding value to every sale. LifeShine provides lasting protection and helps your vehicles stand out, while you enjoy increased revenue with minimal effort. Partnering with Autoglym means working with a trusted, industry-leading brand, making it a win-win for you and your customers.
SWITCH WITH EASE PROTECT WITH CONFIDENCE, POWERED BY AUTOGLYM
SEAMLESS TRANSITION
Switching providers is hassle-free with full support from Autoglym.
EASY APPLICATION
LifeShine is quick and simple to apply, saving time for your team.
award for the Audi RS 4. It is an incredible vehicle and an incredible award.’
varied industry from us manufacturers to those single business dealers – and it’s fantastic.’
JLR sales director Angela Shepherd collected the gong, and said: ‘Used cars are a really important part of our business and the Defender is “tough luxury”. It’s comfortable, it’s versatile, it can go anywhere. It offers something for everybody.’
John Dewar, Ford’s commercial vehicle product and services manager in the UK and Ireland, said: ‘It’s really a privilege to accept this for the Ford Transit Custom. It’s amazing. The Ford Transit brand is 60 years old next year, so it’s nice to pick up this award.’ USED COMMERCIAL
BEST USED CAR CATEGORIES
Category sponsored by Autoglym
Presented by Mark Docherty, marketing manager
CAR OF THE YEAR
Nissan Qashqai
Michael Auliar, Nissan sales director, and Gary Huggett, head of used cars & RV management at Nissan Motor GB collect the award from Mark Docherty, left, from Autoglym
MANUFACTURER USED CAR SCHEME OF THE YEAR
Highly commended Hyundai Kia
Category sponsored by Auto Trader
Presented by Nicola Harper, sales director
The Skoda team collected its award from Auto Trader’s Nicola Harper Winner Skoda
NEWCOMER DEALERSHIP
Category sponsored by Moneybarn
Presented by Tim Schwarz, head of brand and vehicle finance marketing at Vanquis
Winner Norwich Car Store
Highly commended
Nolan Cars
Strenue
Tim Schwarz, left, head of brand at sponsor Vanquis with Norwich Car Store
CEO Steve Ball and sales executive Lewis Ball with host Mike Brewer
Strenue
USED CAR SUPERMARKET
Category sponsored by Motors
Presented by Phill Jones, COO
Phill Jones, left, from Motors, with Jeff Dillon, head of buying at Carbase and Alex Jones, Carbase’s chief operating officer with Mike Brewer
Hilton Car Supermarket
Nationwide Delivery
Multi-point Check Inspection Best Financing Deals
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Winner
Dale Wyatt
Director of Automotive for Suzuki UK and Ireland
Category sponsored by Hilton Car Supermarket
Presented by Daniel Kamal Shah, CEO
Daniel Kamal Shah, CEO of Hilton Car Supermarket, Dale Wyatt, and awards host Mike Brewer
GLOBAL NUMBER ONE IN PAINT PROTECTION.
Award-Winning and Industry-Leader for Paint Protection.
SETTING NEW STANDARDS WITH CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY.
At GardX, innovation is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to continuous research and development, ensuring that we deliver industry-leading products that stay ahead of the competition. Our proactive approach to product innovation drives us to explore new technologies, formulations, anticipate market trends, and create solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients. By constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, we provide cutting-edge products that empower our clients to stay ahead and offer consumers a superior value proposition.
GARDX PROTECT INTRODUCES ITS LATEST BREAKTHROUGH IN PAINT PROTECTION.
In the last 12 months alone, we have launched five new products, including three new industry-leading solutions with gamechanging technologies and pioneering formulations. These include Ceramic, Graphene and a 3-layer Elite protection product that is a first in the industry.
We are excited to have launched a suite of new paint protection products with a brandnew formulation, powered by Graphene. Known for its incredible strength, durability, and resistance to environmental elements, Graphene is a groundbreaking ingredient that enhances our paint protection solutions. Its advanced properties allow it to create a thin, yet highly effective layer of protection, offering superior resistance to scratches, water, dirt, and UV damage.
