Car Dealer Magazine: Issue 172

FIRST DRIVES

Issue 172 | July 2022 | CarDealerMag.co.uk | £6

IT’S TIME TO VOTE FOR THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS

REVEALED

THE TOP 10 USED CARS THAT HAVE GONE UP IN VALUE

PLUS: THE USED CARS WITH THE LOWEST PRICE GROWTH

ON TEST: WE DRIVE THE TOYOTA GR86, PEUGEOT’S ALL-NEW 308 AND THE ELECTRIC GENESIS GV60

NEWS • CAZOO AXES 750 JOBS • CARZAM IN RECEIVERSHIP • SSANGYONG GB BOSS DIES • DAKSH GUPTA QUITS MARSHALL • FORD HALTS FIESTA ORDERS

RALLYING CALL!

BANGERS4BEN DOES BOND

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THE BOSS FOUNDER James Baggott

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EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE EDITOR James Batchelor

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WELCOME. W

e always knew it was going to happen but the early-morning announcement was still a surprise. Just as this magazine was being put to bed, the government ended its plug-in grant for new electric cars. That sparked a whole morning of press statements from various experts, firms and organisations, mostly pouring scorn on the decision (you can read some on pages 6-7).

In its naturally grandiose press release, the government said it felt as though the scheme had ‘succeeded’ in creating a ‘mature market’ for the ultra-low emission vehicles, and therefore it would be closed with immediate effect.

Strange choice of words, ‘a mature market’, because it was my belief the plug-in car grant was there to make the cost of switching to electric that little bit easier and not quite so costly. It seems a bit misguided to say the grant – which amounted to just £1,500 on cars costing less than £32,000 before it was axed – had created a strong market for EVs. Surely the vast numbers of cars arriving in showrooms thanks to vast investments by carmakers was the reason for a ‘mature market’?

But much as the announcement was a bit of a surprise, I firmly believe it’s the right thing to do. I vividly remember a cover feature for Car Dealer way back in 2011 when we compared two of the latest electric cars – the Nissan Leaf and Peugeot iOn. The Leaf, naturally, was better in every regard than the Mitsubishi-based iOn, and it seemed perfectly fair for the government to assist those wanting to make the switch to EV life with the help of a grant. But over the years, the grant’s importance dwindled, and with two big changes to it last year it became negligible.

Fewer than 25 cars were eligible for the scheme in the end, and if buyers can afford to purchase a new car in the £25,000-£32,000 price bracket, a £1,500 discount is going to make very little difference.

The Department for Transport might like to think that through its efforts it has successfully created a mature market for EVs but it hasn’t really. Countries such as Norway – often touted as the exemplar market for electric cars – have long had a VAT exemption on EVs, which has no doubt helped car buyers plug in to electric. Even with recent announcements to reintroduce VAT on cars costing more than 500,000 kroner (about £41,400), the Norwegian government has successfully shown how to transition people over to EVs. Perhaps a VAT exemption on EVs would work in the UK, but what will really motivate buyers to switch is cheaper, smaller cars.

Cupra, meanwhile, showed two new EVs in Barcelona this month. I managed to have a good look around the hilariously named UrbanRebel (page 8), and while it still had many concept car-like features, the car bathing in the spotlight was essentially the car that’ll be arriving in 2025. With more than 200bhp and a 250-plus range, it’s hoped prices will be around the £25,000 mark. While still not cheap, the UrbanRebel will spawn cheaper versions wearing other Volkswagen Group brands’ logos, and this is where the future is exciting – relatively inexpensive, dinky and fun EVs, not the bulky SUVs that are all too frequently being launched at the moment.

Elsewhere in this issue, Bangers4Ben is back for another fun rally and has a James Bond theme for 2022 (page 12). I’d also like to draw your attention to our Used Car Awards, set to be held later this year. We have a new category for 2022 and that’s Diversity & Inclusion – find out more on page 18 and get your entries in.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

But much as the announcement was a bit of a surprise, I firmly believe it’s the right thing to do.

JAMES BATCHELOR Associate editor CarDealerMag.co.uk | 03

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04 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

IGNITION. ISSUE 172 | JULY 2022

11

CONTENTS

32 6 8 34 15 DASHBOARD

‘The decision to scrap the plugin car grant sends the wrong message to motorists .’

6

COMMENT

‘That’s a hearty endorsement for traditional dealerships if ever we’ve heard one.’

21

FORECOURT

‘Despite a few gripes with the cabin, it still feels like it could hold its own in the premium market.’

36

Plug-in car grant axed Cupra unveils new models Top 10 used cars up in value Bangers4Ben launched Car Dealer Power is back ULEZ extension impact Used Car Awards 2022 Car news round-up News digest Feedback Business news Car Dealer Live & podcasts Finance Supplier news

6 8 11 12 15 16 18 26 28 42 44 46 48 51

COMMENT James Baggott Big Mike James Litton

21 22 25

FORECOURT Toyota GR86 Peugeot 308 Genesis GV60

32 34 36

FEATURES Inside Toyota’s factory Cool stuff

38 41

DATA FILE The Statistics LCV news Suppliers Guide Long-termers

52 54 56 57

DATA FILE

‘In yet another challenging month for the new car market, the industry continues to battle ongoing global parts shortages.’

52 CarDealerMag.co.uk | 05

DASHBOARD

PLUG-IN CAR GRANT AXED AS FOCUS TURNS TO IMPROVING CHARGING NETWORK • Grant that gave new EV buyers £1,500 discount on cars costing less than £32k ends • Government says it will ‘refocus’ funding on improving charging network • Sudden announcement sends shock waves through the industry • Comes off the back of two large reductions in the scheme last year

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by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor

he government has axed the plug-in car grant, claiming it has had little effect on the current explosion in new electric car sales.

In an out-of-the-blue move that sent shock waves through the industry, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced on June 14 that the scheme – which gave a £1,500 discount on cars costing less than £32,000 – would be immediately closed to new car orders.

It comes as full-electric car sales have risen by 70 per cent in the past year.

The DfT said the funding would now be ‘refocused’ on the ‘main barriers in the EV transition’, namely public charging.

The grant is only ending for cars, however, and doesn’t affect plug-in taxis, small and large trucks and vans, mopeds, motorcycles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

The DfT reiterated that the plug-in grant for cars was always ‘temporary’, and that despite reductions in the grant offered and the number of cars it covered, [the reductions] ‘have had little effect on rapidly accelerating sales, or on the continuously growing range of models being manufactured’.

Electric cars sold by dealers via the scheme two working days before the announcement will still qualify.

Transport minister Trudy Harrison said: ‘With billions of both government and industry investment continuing to be pumped into the UK’s electric revolution, the sale of electric vehicles is soaring. We are continuing to lead the way in decarbonising transport, with generous government incentives still in place, while creating high-skilled jobs and cleaner air across the UK.’ The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) was dismissive of the news, though, saying the move gave ‘the wrong message’.

06 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

INDUSTRY TALK

ELECTRIC CAR PRICES NEED TO COME DOWN THE UK’S adoption of electric cars is so far impressive, but in order to make them accessible to everyone we need prices to fall, so we’re disappointed the government has chosen to end the grant at this point.

If costs remain too high, the ambition of getting most people into electric cars will be stifled.

Nicholas Lyes Head of policy, RAC

INDUSTRY TALK

PUSHING US FURTHER TO TWO-TIER NATION ELECTRIC cars are already out of reach for many hard-working families and I fear this pushes us further down the road to becoming a two-tier nation when it comes to ownership.

As the government points out, sales have risen by 70 per cent in the last year and now represent one in six new cars joining UK roads.

But dig a little deeper and those figures reveal that a large proportion are registered to business users benefiting from financial incentives including salary sacrifice schemes and low benefit in kind taxation.

This grant made a big difference to many hard-working families and removing it seems short-sighted, particularly as the Scottish government announced last week that £28m will be made available as part of the Low Carbon Transport Loan scheme, giving drivers up to £28,000 in interest-free loans for a new electric car and up to £20,000 for a second-hand one.

Ginny Buckley Founder and CEO, Electrifying.com

People have saved more than £1.4bn thanks to the grant ‘The decision to scrap the plug-in car grant sends the wrong message to motorists and to an industry which remains committed to government’s net zero ambition,’ said chief executive Mike Hawes. ‘Whilst we welcome government’s continued support for new electric van, taxi and adapted vehicle buyers, we are now the only major European market to have zero upfront purchase incentives for EV car buyers, yet the most ambitious plans for uptake.

‘With the sector not yet in recovery, and all manufacturers about to be mandated to sell significantly more EVs than current demand indicates, this decision comes at the worst possible time. If we are to have any chance of hitting targets, government must use these savings and compel massive investment in the charging network, at rapid pace and at a scale beyond anything so far announced.’

Government figures show that since being introduced in 2011, the plug-in car grant has provided more than £1.4bn in savings.

As of December 2021, it offered a discount of £1,500 on cars costing £32,000 or less, and meant fewer than 25 EVs qualified.

That reduction was widely lambasted by dealers and car manufacturers, with one retailer telling Car Dealer at the time: ‘Can they make this any harder for us?

‘It’s absolutely shocking they’ve done this. Yes, electric car sales are up but this is a kick in the teeth.’

The rules had been changed in March last year, cutting the threshold from £50,000 to £35,000 and the subsidy from £3,000 to £2,500.

At the time, the SMMT had called for the plug-in car grant to be preserved, while December’s cut prompted AA president Edmund King to call for VAT on EVs to be cut rather than subsidies.

What do you think of the move? Email us at news@cardealermagazine.co.uk

DISAPPOINTING – BUT NOT VERY SURPRISING IT’S disappointing that at a time of rising costs of living one of the headline-grabbing incentives to encourage new car buyers to make a switch to a more environmentallyfriendly form of transport is being removed.

However, the damage done is likely to be more from the headlines, reaction and sentiment shift than in actual sales. The truth is that the grant had been whittled down to a point that it applied to only a minority of electric cars on sales – the power of the incentive was that it helped encourage people to explore the benefits of electric cars, possibly more than it helped them buy them.

Today’s decision tells us that the government believes the current crop of electric cars is good enough to sell at a market rate.

The fact that What Car?’s Car of the Year, the Kia EV6, is fully electric and that we have numerous five-star-rated electric cars in our reviews suggests that is a reasonable position to take. That is a testament to the huge amount of investment made by manufacturers into electrification in recent years.

Jim Holder Editorial director, What Car? CarDealerMag.co.uk | 07

DASHBOARD

CUPRA UNVEILS TRIO OF NEW MODELS AS SPANISH FIRM LOOKS TO DRIVE INCREASED SALES • Cupra reveals two new SUVs and an electric city car • Terramar, Tavascan and UrbanRebel will be released by 2025 • Firm hopes models will help push global sales to 500,000

by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor

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upra has unveiled a trio of new models as it looks to build brand awareness in a bid to increase sales. The Spanish brand hosted a special event in its native country on June 7 at which it showed off two new SUVs and a small EV. The three new additions will arrive by 2025 and will help push Cupra to a planned 500,000 sales worldwide.

First up is the Terramar SUV, which will sit above the existing Formentor to rival the Kia Sportage, It will be powered by a range of petrol engines along with a new plug-in hybrid system. The latter, badged e-HYBRID, now delivers a longer electric range than previous systems fitted to the Formentor, at 62 miles.

It will be the first model to wear Cupra’s new design language of a shark-like front end as well as triangular-shaped LED dayrunning lights.

Arriving in 2024, the Terramar will be built alongside the Audi Q3 Sportback at Volkswagen Group’s Gyor factory in Hungary, and will be Cupra’s last combustion-engined car.

Launching at around the same time as the Terramar will be the Tavascan. It’s an all-electric SUV and is set to become Cupra’s second EV when it launches in 2024.

It will use Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric car platform, and with its sloping roofline it’ll rival sportier electric SUVs such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and in-house offerings such as the VW ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV. The Tavascan was 08 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

We know exactly where we want to go, and I promise you it will not be boring. Every single model we will bring to the market will be a step ahead on our journey.

Wayne Griffiths Cupra CEO

Cupra unveiled the Terramar, Tavascan and UrbanRebel models

The Cupra UrbanRebel will be released in 2025

revealed in concept form in 2019, and the 2024 production car differs only slightly in styling and packaging. Cupra is remaining tight-lipped about the technical details, but the original concept car used two motors packing a total of 302bhp, making the car more of a rival to the ID.5 GTX. A 77kWh battery is the likely power source, thereby giving around 270-280 miles on a full charge.

Finally, Cupra has also pledged to build a new sporty electric small car named the UrbanRebel. Due to arrive in 2025, the quirkily named model will sit below the Born in the Cupra range and has been ‘developed for a more rebellious electric world’. Again, using VW Group’s MEB electric car platform, the UrbanRebel will be built with ‘advanced recycled polymers’ and ‘bio-based materials’. It’s likely the car, Cupra’s smallest model, will spawn replacements for the Volkswagen e-Up, Skoda Citigo-e and Seat Mii Electric.

