Car Dealer Magazine: Issue 204 by Blackball Media

BEHIND THE WHEEL OF

FIVE-CYLINDER

• EXCLUSIVE HEADLINE INTERVIEWS WITH DR ANDY PALMER, NICOLE MELILLO SHAW AND JOHN O’HANLON

• EXCLUSIVE PANEL SESSIONS –COPING WITH PRESSURE, FRANCHISED DEALERS & MANUFACTURER PANEL

• EXCLUSIVE SESSIONS WITH AUTO TRADER, GOOGLE, COX AUTOMOTIVE, MOTORWAY, EXPERIAN AND JATO

• LISTEN, LEARN AND CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED MOTOR TRADE PROS

• VAUXHALL MD LEAVES POST • JLR PRE-TAX PROFIT SLUMP • HAWTHORNE STEPS DOWN • TESLA PROFITS FALL • SMITH NEW LOOKERS CHAIR

FOUNDER

James Baggott

james@thebaize.com

Twitter: @CarDealerEd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

James Batchelor

james.batchelor@blackballmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @JRRBatchelor

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 Evans, Cameron Richards, Nigel Swan

SALES MANAGER

Kevin Day

kev@blackballmedia.co.uk

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Michelle Searle

michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @cardealermich

MARCH

TIMETABLE

Keynote

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM CAR DEALER LIVE 2025

Great speakers, exclusive research, brilliant networking

Car Dealer Live 2025 takes place on March 13 at the British Motor Museum and will be a packed day of insightful sessions for anyone connected to the motor trade.

The event – sponsored by Auto Trader – is designed to inspire car dealers with exclusive research sessions and interviews with some of the biggest names in the automotive industry.

Headline speakers will take questions from our editors on the latest trends and challenges while panelists from the franchised car dealer and car manufacturer worlds will discuss the industry’s key topics.

The day is designed to have plenty of opportunity for networking too with breaks for mingling with fellow car dealers and industry professionals.

Tickets to the event are available now from the event website and a limited number of hotel packages are also on sale.

Car Dealer will be hosting an informal social gathering the night before the event where you’ll be able to catch up with other retailers and suppliers in a relaxed setting.

The event takes place on March 13 at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon. It runs from 9am-5pm with a packed agenda.

TICKETS

TRADING car dealers can book tickets for the event for £160, supplier tickets are £320. Some 10% of ticket sales will be donated to automotive industry charity Ben.

A hotel package is also available which will include a stay at a four-star hotel, a short drive away from the venue, the night before.

Car Dealer will be hosting a social gathering in a dedicated area at the hotel the night before, so attendees can network and relax ahead of the main event.

It is essential you book the correct tickets. Non-trading car dealers who book car dealer tickets will have their tickets cancelled.

INSIGHTFUL RESEARCH

ALL of the Car Dealer Live 2025 partners will be delivering exclusive research on the day. They will be joined on stage by a car dealer or manufacturer partner who will be able to give their take on the topic and the research.

Guests will be able to submit questions to the speakers and all the sessions are designed to give dealers key ideas to take away to their dealership to implement.

What does 2025 have in store for car dealers?

Auto Trader’s COO Catherine Faiers will be discussing how the year has kicked off for retailers and what they can expect next.

Is there really an opportunity for used EV sales for all dealers? That’s what Phil Nothard and the team at Cox Automotive will answer, giving you tips on how to make the most of the opportunity electric cars present.

Which Chinese car manufacturers are the ones

to watch – and who should you invest in? Jato’s China country manager Bo Yu will talk about the Chinese car brands she thinks dealers should be courting and why.

Just how useful is AI to car dealers – and how can you use it? Motorway has been talking to hundreds of car dealers about how they use AI and they’ll reveal what works and what doesn’t in this session with COO James Wilson.

What data is critical to a car dealer in making business a success? Experian’s David Kerry will chat about how powerful data can be when buying, selling and dealing with customers.

What is Google seeing in the used car market – and how can the search engine help dealers? Google’s Mohammad Lone will once again share his unique insight into the car market and consumers, giving you tips on how to use Google’s tools to improve your dealership.

INCREDIBLE GUESTS

Pictures from last year’s Car Dealer Live

CAR DEALER has lined up a superb panel of guests offering insight via headline interviews and panel discussions.

Headline interviews will also take place with Dr Andy Palmer, the former Nissan chief and Aston Martin CEO, who will give his take on the current state of the UK car market and what he thinks is needed to give it a boost.

And franchised car dealer boss John O’Hanlon will take to the stage for another headline interview. He runs the self-started Waylands Automotive, a Volvo, Kia, MG and Polestar dealer, founded in 2016.

Nicole Melillo Shaw, boss of Volvo Car UK, will also take to the stage at Car Dealer Live for our third headline interview.

Danny Minshall, Greenhous Group director and Jason Cranswick, chief operating officer of Marubeni Auto Investments, are lined up for the franchised dealer panel.

Adam Wood, managing director of Renault UK, has also been announced as a panelist for our manufacturer session.

We’re particularly excited about a special session with Daksh Gupta, former boss of Marshall Motor Group, and Ben CEO Rachel Clift who will talk about their careers and how to deal with stress in the motor trade.

Q&A AT A GLANCE

What is it?

It’s a conference that builds on our successful Car Dealer Live video series, and will feature experts giving their thoughts on what the future holds for the motor industry.

Where is it?

The conference is being held at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire – Banbury Road, CV35 0BJ to be precise. If you use what3words, then ///smiled.harmonica. ivory will deliver you to its entrance.

What are the timings?

It all starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm. The full timetable is on page XX.

Are there refreshments?

Indeed! Coffee and pastries will be available to welcome attendees at 9am, and there’ll be a 45-minute break for a buffet lunch at 1pm – please note the allergy advisory on page 8, though.

Where can I park?

There’ll be plenty of parking spaces on site. Just follow the bespoke signs that we’ll have prepared for delegates and speakers.

Can I visit the museum, too?

Yes, admission to the museum is included in the price of your conference ticket.

Where can I get a ticket?

They are available via this link and cost £160 for trading car dealers, £320 for non-car dealers and £220 for dealers and non-dealers to watch the event live online (no in-person access). Prices are ex-VAT.

Attendees with any type of nut allergy should note that the museum cannot guarantee that its food or the products that it buys in do not contain nuts or traces of nuts. It does not have a nut-free kitchen or a completely separate nut-free area to prepare the catering, therefore it does not accept any responsibility for any allergic reactions. If an attendee’s allergy is that severe, they are advised to bring their own food and drink with them.