By incorporating Graphene into our formula, we’re setting a new standard in the automotive industry, providing unmatched protection and a longer-lasting shine for vehicle paintwork.
Graphene utilises the very latest technology available in the sector, bringing with it some significant benefits for both Dealer and endconsumer. This new formulation leverages the natural assets of Graphene, which are of toughness, flexibility, light and highly resistant.
This new product has greatly improved performance, with a higher and deeper gloss finish, greater hydrophobicity giving enhanced water beading and enhanced weathering.
Billy Coutin, Chief Executive Officer said; “For decades, our core vehicle protection systems have been at the forefront in both their innovation and performance. So, our appetite to continue leading the way certainly won’t surprise our partner Dealers and OEMs. But aside from elevating performance and embracing the potential of new formulations such as Graphene, these products can support our clients and act as a key profit generation lever, whilst offering a superior end-consumer proposition”.
Please visit www.gardxprotect.com or email enquiries@gardxprotect.com for more information.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Category sponsored by GardX
Presented by Richard Gonzalez, director of sales
Richard Gonzalez, GardX director of sales, left, presents the trophy to Paul Jaconelli
Winner
Paul Jaconelli
Romans International
Help your customers on the journey to electric
USED CAR DEALERSHIP: UP TO 50 CARS
Category sponsored by Black Horse
Presented by Tim Smith, head of Black Horse
Winner Small Cars Direct
Highly commended
Prestige Diesels & Sports
Crompton Way Motors
Black Horse’s Tim Smith, left, with Small Cars Direct’s Lisa Bradley, Alex Bradley, Jon Snell, and host Mike Brewer
Crompton Way Motors
Prestige Diesels & Sports
USED CAR DEALERSHIP: 51-100 CARS
Category sponsored by Black Horse
Presented by Tim Smith, head of Black Horse
Highly commended
Alyn Brewis
RS Car Sales
Jay Singh and Kay Singh of ASK Motors on stage at the Used Car Awards with compere Mike Brewer, right, and Tim Smith, Head of Black Horse
RS Car Sales
Alyn Brewis
USED
Auto Sportiva owner Will LeeKemp, with award, and his team, and Black Horse’s Tim Smith
Category sponsored by Black Horse
Presented by Tim Smith, head of Black Horse
The team from Greenhous take to the stage to collect their award from head of Black Horse Tim Smith, far left
Snows Motor Group
Category sponsored by Black Horse
Presented by Tim Smith, head of Black Horse
VIP DRINKS RECEPTION AND FUN CASINO
Sponsored by Motors
John Lewis vouchers to the value of £500, £350 and £150 were the prizes at the fun casino. It took place after the awards.
The Used Car Awards’ prize draw raised £3,426
The prizes were donated by G3 Vehicle Auctions, Mike Brewer, Autoglym, RAC Dealer Network, Warrantywise and the Road Trip Club.
CAR NEWS ROUND-UP
Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results...
LOTUS
New-look Emira line-up
LOTUS has revealed updates to one of its last combustion-powered models, with its Emira sports car, which went on sale in 2022, receiving an upgrade.
Now, for 2025, Lotus has ditched the First Edition trims and moved to a more conventional, Turbo, Turbo SE and V6 line-up.
The Emira Turbo features the four-cylinder turbocharged 360bhp engine and eight-speed DCT gearbox. Standard features include 20-inch 10-spoke
PORSCHE
Taycan line-up gets new GTS models
PORSCHE has expanded its electric Taycan range with the addition of a new GTS model.
Priced from £117,500 for the saloon and £118,300 for the Sport Turismo estate, the GTS brings a total output of 690bhp when the car’s Launch Control function is engaged, which means the Taycan will go from 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds – 0.4 seconds faster than the previous GTS. Despite this, Porsche says the range has improved to a total of 390 miles between trips to the plug.