The UrbanRebel will have a 223bhp electric motor, giving a 0-60mph acceleration time of 6.7 seconds.

Meanwhile, it’ll have a 273-mile range.

The three new models are part of Cupra’s heavyweight plans to expand its brand globally. It already has 200,000 sales worldwide to its name but is eyeing a 500,000-units target by 2025 and will double its dealer network this year.

At the event, Cupra also showed off updated versions of the Leon, Formentor and Born with revised styling apeing the UrbanRebel and two SUVs. The three updated models are set to arrive in 2025.

Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths said: ‘We know exactly where we want to go, and I promise you it will not be boring. Every single model we will bring to the market will be a step ahead on our journey.

‘We will stay true to ourselves and be authentic. This is the spirit of the Cupra Tribe. We’ll do this the Cupra way, like we always have. The future is electric. The future is Cupra.’

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 09

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DASHBOARD

3. Renault Scenic Average asking price: £8,070 Price growth: 54.1 per cent

2. Seat Alhambra Average asking price: £18,757 Price growth: 61.4 per cent 1. Suzuki SX4 Average asking price: £4,162 Price growth: 79.8 per cent

THE TOP 10 USED CARS THAT HAVE GONE UP IN VALUE • Auto Trader reveals the 10 used models that have seen the biggest year-on-year growth • Suzuki SX4 sees biggest leap, with price increasing by almost 80 per cent in May • Ford C-Max, S-Max and Galaxy also all feature on list

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4. Toyota Auris Average asking price: £12,127 Price growth: 49.8 per cent

5. Ford S-Max Average asking price: £15,700 Price growth: 49.2 per cent

6. Toyota Prius Average asking price: £15,758 Price growth: 48.9 per cent

by Jack Williams @JournoJack25

he past two years have seen record-breaking growth in the value of used cars, thanks to supply chain issues that have slashed the availability of new vehicles.

Despite the market now showing signs of softening, though, Auto Trader has reported that May was the 26th consecutive month of growth.

It wouldn’t appear that prices are going to fall off a cliff any time soon, but which models are still standing out from the crowd?

To find out, Auto Trader has been crunching its data to come up with a top 10.

Topping the list is the Suzuki SX4. The compact crossover had an average asking price of £4,162 in May, which represented a year-on-year rise of 79.8 per cent.

Elsewhere, the Seat Alhambra, Renault Scenic and Toyota Auris all saw significant leaps in value as well.

Also featuring in the top 10 was the Toyota Prius, along with the Skoda Octavia, Ford C-Max and Citroen Berlingo.

Ford saw its people carriers rise in value, too, with the S-Max and Galaxy both featuring on the list.

The full list, as well as the accompanying numbers, can be seen on the right.

THE TOP 10 USED CARS WITH THE LOWEST PRICE GROWTH IN MAY 1. Mini Roadster Average asking price: £8,152 Price growth: -7.2 per cent 2. BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe Average asking price: £58,919 Price growth: -5.7 per cent

3. BMW 8-Series Average asking price: £55,563 Price growth: -2.2 per cent 4. Land Rover Discovery 3 Average asking price: £8,069 Price growth: -1.2 per cent 5. Cupra Formentor Average asking price: £34,513 Price growth: 0.7 per cent 6. Mazda CX-30 Average asking price: £23,944 Price growth: 3.2 per cent

7. Vauxhall Mokka Average asking price: £11,668 Price growth: 3.3 per cent 8. Mercedes-Benz SL Class Average asking price: £33,388 Price growth: 4.0 per cent 9. Porsche Cayman Average asking price: £35,562 Price growth: 4.8 per cent 10. Jaguar F-Type Average asking price: £45,698 Price growth: 5.0 per cent

7. Skoda Octavia Average asking price: £16,063 Price growth: 48.6 per cent

8. Citroen Berlingo Average asking price: £13,990 Price growth: 47.9 per cent

9. Ford Galaxy Average asking price: £16,529 Price growth: 45.6 per cent

10. Ford C-Max Average asking price: £10,447 Price growth: 45.2 per cent CarDealerMag.co.uk | 11

DASHBOARD

BANGERS4BEN 2022 HAS A LICENCE TO THRILL! • Fun rally will take in stunning European scenery during four-day event in October • France, Monaco and the Alps are all on the itinerary • Fundraiser has 50 places available – click to register NOW

B

angers4Ben is licensed to thrill for 2022 as the charity rally heads abroad again for the first time in three years.

‘Bangers Does Bond’ is the theme for the event – now in its 12th year – which will aim to evoke the glitz and glamour of 007’s cosmopolitan lifestyle as it takes in stunning locations such as Nice, Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Monaco – home of arguably the most prestigious F1 race – as well as the Alps.

Taking place between Saturday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 11, it’s being organised

by Automotion Events, with 50 places available, and chief executive Andy Entwistle told Car Dealer: ‘We think this is going to be very popular.

‘The coast road that goes from south-western France into Monaco is just stunning, it really is!

‘We also take in the south-west of the Alps and will do a couple of Alps runs, which are always a favourite of everyone who does Bangers – it’s another nice day of really lovely roads, enjoyable driving and camaraderie.’

Bangers4Ben was last abroad in 2019, when it went deep into France’s cheese and wine regions.

The pandemic meant that it couldn’t be held in 2020 but it returned last year, celebrating the ‘Best of British’ with a scenic route in England and Wales.

Now the rally, which is aiming to raise £50,000 for automotive industry charity Ben, is heading for the continent again.

Entwistle said the UK rally in 2021 went down really well but he was delighted that they’re going to be heading across the Channel once again.

‘Last year’s event showed that Bangers4Ben is as much about the camaraderie and the roads as it is about the location.

‘But we also know that people love that kind of little foreign escape, so actually being able to take them to somewhere really special like Monaco is a really good thing for us.’

He added that although the theme is Bond, the cars don’t necessarily have to reflect that, although it’d be great if they did.

‘We like to give it some kind of theme every year in case it helps inspire people who are looking for something.

‘We’ve done The Italian Job in the past, we did the Best of British last year.

‘Bond is the man of the moment in many ways, and the fact we’re going to Monaco, with its casino and strong associations with 007, meant it just made sense to give it a Bond

Click here to register for Bangers4Ben 2022 12 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Bond is the man of the moment, and the fact we’re going to Monaco, with its casino and strong associations with 007, meant it just made sense to give it a Bond theme.’

Andy Entwistle Chief executive of Automotion Events

THE BANGERS4BEN 2022 ITINERARY DAY 1

Saturday, October 8: From Calais to Lyon along the autoroute. There’ll be meeting points along the way for everyone to regroup as well as grab a coffee and a bite to eat. (473 miles)

DAY 2

Above left: Getting into the swing of things during last year’s Bangers4Ben. Below: Some of the other teams on the 2021 rally

Sunday, October 9: From Lyon to Marseille via the autoroute and then it’s on to the coast road to Monaco, where the rally will pass through some of the best places the French Riviera has to offer.

Destinations will include Toulon with its naval history, Cannes with its sandy beaches and home of the film festival, Nice, which is the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera, and Monaco – home of the rich and famous and arguably the most prestigious F1 race.

Once everyone has had a chance to cruise around town, it’ll be back to Nice for the second overnight stop. (366 miles)

DAY 3

Monday, October 10: The rally starts heading back up north to Grenoble for the third overnight stop, but it’d be rude not to take the scenic route, so it’s up into the Alps for spectacular views and winding roads such as the Gorges du Verdon – nicknamed the ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’ and making it a drive not to be missed. (233 miles) theme.’ And Entwistle joked: ‘Certainly, if someone wants to bring along an Aston Martin and donate it to Ben, we’ll be very happy!’ Previously, there’s been an official get-together in Dover on the Friday night, but this year it’s going to take place in Calais on the Saturday so that participants can either take the ferry across at their leisure on the Friday or sail over early on the Saturday.

Entry costs £750 plus VAT for the driver and co-driver.

That covers the return ferry and twin accommodation plus breakfasts and evening meals, as well as AA roadside assistance.

Participants can pay up to £750 for their car, which should be dressed up as only Bangers entrants know how. Fancy dress is also heartily encouraged!

But Entwistle said that although the emphasis was on fun, entrants should always ensure that their car stays within the law.

Teams are being encouraged to raise £1,000 each, with their cars being auctioned off later to help towards the sum – or even top it.

Automotion Events puts all its time and effort into the rally for free, meaning that all the money raised goes to Ben. Participants will be expected to adhere to any Covid-19 protocols that are in force for each country at the time of the event.

Click here to register for Bangers4Ben 2022

DAY 4

Tuesday, October 11: Time for home, so it’s back on the autoroute to Calais to catch the ferry to Blighty.

(540 miles)

Certainly, if someone wants to bring along an Aston Martin and donate it to Ben, we’ll be very happy!

Andy Entwistle CarDealerMag.co.uk | 13

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AWARDS

VOTE FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST

This is the big opportunity for dealers to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to suppliers and manufacturers, says James Batchelor.

T

he chance to honour the best car manufacturers and suppliers in the business is back! Voting is now open for the Car Dealer Power 2022 awards, which will name the best suppliers dealers do business with, as well as the manufacturers they think are the best to represent.

For the second year in a row, Kia was named Manufacturer of the Year in 2021.

Its dealers ranked it above all others, giving it a 90 per cent score in every category.

A total of 24 carmakers were ranked, giving an exclusive picture of how the UK’s biggest – and smallest – brands are treating their dealers.

While Kia triumphed, Vauxhall, Citroen and Volvo languished at the bottom.

Car Dealer Power ranks car manufacturers in 13 areas, including brand awards, accessibility to management, new and used car supply plus return on investment.

Last year, Car Dealer Power saw thousands of dealers across the UK not just naming and shaming the manufacturers but also the industry’s suppliers.

From the best protection firms to finance providers, all sectors are covered and allow dealers to air their views on the best and the worst.

The supplier categories are listed on the right, and the winner of each one receives a prestigious Car Dealer Power trophy, helping to boost consumer confidence and attract custom.

Every year, suppliers are desperate to come out on top, knowing that by winning a Car Dealer Power award it shows that they’ve been honoured by the people who matter the most – their customers, the car dealers.

As well as the best car manufacturers and suppliers in the business, Car Dealer Power also names the Car of the Year, as voted for by readers of Car Dealer.

The Skoda Enyaq took the top gong last year, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Vauxhall Mokka being highly commended – never have two electric cars been ranked so highly in Car Dealer Power.

Voting is open now and it only takes a few minutes to complete the survey.

Independent dealers can skip the manufacturer questions and go straight to naming the best suppliers.

Car Dealer Power 2022 voting closes on August 31.

The awards will be handed over in October after the winners have been named in a special video, due to be aired on October 12.

The Skoda Enyaq won Car of the Year in 2021, with the Vauxhall Mokka and Hyundai Ioniq 5 being highly commended

Click here to find out who won last year’s awards

We’re looking for the cream of the crop in the following categories SUPPLIERS • Cleaning Product of the Year • Recruitment Agency of the Year • Trade-to-Trade Remarketer of the Year • Used Car Valuations Provider of the Year • Consumer Lead Generation Site of the Year • Dealer Management System of the Year • Website Provider for Independent Dealers • Website Provider for Franchised Dealers • Provenance Check Provider of the Year • Warranty Provider of the Year • Paint Protection Provider of the Year • Auction House of the Year • Trade Insurance Provider of the Year • Online Advertiser for New Cars • Online Advertiser for Used Cars • Finance Provider of the Year (Sub-Prime) • Finance Provider of the Year (Prime) • Video Provider of the Year • Extra Mile Award • Product Innovation of the Year MANUFACTURERS • Manufacturer of the Year • Car of the Year

Voting for this year’s awards will close on Wednesday, August 31, but don’t delay!

Click here now to vote for your favourites CarDealerMag.co.uk | 15

DASHBOARD

ULEZ EXTENSION THREAT TO ‘MODERN CLASSIC’ DEALERS Bid to improve air quality in the capital could see many customers of specialist workshops offloading their cherished cars to save on fee.

P

lans by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to expand the city’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to most of Greater London are set to have an impact on specialists selling some of the UK’s most popular classic cars.

It currently covers central London, and the move, which is set to come into force on August 29, 2023, has already been criticised because of its potential impact on low-income motorists, but it could also have a huge economic effect on specialists selling some of the most popular classic cars of the moment.

According to Car & Classic – the UK’s biggest classic car sales and auction platform – values of 1980s cars have more than tripled in the past three years, while those from the 1990s are up by 180 per cent. The trend, described by C&C editor Chris Pollitt as ‘an evolution of nostalgia’ is down to cash-rich buyers in their 30s and 40s buying the cars they admired in their youth – iconic models such as the Peugeot 205 GTI, VW Golf Mk 2, Porsche 911 and Jaguar XJS. But if the ULEZ expands, then an extra four million motorists will be exposed to road charging of £12.50 a day to use their cars within the zone.