Buffet lunch advisory

KEYNOTE INTERVIEWS

Our three headliners will feature in individual keynote interviews throughout the day, where they will individually share the secrets to their success, and discuss the hot topics of the automotive industry.

Keynote interview with Andy Palmer Sponsored by headline partner

Auto Trader’s chief operating officer, Catherine Faiers, will be discussing the findings from an in-depth study into business processes. As retailers refocus after a period of change and disruption, Faiers will reveal the key market trends which are set to have the largest impact, as well as the performance metrics retailers need to concentrate on, and where the opportunities lie to improve them.

With headline partner

Keynote interview with Nicole Melillo Shaw Sponsored by headline partner

The past year has illustrated that, despite challenges, the used battery electric vehicle (BEV) market presents a lucrative opportunity for dealers. In this panel discussion, Cox Automotive and key partners paint a picture of current and future demand with the latest data into the used car market.

Keynote interview with John O’Hanlon Sponsored by event partner

Building on these insights, Philip Nothard, insight director, will map out key considerations that need to be made when sourcing and retailing this stock, from customer expectations to accurately appraising BEVs.

Here and there

Here for the long-term. There when it matters.

We rise to challenges and work hard, because your goals are our goals.

We make face-to-face visits and answer 99% of calls first time*.

We’re passionate about partnerships and committed to going the extra mile for customers.

We have a proven track record and a long history of lending.

RESIGNATION

Vauxhall MD leaves after 25 years

VAUXHALL boss James Taylor is to leave the business after more than 25 years of service.

The British brand made the announcement to its dealers and to the press, adding that current Stellantis UK chief, Eurig Druce, would assume the role of interim Vauxhall MD.

Taylor began his career at Vauxhall in 1997 on its undergraduate scheme. Over the past 25 years, he has held a number of senior commercial roles in Vauxhall’s sales and fleet departments, before heading up the brand.

FINANCE

JLR pre-tax profit slumps by 18%

JLR saw pre-tax slump by 18% in the third quarter, despite it raking in record revenue and achieving its best profit margin in a decade.

Latest financial results for October to December

FY25 saw the British car maker turn in a £523m profit before tax – down from £627m a year before. Profit after tax, meanwhile, came to £375m which represented a £217m fall from the same period in FY24.

NEWS DIGEST

Ford terminates 50 car dealerships as it hits target to nearly halve network

FORD has terminated 50 more dealerships under plans set out to half its dealer network by 2025.

In 2020, the brand said it would be slashing dealerships by nearly half as it looked to improve profitability at dealerships.

The plan was to increase profit by expanding the sales area of the dealerships that continued to work with them.

Ford revealed to Car Dealer that its network now stands at ‘just over 200 dealers’, meaning it has met the target it set nearly five years ago.

HMRC names and shames automotive tax dodgers as car dealers owe more than £300,000

HMRC has named and shamed four car dealers who have deliberately defaulted on their tax bills to the tune of over £300,000.

The quartet have appeared the tax office’s most recent list of businesses and individuals who have received a fine for owing at least £25,000.

First up, used car salesman Emtiaz Akbar was fined an eye-watering £78,478.75 in relation to an unpaid bill of £139,517.84.

HMRC do not give the name of Akbar’s firm but a man of the same name was listed as a director at Hurn Road Motors in Dorset, which was dissolved in 2016. The unpaid tax bill relates to activities between April 2013 and April 2020.

In a statement, Ford of Great Britain said: ‘We have been actively restructuring the dealer network over the past several years to better align with the evolving needs of our business and deliver enhanced service.’

Of the latest 50 dealers cut from the brand, all but three have retained their Ford Authorised Service.

Ford has had a challenging period, with its passenger cars falling in favour while commercial vehicles are still very popular.

Since the announcement it has added new models and discontinued some of its previous best sellers.

Meanwhile, fellow dealer Kane Tex Ashley Shaw, of Sheffield, was slapped with a fine of £49,703.63 in relation to an unpaid bill of £72,296.24 between April 2016 and April 2022.

There was also a £40,164.75 fine for Leeway Motor Company Limited which had unpaid tax bills of £66,693 between December 2019 and May 2020 as well as June and November 2021.

The firm’s Companies House page shows that it was served with a winding up order last August with its annual accounts overdue.

Finally, second-hand car firm BM Generation Ltd of Dagenham was fined £32,290.05 in response to an unpaid bill of £33,118.

World class customer service meets industry-leading vehicle aftercare with Car Care Plan

Car Care Plan supplies vehicle warranty and add-on insurance products for over 30 major manufacturers and more than 2,000 vehicle retailers across the globe. Many of those partnerships involve a fully branded, white label approach for each of their manufacturer and retailer partners, providing a straightforward, seamless experience for customers.

As the end-to-end product provider, Car Care Plan manages everything from point of sale to fulfilment, claims to renewals, and that often involves direct interaction with the end customer. From branded digital sales portals to product documentation, digital and telephone claims processes to end-of-term renewal communications, Car Care Plan is trusted to maintain the reputations of some of the industry’s most recognisable brands across various touchpoints throughout the lifecycle of each policy.

Extensive Experience

Car Care Plan’s manufacturer and retailer partners trust them with their businesses due to their extensive, almost 50-year track record within the automotive industry. During that time, the vehicle aftercare provider has supported millions of motorists with peace-of-mind products, including award winning warranty programmes, innovative and evolving service plans that meet the needs of today’s motorists, and Defaqto five-star rated cosmetic, alloy and tyre insurance, to name just a few.

A cornerstone of that provision is Car Care Plan’s exceptional customer service, mirroring the high quality products they provide.

• Consumer review website Trustpilot rates the company as “Great” and their mobile repair arm, DWV, as “Excellent”.

• Car Care Plan Protex, the company’s branded retail motor insurance and accident aftercare division, has achieved a “Gold Rating” on several of their large manufacturer programmes from review platform Feefo.

• And the company’s claims and call handling service, which manages thousands of customer calls every day for the industry’s leading manufacturers and retailers, has received a “World Class” National Promoter Score (NPS) in post-call surveys – a customer satisfaction benchmark used worldwide.

Satisfaction to Sales

While these ratings demonstrate Car Care Plan’s commitment to customer service, positively reflecting on the manufacturer and retailer partners they represent, they also help with sales, satisfaction rates, and retention. Around 96% of UK consumers read reviews before they make a purchase, according to Feefo, which is particularly relevant for highvalue products such as vehicles and aftercare products that support their ownership journey.