Second-generation Q5 Sportback SUV
AUDI has unveiled the second gen of its Q5 Sportback SUV, to rival cars like the BMW X4.
From launch, the car will come with a choice of three engines, all boasting 48V mild-hybrid technology.
The entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol produces a total of 201bhp and 340Nm of torque – while power is transmitted to the front wheels, a Quattro all-wheeldrive system is also available.
lightweight alloy wheels, ‘Emira Turbo’ badging, black brake callipers, black leather interior and 12-way electric seats.
The Emira Turbo SE packs 400bhp and gets the Lotus Driver’s Pack as standard, which includes sports suspension, uprated brakes, and launch control. The V6, meanwhile, gets a limited-slip diff on manual models. Pricing will be revealed at the beginning of next year.
New Ioniq 9 SUV added to range Renault 5 will cost under £23,000
HYUNDAI has revealed its largest car yet while expanding its EV range with the Ioniq 9.
This new SUV will come with a 110.3kWh battery pack that Hyundai claims can do up to 385 miles on a single charge, and thanks to DC rapid charging, it can go from 10 to 80% charge in 24 minutes.
The line-up will also include two long-range models and a performance model that produces up to 428bhp.
RENAULT has confirmed that its new 5 will cost less than £23,000 – making it one of the cheapest electric cars on sale.
It will be offered in three trim levels consisting of Evolution, Techno and Iconic with two battery packs.
The former is a 40kWh unit that pumps out 120bhp and gives a claimed range of up to 190 miles. The latter comes with a 52kWh battery pack and a range of up to 248 miles.
HYUNDAI
RENAULT
The A90 Final Edition is the GR Supra’s last hurrah
TOYOTA Gazoo Racing has revealed the last chapter in the GR Supra’s story with the A90 Final Edition.
The car will have a limited production run of just 300 units worldwide and features a host of extras compared to the standard car.
Under the bonnet, the car will utilise a 3.0-litre straight-six engine but it has been tweaked to make 429bhp, compared to 381bhp on the normal model.
Toyota has yet to announce the performance figures and whether they will be greater than the regular Supra.
New 7 SUV will be priced under £30K
CHINESE firm, Jaecoo, has announced prices and specs for the 7 – its first UK model.
The entry-level unit is a 1.6-litre turbocharged fourcylinder petrol engine that develops 145bhp. A plug-in hybrid version with frontwheel-drive will come fitted with the same 1.6-litre engine and a 18.3kWh battery pack that Jaecoo claims allows the car to travel up to 56 miles on electric power alone.
New hybrid Terramar models go on sale
CUPRA has revealed that its latest Terramar SUV has gone on sale with prices starting from £37,605.
Under the bonnet, there is a choice of six different engines ranging from a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol up to a 261bhp four-wheeldrive 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol. There will also be the option of two plug-in hybrid variants with the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit and a choice of either 201bhp or 268bhp.
JAECOO
CUPRA
NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM THE CAR DEALER PODCASTS
Sponsored by
I’ll just film my opinion on something and put it out on our Instagram or our TikTok or whatever else.
James McConville
JMC USED
CARS
‘You’re that guy that does the videos’: How a used car dealer became a social media star
Agood social media strategy can help transform a used car business and put dealers in front of a huge customer base.
That is the verdict of James McConville, who says that his outfit – Solo Car Sales – has seen a huge upsurge in popularity as a result of harnessing the power of social media.
The company regularly posts videos on Instagram and TikTok and has developed a cult following in its native Liverpool over recent years.
Appearing on a recent episode of the Car Dealer Podcast, McConville said that some of the business’s posts are now topping a million views online.
He has even become something of a minor celebrity on Merseyside, with members of the public regularly approaching him to speak about his videos.
Speaking how the firm’s strategy has developed in recent times, McConville told hosts James Baggott and Jon Reay: ‘Getting over the fear of putting myself on camera was one thing. And now, just by making videos, not necessarily all about cars, because no one wants to be spammed just with car stuff.