Andy Spiteri, who runs SE Jags, a classic Jaguar specialist in Charlton that is already inside the ULEZ zone, said: ‘We already have to remind our customers with cars that have yet to reach the 40-year cut-off for ULEZ exemption that they may have to pay £12.50 to bring their car to our workshop and the same again to drive it home afterwards, and while it’s a bitter pill to swallow most of them understand.

‘If the ULEZ expands. then a lot of our customers, who live in the outer reaches of London and can still enjoy their cars as they rarely venture into the inner part of the city, will be forced to get rid of them and the impact on our business will be significant.

‘A lot of them drive 1990s classics such as XK sports cars or XJ saloons, and nobody is going to pay £12.50 every time they want to take their cherished car out for a drive.’

Campaigners are calling for the reintroduction of a 25-year exemption for classic cars or for a tax system similar to that in Germany, where owners of ‘old-timers’ who agree to cover a limited mileage are exempt from congestion charging.

Nigel Hemmaway from the Association of British Drivers said: “The issue here isn’t about air pollution – London will be better off without badly maintained older cars and vans that belch out smoke. But a well-maintained and cherished enthusiast-owned car shouldn’t be tarred with the same brush. It’s very different. It’s not part of that equation.’

Meanwhile, owners are already bidding goodbye to their cherished classics. Michael Koby, who lives in Hendon, north-west London, recently sold his 1995 BMW 520i via a Car & 16 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

We already have to remind our customers with cars that have yet to reach the 40-year cut-off for ULEZ exemption that they may have to pay £12.50 to bring their car here and the same again to drive it home afterwards.

Andy Spiteri Owner of SE Jags

Classic auction. He achieved more than £9,000 for the car – a lot more than it was worth four years ago – but was devastated to say goodbye to a beautiful, well-loved car he’d owned from brand new. ‘The fact is, were it not for ULEZ, I’d have kept the BMW for the rest of my days,’ he said.

‘It’s immaculate, low mileage and I’ve maintained it diligently for all of its life. It would easily have lasted me another 20 years, but I’ve had to sell it as although we’re not in the ULEZ zone, our preferred shopping area is.’

Michael is fortunate enough to have been able to afford a new Hyundai Ioniq, but he would never have spent the money had the ULEZ not been introduced.

‘I like my electric car,’ he added. ‘But I’m not convinced that buying a new vehicle is any better for the environment than keeping the old one, which I loved dearly.’

Faheem Khan lives in Golders Green – right on the edge of the current ULEZ zone – and currently buys and sells classic sports cars as part of his business portfolio.

‘I have a lot of customers to whom I sell Mercedes-Benz SLs from the 1980s and 1990s,’ he said. ‘It’s a strong market right now and they achieve good money once I’ve prepared them to sell, but many of them live within the M25.

‘I had a chap who was all set to buy a 1990 Porsche 928 recently but backed out of the deal when he saw the mayor’s proposed ULEZ extension, as he lives in Chigwell, which is in the proposed charging zone.

‘Can I blame him? No, I can’t. But these are people’s livelihoods at stake.’

I’m not convinced that buying a new vehicle is any better for the environment than keeping the old one, which I loved dearly.

Michael Koby Former 1995 BMW 520i owner

Xxx Xxx

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 17

USED CAR AWARDS 2022

NEW CATEGORY CELEBRATES DIVERSITY & INCLUSION • LET THE WORLD KNOW HOW YOU’RE CREATING A FAIRER WORKPLACE • WE’LL BE SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON STERLING EFFORTS • DON’T DELAY – GET YOUR UCA NOMINATIONS IN TODAY!

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ou’d be forgiven for thinking that the Car Dealer Used Car Awards couldn’t get any better, such is their popularity. But we’re constantly looking at ways to increase their appeal and relevance to the used car sector. As part of that, we’ve created a new award category this year – one that recognises diversity and inclusion in the workplace. ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ is a phrase that’s bandied about increasingly these days, but what does it actually mean when applied to the workplace?

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development says diversity is about recognising difference, while inclusion is where people’s differences are valued and utilised to enable everyone to thrive at work. More and more dealerships are realising how important this is in order to create a fairer working environment, therefore we want to recognise the sterling work that’s being done in this particular area.

Has your dealership brought in new protocols or training, for example? Has it introduced any other initiatives? What sort of success have they had?

Here’s your chance to shout out about it and let the world know how much you care about diversity and inclusion. And if you win, you’ll take home the trophy for the category, which is sponsored by MotoNovo Finance.

Our Used Car Awards are truly the trophies to have when it comes to the used car sector – the backbone of the automotive industry. They inspire supreme confidence in customers, which can only be good for your business, so you’ve got absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving it a whirl!

This year’s awards, which are once again brought to you in association with Black Horse, will be held on Monday, November 28 at the fantastic venue that is The Brewery in central London and will be hosted by TV’s Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer.

It takes just a few minutes to put your car dealership in line for an award.

There are 23 dealership categories – including the new one – and nominations can be made by filling out the form accessed on the next page.

Car Dealer will also be handing out eight manufacturer gongs, including naming seven used cars of the year, at the 11th annual event.

Dealerships wanting to be in the running should put their name forward online now.

You can nominate your business, your staff or anyone you think deserves an award.

Our judges assess every entry and whittle them down to a nominations list. These then go forward to the mystery shopping stage. The top five finalists are subsequently named in our shortlist, with the winners announced on the big night. So don’t delay – nominate today!

18 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

KEY DATES FOR THE 2022 AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Nominations close Sep 30 Nominations list revealed Oct 10 Shortlist revealed Oct 24 Awards night November 28

Mike Brewer and Car Dealer founder James Baggott

AWARD CATEGORIES Dealers’ Dealer

Used Car Supermarket

MANUFACTURER

Sponsored by GardX

Sponsored by Mann Island Finance

Service & Repair Outlet

Newcomer Dealership Sponsored by Moneybarn

Manufacturer Used Car Scheme

Used Car Product

Used Commercial Vehicle Dealer

Sponsored by AutoProtect

Sponsored by Warrantywise

Sponsorship available

Social Media User Sponsored by iVendi

Use of Video Sponsored by Visitor Chat

Used Car Website Sponsored by CarGurus

Used Car Online Sales Experience Sponsored by Codeweavers

Specialist Used Car Dealership Sponsored by Blue Motor Finance

Used Car Sales Team Sponsored by Motorway

Used Car Dealer Principal Sponsored by Aston Lark

Future Star

Sponsored by Northridge Finance

Used Car Customer Care

AWARDS

Sponsored by

Close Brothers Motor Finance

Days To Turn Sponsored by Auto Trader

Diversity & Inclusion Sponsored by MotoNovo Finance

NEW!

Used Car Dealership: Up To 50 Cars Sponsored by Black Horse

Used Small Car Used Mid-Sized Car Used Executive Car Used Sports Car Used SUV SOLD Used AFV Used Car of the Year Sponsorship includes all seven car categories

Used Car Dealership: 51-100 Cars Sponsored by Black Horse

Used Car Dealership: Over 100 Cars Sponsored by Black Horse

Used Car Dealership Group Sponsored by Black Horse

TO NOMINATE A DEALERSHIP OR SOMEONE IN A CATEGORY, SIMPLY FILL OUT THE FORM HERE

SPONSORSHIPS AND TICKETS

Outstanding Achievement Sponsored by Trade 2 Trade

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

Lifetime Achievement Sponsored by GardX

Sponsored by RAC Dealer Network

NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON SEPTEMBER 30 Sponsored by

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 19

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T: 01844 293810 E: sales@WMSGroup.co.uk W. WMSGroup.co.uk 20 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Online used car disruptor world is in turmoil – so why is Cinch being so coy?

I

If Carzam has gone and Cazoo is clearly struggling, it’s really up to Cinch to prove to us that there’s life in the online sales model yet.

don’t know about you, but every time I hear a Cinch advert on the radio I wonder the same thing – just how is it going?

The Constellation Automotive Group-owned online car sales platform was launched as a rival to Cazoo, but unlike its NYSE-listed cousin we know very little about how it’s getting on. I’d be fascinated to find out.

The revelations from the online used car disruptor world have come thick and fast this month. First it was Carzam that called time at the bar as it was placed in voluntary receivership just before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.

Co-founder Peter Waddell told Car Dealer it had struggled to raise money, especially after the performance of Cazoo and its American forefather Carvana’s share prices tanked. Investor appetite for the used car disruption model appears to have waned, and where Carzam was hoping to ride the coat-tails of success and suck up venture capitalist cash, it instead slid down the pan as the stock market seemingly lost faith in the model.

Waddell went so far as to outright blame Cazoo for his firm’s failure in an interview with The Times a few days after we first published news of the Carzam administration.

It was the latest in a long line of swipes from the Big Motoring World chief.

Just a few days later, Cazoo outlined its ‘Business Realignment Plan’. A shock document detailed how the firm was shedding 750 jobs, shutting some of its prep and customer centres, slashing its marketing budget and closing its subscription service.

While the job losses were bad enough, the subscription service news was a huge shock. Cazoo said this was because it was a hugely ‘cash-intensive’ part of its business.

It wasn’t joking. Not only would it be closing down the service to new business, but we assume also writing off the £125m it paid for Drover and Cluno, the latter the German subscription service it snapped up too.

Cazoo boss Alex Chesterman said the group would now be focusing on its core UK used car business and that it was being forced to make these moves mostly because of the economic environment.

Some would argue it’s not just the economy causing the business problems but the very business model itself.

Those people have Vertu’s recent announcement that out of nearly 90,000 used cars sold last year just 900 were purely online still ringing in their ears. That’s a hearty endorsement for traditional dealerships if ever we’ve heard one.

Honestly, do people really want to buy used cars purely online? Or do they actually just want to do part of the process on the web and still go and see the car in person?

I know I don’t want a purely online experience. I consider myself tech-savvy and buy pretty much everything online, but the last thing I want to do is buy a used car that way. I bought a car recently and went to the dealer, poked and prodded the vehicle, and sat in it umpteen times before deciding to hand over my cash. Most importantly, I built a relationship with the salesman, not with some faceless chatbot.

So if Carzam has gone and Cazoo is clearly struggling, it’s really up to Cinch to prove to us that there’s life in the online sales model yet. The firm still appears to be splashing the cash on marketing and certainly has an impressive number of cars for consumers to choose from – but, most importantly, is it actually making any money? Is it really working?

Finding out is nearly impossible as the secretive firm remains tight-lipped about its performance. Perhaps, if there really is a success story to be told, it would be shouting about it from the rooftops. Or is it more a case of sometimes it’s just better to keep quiet when things are tough?

Speaking out

COMMENT

JAMES BAGGOTT

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

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 21

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

Who is Big Mike?

Well, that would be telling. What we can say is he’s had more than 40 years in the car trade so has probably forgotten more about it than we’re likely to know.

22 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

COMMENT

Today’s EVs are destined to become tomorrow’s electric appliances, thanks to speed of change

L

ast week, I had to buy a new washing machine. I absolutely hate the fact that I had to, as I resent spending large amounts of money on things I get no enjoyment out of, even if they do give me clean socks and pants.

What’s even more frustrating is that until it broke, my washer was in perfect running order and the motor was running as sweetly as ever. It died because the circuit board crapped itself, and because I’ve had it for more than five years, replacement parts aren’t available. I had to throw it away because of a little bit of electrical circuitry that had malfunctioned.

But such obsolescence is built in to domestic appliances, so I wasn’t exactly surprised. They want us to buy new ones every five years or so, which is why they don’t make parts for them any more.

My broken Bosch got me thinking, as many things often do, about cars – and specifically how their electrical systems evolve so quickly that they’re often obsolete soon after they’re made, which reminded me of a funny story from a few years back. Well, 36 years to be exact, but I don’t like to think about such things.

At the time, I was a sales manager at an Austin Rover dealership that was part of a much bigger dealer group. Our mates and colleagues down the road had Jaguar as their franchise, and they were launching the all-new ‘XJ40’ generation of XJ6.

For those too young to remember, that’s the big square-ish one with headlights that look like fish tanks – even more so when they fill up with water, which isn’t an uncommon occurrence.

Anyway, this was the first all-new Jaguar since 1975 (things moved much more slowly in those times), so to mark the occasion they held a high-profile ‘celebration evening’ at the dealership, inviting existing and potential customers plus a few senior Jaguar managers, as the factory was only 20 minutes up the road. They were expecting more than 200 guests, so a few of us from the Austin Rover dealership went down to help.

The evening began with champagne and canapés, plus buckets of cold beers (why do you think we volunteered our services?) followed by a 20-minute presentation about the new Jaguar saloon. The dealer principal, reading from a Jaguar-supplied script, proudly boasted that the car included more wiring than a Boeing 747, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing seeing as it was all developed

by Lucas, which at the time had the unfortunate nickname ‘Prince of Darkness’ in certain quarters of the motor industry.

Needless to say, all this wiring caused huge problems, as did the XJ40’s avantgarde liquid crystal instrument display and dot-matrix warning panel, the latter of which alerted drivers to ABS failure and imminent engine doom almost from the word go, as they’d mounted the control unit under the windscreen seals, which often leaked. Indeed, it was so unreliable that three years later it was in the bin and later XJ40s had conventional dashboards that actually worked.