By partnering with Car Care Plan, manufacturers and retailers are choosing the highest quality products paired with industry-leading customer service for their customers. They are choosing a provider that represents their brand to the very highest standard throughout the entire customer journey, from initial purchase through to renewals. They are choosing a partner that will manage every aspect of the aftersales process, using their extensive experience to maximise each manufacturer and retailers’ provision, boosting revenue, satisfaction and retention.

Tesla profits down by over 70%

TESLA saw its profits slump by over 70% in the final quarter of last year as the firm fell well short of market expectations.

The EV brand run by Elon Musk announced that it made $2.31bn (£1.86bn) in the final four months of 2024.

That figure is down on the $7.93bn (£6.38bn) profit in the same period of 2023, despite a rise in turnover.

Turnover in the quarter rose 2% to $25.7bn (£20.68bn), less than Wall Street’s forecast for $27.1bn(£21.81bn), according to FactSet.

Group 1 Automotive profits up 36.6%

US-based car dealer Group

1 Automotive increased UK profits by 36.6% to £120m ($150m) in 2024 following the successful purchase of a series of dealerships, with a huge boost in Q4.

For the year, revenue was up 36% to $4.2bn – an increase of $1.1bn from 2023.

Globally it reported that it achieved record revenues of $19.9bn (compared to $17.9bn for 2023) as well as record new and used car sales of 413,364, up 13%.

Volkswagen puts agency sales plans on ice and returns to wholesale model

VOLKSWAGEN has pulled the handbrake on its agency sales plans after discussions with its dealer network. The group has told its dealer partners that it will be returning to a wholesale model and canning direct to consumer sales for the ‘short to medium term’.

The manufacturer did not put a timescale on the delay, but sources told Car Dealer that they believe it will never return. Car Dealer broke the news that VW was planning on canning agency sales – which see car brands sell their cars to consumers via their website and their dealers paid a handling fee for handing over the car – for the ‘foreseeable future’.

Huge tax bills for car dealer groups

THE widow of Sir Arnold Clark –founder of the most profitable UK car dealer group – and her family paid a whopping £74.2m tax bill last year.

Lady Philomena Clark, the largest shareholder in the Car Dealer Top 100 list topping dealership group, was named 19th in this year’s Sunday Times Tax List 2025 Clark was one of several car dealers named by the paper which researched those people who paid huge multi million pound tax bills last year. The research includes estimates of how much people shelled out on corporation, dividend, capital gains, income and payrolls taxes.

Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson to retire

PEUGEOT chief Linda Jackson is to retire from the car industry as part of a wider round of changes at parent firm Stellantis.

The Brit has had an illustrious 48-year career in the automotive business, most notably holding the role of Peugeot CEO for the past four years. Before that, Coventry-born Jackson had a 15-year stint with sister firm Citroen UK where she progressed from finance director to MD, and earlier had roles at Jaguar, Land Rover and Rover Group.

She will be replaced by Alain Favey who joins Stellantis from rental company Europcar.

Arnold Clark boss to step down

Clark boss Eddie Hawthorne is to step down from the dealer group after 27 years. Hawthorne will be replaced by current COO Russell Borrie, the Scottish business said. He will remain on the board, but his role will change ‘from managing to mentoring and overseeing the business’, a statement said.

‘It’s been a privilege to lead Arnold Clark for such a long period of time,’ said Hawthorne. ‘I’m proud of our achievements and of our employees, especially over the last few years where the group has had many external challenges to overcome.

ARNOLD

BITE-SIZE

Click on the text box for the full story

USED CARS: Used car prices fell just £60 on average last month as buyers rushed back into auctions to snap up stock.

Used car dealers have reported a buoyant start to the year which has kept prices in the wholesale market steady.

EVs: Genesis is to axe its remaining petrol and diesel models before the end of the year, as it looks ahead to an all-electric future.

Hyundai’s sub-brand says it will continue to sell ICEpowered cars until its current stocks have been shifted.

LOSS: Jemca Car Group saw a £500,000 profit disintegrate into losses of over £4m last year with bosses admitting that shrinking new car margins had taken their toll.

Accounts show that the London-based dealer made a pre-tax loss of £4.71m.

SALES: Grey was Britain’s most popular choice of car colour in 2024, as the shade topped the list for a seventh year. Data published by the SMMT showed that more than a quarter (27.8%) of all new car registrations in 2024 were grey.

RESULTS: Bosses at dealer group Stoneacre have hailed last year as a ‘success’ for the business, despite the retailer’s profits sliding for the second year in a row. Accounts show the company made a pre-tax profit of £16.82m in the 12 months to the end of April 2024.

NEWS DIGEST

Marshall and Cinch to fall under new

Constellation

banner as boss Martin Casha calls it a day

MARSHALL Motor Group CEO Martin Casha has decided to retire from his post at the dealer group and will leave at the end of March.

As exclusively revealed by Car Dealer sources last month, Casha will be replaced by former Mercedes boss Gary Savage as CEO and supported by James Mullins as CFO.

The business will implement a new Constellation Retail Division which will include both the Cinch and Marshall businesses. The Marshall and Cinch brands will remain and come under a new Constellation Retail Group banner.

The news was broken to staff by Constellation Automotive Group CEO Avril Palmer-Baunack on January 13 and the email was leaked to Car Dealer.

Fiat confident of meeting ZEV mandate

FIAT is confident of meeting this year’s tougher ZEV targets thanks to its new ‘E-Grant’ initiative.

That is the verdict of the Italian brand’s new UK boss, who believes that the firm’s increasingly strong line-up of EVs is helping to stand it in good stead. Guiseppe Cava, who was appointed as Fiat’s UK MD earlier this year, has admitted that the targets represent a significant ‘challenge’ for car makers but was keen to highlight the impact of the outfit’s new customer incentive scheme.

Alex Smith appointed chair of Lookers

FORMER Volkswagen boss Alex Smith has joined troubled dealer group Lookers as the firm looks to move on from recent controversy.

Smith spent 15 years with Volkswagen UK, the last six of which were served as group MD, before his shock departure was announced late last year.

He officially departed his role at the start of December and now, almost two months on, he has been appointed as the new chair of Lookers.

Motability profits collapsed in 2024

THE holding company of charity Motability turned a £748m profit before tax in 2023 into a whopping £565m loss last year.

Accounts filed under Motability Operations PLC for the year ended September 30, 2024, show that while revenue soared pre-tax profits collapsed.

The operation – which is owned by Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, and NatWest Group – saw total revenue jump by 24.4% from £5.5bn in 2023 to £6.9bn.