‘I’ll just film my opinion on something and put it out
on our Instagram or our TikTok or whatever else. I’ll sponsor it but everyone’s got their own version of a clever algorithm and clever target audience.
‘Mine seems to work and it’s not unusual now for me to go out in Liverpool and someone says, “You’re that guy that does the videos for Solo Cars”. That’s quite common in Liverpool.
‘I’m just happy to keep doing more of that because I’ve got nothing to hide. I like to think I’m a really good integral person. So I’ll keep putting myself out there and keep doing it.
‘If I put a post Instagram organically, if it’s a good one, it might get 10,000 views but if I sponsored it some of them have had over a million views.’
McConville says that the strategy has replaced traditional methods of reaching customers, as it keeps Solo Cars in the minds of its customers for longer. However, he says it is important to keep posts varied and not bombard people with too much information at one time.
He added: ‘If you deliver a flyer to someone like you used to years ago, they get hit with that information once, and then it probably goes out of their head.’
From chef to selling used cars in the family business
When Martin McGuire from JMC Used Cars joined the family trade, he didn’t know what a success his business would become.
Jon Reay and James Baggott spoke to McGuire about the growth in his business in the last five years, and why he’s glad he made the switch from chef to car dealer.
He explained: ‘We started off five years ago. We’re now just off the M8, the main motorway going through Glasgow.
‘We started off similar to you [James] with just a few cars but now we’ve got a unit that
holds around 45 cars.’
McGuire didn’t have a traditional start to a motor trade career, training as a chef after finishing school.
He said: ‘Out of school I trained as a chef and went into that, which was totally different.
‘But my dad has always been involved in the automotive industry so I’ve always been around the car trade and believe it or not that’s what I’ve always wanted to do – I wanted to sell cars.
‘I was involved in one of my dad’s businesses selling motorhomes and campervans but it gradually progressed.’
He said: ‘We wanted to open a place up in Glasgow and it just sort of took off.’
Most recently, JMC Used Cars recently won an Auto Trader award for best retailer under 50 cars.
Host James asked whether there was anything the used car dealer wished he had focussed on more, to which McGuire said: ‘Our Facebook page has really started growing now and I think if we’d really focussed on that from the start, particularly through Covid times it would have made a big difference.’
SOLO CAR SALES
FINANCE NEWS
FCA admits car finance scandal could reach PPI levels as bosses are grilled by MPs
by Jack Williams @JournoJack25
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has admitted for the first time that the ongoing car finance crisis could end up being as big as the PPI scandal.
Representatives from the watchdog appeared before the Commons Treasury Committee on December 10, with the topic of motor finance coming up in the course of the sitting.
Among those to give evidence to the committee was Stephen Braviner-Roman, general counsel and executive director of legal, risk, compliance and corporate governance at the FCA. He was grilled by Lib Dem MP, Bobby Dean, on the scale of the scandal, and what it is likely to mean for both firms and consumers.
Court grants
Close Brothers permission to appeal ruling COURTS
CLOSE Brothers has been granted permission by the Supreme Court to appeal the result of the motor finance commissions case in October.
Braviner-Roman told MPs that the recent Court of Appeal ruling against Close Brothers and RandBank had ‘undoubtedly expanded’ the scale of the crisis.
He said that the decision had broadened the scope of the FCA’s ongoing investigation to include fixed commission arrangements, having previously only been focused on discretionary commission arrangements.
He added that it would be ‘premature’ to say the scandal would not end up matching the levels of the PPI scandal, which saw lenders pay out a total of £38.3bn to consumers.
Braviner-Roman said: ‘What has happened with the Court of Appeal case, which has prompted the latest discussion about the numbers, is that it’s brought into focus a different type of commission arrangement. They’re often used in conjunction, so the same individual consumer will often pay commission which is both a discretionary commission arrangement of the sort I described and a fixed commission, so they are wrapped up together.