The dealership filled with a whiff of burning electric insulation and sparks shot out from underneath the car.

I can’t really see a future beyond a few years old for any Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe or MG ZS SUV.

But I digress... On the evening in question, the dealer principal got his sales manager, Stuart, to demonstrate all of this technology to the assembled guests. Having worked his way through the trip computer and played the cassette (yes, a cassette tape) that told the lucky new owner all about the XJ40’s electrickery, he then proceeded to demonstrate the electrically adjustable seats, which whirred backwards and forwards seamlessly for about 45 seconds before the dealership filled with a whiff of burning electric insulation and sparks shot out from underneath the car.

The alarm then sounded and the car locked itself, leaving Stuart trapped inside grabbing at the driver’s side door handle that steadfastly refused to let him out of the car. The guests were hastily ushered outside to look at the full range of new XJ40s out the back, leaving Stuart trapped inside the flagship Sovereign model that was the centrepiece of a now smoke-filled showroom. I never saw Stuart again after that, so I assume he was either given his marching orders for breaking the car or he’s still there, trying to make good his escape.

That was in 1986, and just 10 years later all of the car’s features (except the silly dashboard) were commonplace in humble superminis, not just luxury barges. By 2001, we had drive-by-wire steering and multiplex wiring, and the Jaguar technology was woefully obsolete.

Today, though, collectors go potty for those early models, especially those who are handy with a soldering iron. I can’t see that happening with today’s cars – indeed, I can’t really see a future beyond a few years old for any Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe or MG ZS SUV. They may have pioneered the popularisation of electric cars and they may seem quite modern today, but much like my washing machine, the advances in electronic technology will render them next to useless in a relatively short period.

You heard it here first. Today’s electric cars are tomorrow’s electric appliances.

Indeed, given how good we’ve got at recycling metal and plastic, they probably will be – both literally and figuratively.

All this wiring caused huge problems, as did the XJ40’s avant-garde liquid crystal instrument display and dot-matrix warning panel CarDealerMag.co.uk | 23

6

ANNIVERSARY

24 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

1961 - 2021

Failing high-profile firm isn’t good for anybody

Y

What Cazoo needs to change is impossible: the uniformity and availability of a used car.

ou might think that as someone who has been critical of Cazoo since its launch four years ago, I would take great pleasure in reading that the company plans to try to save £200m by axeing 750 employees, but no. Not only do I feel sorry for those directly affected by this news, it also negatively affects traditional retailers. It makes industry investors nervous and consumers jittery.

It’s certainly possible for it to be viewed as positive news, but Cazoo isn’t, never has been and never will be a disruptor that has dramatically impacted on the established status quo.

Therefore, a failing high-profile business – especially one seen as a consumer champion – isn’t good.

News also recently broke that Carzam, the company spawned by Peter Waddell as a direct competitor to Cazoo, was going into voluntary administration.

While I have no love for Cazoo, I did think Waddell blaming the failure of Carzam on Cazoo was weapons-grade deflection.

So what does this all mean?

The failures of Cazoo and Carzam are partly circumstantial. Who could have foreseen the strange market dynamics that have so dramatically impacted on the used car market in the past three years?

Without established supply chains, both companies were forced to bulk-buy from auctions where prices were at record levels, yet also try to maintain consumer focus with keen pricing and preparation standards.

I am sure Cazoo and Carzam board members were hopeful that as we emerged from the abyss of 2021 into 2022, some market consistency would return in new car supply and therefore used car availability, but alas that wasn’t to be. In fact, not only has the war in Ukraine further affected supply chains, it has also dramatically impacted on inflation and therefore interest rates, and severely dented consumer confidence.

With unprecedented market forces, it seems as if traditional retailers have fared significantly better over the past three years, with record financial performances continuing to be reported from many of the dealer groups.

Like investors seeking solace in gold when financial markets are in turmoil, many consumers have continued to stick to what they trust when car supply has been challenged.

That isn’t to say Cazoo hasn’t sold lots of cars, but any idiot can buy high and sell low, and that is simply not sustainable.

Cazoo is stuck. Its ability to raise more capital to twist rather than stick in perhaps acquiring a high-profile retail group is compromised.

It is also not possible to try to drive more market share through more competitive price actions, as that strategy has led it to this tricky point.

Huge marketing campaigns such as Premier League shirt sponsorships have certainly raised its profile, but yet again this type of advertising spend isn’t sustainable.

What Cazoo needs to change is impossible: the uniformity and availability of a used car. Online disruptors can only disrupt a market where product or services are consistent, less heavily regulated or not as capital-dependent, and worryingly for Cazoo, the used car market doesn’t conform to any of that.

Trader Tales

COMMENT

JAMES LITTON

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

James Litton is an automotive retail consultant who always has something to say about the industry he loves.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 25

DASHBOARD

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

BMW

Golden celebration with M3 and M4 editions BMW has revealed special editions of the M3 and M4 to celebrate 50 years of BMW M. The two models wear ‘50 Jahre’ badging, which translates as ‘50 years’. The German carmaker says the editions mean ‘M enthusiasts around the globe can express both their passion for racing and their awareness of tradition’.

MERCEDES

Based on the current generation of M3 and M4, both come with a straight-six engine that makes 503bhp, fed to the rear wheels through an eightspeed automatic transmission.

There will be a ‘strictly limited’ number of each version, with different global markets getting different configurations.

NISSAN

New GLC SUV comes with hybrid power MERCEDES has unveiled its second-generation GLC, bringing a smart new design and more luxurious interior.

The GLC was introduced in 2015 and has gone on to become its most popular model globally, amassing 2.6m sales since then.

It’ll come with purely hybrid power, with a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines offering 48-volt mildhybrid tech as standard. There are also three plug-in hybrids, coming with a choice of petrol or diesel power and paired with a 134bhp electric motor.

Mercedes claims they have a range of more than 100km and can be rapidly charged in 30 minutes.

26 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Qashqai gains updated exterior and more standard equipment NISSAN has upgraded its Qashqai, bringing more standard equipment than before as well as updated badging.

All new Qashqai models will now feature Nissan’s new logo at the front and rear, as well as on the wheel caps and steering wheel boss.

The rear bumper has also been finished in a darker shade of grey, while LED front fog lights will now become standard on top-spec Tekna+ models, having previously been an optional extra.

Additionally, a 12.3-inch screen will now come as standard on cars from N-Connecta trim and above, bringing a 3.3-inch increase in size over the one currently fitted, among other features.

LEXUS

Fifth-generation RX has been revealed

LEXUS has revealed the fifthgeneration RX SUV, which it describes as a ‘completely reinvented vehicle’.

It has become one of the Japanese firm’s best sellers, having shifted 3.5m units worldwide since being introduced in 1998.

The Lexus RX has a new look, with the familiar ‘spindle grille’ now incorporated in the front of the body.

It’s wider than before, too, with a longer wheelbase and lower roofline.

BMW

BENTLEY

X1 gets electrified powertrains

Sound enhanced for Continentals

BMW has revealed the third generation of the X1, which gains a wide range of electric and hybrid powertrains and the brand’s latest technology.

The X1 sits at the bottom of BMW’s SUV line-up, but it has proved a popular choice since its introduction in 2009.

Key to this latest version is the debut of the electric iX1 as part of the firm’s growing range of EVs. Featuring twin electric motors putting out 309bhp, it also uses a 65kWh battery, giving up to 272 miles of range, while 130kW rapidcharging capability can see the battery topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in just 29 minutes.

BENTLEY has given its Continental GT and GTC models a sharp new offering with S versions.

Both GT and convertible GTC S variants retain the same 4.0-litre V8 engine that you’ll find in standard Continental models, where it develops 542bhp and 770Nm of torque, equating to a 0-60mph time of under four seconds.

However, its sound has been enhanced in S-badged cars, thanks to a sports exhaust fitted as standard.

Bentley’s Dynamic Ride, which includes a 48-volt electric active roll system, is also included.

MASERATI

Let there be light – or not much – as soft-top MC20 breaks cover MASERATI has unveiled the convertible version of its MC20 supercar.

The Cielo is powered by a 621bhp twin-turbocharged V6 engine and weighs just 65kg more than the hard-top version. It’ll also manage the 0-60mph sprint in just under three seconds.

Underpinned by a carbon-fibre platform, the Cielo features an electric folding roof that can be opened or closed in 12 seconds. Launch versions will also feature a new three-layer metallic colour called Acquamarina, which is also available as part of Maserati’s Fuoriserie customisation programme.

A clever electrochromatic window is also fitted and can be changed from clear to opaque at the touch of the central screen. It uses polymer-dispersed liquid crystal tech to quickly change how much light is let into the cabin.

PEUGEOT

Electric e-Rifter MPV receives tweaks

MERCEDES-AMG

One hypercar can reach 219mph THE long-awaited Mercedes-AMG One hypercar has been revealed in production form with Formula 1-derived technology.

The road-legal car uses a 1.6-litre V6 petrol engine and four electric motors. One is integrated in the turbocharger, one is attached directly to the combustion engine and the other two drive the front wheels, resulting in all-wheel drive and a top speed of 219mph. It goes from 0-60 in under three seconds and can hit 124mph in seven seconds flat.

PEUGEOT has made a number of tweaks to its electric e-Rifter MPV, giving the model new grades and revised equipment.

The Rifter is the passengercarrying version of the Partner van, with Peugeot introducing an electric model last year, which is all you can get now if you want a new Rifter.

Available with five or seven seats, the Allure Premium trim level has been replaced with a version now just called the Allure. Elsewhere, all e-Rifters now come with three independent seats in the second row as standard.

An updated key features a button to just unlock the boot.

VOLKSWAGEN

Advance booking opens for ID. Buzz VOLKSWAGEN has opened an advance booking system for the ID. Buzz, giving prospective customers access to a priority ordering window.

By placing a £2,000 fee with a Volkswagen dealer before June 30, customers will have a two-week headstart on those who don’t reserve a slot for when orders begin in July.

Demand is expected to be extremely high, as its styling draws inspiration from the firm’s classic campers and has generated plenty of attention online since its reveal.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 27

DASHBOARD CUTS

Hundreds of jobs are to go at Cazoo

HERE ARE TASTERS OF STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

NEWS DIGEST CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR THE FULL STORY c

ONLINE used car disruptor Cazoo is to slash 750 jobs, end its subscription service and rationalise assets in a huge costcutting plan.

The troubled firm – which has seen its share price plummet 87 per cent since it listed on the NYSE – aims to save £200m over the next 18 months.

Blaming the ‘economic climate’ for its woes, it plans to cut its vehicle preparation centres from 10 to eight and has reduced its revenue forecast for 2022 by £500m.

ACQUISITION

Waylands doubles its Kia presence

VOLUNTEER

Marketing exec tells of pride ahead of Kenya trip to help build classrooms and school sanitary blocks AN intrepid Motorpoint employee is all set to help refurbish a school in Africa.

Lucy Hadfield, a marketing executive at Motorpoint’s UK HQ in Derby, will join 64 others in building new classrooms and sanitary blocks at The West End School in central Kenya for youngsters aged from three to 16. The volunteer charity endeavour has been organised by Derby County Community Trust (DCCT), which is the HQ’s chosen charity. Hadfield, pictured here with DCCT community manager Paul Newman, said: ‘I am truly excited to be part of this group of volunteers and I am proud to have a place on this project.’

CAPACITY

Skoda relocates cable harness work

WAYLANDS Automotive has bought Grovebury Cars’ Kia dealership in Bicester.

It becomes Waylands’ second Kia dealership, after a showroom was opened in Reading in February 2021, and takes the company’s total number of dealerships to eight. All the staff at the showroom in Launton Road have been kept on, Kia told Car Dealer.

Waylands CEO John O’Hanlon said: ‘Bicester makes a lot of sense for us, as it’s close to our other sites.’

28 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

SKODA has relocated some of its cable harness production from Ukraine to the Czech Republic as well as securing extra capacity in Morocco and Romania.

The manufacturer said the move – co-ordinated with the affected suppliers – would help safeguard it against future potential supply bottlenecks and disruptions to the supply chain. It also means that current production volumes can be doubled if necessary.

BOOST

If Carzam has gone and Cazoo is clearly struggling, it’s really up to Cinch to prove to us that there’s life in the online sales model yet.

James Baggott p21

Two new Bravoauto stores bring 25 jobs

BRAVOAUTO has created 25 new jobs by opening two stores in Stokeon-Trent and Guildford.

The used car brand, owned by dealer group Inchcape, now runs nine sites around the country, with plans in place for more.

The new Surrey dealership sees seven jobs created, while 18 positions have been filled in the Potteries. Seventeen Bravoauto stores are expected to be in place by the end of the year.