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.

THE KNOWLEDGE

Audi RS3 Sportback Carbon Vorsprung

Price: £68,650

Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol

AUDI RS3

Power

The 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine pumps out 394bhp and 500Nm of torque.

Audi is having one last dance with five-cylinder power. James Batchelor has been behind the wheel.

WHAT IS IT?

If you like your hot hatchbacks to be big-engined, four-wheel driven and emit a sonorous engine note, the end is nigh. The Audi RS3 has been a charismatic big shot for the last 14 years, but the curtain is waiting to fall on this most hot-rod of hot hatches, thanks to evertightening emissions controls and the looming future of pure-electric motoring.

But the German brand wants its sizzling hot five-door to go out with a bang and has updated it for 2025. This is our first go at it.

WHAT’S NEW?

The outgoing RS3 was never shy and retiring, but Audi has given the styling a bit of a makeover to keep the kerb appeal strong.

However there’s more to this updated RS3 than just fatter bumpers and fancier headlights, for Audi Sport has given the car’s torque splitter, steering and adaptive dampers some attention, along with tweaking the software that’s in charge of those features. The engine remains the same as before.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

A mid-life update is normally a chance for engineers to squeeze even more power out of a car’s engine, but here Audi Sport has left well alone. That’s a good thing as the car’s fabulously charismatic 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine remains.

And while it may still have the same 349bhp and 500Nm credentials as the outgoing model, it can still hurtle to 60mph in 3.6 seconds and top out at 174mph. There’s no manual gearbox option, but that’s par for the course these days with super-fast German performance cars.

WHAT’S

IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

In many ways, the RS3 is the ultimate hot hatchback because it does all the simple and mundane things right, but it can outrun a supercar on the right road. Around town it’s quiet, refined, comfortable even; but prod the throttle and the car can perform a decent impression of a 1980s rally car.

Of course, to get the best fire-breathing performance you need to dive into the car’s numerous settings and modes – a bewildering task at first, but master it and each cranks up the excitement. ‘Torque Rear Mode’ is a highlight – it’s Audi-speak for drift mode, and can

send 100 per cent of the car’s rear torque to one of the rear wheels if you wish. It turns what you would expect to be a safe and predictable four-wheel drive hatchback into a showboating rally car.

Aside from this clever torque vectoring and splitting tech, the RS3 steers well and has prodigious levels of traction. The howling five-cylinder engine is utterly intoxicating, but only really makes itself known when you’ve got the throttle pinned – that’s a shame.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

Interior

The RS3 gets a new steering wheel with flat top and bottom, plus there are two red buttons to control the car’s power.

For this mid-life update, Audi has injected even more aggression into the design – the boxy arches, high roof-top wing, and fat tailpipes scream power. Our test car was the hatchback – there’s a saloon version that looks ever so slightly more sophisticated – and from some angles, it looks like a scrunched-up RS6.

Like the standard A3, the facelift has brought in new LED day-running lights with different designs to choose from, new rear lights and alloy wheel designs.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

There are a few tweaks here and there, particularly a new steering wheel with a flat top and bottom design, and two red buttons that act as shortcuts to unlock the RS3’s potent power reserves. Audi has introduced a few materials, and the seats can have carbon fibre backs if you wish (for £2,000). Aside from this, it’s the same as before, so the quality seems decent but is plagued with a few low-rent plastics in some areas, there are physical controls for the climate control, and a pair of screens. The touchscreen infotainment system is a delight to use.

There are decent levels of space in the back, although your passengers might complain if they’re over six feet and you’ve opted for the carbon fibre-backed front chairs – prepare for some sore knees. The boot is fine for this type of car – 282 litres and 1,104 with the rear seats folded.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

Our test car was the top-rung Carbon Vorsprung which is fully loaded with a panoramic roof, electric front seats, intricately designed 19-inch alloys, adaptive suspension and the top speed limit raised from 155mph to 174mph. At £68,650 it isn’t cheap – but it was never going to be.

The standard, 155mph RS3 is a chunky £9,140 cheaper and is probably the pick of the range, while the Carbon Black, at £64,160, adds a smattering of black trim and other luxuries. The RS3 Saloon commands a £1,000 premium across the range and has a marginally larger boot (321 litres) and mini-Touring Car styling.

VERDICT

Other hot hatchbacks like the Mercedes-AMG A45, Volkswagen Golf R, BMW M135 and Audi’s very own S3 do a very similar job to the RS3. They too offer relentless point-to-point performance, but the RS3’s gem has always been its engine. In all honesty, the engine’s power upgrade is only really unlocked at licence-losing speeds, and Audi charges you a hefty whack for that extra cylinder. But in a world that is increasingly becoming dominated by silent, electric power, a drive in an RS3 is still an intoxicating experience.

Style

Audi has injected more aggression into the design of the new RS3 with boxy arches, high roof-top wing and fat tailpipes.

A drive in an RS3 is still an intoxicating experience.

TARGET BUYERS:

Those looking for the ultimate hot hatchback.

THE RIVALS:

Mercedes-AMG A45

BMW M135 xDrive

Volkswagen Golf R

KEY SELLING POINTS: 1. Aggressive styling 2. Tech-laden interior 3. Roomy with decent boot

DEAL CLINCHER:

The RS3’s USP has always been its five-cylinder engine –it won’t be around for much longer.

JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS

Car Dealer editor-in-chief JAMES BAGGOTT has launched a subscriberonly 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

Criminals sentenced in car clocking scam after removing two million miles from vehicles

THREE men have been sentenced for a largescale car clocking scam in Kent, where over two million miles were fraudulently removed from used vehicles. Ryan Regan, Thomas Hamilton, and Darren Cradduck pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and received suspended prison sentences. Their operation involved altering mileages on over 200 cars, deceiving buyers and leading to dangerous vehicle sales. Trading Standards uncovered the fraud through auction records and CCTV, with investigators linking the group to widespread mileage tampering and fake documents. Compensation of £32,500 has been awarded so far, with further payments pending future hearings.

What do I think?

These dealers got off lightly. One car they clocked had a whopping 163,000 miles taken off. But it’s stories like these that make you realise how rife this practice still is. And it’s not just dodgy dealers at it – far more consumers are using easy to buy devices to wipe miles off their cars to avoid punitive end of lease penalties. A simple web search reveals they are easily available on next day delivery from Amazon. The sooner these gadgets are banned from sale the better.