‘The work we’ve done in relation to the discretionary commission arrangements [is] we’ve paused complaints, we’ve put in work to understand the scale of the issue. We were anticipating coming back with the results of that work and explaining where we’d got to in May [2025].
‘We now need to take stock of the scale of that problem in light of the court of appeal decision and do some further analysis on what the wider implications of that could be.’
On October 25, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of consumers regarding commission disclosures for motor finance and on November 22 Close Brothers Limited submitted an application to appeal this decision. The complaints was previously tried at other courts but all claims of mis-selling lost. However, the judges decision in October found ‘a broker could not lawfully receive a commission from a lender without obtaining the customer’s fully informed consent to the payment’.
The announcement states: ‘On 22 November 2024, Close Brothers Limited (“CBL”) submitted an application for permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgment against CBL in respect of the “Hopcraft” motor finance commissions case.
‘CBL has been informed that permission to appeal has been granted by the Supreme Court.’
TIME IS MONEY
RICHARD PYGOTT
Merry Christmas to all the superheroes of the motor trade
I’m pretty sure time flies faster the older you get! Days blur into weeks, weeks into months, and before you know it, the supermarkets’ Christmas TV ads are on our screens, the mince pies are out, and the neighbour’s inflatable Santa is once again bobbing around in the cold wind.
This past year has been a whirlwind for me, both in and out of work, and I’m sure many of you feel the same. It’s hard to believe how much has happened in the motor trade in just 12 months.
For me, 2024 has felt like a year of highs and lows. I’ve seen the industry grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, rising inflation, shaky consumer confidence, commission court cases, and the new Labour government shaking things up with its budget. Let’s not forget the reinstatement of the 2030 petrol and diesel ban, that’s given us all plenty to think about! It’s been a roller coaster, no doubt about it. What really strikes me is just how resilient this industry is. I genuinely believe the motor trade is full of superheroes, and I’m not blowing smoke up your exhaust pipe, I really mean it. When I think back over the past four years, from the chaos of lockdowns to the challenges we’ve faced since, it amazes me how, time and again, the heroes in this industry rise to meet every new challenge.
Like Oliver Twist asking for more, the motor trade faces the tough times head-on, dusts off its metaphorical cape, takes a deep breath, and dives right back in no matter what. I can’t think of any other industry that embraces challenges the way this one does, even though it can feel like the motor trade gets more than its fair share of challenges, you just keep going.
Just like you, all of us at First Response Finance have worked hard this year to deliver the best possible service to our customers and dealer partners. Whether it’s financing your sub-prime customers or supporting your business through the ups and downs, we’re all in the same boat, working hard to ensure success for everyone in the motor trade.
Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk
So, as you hang up the tinsel, wrestle with the dealership’s wobbly Christmas tree, and tackle those end-of-year reports, don’t forget to pause and celebrate your achievements over the past 12 months. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back, and maybe even raise a glass to the last 12 months and the opportunities the New Year will bring.
So, from me and everyone at First Response Finance, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the true superheroes of the motor trade – you’ve more than earned it!
It amazes me how, time and again, the heroes in this industry rise to meet every new challenge.
SUPPLIERS GUIDE
LOOKING FOR A MOTOR TRADE SUPPLIER? YOU CAN FIND THE DETAILS OF SELECTED COMPANIES HERE
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.
First Response
dealer.firstresponsefinance.co.uk
0115 671 1755
marketing@frfl.co.uk
First Response is an awardwinning UK finance company providing simple financial solutions. Get in touch and let us help increase
Forza Finance forzafinance.co.uk
01245 245678
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 Manager is Lawgistics’ new digital compliance portal designed to assist employers in managing their legal obligations, responsibilities tradesureinsurance.co.uk 0121 248 9313
Providing motor trade insurance to full- and part-time motor traders in the UK, the Tradesure team are reliable professionals who know how
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
Centurion Warranties
W: centurionwarranties.co.uk
T: 0800 368 7420
E: support@cwuk.net
Info: Centurion offers comprehensive aftermarket warranty solutions to motor dealers across the UK who sell first-owned vehicles through to high-end, prestige and sports cars.