Fixter bought by Renault Group Supplier News: p51

‘It seems like Peugeot has another hit on its hands with the new 308’ Forecourt: p34

DEATH

BRANDING

REVEAL

SsangYong GB boss Rangers claim victory Moke goes electric Jim Tyrrell dies at 60 in Cinch logo row with 89-mile range

T S A C D PO Driven by

SSANGYONG GB executive chairman Jim Tyrrell has died suddenly at his home in France.

The former Mitsubishi Motors managing director was 60.

He died on June 11 from a suspected heart attack, according to reports.

Tyrrell was a much-loved member of the motor industry who had previously held positions at Ford Motor Company, Mazda, Mitsubishi, SsangYong and its parent company Bassadone Automotive Group.

A ROW between SPFL sponsor Cinch and Rangers has ended with the team claiming victory.

Rangers had refused to display Cinch branding as their chairman Douglas Park has his own secondhand car business. They said the deal conflicted with a commercial agreement they have with Park’s.

Now the Light Blues have been left out of a fresh deal negotiated with Cinch by the SPFL and are no longer obliged to sport the Cinch logo. They said it vindicated their stance.

PCP

Ami available for under £20 a month

CITROEN’S Ami EV will be available for under £20 a month.

The much-anticipated tiny French city car is due to arrive in the UK later in the summer and Citroen has now confirmed how its PCP packages will be structured.

It’ll be available on a 24-month contract for £19.99 a month, with an upfront payment of £2,369. The 2,000 customers who have paid £250 to guarantee an Ami can now convert that into firm orders.

MOKE International has revealed a new pure-electric version of its reborn 1960s icon.

It will be able to travel for up to 89 miles, and a full charge will take a claimed four hours via a Type 2 charging port.

Prices start at £29,150.

Hendy is the sole distributor for Moke in the UK, offering the petrol version from its Poole and Exeter sites.

It will begin deliveries of the Moke Electric in June.

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

SUPPLY

Today’s electric cars are tomorrow’s electric appliances.

Big Mike p22

Ford halts orders for Fiesta for time being

E R E H K C CLI

FORD has been forced to temporarily stop taking Fiesta orders as it continues to battle ongoing supply chain issues.

The Blue Oval has been crippled by recent problems, notably the global semiconductor shortage, which has hampered production for the past two years.

Bosses now say that the brand will no longer be taking orders for the Fiesta – which was only recently updated – until further notice.

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

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 29

DASHBOARD BLUEPRINT

CarStore offers new Experience

CARSTORE has opened the first of its revamped Experience Centres in Chesterfield.

It’s been designed to welcome customers with a friendly and open environment that will provide the blueprint for future CarStore developments.

It uses a hybrid purchase model that blends physical and digital locations. The 9,800 square metre site has space for around 400 vehicles. There are also interaction zones with café facilities, seating areas and interactive displays.

LIFE-SAVER

Cameron proves to be hero of the hour

HERE ARE TASTERS OF STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

NEWS DIGEST CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR THE FULL STORY

AMBITION

Inspirational dealership boss defied the odds and his teachers after spotting gap in used car market BULLIED, suffering from Asperger’s and failing his exams. That was the life of teenager Adam Bignall.

The young schoolboy was told by his teachers that he’d never amount to anything. But he went on to prove them wrong after spotting a gap in the automotive market.

Now aged 27, Adam runs two dealerships in the West Country and plans to open a third. The dealership boss specialises in selling cars specifically to first-time buyers by helping them find the best deals and cheapest insurance. Read his full, heartwarming story by clicking on the image.

GONE

Remunerations chief quits ahead of AGM CAR sales controller Cameron Love has been reunited with a customer whose life he saved.

The 28-year-old, who works at Holdcroft Nissan Crewe, reacted quickly when John Ryder, who was having his car serviced, collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Using a defibrillator installed at the dealership, Love gave emergency treatment and stayed with the 82-year-old until paramedics arrived.

Ryder said: ‘Cameron did an excellent job. I am enormously grateful to him.’

30 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

PENDRAGON’S remuneration committee chairman Mike Wright has left the company, heading off a battle with shareholders.

The company made the brief announcement via the London Stock Exchange on June 1, saying he had quit with immediate effect.

A row over bonuses had led to him facing calls by major shareholders not to be reappointed, ahead of the company’s annual meeting, which is set to take place on June 21.

124,725 The number of cars that were manufactured at Toyota’s plant in Burnaston in 2021.

Feature p38

FUNDRAISING

Drive aims to help Ukraine war victims

DRIVE Motor Retail has launched a fundraising campaign in aid of victims of the war in Ukraine.

The dealer group aims to raise £50,000 via employee events at each of its 16 UK dealerships, and will match every £1 raised by members of staff. Stuart Harrison, pictured left with fellow MD Rob Keenan, said: ‘We are encouraging everybody at Drive to get involved, both through individual fundraising activities and team events.’

Here comes the sun... So out come the sunglasses among the latest cool products Feature: p41

QUIT

Daksh Gupta leaves as Marshall boss

MARSHALL Motor Group chief executive Daksh Gupta has stepped down with immediate effect.

The announcement by the listed dealer group came just a few weeks after Constellation Automotive Group’s £325m takeover was approved. His future has been uncertain since the deal was announced in November last year.

Gupta had been banned from talking to the press since then, but those close to him revealed that he was troubled by the move.

MARQUE

COLLAPSE

Who could have foreseen the strange market dynamics that have so dramatically impacted on the used car market in the past three years?

James Litton p25

CELEBRATION

Carzam placed in hands of receivers

ONLINE used car dealer Carzam has been placed in voluntary receivership.

A message on the used car disruptor’s website says the company is now in voluntary receivership. All cars have been removed from sale. Carzam – started by Big Motoring World owner Peter Waddell and entrepreneur John Bailey in 2020 – was launched with an initial £50m investment from the pair and a promise to ‘accelerate motor trade change’.

PARTNERSHIP

Nunns adds Subaru Isuzu marks D-Max’s Read lends MG5 to franchise portfolio tenth anniversary to river cleaner Jim

NUNNS of Grimsby has added Subaru to its franchise portfolio.

The sales and aftersales operation went live on June 1, joining fellow Japanese brands Isuzu and Mazda at the family-run Altyre Way dealership.

It’s helped to plug the gap left by Mitsubishi’s decision to withdraw from new car sales in the UK. Dealer principal Chris Nunn is pictured right with Subaru regional sales and development manager Kevin Green

ISUZU UK is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its D-Max pick-up.

It was premiered at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, pictured, replacing the Rodeo, and since then has notched up nearly 50,000 sales here, with the latest generation coming to market in 2021. Alan Able, brand director for Isuzu UK, said: ‘We’ve had a very successful decade of D-Max in the UK, with the brand setting new standards in the pick-up market.’

READ Motor Group has extended its support for a former car sales manager who is working hard to clean up a Lincolnshire river.

Last year, its Suzuki showroom in Grimsby gave Canoe River Cleaner Jim Elliott – who used to work at IJC Car Sales in Louth – the use of a Swace Hybrid, but now its MG site is providing an all-electric MG5 in its ongoing partnership as he cleans up the Freshney. Jim is pictured with sales controller Callum Ormston

‘Quote.’

Feature: pXX

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

DOWN: Toyota is to slash global production by around 100,000 vehicles in June because of the semiconductor crisis. The carmaker will now build around 850,000 vehicles after adapting its monthly forecasts in response to worldwide supply issues.

SETTLEMENT: Volkswagen has agreed to pay £193m to 91,000 UK drivers after reaching an out-of-court settlement over the diesel emissions scandal. It said the agreement brought ‘no admissions in respect of liability, causation or loss’.

DEAL: Sytner is to buy five of Mercedes-Benz Retail Group’s north London dealerships during the third quarter of 2022. The sites are yet to be announced but candidates include Watford, Temple Fortune, Stratford, Loughton and Colindale.

CUTS: Mercedes-Benz is to cut around 10 per cent of its global dealer network as part of the switch to an agency sales model.

The German firm says it wants 80 per cent of its business to come via the agency sales model by 2025.

DECREASE: Car ownership in the UK dipped slightly last year according to the SMMT. It fell by 0.2 per cent to 35,023,652 cars – the second year in a row that the car parc has decreased and the first consecutive annual fall in more than a century.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 31

FORECOURT

TOYOTA GR86 The first GT86 went down as one of the all-time greats.

Jack Evans went to Seville to find out if the GR86 replacement is just as good.

Under the bonnet The 2.4-litre ‘Boxer’ engine pumps out 231bhp and 250Nm of torque.

THE KNOWLEDGE Toyota GR86

WHAT IS IT? The original GT86 proved to be something of a hit for Toyota. So how do you deliver the tricky second album? Well, for the newly named GR86 – enabling it to fall under Toyota’s Gazoo Racing range of vehicles – that means more power, more grip and much broader use of lightweight materials.

WHAT’S NEW? It’ll only be on sale in the UK for two years because of more stringent safety tests coming into force, but the engine is more powerful, while grippier Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres replace the Primacy rubber fitted to the GT86. Inside, there’s a little more tech than before, while the steering, suspension and braking have been revised to make the GR86 even more capable than the GT86. Even the rigidity has been boosted – up 50 per cent on the GT86.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? The naturally aspirated engine uses the same basic block, but capacity has been increased from 2.0 litres to 2.4, with power rising to 231bhp from 197bhp as a result. Torque has gone up too, from 205Nm to 250Nm, and it’s delivered earlier. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, although an automatic version is available too.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? That boost in power only emphasises the car’s balance, with its nimble steering and wellmanaged body control working in tandem to make it very good fun to drive.

The engine note is a little muted but it doesn’t stop you from stretching the engine out whenever the opportunity strikes. The six-speed manual is accurate and easy to use too, but it’s the GR86’s balance that really makes its presence known in the whole experience.

HOW DOES IT LOOK? Toyota hasn’t gone to town with the redesign for the GR86, but the tweaks definitely work to make this car even better to look at on the road. The front headlights appear sharper, while new air intakes by the front wheels are fully operational.

It’s much the same around the back, where thinner rear lights are connected by a full-width trim section. The GR86 is also 10mm lower than its predecessor, while having an extra 5mm on its wheelbase. This helps to give this new version a more 32 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Price as tested: £29,995 Engine: 2.4-litre ‘Boxer’ petrol Power: 231bhp Torque: 250Nm Max speed: 140mph O-60mph: 6.1 seconds MPG (combined): 32.1-32.5 Emissions: 198-200g/km CO2

TARGET BUYERS:

Those who love fun and lightweight motoring.

THE RIVALS:

Mazda MX-5 Ford Mustang BMW 2 Series Coupe

Style

KEY SELLING POINTS:

The redesign of the GR86 has brought sharper-looking headlights and a new rear light design. It’s also 10mm lower than its predecessor.

DEAL CLINCHER:

Cabin Inside is still driver-centric with a good seating position. Material quality is a bit low-rent though, with cheap-feeling plastics.

The GR86 feels like an extension of the original. This is no complete rewrite, more a cleverly revised second edition.

1. Great performance 2. Reasonably spacious 3. Nimble handling

The GR86 is yet another smash hit from Toyota – and it’s worth celebrating.

aggressive, sporty stance on the road. There’s also a new colour – called Ignition Red – which looked particularly good underneath the Spanish sun.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? Toyota hasn’t messed around with the driver-centric approach that you got in the GT86 and that’s no bad thing. The seating position is good, although the material quality is still quite low-rent, with cheaper-feeling plastics used across the lower sections of the dashboard.

Rear-seat space will be tight even for children, so it’s best to regard the GT86 as a 2+2, rather than a fully fledged four-seater. There are 226 litres of boot space, too, while the rear seats can be folded down to expand this further.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? The big upgrade to the GR86 is its infotainment. It’s based around a new eight-inch screen and has been made quicker and more responsive. The native menu is quite plain and can be a little tricky to navigate, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, so you can use these to easily mirror your smartphone on the screen. There’s also a small driver display ahead of the steering wheel that relays some key information and changes to a racier design when Track mode is selected, and it’s clear and easy to read.

WHAT DO THE PRESS SAY? Top Gear said: ‘The GR86 is one of 2022’s very best cars. The antidote to overpowered, overweight, overcomplicated so-called sports cars.’ Auto Express said: ‘Compared to the average modern turbocharged sports car, the GR86 may lack outright muscle, but in reality it offers up all the performance you could ever need.’

WHAT DO WE THINK? The GR86 feels like an extension of the original. This is no complete rewrite, more a cleverly revised second edition. The extra power hasn’t made it feel too ‘grown up’, but instead allows you to fully exploit the balance and poise that the chassis has to offer. It was a bit of a concern to learn that the GR86 would be wearing more performance-orientated tyres, as there was the potential to take away some of the ‘fun’ of the original GT86, but these worries were put to bed with this test. It’s just a shame the GR86 will only be on sale for a short time. This is the kind of car that needs to be enjoyed while it’s still here.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 33

FORECOURT

PEUGEOT 308

Under the bonnet

The 1.6-litre petrol with electric motor combine to produce 222bhp and 360Nm of torque.

Peugeot’s new 308 hatch is here and it promises some big steps forward.

Ted Welford sees if it’s worth considering.