Used car prices drop just 0.1% in January as electric cars take biggest hit

USED car prices remained stable in January, with an average decline of just 0.1% (£60), marking the fourth strongest January performance on record, according to Cap HPI. While diesel cars saw a slight price increase of 0.2%, electric vehicles experienced the largest decline, dropping 1.1%. Among the biggest fallers were the Mini Cooper Electric (-5.9%) and Tesla Model 3 (-5.8%), while diesel models like the Vauxhall Insignia (+5.4%) and Renault Megane (+5.1%) saw the largest gains. Experts suggest prices could even turn positive in February as demand remains high and stock levels tighten.

What do I think?

Auctions are buzzing at the moment with some scary prices at the block. I’ve witnessed plenty of used cars going through halls for retail money and it’s no better in the consumer-to-dealer sales as competition is rife. It’s no surprise the prices are holding firm. We chatted to Derren Martin, former valuations man at Cap HPI recently on the Car Delaer podcast, and he told that February prices will likely turn positive. He said it’s the result of a distinct lack of cars in the market due to Covid and warned dealers to buckle up for a far more competitive wholesale market for a while yet.

‘Dealers play a key role in the buying and selling process, remaining the first port of call for owners when selling their existing cars, highlighting the importance of offering competitive trade-in values to secure purchases and access used car stock.’

Lucy Tugby, marketing director at Motors, revealing most car buyers would prefer to sell their existing vehicle to a dealer, rather than arrange a private sale themselves.

Subscribe to James’s weekly newsletter at cardealer.substack.com – out every Friday and directly emailed to your inbox

New car registrations slump for fourth month in a row but EVs continue to boom

New car registrations fell by 2.5% in January to 139,345, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline, according to SMMT data. Despite the downturn, battery electric vehicles surged by 41.6%, securing a 21.3% market share. Hybrids also saw gains, but overall new car sales remain below the 2024 ZEV Mandate target. Diesel and petrol registrations continued to fall, with the latter dropping 15.3% but still holding a majority share. The Kia Sportage led January’s sales, followed by the Nissan Qashqai and Vauxhall Corsa. Industry leaders are still calling for government support to maintain EV momentum amid affordability concerns.

What do I think?

I find it interesting to see how EV sales are seized upon by the pro-electric car lobby groups. The ‘soaring’ electric car sales that rose more than 41% in January compared to this time last year is hardly surprising when car makers are being forced to target 28% EV this year. Manufacturers are aggressively pushing these cars into the market yet still the share was adrift by just more than 6%. Yes, EV sales might be rising, but they are not rising fast enough.

Genesis to axe ICE models before the end of the year

GENESIS will phase out its petrol and diesel models by the end of 2025 as it transitions to an all-electric lineup. Hyundai’s premium sub-brand will continue selling existing ICE stock but will not replace them once sold. Alongside this shift, Genesis plans to introduce hybrid variants of all its models and launch refreshed versions of the GV60, GV70, and G80 with improved electric ranges. The brand will also debut its high-performance ‘Magma’ range, starting with the GV60, as part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.

What

do I think?

Honestly, I am surprised to some extent that Genesis is still with us. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen one on the road. This decision to axe petrol and diesel models is really no surprise – it’s only a matter of time as the UK hurtles towards the 2030 ban – but will it be a step too far for a brand battling against bargain Chinese car makers? It cuts a huge number of potential buyers from its pool which could prove disastrous.

Record demand in January but dealers are still ‘underpricing cars’

Auto Trader recorded a record 87.1m visits in January, but warned that dealers are underpricing around 61,000 high-demand used cars, missing out on a potential £24m in lost margin. The marketplace said cars are selling at the fastest rate since 2019 at an average of 38 days. The BMW X5 saw the biggest price growth, while the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer had the largest drop. Auto Trader predicts total used car sales will rise to 7.7m in 2025.

What do I think?

Used cars are once again set to become a very important part of a car dealer’s mix in 2025. When new car sales are tougher and consumer confidence falls, the used car market often rises. Used car sales are usually must-have buys bought out of need rather than desire. What’s more, when times are tougher, people are more likely to turn to a used car than new. These figures give a glimmer of hope to car dealers that the used market could provide some relief this year.

DANCING WITH THE DESERT

Morocco is a common destination car makers head to when they launch a new product. Mazda followed suit recently – but took things to the next James Batchelor reports.

Morocco. For 40,000 years it has been the bridge between the East, Africa and Europe. It’s a place where powerful dynasties have risen and subsequently fallen, and which European powers have sought to exploit and control.

While its most northerly point may be a mere 8.9 miles off the coast of Spain, it’s another world of ancient cities, rich culture and sand – plenty of sand. To a European, there’s a magic about the country that is beguiling, and this close-to-home but other-worldly feel is why car makers love launching their latest off-roaders in Morocco. Its terrain is harsh enough to flatter the sparkling new product, but its airport allows a quick escape to the company boardroom.

So, on reading the invitation that landed in my inbox one miserable Wednesday afternoon, I was expecting the usual – a pleasant jaunt around some of Morocco’s most picturesque towns for a couple of days, providing ample opportunity to take Instagramworthy pictures.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Mazda has a habit of putting its cars through gruelling expeditions, and the trip that lay ahead was a two-day 1,100-kilometre hike up the Atlas mountains to the edge of the Sahara desert, and through areas that couldn’t be further from the social media-friendly tourist routes. However, the car that I would be doing this in would be no uncompromising, agricultural, rock-hopping 4×4, but a luxurious SUV with air-conditioned seats and a Bose sound system – Mazda’s CX-60.

My adventure starts in the only place to begin an epic drive of Morocco – Marrakesh. The ‘Red City’, as it’s nicknamed, is still a thriving metropolis where goods are traded and cultures mix, and after a night of fine food in one of the city’s famous souks, it’s time to point the Mazda south-east to our overnight stop in Ouarzazate – a solid nine-hour drive. With such a slog on Morocco’s most challenging roads ahead of us, an easy passage out of the city is what’s needed. And yet, despite an early alarm call with the sun gently rising

My adventure starts in the only place to begin an epic drive of Morocco –Marrakesh

There’s a relentless onslaught of hairpins and unbarriered corners where 500-metre dropoffs lie in wait.

above the city’s typically ornate Islamic and Berber architecture, the place is swarming with Tuk-tuks, battered Dacias, and carts nearly toppling over with the day’s produce and wares. The locals don’t seem to heed any rules of the road, with my German-registered Mazda, shiny with not a mark on its Soul Red paintwork, proving to be a magnet to every passing vehicle.