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
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.
These Listings Work!
More Sales For You
W: Your website address
T: 020 8125 3880 (that’s us!)
E: sales@blackballmedia.co.uk
Info: The Suppliers Guide lets dealers find the companies they need to help them with their business. Make sure you’re here. Contact us via the above number or email address.
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.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Spidersnet
W: spidersnet.co.uk
T: 01273 837749
E: hello@spidersnet.co.uk
Info: Websites that are designed to increase the number of customers for dealers. We have solutions for all budgets and needs. All solutions include our DMS Autopromotor.
The SAF Approval deadline is 1 January 2025.
To continue working with lenders who are members of the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), when offering finance to your customers, you’ll need to become SAF Approved by 1 January 2025.
Peugeot 308 GT SW PHEV
PEUGEOT 308 GT SW PHEV
Is the 308 a great all-rounder? Nigel Swan is testing out the new 308 SW to find out.
We’re well into our time with our long-term Peugeot and already it’s starting to clock up the miles with numerous trips up and down the country. With over seven thousand miles already on the clock, it’s a good time to assess just how easy out 308 estate is to live with.
There’s no doubt that the extra space offered by the estate is a big bonus, especially for me when it comes to my duties during the week carrying all my filming gear, and my dogdad duties at the weekend, taking the pooch out for nice places to walk.
While the PHEV does have its benefits when it comes to economy, the batteries that help it run in electric mode do take up some space in the boot. With the rear seats up, it offers 548 litres, expanding to 1,574 litres with the seats folded down. That’s about 50 litres less than if you opted for the non-hybrid version.
On the whole, it’s a great size and shape, and extremely usable and I’ve never found myself really struggling when it comes to carrying lots of equipment. What’s also useful is the low-load lip, which makes it easier to put heavier items inside.
The only issue is if I have a shoot and I’m taking pooch with me, it means I have to put a cover on the rear seats and completely fill the boot. Marley does find the rear seats pretty comfortable though, and settles down quickly and is usually out for the count within a few minutes of hitting the road.
So that’s the boot, now to up front where I spend most of my time. Well, the driving position is extremely comfortable, and electrically adjustable so there are no issues on that front. I’ve already mentioned my concerns with the steering wheel, which feels a little too small, and the top obscures the view of the dials in front. It’s a little frustrating, but I’ve learnt to live with it.
The touchscreen infotainment system dominates the middle of the dashboard, and on the face of it, looks pretty impressive. It’s home to all the vehicle’s main functions, including phone connectivity, DAB radio, satellite navigation and heater controls. I do get a bit frustrated when you have to change the climate settings on the same screen as the sat nav, especially if you’re using it for directions.
It’s just one thing that can be distracting while you’re on the move. What I have found useful, especially with a passenger who likes to fiddle with the infotainment screen on the move, is the navigation instructions are also displayed in between the dials in front of the driver. It’s not as ‘state-of-the-art’ as the Virtual Cockpit you’d find in a Volkswagen Golf, but it does the job.
There are also a couple of USB-C power points for charging devices, so there’s little arguing with the front seat passenger over who’s going to be topping up their phones.
As mentioned earlier, our 308 is racking up the miles, with a couple of trips down to London from the northwest, as well as some filming in the midlands with Mike Brewer ahead of an awards ceremony. There’s no question that it’s comfortable both at speed on the motorway, as well as nipping through city traffic.
What’s next for our 308? Well, it’s coming up to a busy period with lots more filming scheduled in the south and of course award season, so lots of trips to London.
This month’s highlight: The heated and massage seats are proving especially helpful in this miserable weather.
OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING
Mileage: 4,288
The Kamiq is being used more frequently, but there are a few irritations cropping up.
finding with cars getting more complicated it makes life difficult when things go