THE KNOWLEDGE Peugeot 308 GT Premium 225 PHEV Price (as tested): £42,415 Engine: 1.6-litre petrolelectric plug-in hybrid Power: 222bhp Torque: 360Nm Max speed: 146mph O-60mph: 7.3 seconds MPG (combined): 213.8-266.2 Emissions: 24-30g/km CO2

WHAT IS IT? Given that the outgoing 308 hatchback first arrived in 2013, this was a car that was really starting to show its grey hairs, especially as the pace of development is fast in this class, so Peugeot is aiming to return to form with this new car.

WHAT’S NEW? Ushering in Peugeot’s latest design language, the new 308 is the first model from the firm to wear the brand’s new logo. Other changes include a new infotainment system. Things are also modernised with a pair of new plug-in hybrid powertrains as part of Peugeot’s rapidly growing electrified range. There’ll even be a 308 EV, but not for at least another year.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? Peugeot is big on choice, which is why you’ll still find the 308 sold with conventional petrol and diesel engines. All versions are now automatic-only, though.

We tried the top-spec Hybrid 225 model, which pairs a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 222bhp and 360Nm of torque. It’s the quickest 308 in the range, with 0-60mph taking 7.3 seconds, and is capable of 146mph.

Its claimed 37-mile electric range could allow for more than 200mpg if you plug it in regularly, while CO2 emissions of 24g/km to 30g/km give it very low company car tax rates.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? On start-up, the 308 is near silent, and it’s happy to pootle around on electric quite happily, with the motor on its own kicking out a respectable 108bhp. The switch between petrol and electric is smooth too, although the eight-speed automatic gearbox can feel a bit jerky.

It’s not as quick as the figures suggest, though, and the small steering wheel and digital dial combination won’t suit everyone. It can make finding a perfect driving position difficult, and you can’t always see the dials easily because the top of the steering wheel gets in the way. On a more positive note, the 308 handles nicely and the ride is impressive, particularly for a plug-in hybrid and the fact that our test car was riding on the largest 18inch alloy wheels.

HOW DOES IT LOOK? Peugeot has been getting more adventurous by the year with its designs, and the 308 is

34 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

arguably its boldest yet. In a class where – generally speaking – the designs aren’t all that exciting, this car really stands out.

Its large frameless grille, intricate LED lights and drooping ‘claw’ headlights are all able to turn heads, while its sharp crease lines add further flair to the package. The ‘free’ paint colour is also arguably the best of the lot – Olivine Green.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? In this top-spec GT Premium form, the quality of the 308’s cabin is top-notch with a raft of high-end materials combining to create a very pleasant environment. Our test car even came with a funky light-blue leather upholstery (annoyingly, a £1,150 option), but it certainly added even more panache.

Peugeot’s new 10-inch touchscreen is a big step up too, being clear, easy to use and ultramodern. Large digital shortcut buttons are much better than the toggle-like paddles you get in the brand’s other models as well. Thanks to this new 308 being 11cm longer than before, space is also improved, with the boot measuring an impressive 412 litres, and although it drops to 361 litres in the hybrid, it’s only the underfloor area you lose.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? From basic to premium, all 308s get a decent level of kit, with entry-level Active Premium models equipped with LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels and a 10-inch touchscreen.

Prices also start from a reasonable £24,635.

Mid-range Allure Premium models – our pick of the line-up – pack adaptive cruise control, wireless smartphone charging plus keyless entry, and are available from £27,385.

If you want all the bells and whistles, GT Premium has a 360-degree camera system, 18inch alloy wheels and Focal sound system, although it starts from a rather steep £30,885.

But think carefully if the plug-in will work for you, as you’ll pay £6,000 more for one next to a regular petrol, and you’ll need to do plenty of miles on electric to claw that back.

WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK? Autocar said: ‘It doesn’t cover every base and isn’t for every taste, but it’s got plenty going for it all the same.’ Carwow said: ‘The 308’s plush interior, intuitive infotainment tech and comfortable cruising ability mean it’s not just a pretty face.’

WHAT DO WE THINK? It seems like Peugeot has another hit on its hands with the new 308. This new hatchback represents another shift upmarket for the firm, with this model’s attractive styling and highend interior really making it shine in this class.

The addition of the plug-in hybrids is welcome too, although this top-spec ‘225 PHEV’ doesn’t show the 308 in the best light. The regular Hybrid 180 model makes far more sense as it’s even more efficient, nearly as fast and around £1,500 cheaper.

Style

The bold new design includes a large frameless grille and drooping ‘claw’ headlights, while sharp crease lines add further flair.

TARGET BUYERS:

Younger families wanting something that’s not an SUV.

Cabin

The interior has a quality feel with a raft of high-end materials used throughout.

THE RIVALS:

BMW 1 Series Ford Focus Volkswagen Golf

KEY SELLING POINTS: 1. Striking design 2. Wide powertrain choice 3. High-quality interior

It seems like Peugeot has another hit on its hands with the new 308.

DEAL CLINCHER:

Another Peugeot that feels genuinely upmarket.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 35

FORECOURT

GENESIS GV60 Under the bonnet

Powered by a single electric motor the entry-level Premium produces 226bhp and 350Nm of torque

THE KNOWLEDGE Genesis GV60 Premium Price as tested: £56,865 Engine: Single motor, 77.4kWh battery Power: 226bhp Torque: 350Nm Max speed: 115mph O-60mph: 7.6 seconds Range: 321 miles Emissions: 0g/km CO2

Genesis is pretty new to Europe, but in the GV60 it has an intriguing electric vehicle aimed at shaking up the premium car segment. Darren Cassey reports.

WHAT IS IT? After initially launching with a bunch of combustion-engined executive models as a brandbuilding exercise, the real genesis of Genesis has now arrived. The GV60 represents the company’s first fully electric model, and the figurehead for its future plans.

WHAT’S NEW? In some ways everything’s new, with this being a completely new model in the young firm’s line-up. However, Genesis is part of the same company that owns Hyundai and Kia, so this shares its underpinnings with the highly regarded Ioniq 5 and EV6.

Some noteworthy features include optional digital door mirrors, cabin materials made from organic and recycled sources and twin 12.3-inch displays. But it has a distinctive appearance that’s nothing like the aforementioned EVs with which it shares its base.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? The entry-level Premium powertrain uses a single electric motor that powers the rear wheels with an output of 226bhp and 350Nm of torque.

The middle Sport model has two motors that make a combined 315bhp and 605Nm of torque, while the top-specification Sport Plus ups this dual-motor power output to a mildly absurd 483bhp and 700Nm of torque. Both have all-wheel-drive with 0-60mph times of 5.5 and 4.0 seconds respectively.

All get the same battery capacity of 77.4kWh, resulting in a range of 321, 292 and 289 miles respectively. This essentially gives the choice of going really fast or really far.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? The first thing you’ll notice is just how refined the GV60 is. It’s incredibly comfortable, particularly at lower speeds, and largely without the annoyingly stiff suspension you’ll often find in EVs. The powertrain is sharp in its response and ludicrously, unnecessarily fast in the full-fat Sport Plus version.

HOW DOES IT LOOK? At first glance there are some awkward angles to the GV60, but overall it’s a cool and characterful thing. There’s a fun face up front, with the brand-wide quad headlight design and low front grille, while there’s quite a lot of unbroken bodywork in the upper section of

36 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

the bumper. Coupled with the clamshell bonnet, it defies many conventions of mainstream car design and is all the more interesting for it.

The colour palette is fantastic, too. The signature highlighter yellow paint job is an acquired taste yet works surprisingly well for the extroverted driver, but even the usual mix of plainer shades have an interesting edge. For example, the white has a lovely satin/matte finish that exudes a real premium appearance.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? Despite a few complaints it’s largely a lovely place to be. The seating position is quite high even in its lowest setting but is very comfortable and would prove a relaxing place to eat up the miles. There are some fantastic materials, too, although occasionally in odd places such as the door cards, whereas the steering wheel perhaps feels a bit cheap and shiny.

There’s an ambience of calm luxury, but some of the finer details don’t stand up to too much scrutiny. For example, the screens are large, clear and responsive but look like something of an afterthought plonked on the dashboard. The plastics surrounding the centre console have a decidedly ’90s vibe, while the gear selector feels a bit cheap and the dash buttons look like they’re borrowed from an old tape recorder.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? There are three versions to choose from, kicking off with Premium from £47,005. Equipment includes dual front LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, smart cruise control, air conditioning and a head-up display.

Step up to Sport, from £53,605, and you get 20-inch alloy wheels, a few styling tweaks and the twin-motor set-up. The top-spec Sport Plus model starts at £65,405 and brings even more performance along with 21-inch alloy wheels.

Personalisation includes various shades for the upholstery. Equipment upgrades include a Bang & Olufsen stereo (£990), sunroof (£1,120) and extensive driver-assistance tech.

WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK? Top Gear called it ‘an interesting EV alternative’, while Car Magazine said it was ‘a superb effort’.

Despite a few gripes with the cabin, it still feels like it could hold its own in the premium market.

WHAT DO WE THINK? The Genesis GV60 is an excellent electric vehicle. If you’re worried that EVs will be the death of cars with character, the Kia EV6/Hyundai Ioniq 5/Genesis GV60 triplets are a wonderful reassurance that this is not the case.

Despite a few gripes with the cabin, it still feels like it could hold its own in the premium market, even if a few retro aspects hold it back from full marks. But its overall ambience of calm and quality shines through, and with the comfortable driving experience and long range it makes a compelling case for itself.

TARGET BUYERS:

Anyone looking for a premium crossover who doesn’t want to go down the obvious route.

THE RIVALS: Interior

The cabin of the GV60 is a lovely place to be, but there are places where the materials feel cheap.

Style

From some angles the GV60’s design can be a little awkward, but there are some nice styling touches, too.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Jaguar I-Pace Volkswagen ID.3

KEY SELLING POINTS:

1. Handsome, unique styling 2. Comfortable driving experience 3. Interior is calm and high quality

DEAL CLINCHER:

Not only does it look great but it’s also decent to drive.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 37

FEATURE

INSIDE THE FACTORY

WE TAKE A LOOK ROUND TOYOTA’S BURNASTON PRODUCTION PLANT Ted Welford was wowed by the quiet efficiency of this site that’s a major contributor to the UK automotive industry yet sometimes gets forgotten.

W

hen it comes to UK-produced cars, it’s likely that renowned British brands such as Jaguar and Mini spring to mind first.

But there are plenty of other car firms producing their vehicles in Britain, not least Nissan with its huge facilities in the north-east and Toyota with its factory in Burnaston, Derbyshire.

Although the latter is sometimes a forgotten plant, it’s a major contributor to the UK automotive industry, producing 124,725 cars in 2021. For context, a total of 859,575 new cars were made in the UK last year.

Now the home of European-built Toyota Corollas – it’s worth remembering this model is globally one of the most popular new cars around, and is produced elsewhere for other continents – the plant has also produced the Carina E, Avensis and Auris in the past. Opened in 1992, it’s manufactured more than 4.7m cars since and has over 3,000 employees, making it a vastly important facility to local people.

And today, Car Dealer is getting a special look around the plant to coincide with the launch of the new Corolla Commercial – a van-based version of this Toyota estate car that has been specifically designed, engineered and implemented into Burnaston. For the time being, it will be sold purely in the UK, too.

Protective boots at the ready, hi-vis aplenty and hard hats on, it’s time to dive in. It’s not often we get to look round a new car factory, and perhaps we’re too used to the photos of the perfectly glossy painted floors that you see at McLaren and Bentley, but it seems darker and dingier than we envisaged, almost like what I have in my head when someone mentions British Leyland. But there’s nothing British Leyland about how this plant operates, with a super-slick production process.

On each car going through the factory there’s an A3 piece of paper clipped to the open bonnet of the model. To us, it looks like absolute gibberish, but to those on the production line, each symbol and code signifies a part or option that needs to be fitted. With such a broad range of trim levels on offer – from European-spec cars that don’t even get alloy wheels to flagship cars that get elements such as park-assist and a head-up display, this bit of paper is crucial in making sure a customer gets the exact car they ordered.

The factory also operates an almost-random sequencing process, much to my surprise.

38 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Almost 125,000 Corollas were produced at Burnaston in 2021

The A3 sheet of paper clipped to the bonnet ensures every car arrives as it was ordered

So rather than produce high-spec car after high-spec car, it fluctuates to ensure a variety of versions and colours are always being produced, helping to limit production hold-ups.

The sheer clockwork nature of the operation is hugely impressive, with a combination of manual labour and automation working together perfectly. Fitting the Corolla’s engines – which come ready assembled from Toyota’s Deeside factory on the Welsh border – takes a matter of seconds and only a few bolts to make them fit like a glove. It’s almost soothing to watch such a shipshape process taking place.

Although the factory has, unsurprisingly, been impacted by production shortages that are hitting the entire industry, it doesn’t seem to have been hit as hard as other brands. I’m told that only one particular part came in from Ukraine and an alternative supplier has already been found. That’s something that brands such as Volkswagen and BMW, which relied heavily on wiring harnesses that used to be built in Ukraine, could only dream of.