After a couple of hours or so, the roads become narrower but no less dangerous. Here, the roads are of uneven quality and the traffic even more disorderly than where we began the day. The High Atlas mountains are beginning to encroach on the surroundings, and it’s now that we start to see how cruel the landscape can be. Many areas that we ease the big Mazda through are still painfully suffering from the effects of an earthquake that shook the area to pieces in September 2023. Tarpaulins covering piles of rocks that used to be houses litter the sides of the road, yet locals are still residing here – some too proud to leave, while others likely don’t have the means to.

Before long we started to climb. Although a single track in many places, the road surface here initially is remarkably good – it’s the famed Tizi-n-Test pass that stretches upwards to 6,893 ft and connects Marrakesh to the arid plains of the Sahara desert. This road was blasted out of the mountains by French colonialists between 1926 and 1932 and cuts right through the Atlas range.

On first impressions, it’s a gentle trek. But soon there’s a relentless onslaught of hairpins and unbarriered corners where 500-metre drop-offs lie in wait; with the road surface crumbling at these tight switchbacks, care is needed as smooth pebbles littering the road can make the tyres slide towards the precipitous drops.

It makes for a sweaty palms drive, but a stop at the top and the view across the Souss

CONTINUES OVER PAGE

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

plain with the peaks of the Anti-Atlas mountain dotted on the horizon makes for a relaxing break. And then it’s an easy 18km, fast-flowing blast down the other side.

Smoother, wider roads mean I can pick up the pace to reach our overnight stop by nightfall. Here I’m dancing with the Sahara – skirting its edges and occasionally dipping the Mazda’s wheels into its dusty territory. It’s a quick drive, made special by there being no traffic on the road for hours, and the CX-60’s 3.3-litre straight-six diesel provides effortless power. On fast-flowing roads like this, the CX-60’s balanced ride and engaging steering remind me that I’m driving a modern-day family car after all, not a cumbersome off-roader.

Just as the sun starts to disappear behind rocky outcrops, I turn the Mazda off the main road down a jagged pathway and park it in the middle of a stunning canyon. Some 12 miles south of Ouarzazate, the Ouednoujoum Ecolodge is a wonderfully rustic collection of rooms, free from the fripperies of modern, generic hotel accommodations. The daytime temperature of 35 degrees slips reluctantly to 22 overnight, and my little hut with terracotta-washed walls, clings onto the heat. It’s a rough night thanks to that warmth and a hard bed, but a very early start the next day sees me making an early dash through Ouarzazate. It’s an odd place; it’s known as ‘the door to the desert’ and because of this, it’s often chosen by Hollywood to stand in for locations such as Tibet, Afghanistan and Egypt. Film credits include Gladiator, The Sheltering Sky and even The Living Daylights.

It was worth getting up early, not just for the CX-60’s air-conditioned seats and comfortable suspension, but for the road that lay ahead. I whip past rivers sitting alongside tranquil oases of fruit and almond trees, and through villages that consist entirely of kasbahs and ksour – fortified houses, in other words, made from earth and mudbrick. The road, the R704, begins to climb. This is the famous Dades Gorge – a simply stunning stretch that’s shrouded with high limestone cliffs. With its tight

On and on the Mazda climbs to around 6,000 ft before the tarmac gives up its fight with the topography.

Just as the sun starts to disappear behind rocky outcrops, I turn the Mazda off the main road down a jagged pathway and park it in the middle of a stunning canyon.

hairpins, it seems to rudely encroach on this centuries-old landscape.

On and on the Mazda climbs to around 6,000 ft before the tarmac gives up its fight with the topography. From here on, it’s a 4,000-ft trudge that will end with me conquering the highest road in the Atlas mountains. The now single track is deserted, but the road quality is akin to the surface of the moon. I am convinced the CX-60 shod in summer tyres would grind to a halt on the steeper sections, unable to find traction due to the dust and smooth stones that now form the road. But the Mazda plods on until asphalt makes a welcome reappearance right at the top of the summit.

From here on in, it’s a five-hour joy ride back down to Marrakesh. This northern side of the drive unlocks new scenery with every turn; the pink-painted fortified houses are long gone as the landscape gets ever greener – more European, you could say, at times. And then it’s into the melee of Marrakesh once more – oddly it seemed quaintly primitive nearly two days ago, but in contrast to the gorges and barren sandy plains of this morning, it’s vibrant and exotic.

As I parked up the CX-60 to catch my EasyJet flight home packed with tourists, I was amazed at how this very road-biased car with its luxurious interior and unfashionable diesel power coped with such harsh and, at times, dangerous terrain. It shows that the modern crop of SUVs is hugely adept in all sorts of environments, but also that there’s still a place for a diesel car no matter how unfairly hated they’ve become.

Ah! Smooth tarmac – what a relief!

CAR NEWS ROUND-UP

Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results...

New Roadster model added to Aston Martin Vantage line-up

ASTON Martin has broadened its Vantage range by introducing a new Roadster model. The key change between this new drop-top and the coupé version is the electric convertible roof which, Aston says, is the fastest-folding top on sale today and can open or close in 6.8 seconds. The roof can be operated either while sitting in the car, or via a click of a button on the key.

Despite the addition of the roof mechanism and some additional structural reinforcements, the Roadster weighs just 60kg more than its hard-top stablemate. With a turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine producing 656bhp and 800Nm of torque, the Vantage Roadster will manage 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and carry onwards to 202mph – the same top speed as the hard-top version.

A290 EV range priced from £33,500

ALPINE has revealed prices and specifications for its A290 EV.

Prices start at £33,500 for the entry-level GT model and range up to £38,500 for the GTS Premiere Edition, which boasts a more powerful electric motor setup.

In terms of what powers the A290, the battery pack on offer is a 52kWh unit with a choice of two electric motors. One produces 174bhp, while a more powerful version increases this to 214bhp.

Bigster SUV will start under £25,000

DACIA has announced prices and specs for its new Bigster SUV, significantly undercutting the competition when it comes to value for money.

The Bigster is offered with a choice of three trim levels, with the base Expression model coming in at just £24,995 and including 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, a 40:20:40 split rear seat and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

03 range gets GT trim and launch control Superb models gain SportLine trim

GWM Ora has revised its 03 EV line-up, including a new flagship GT variant.

Prices start at £24,995 for the entry-level Pure which has a 48kWh battery pack that GWM claims takes the car 192 miles between charges. The Pro at £28,995 comes with a 63kWh battery pack, while a new range-topper, the GT, is priced from £32,995. This model receives sportier styling but no uplift in power.

SKODA has revealed the SportLine trim for its new Superb range, offered with a choice of six engine and transmission options. The range includes an entry-level 1.5-litre TSI turbocharged petrol, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit with two power outputs including a 201bhp or a 261bhp version that utilises four-wheel-drive, and a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel unit with another two power options.

GWM ORA SKODA

DACIA

ALPINE

ASTON MARTIN

New Alpina B8 GT Gran Coupe will be limited to just 99 examples

ALPINA has revealed its latest limited-edition offering with the B8 GT Gran Coupe. Production will be limited to just 99 examples, making this Alpina a rather special car, with a lot of references towards Burkard Bovensiepen – the founder of Alpina back in 1965.

Underneath its bonnet, you’ll find a 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 that produces 625bhp and 850Nm of torque which takes the car from 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds and onto a top speed of 205mph.

New 6e unveiled in electrified line-up

MAZDA has unveiled its 6e electric car – sitting alongside the MX-30 in the brand’s EV model line-up.

The 6e is offered with a choice of two battery packs; a 68.8kWh unit that Mazda claims will take the car up to 300 miles on a single charge. The latter is an 80kWh unit that has a claimed range of up to 345 miles and a DC rapid charge takes 45 minutes to get the car from a 10 to 80%.

Model Y refreshed with improved range

TESLA has unveiled an updated version of its Model Y SUV.

As well as exterior design changes, on the inside, Tesla has brought back physical indicator stalks after the previous model did away with them, opting for buttons on the steering wheel –which should help usability in the cabin. The back seats now fold down electrically and there is a screen located between the two front seats for rear occupants.

MAZDA

TESLA

BLACK AND GOLD CONSULTING

NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM THE CAR DEALER PODCASTS

Sponsored by

People say it’s brave – I think you might also say it’s stupid – but we shall see! So far, it’s going well.

Derren

Martin Black and Gold Consulting

‘Massively re-energised’: Derren Martin on shock Cap HPI exit and ‘exciting’ new venture

Used car valuations guru Derren Martin says he is feeling ‘massively re-energised’ following his shock departure from Cap HPI.

Martin announced last year that he would be standing down from his role at the valuations firm, following the tragic death of his older brother, Neil, back in May.

In an emotional LinkedIn post he also confirmed that he would be setting up his own automotive consultancy firm, which is now thriving already.

A hugely respected figure in the industry, Martin joined us on a recent episode of the Car Dealer Podcast to discuss the recent changes in his career, and what the future now holds.

Speaking with regular hosts Jon Reay and James Baggott, he explained: ‘I was director of valuations at Cap HPI since 2021 and prior to that, I was heading up all the valuation side of it on the cars and I took over the vans, HGVs and bikes for the last three or four

‘I took a bit of leap of faith after some changes in my home life with bereavement and just thought “life’s too short” and “I’m going to jack

that in and set myself up as a consultant on my own and see if I can make that work”.

‘It is quite a big change, quite a big step but I think when things happen in your life, and you want to make a change, then do it.

People say it’s brave – I think you might also say it’s stupid – but we shall see! So far, it’s going well.

‘Prior to working at Cap, I worked at Vauxhall for 17 years. So I know about the new car industry as well as the used car industry and also commercial vehicles and all that sort of stuff.’

Since departing Cap HPI, Martin has set up his own consultancy firm called Black and Gold Consulting.

The philosophy sees Martin advising on how best to keep residual values high throughout a cars life, from when it leaves the production line, to when it finally leaves the roads.

He added: ‘I call it cradle to grave automotive. My business is called Black and Gold Consulting, which is obviously a bit of a throwback to my past.

‘Cradle to grave, for a vehicle manufacturer, is really about how they should spec their cars. So at the start of it, what cars they should be selling and who they

Why used car dealers are yet to see impact of ongoing finance crisis

TALK of the car finance industry collapsing amid recent controversy is ‘fake news’ according to one leading dealer, who says that customers ‘don’t really care’ what retailers make from the deal.

Malcolm Beattie, of the award-winning MB Motors Ballymena, says that things are very much back to business as normal when it comes to car finance, after initial chaos in the industry in the aftermath of last year’s controversial Court of Appeal ruling against Close Brothers.

Appearing on a recent episode of the Car

Dealer Podcast, Beattie said that customers will always need finance and therefore accept that dealers will take a cut as part of the arrangement.

He told hosts Jon Reay and James Baggott: ‘It’s one of those things. Going back ten years if someone was coming to buy a car and you told them that you were going to earn a few hundred quid for them to get the car, as we have to do today, would they not buy that car? Of course they would still buy that car.

‘People who are looking for car finance need the finance because they do not have the

money there to buy. Do they really care that you’re going to make a few extra quid from it? 99% of the time I don’t think they do.

‘It’s the new norm, we are used to dealing with it now. We are used to telling people our commission disclosures. I certainly haven’t heard of anybody saying “No, I’m sorry. I’m not going to buy that car because you’re going to make X amount of pounds”.

‘It’s more like ‘Where do I sign? I’m happy to get the finance, I’m happy to make the monthly payments, I’m happy with the APR. I don’t really care.”

FINANCE NEWS

GOVERNMENT

Chancellor weighs into car finance crisis as she looks to protect UK economy

by Jack Williams @JournoJack25

The motor finance scandal took a fresh twist after chancellor Rachel Reeves stepped in to try and protect lenders from multi-billion-pound payouts.

In April, the Supreme Court will hear an appeal from Close Brothers in relation to last year’s bombshell High Court ruling, which sparked chaos in the automotive finance industry.

Ahead of the hearing, Reeves has written to a ‘proportionate’ response amid fears about how the crisis could impact the wider UK economy.

There are currently mounting concerns that if the appeal is unsuccessful, major lenders could pull out of Britain with Santander said to be among those considering its future.

Against that uncertain backdrop, Reeves has taken the unusual decision of getting involved as the government looks to defend Britain’s reputation as a place to do business.

The Financial Times has seen a submission to the court from the Treasury, in which it claims the case has ‘the potential to cause considerable economic harm and could impact the availability and cost of motor finance for consumers’.

In the case of the appeal being unsuccessful, Reeves is said to have asked that ‘any remedy should be proportionate to the loss actually suffered by the consumer and avoid conferring a windfall’.

While the move to intervene in proceedings is rare, it is allowed under the Supreme Court’s rules. Ever since being set up at the UK’s highest court in 2009, official bodies, such as the Treasury, have been allowed to apply to intervene in cases.

Close Brothers was officially granted its appeal back in December when the Financial Conduct Authority also hinted that it too could intervene by ‘sharing expertise’.