Our tour of the factory, religiously sticking to the yellow marked areas, doesn’t take us through all the stages of the process in chronological order, but rather randomly. So at one point the cars are a bare shell and then next almost production-ready. It flip-flops backwards and forwards like this throughout.

Toyota also tries to source parts locally as much as possible, particularly for the larger parts, which is why the engines come in from Deeside, while the exhausts are made not so far away in Staffordshire. In total, 62 UK suppliers are utilised to produce the Corolla.

As we keep negotiating in and out of the various divisions, we get to the best bit – the quality checking. There are people slamming doors, checking the keys, and even someone with the incredible job of getting in the hot seat and accelerating as quickly as possible then hitting the brakes hard, before getting out and doing it to the next car on the line.

But one of the most remarkable bits about these quality checks comes from the AI (artificial intelligence) system that uses various cameras to take photos of each and every car passing through the line. It’s able to check that things such as the wheels and trim are correct, and that the specification matches exactly what’s ordered. If not, a car is pulled off the production line.

With Corollas being made here in hatchback, estate and van guises – as well as the Suzuki Swace, which is a rebadged version of the Toyota estate – this technology is said to be crucial in ensuring that the cars come up to standard.

So although there might be an almost-constant flow of negative news about the UK automotive manufacturing industry, a look around Toyota’s Burnaston factory shows the passion and strength that can still come from building cars in Britain. Long may it continue.

The sheer clockwork nature of the operation is hugely impressive, with a combination of manual labour and automation working together perfectly.

The Corolla Commercial is the latest model to be made at Burnaston CarDealerMag.co.uk | 39

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FEATURE.

COOL STUFF

We’re now truly getting into summer – meaning extra sun and outdoor activities. Let’s check out some of the best and coolest products to have come out recently, including sunglasses, watches for running and even a limited-edition pushchair – all of which are dedicated to helping us make the most of the sunshine season.

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones

£379

Sony has been at the top of its game recently when it comes to noisecancelling headphones, with 2020’s WH-1000XM4s going down as some of the all-time greats in the segment. But how do you replace a real winner?

Well, Sony is attempting to do just that with the new WH-1000XM5.

The ear cups are broader than before, but they’re designed to be even more comfortable to wear – and a 30-hour battery life means there’s plenty of time to enjoy them.

Oakley Mumbo sunglasses

£TBA

The ’90s style revolution is well and truly upon us and that’s something sunglasses creator Oakley is definitely tapping into with its new Mumbo glasses.

They’re designed to hark back to the original Mumbo from 1989 and, as a result, have that beachy, retro look.

They get special non-slip nose pads to provide a comfortable fit, while Oakley’s Prizm lens technology means that colours will be bright and filled with contrast.

G-Shock G-Squad

Limited-Edition Mercedes-AMG and Hartan GT pushchair

£TBA

Limited to just 299 of its kind, this stylish ride for babies features a special red AMG pattern on the hood, plus each one gets an original AMG badge on both sides of the frame.

Even the wheels use the cross-spoke design seen on AMG’s cars, while the seat inlays are finished in Dinamica – a fabric used for the firm’s seats.

It’ll be available from July – with a sizeable price tag, no doubt.

from £129.99

The world of smartwatches has really exploded in recent years and now G-Shock – one of the best-known names in the activity watch segment – is weighing in with a new, value-focused version. Called the G-Squad, it looks like a standard G-Shock from the outside, but inside it’s got a step counter and will also log the speed and distance of your run.

Plus, it’s water-resistant to 200 metres, so you’re able to take it swimming should you want to. At just under £130, it’s pretty good value, too.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 41

FEEDBACK TOP TWEETS

When Carzam went into voluntary liquidation, you had your say on Twitter…

Paul Arden @pndarden

Shame – they should have had the best chance. After launch you never really noticed them.

Their online presence on Auto Trader always looked dull. I guess you need lots of other people’s money to play with to carry on.

Cinch will win. Never in doubt.

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

Can I reclaim Fiat 500 that this customer is complaining about?

I sold a 65-plate Fiat 500 auto 28 days ago for £7,495 to a lady in Dunfermline 357 miles away. She collected the car and now 28 days later her partner emailed stating that the door handle has broken off and the car doesn’t have cruise control (it was listed on my website as having cruise control by mistake).

He wants £500 back because it doesn’t have cruise control and wants to get the handle replaced locally and send me the bill, saying it’s ‘not feasible’ to return it for warranty work because of the distance.

On my invoices, I have a clause that states ‘in the event of the car being refunded it is the buyer’s responsibility to cover the cost of recovery’ and it has been signed by the buyer.

I’m going to get the car collected on the pretext of fitting a new handle and refund it less the cost of transport and the handle that he clearly broke. Where do I stand?

Glevum Does he want to hand it back? If he is happy to keep it, would it not be better to negotiate a reasonable discount, say £250 (probable cost of having it fitted), and offer to give him the cost of the handle part or supply him with a door handle if he pays the labour locally to get it fitted as doesn’t want to bring it back to you to fit it?

Rbs

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

Bruce J Beaton @beaton_bruce

It is voluntary liquidation, which is different to receivership.

Controlled disposal of assets and release of funds to creditors.

I don’t think many creditors are going to take a hit.

Ashley Proniewicz @ashpron

Cinch always had the best chance due to vertical integration. They can switch on supply at a price they dictate.

They can set delivery price through BCA Automotive and control prep costs through in-house prep centres.

Nope, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. One litre of regular unleaded was costing more than £2 in some places when the magazine was put to bed. The 5p per litre cut in duty back in March didn’t touch the sides, so no wonder the Petrol Retailers’ Association wants the government to cut it by much more, as has been done elsewhere in Europe.

It’s not about the door handle though, is it?

It’s blackmail to get £500 back. The part broken is £5 on eBay. This car is a very wanted commodity and I’m sure could be resold to a more understanding customer.

I would just go up on Sunday with a mate, do a cash transfer if that’s how they bought it and let them have the hassle of finding another one in their budget. I wouldn’t be making reductions in the first month, though.

It’s me I’m wondering why he’s dealing with a third party. I’d politely answer along the lines of saying I cannot deal with third parties therefore please ask the purchaser to contact us directly.

I respectfully advise you that no further correspondence with you will be entered into.

BHM

At a small claims court case, the judge upheld that the partner had financed the sale, so there is legal precedence there. Just saying. Don’t shoot me.

It’s me You can’t take the car back under false pretences and then simply ‘reverse the deal’. If I’ve understood you correctly, what you’re proposing is basically theft and could land you in deep trouble. The misdescription is down to you. You are supposed to be the ‘professional’ and should check your listings carefully. If you make a mistake, you have to take it on the chin. The broken handle is down to them.

My advice is try to negotiate some sort of deal with the customer. Say, £250 compensation for no cruise control and send them a handle to be fitted at their expense.

Halfpenny

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FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The DVLA says a car I bought has been permanently exported – what can I do?

I recently bought a BMW 530GT 61 plate with UK number plates and UK V5 document.

After testing the car, I did a bank transfer and went online and transferred the V5.

After two weeks, the DVLA sent me a letter saying the car has been permanently exported and unlicensed and because of that they are unable to issue a V5.

They want me to complete a V55/5 ‘Application for a first vehicle tax and registration of a used motor vehicle’. They also want me to pay import duty through Notification of Vehicle Arrival (NOVA) at HMRC. Can I do anything about it? The seller was private and I bought it for myself.

Marian TDM Find a solicitor conversant with motoring law.

Is it the case that a stolen cloned car was exported?

It’s me Hopefully not. He had valid MOT, UK plates

and V5. I personally went on DVLA’s website and transferred the car to my name.

Marian TDM

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

Had a customer a few years back trading his Mondeo in. We couldn’t do the cherished transfer and sent it all off to be told the car had an ‘export’ marker on it. DVLA had taken RFL money and it was MOTed every year. The customer had to prove he’d owned it in the time it gained an export marker. It took three months-plus to resolve it all. Guess you may have to check the dates/ownership change, etc. Good luck.

Umesh Ring DVLA and ask if a mistake has taken place with what they’ve told you. They’re not that clever in a lot of cases. This sounds like a weird one to me. Private buys are a risky way to buy cars of value, as disasters can and do take place.

David Horgan

Are there more scrapped cars for sale now?

Has anyone noticed the increase in cars on the hit list being advertised? A plethora of Cat N/S near me on Auto Trader. Is it the backstreet rebuilders or are more private people buying back their cars to repair?

Metcars I’ve noticed quite a few going through regular car auctions as well.

The old novice Higher prices mean it’s more worthwhile to repair.

Halfpenny They are everywhere. We took in a Corsa today in p/x that had been written off twice – Cat C and a Cat S, much to the surprise of the owner. There are definitely more advertised on Auto Trader/trade. I think it’s probably got

something to do with these YouTubers who make it look so easy to buy off Copart then fix/ bodge and sell for big profits.

BMX Bandits I tried to buy a van for four weeks but could only find overpriced wrecks and junk. I eventually got one that was Cat N and Cat S. It’s me Apparently it’s because during Covid insurance inspectors were doing damage inspections by phone and not seeing the vehicle in person. So basically being overly cautious when pricing repairs, meaning more cars were written off.

Lakeside And lots of furloughed workers decided to buy them to fix up to relieve their boredom?

Metcars

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

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DASHBOARD

BUSINESS NEWS

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

PACKAGE

DFS shares plunge after profits warning

SOFA chain DFS Furniture has seen shares slump after warning over its profits following a drop in orders.

The retailer said it had seen a shift in customer demand over its fourth quarter, sending shares tumbling by 17 per cent. It slashed its outlook for underlying pre-tax profit from previous City expectations of around £77m to between £57m and £62m for the year to June 26.

Ex-M&S CEO walks away with £2.6m FORMER Marks & Spencer boss Steve Rowe witnessed his pay and bonus package more than double to £2.6m for the past year.

The retailer also confirmed that the new top three bosses at the business – co-CEOs Stuart Machin and Katie Bickerstaffe plus chief finance officer Eoin Tonge – are in line for around £15m if they meet bonus targets.

Rowe, who stepped down as chief executive of M&S in May, saw his pay and bonuses jump from £1.07m in the previous financial year.

It came after he led the company to a pre-tax profit of £391.7m for the year as it continued its lengthy turnaround.

He was at M&S for six years.

DISMISSED

FirstGroup rebuffs £1.2bn takeover offer

SAVED

Frasers buys Missguided out of administration MIKE Ashley’s retail empire has snapped up troubled fashion brand Missguided in a rescue deal.

Missguided, which employs about 330 staff from its Manchester base, collapsed into administration on May 30 after suppliers accused it of millions of pounds of outstanding payments.

Two days later, Frasers Group, which also owns Sports Direct and House of Fraser, bought the intellectual property of the retailer and sister brand Mennace for some £20m.

44 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

TRANSPORT firm FirstGroup has rejected a £1.2bn takeover proposal from an American serial suitor for being too low.

The Aberdeen-based group said its board believed the unsolicited takeover approach from Miamibased I Squared Capital Advisors ‘significantly undervalued’ its current operations and future prospects and didn’t give shareholders certainty.

2013 WINNER

WINNER

WINNER

WINNER

WINNER

ACTION

PwC fined over Kier Group and Galliford Try audits

AUDIT giant PwC and one of its employees have been fined a combined £3.1m for mistakes that forced construction giant Galliford Try to restate its finances by tens of millions of pounds.

The two were also fined another £2.1m for their audit of Kier Group, another construction giant. The Financial Reporting Council published a long list of reasons for the fines, and the severe reprimands that they came with.

Thank you for your vote!

Finance Provider of the Year (Sub-Prime)

INDEX

Manufacturing growth slows down THE expansion of the UK’s manufacturing sector slowed as inflation ate into household spending and exports dropped.

According to a survey, the sector struggled to keep up its growth in May. Firms blamed weaker growth in UK demand, fewer export orders, troubled supply chains, rising costs and the war in Ukraine. The S&P Global/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index hit 54.6 – down from 55.8 in April.

PARTNER WITH AN AWARD-WINNING COMPANY 0115 946 6260

enquiries@frfl.co.uk

frfl.co.uk/car CarDealerMag.co.uk | 45

DASHBOARD

INDUSTRY VIEWS NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM CAR DEALER LIVE AUTO TRADER

Your new and used cars need to be well merchandised and as attractive and as headturning as you can possibly make them.

Ian Plummer Auto Trader’s commercial director

Digital is key, so don’t go back to pre-pandemic days of focusing on physical buying experience

D

ealers mustn’t return to the prepandemic days of primarily focusing on physical sales but offer a blend of physical and digital.

That’s the view of Auto Trader, whose commercial director Ian Plummer told Car Dealer Live that dealers were ‘missing a trick’ if they think they can return to the days of just offering a physical experience for the customer.

‘It’s always been an adage of ours and of any successful retailer: you’ve got to make sure your product is visible,’ he said.