Consumer car finance outlook is ‘challenging’ FINANCE

ACCORDING to Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) data, new business volumes fell in November 2024 by 2% compared with November 2023.

While the results may appear to be a negative for the finance sector, the corresponding value of new business grew by 4% over the same period.

The consumer new car finance market reported new business by value in November 12% higher than in the same month in 2023, while new business volumes grew by 6%.

The consumer used car finance market reported a fall in the value of new business in November of 2% compared with the same month in 2023, while new business volumes decreased by 5%.

Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, director of research and chief economist at the FLA, said: ‘The consumer car finance market in November reported a further modest fall in new business volumes.

‘We expect FLA consumer car finance new business to reach £38.9bn in 2024, a similar level to 2023. The outlook for 2025 remains challenging.’

TIME IS MONEY

RICHARD PYGOTT

A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE AND MARKETING

Give your marketing some love

Over the years, I’ve spoken with hundreds of dealers about their marketing, and I’ve noticed a few common themes. Many rely solely on Auto Trader, some do very little and question whether it even works, and others try one thing, don’t see instant results, and call it a day.

But marketing isn’t about quick wins, in my opinion: it’s about consistency. And one of the easiest and cheapest ways for dealers to generate new business is by re-engaging their existing customers. Yet, I see this being overlooked all the time. So much focus goes into bringing in new customers that past buyers, who are already warm leads, are forgotten. If they had a good experience with you before, why wouldn’t they come back?

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead and think about creative ways to get back in touch with past customers. A simple campaign can be incredibly effective. Imagine sending a message, via post, email, SMS, or WhatsApp for Valentine’s Day, asking, ‘Fallen out of love with your old car’ It’s a lighthearted, engaging way to encourage customers to consider buying a newer one from you. And the best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune to make it work.

Last month, I capitalised on Valentine’s Day with a marketing campaign titled ‘Got a Proposal for Us?’. It was playful, a little cheesy, and most importantly, it worked. I sent a few hundred of Valentine’s cards to a selection of our dealers, which included a QR code linking to our dealer portal and our phone number – two really easy ways to measure effectiveness.

The response was fantastic, and it reinforced something I’ve always believed: Marketing people in a fun, unexpected way can make a real impact.

And while this campaign was built around Valentine’s Day, the concept applies all-year-round. Whether it’s a seasonal message, a ‘happy anniversary’ note reminding customers how long they’ve had their car, or a friendly checkin, regular engagement builds relationships and keeps your dealership front and centre when the customer is ready to buy again.

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

When I’ve done campaigns like this, the return has been consistently strong – usually around five times the initial investment. That’s a return most would take any day.

So, here’s my challenge to dealers: Don’t just sit back and wait for customers to come to you or rely on old and tired marketing. Stay in touch, be creative, and find ways to re-engage your audience. If you would like to find out more about working with us, check out our dealer site

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead and think about creative ways to get back in touch with past customers.

At Startline, we know that faster, easier and more accurate online processes mean better motor finance results for dealers and customers.

That’s why we are investing in a range of new technologies including an advanced business portal to allow our partners to maximise their sales opportunities and a biometric e-sign platform that makes identification and verification quick and easy.

These are just two examples of how we support an increasingly digitalised used car sector with innovative tools that produce outstanding results.

Working together, we can drive better technology.

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

Finance

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.

First Response

W: dealer.firstresponsefinance.co.uk

T: 0115 671 1755

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

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 large boot was pushed to the maximum

SKODA KODIAQ

The Kodiaq has been pushed to the limit on a recent ski trip. Nigel Swan reports.

There’s nothing like breaking in a new car with a long road trip, and that’s exactly what we’ve done with our long-term Kodiaq this month – a 2,500-mile drive from Southport in the northwest UK to Tignes in France for a few days on the slopes. Some, namely my girlfriend, might say why drive when we can fly, but I think it’s a great opportunity to see what the Kodiaq is capable of for comfort, economy and coping with the worst wintry weather France has in store.

The road trip itself is quite a long one and the plan was to load the car up with two drivers and two passengers and drive to Tignes in one sitting with the only stops for fuel and for the Eurotunnel. The first UK leg of the journey from Southport to Kent was done on one tank of fuel, which wasn’t bad considering we were four-up with a boot full of ski gear and luggage.

In previous years on skiing road trips, I’ve always found it useful to put roof bars and a roof box on to free up some space in the cabin, but as we all know, this can hurt fuel economy. However, there was plenty of space in the cabin for four to sit in comfort, albeit with the skis and snowboards separating the rear passengers. Fortunately, though the rear seats fold down 40:20:40, meaning that rear seat space wasn’t impacted too much. The boot was filled to capacity, but that just shows how much room is in there.

The road trip was stress-free. Everyone was comfortable and the ride was great on the smooth French autoroutes. Rear passengers took advantage of the heated rear seats and it was great they were able to use the USB-C charger ponts in the boot, meaning they were kept amused.

The only frustration that I and the other driver had was the safety system which alerts the driver if they’ve taken the hands off the steering wheel. It’s quite a loud noise that notifies the driver and it seemed to kick in at random times, even though hands were kept on the steering wheel throughout the whole trip. On the plus side, we only topped up the fuel tank a couple of times, averaging around 500 miles to a tank.

Anyone who likes to escape for a bit of a winter skiing holiday knows that there are no guarantees when it comes to snow. The key is to prepare for any eventuality. So while we weren’t able to get winter tyres put on the car we did get some snow socks should they be needed. Fortunately though, when we arrived at the resort, the skies were blue, and while there was snow on the road, it hardly troubled the Kodiaq. Four-wheel drive is always an advantage in the snow, but if the tyres aren’t right then the whole thing could be a recipe for disaster. We managed to get up some relatively mild, snow-covered hills before getting to our underground carpark where the Kodaiq would live for our stay.

Over the next few days, it didn’t stop snowing, and when it came to returning home, we were concerned that we might have to break out the snow socks. However, unlike the UK, the French know how to deal with snow on the roads, and by the time we were ready to hit the road, they were all clear and we made it down without any dramas.

Now that we’re back in the UK, I think the Kodiaq has deserved a bit of a break. So now it’s going to be adapting to work life and short escapes. So far though, it’s answered everything that’s been asked of it.

This month’s highlight:

Driving our’Kodiaq the 2,500 miles from Southport to Tignes in France – to go skiing!

OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING

Mileage: 3,100

Our time living with the Seat

has sadly come to an end.

Nissan Ariya Engage

Seat Ibiza

Ibiza