‘Your new and used cars need to be well merchandised and as attractive and as head-turning as you can possibly make them.

‘As for longer-term trends, retailer and brand partners really need to get on board with digital retailing.

‘We saw how successful retailers were at selling

cars when the doors were closed – they had to sell them at a distance and so on.

‘Now they’ve been able to add the wow factor [for the customer] of being able to test-drive, touch and see the car. And that blend of the digital and physical experience is what consumers are looking for.

‘If you think that you can just keep them [customers] on the old version of maybe just physical and then don’t embrace that digital need, when two-thirds of buyers want to do most of the car-buying digitally in some form or another, then you’re missing a trick.

‘You will have a declining audience to go after. Digital is key.’

Continuing to offer a simple digital journey for customers was just one recommendation from Plummer for dealers wanting to pull ahead in a market that is currently experiencing severe pressures.

Electric cars, said Plummer, is also an area that all dealers will need to start switching on to.

HENDY GROUP

T S A C D PO Driven by

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MORE CAR DEALER PODCASTS 46 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Car sales industry is like working in the entertainment business – we bring joy!

S

elling cars is working in the entertainment business, says one dealer group boss, who believes bringing joy to customers and a special showroom experience are still vital.

Hendy Group chief executive Paul Hendy shared his views on what customers really want when buying a car, saying: ‘We provide joy!

This is a wonderful experience and people are spending lots of money, so let’s make sure that’s something they come away from feeling great about.’

Asked about the future of online car sales, he said: ‘We will see a blended approach,

absolutely we will. My personal opinion is that the minority in the market will still want to transact completely online.

‘At the moment, people will still want to do their researching, shopping, forensic work online, but we still see a significant proportion of our customer base who enjoy the process of coming in, talking to the sales executive who they may already have a historic relationship with because we are part of the community.

‘They are spending significant sums of money, so they want to spend time on the process and get it right. Our job is to facilitate that.’

The latest from our fleet Long-termers: p57

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

Unusual phenomenon of low demand as well as low supply has led to values plateauing

U

sed car values have continued to fall in May but at much lower levels than we saw in March and April, according to Cap HPI. Derren Martin, director of valuations at the firm, said the latest figures seemed to show values were plateauing.

‘In March and April, we dropped our live values both by the same amount of 2.1 per cent on average, which was around £350. But in May we’ve seen what we’d describe as a plateauing really with a bit of stability in the market.

‘It’s pretty mixed out there, but the value drops that we’re seeing are 0.7 per cent down, on average. It’s a lot more stable than it’s been over the last two months, which is quite reassuring for the industry.’

Following the highs of 2021, values have continued to fall, but Martin believes the latest figures are positive news for dealers who are cautious with the stock they are buying.

‘It’s actually calmed down a lot. Looking back at values, apart from last year when values were going up considerably and the Covid year when

It’s very easy for dealers and ourselves to look at the results we achieved over the last 12 months and take it for granted.

Mark Gow DSG Finance Group’s group sales director

we didn’t move values in May, it’s been the most positive May we’ve seen since 2009,’ he said.

He said the reason was unusually low demand and supply, adding that he’s hearing from dealers that demand is around 70 per cent of where they’d expect it to be at this time of year.

‘I think we’re in a really unusual situation where consumer demand is low but supply levels are low as well.

‘We’ve never really been in that situation, not that I can remember anyway.

‘It’s usually that one outweighs the other or you get high supply and high demand.

‘Demand being low and supply from the auctions being low is a bit of a concern but they seem to be balancing each other out.

‘You can put a positive on that, because if there was a lot of stock out there it could be a bit messy with values.’

It’s a lot more stable than it’s been over the last two months, which is quite reassuring for the industry.

Derren Martin Cap HPI’s director of valuations

DSG FINANCE GROUP

As the cost of living increases, will it make life harder for dealers – or could people downsize?

R

ising prices and problems with new car supply will be an ongoing theme this year, and businesses need to be mindful of their own processes as they look ahead.

Group sales director for DSG Finance Group Mark Gow praised dealers for their achievements during the lockdowns but warned that now is the time to consider processes and costs.

‘When the job is going well, people don’t look at the process or look at the jobs they’ve got from suppliers because the job is going great.

‘It’s only when the job is getting tougher that we start to work on these processes. I think that’s something we need to be really mindful of.

‘At the moment, it is softening a little bit, but I think all eyes are going to be on Q4 when the Ofgem price cap gets raised again. It’s very easy for dealers and ourselves to look at the results we achieved over the last 12 months and take it for granted.’

Commenting on current pressures for customers, he said: ‘It’s interesting where we are at the moment because it’s all cost of living, and it depends what camp you’re in – you can look at that a number of ways.

‘You could fall into the camp that it’s going to be harder this year. Alternatively, you could look at it and think, are people going to look to downsize?’

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 47

DASHBOARD

FINANCE NEWS FLA

Service personnel abroad to get protocol help

DEBT

Credit card borrowing grows at its fastest rate since 2005

H

by John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk

ouseholds’ credit card borrowing grew at the fastest annual rate since 2005 in April, according to latest Bank of England figures – just as a string of price rises started to hit. The annual growth rate for all consumer credit, which includes borrowing on car finance, credit cards, overdrafts and personal loans, increased to 5.7 per cent in April from 5.2 per cent in March. This was the highest rate since February 2020.

Within the total, the annual growth rate of credit card borrowing was 11.6 per cent – marking the highest rate since November 2005 – the Money and Credit report said.

A rise in the energy price cap, council tax increases and a 1.25 percentage point rise in national insurance to pay for health and social care were among the higher costs.

RSM UK economist Thomas Pugh said: ‘The latest Money and Credit figures suggest that consumers are increasingly borrowing more to protect their lifestyles from the surge in inflation.’ Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at investment platform Bestinvest, said: ‘The fear is that with inflation at nine per cent – a 40-year-high – and soaring energy and fuel costs, the situation will only worsen as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.’

She added: ‘The risk is that those that take on debt now may be creating a whole host of problems for themselves further down the line when costs rise even further. However, it’s important to note that card borrowing is rising from a real low and this is more of a gentle upward trend than a sudden spike.’

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a package of support to help people with living costs, including assistance targeted at those who are particularly vulnerable.

48 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

THE Finance & Leasing Association and Ministry of Defence have launched a protocol to help ensure that motor finance works better for service personnel who are deployed overseas.

FLA lenders that take part in the protocol will allow a financed vehicle to be taken overseas for the remainder of the finance agreement, so long as the vehicle is comprehensively insured while there. If service personnel do not want, or are unable, to take the vehicle with them on deployment, the motor finance provider will use its best endeavours to find a solution acceptable to the customer.

The FLA will also include these principles in the Specialist Automotive Finance learning material that is used by dealers, brokers and motor finance provider staff across the industry.

While the protocol itself is new, it’ll operate as part of the existing Armed Forces Covenant – now in its 11th year – which pledges that service personnel and their families will face no disadvantage compared with civilian customers.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

TIME IS MONEY RICHARD PYGOTT

A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE AND MARKETING

Don’t keep yourself in the dark over how to sell more

H

Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response.

Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk

ere at First Response Finance, a common question we are asked by members of our dealer network is ‘how do I sell more cars on finance?’. As each dealership’s business, sales process, advertising and setup is different, there is no straightforward answer. However, there are a few things you can do that should have a positive effect on your finance penetration and, at the very least, lead to a greater awareness of how many finance deals you actually process.

Is your finance message visible?

A good place to start is to ensure that you are informing your customers – that finance is a service that you offer wherever you advertise.

Consider reviewing your own website, social media channels and other websites where you list your cars for sale and ensure your finance messaging is visible, consistent and meets FCA regulations. The more aware customers are that you offer finance, the more likely they are to apply, inquire or ask questions directly.

Know where you are now and where you want to be Data truly is king. If you want to increase your finance penetration, one of the most important aspects is understanding how many vehicles you’re selling on finance now, so you can measure whether any changes you have made have had any effect.

An easy way to do this is to record all your sales and how they were paid for. A spreadsheet is the most efficient way, as it’ll give you real data on what your finance penetration is and allow you to set a real goal of how much you want to increase it by.

It’ll also measure your success in selling more cars on finance.

Tweak and measure It can be very tempting to frequently change what you’re doing, especially if you don’t think you’re getting the results you want straight away. Wait and measure results over time, though. If you change your finance messaging too frequently, you won’t know which advert has contributed to an increase or not.

Keep what works and get rid of what doesn’t When you’ve captured data over time, it’ll inform you what works and what doesn’t, and data is always better than guesswork. Simply keep what works and change what doesn’t. Once you know how much you’re selling on finance and what’s contributed towards increases, keep doing it until the data indicates that it no longer works, then change the style or content of the advert. If you inform your customers that you can offer them finance, measure what works and what doesn’t, and implement changes based on data, you’re a lot more likely to sell more cars on finance!

For more advice on how to sell more cars on finance, email marketing@frfl.co.uk.

Data is always better than guesswork.

Simply keep what works and change what doesn’t.

PARTNER WITH AN AWARD-WINNING COMPANY 0115 946 6260

enquiries@frfl.co.uk

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

We could tell you all about how our customers have voted us as the UK’s number one motor finance lender, or that we were voted ‘Sub-prime Finance Provider of the Year’ for seven years by our dealer partners. But we don’t like to blow our own trumpet. Instead, we let our customers do the talking…

I have had four cars through these guys.

They go out of their way to find the right deal and repayments. I will use these every time!

November 2021

Scan the QR code to join our Dealer network and receive a Welcome Hamper* *Subject to the information provided, meeting our onboarding criteria.

First Response Finance Ltd, 5 Regan Way Chetwynd Business Park, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 6RZ. Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England No 03560611.

50 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

DASHBOARD

SUPPLIER NEWS

A ROUND-UP OF WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY RAC DEALER NETWORK

New sales initiative helps with Gap demand

AN innovative new sales initiative is helping the RAC Dealer Network satisfy demand for Gap insurance from used car and van buyers.

A pioneering arrangement has been made for network members who don’t already have the regulatory permissions to offer the product using General Insurance Distribution.

Lee Coomber, RAC sales agent director at partner Assurant, said they believed it to be an innovation.

FIXTER

Renault buys end-to-end maintenance start-up RENAULT Group has bought tech start-up Fixter as part of its digitalisation programme.

The platform, which was founded in London in 2017 by Frédéric Dermer, Limvirak Chea and Cristian Vrabie (pictured above from left) as an end-to-end service to simplify vehicle maintenance, connects people with garages so they can get their vehicle serviced without leaving home. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will help Renault speed up its digitalisation programme, said the manufacturer.

STARTLINE

Dealer used car market optimism takes tumble

THE number of dealers who are optimistic about the used car market dropped from 33 per cent in April to 12 per cent in May. That’s according to Startline Motor Finance, whose CEO Paul Burgess said there had been a rise of 12 percentage points to 36 per cent among those who felt pessimistic.

The data came from Startline’s Used Car Tracker, which saw 54 dealers quizzed. Factors included a weaking in consumer confidence.

IVENDI

Data is always better than guesswork.

Simply keep what works and change what doesn’t.

Richard Pygott p49

UKT360 GROUP

Top appointments in France and Spain

Audrey Piboule is made chief marketing officer

MOTOR retail tech firm iVendi has created business units and made major new appointments in France and Spain.

Nicolas Lacker-Stuhl is country director in France and Alvaro Montero has the same role in Spain.

Chief commercial officer Darren Sinclair, pictured, said establishing the units and appointing the country directors were ‘important staging posts in our international expansion plans’.

UKT360 GROUP has made Audrey Piboule its chief marketing officer.

She will help develop the car turntable manufacturer’s marketing strategy and look to boost new business development opportunities.

Piboule formerly worked for Renault Retail Group in France as its digital used car marketing manager and its group used car marketing manager in London. She joins from PSA Retail, also in France, where she was its used car manager.

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 51

DATA FILE

STATISTICS

SMMT

SALES DATA

THE LATEST REGISTRATION FIGURES

MAY/YEAR TO DATE

TOP

DECLINE

New car sales slump again as deliveries are held back

CARS SOLD IN MAY 2022

by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor

T

he number of new cars registered in the UK slumped by nearly 21 per cent in May, latest figures reveal.

Data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on June 6 showed 124,394 cars rolled out of showrooms that month.

May 2022 was compared with the same month last year, which was the first full month of showrooms being open in 2021 following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

It was down by 20.6 per cent versus May 2021 and showed the impact of ‘continued global supply chain distribution’, said the SMMT. Putting aside the pandemic-hit May 2020 market, May 2022 was the worst May since 1992, according to the industry body.

While purchases from private buyers fell by 10.3 per cent, this market rose by 6.1 percentage points year on year to 53.2 per cent, thanks to carmakers prioritising deliveries.

The overall market is now down by 8.7 per cent this year, which is equivalent to 62,724 fewer units.

Battery-electric vehicles were up by 17.7 per cent, representing one in eight new cars joining the roads in May. Plug-in hybrids declined by 25.5 per cent, while hybrids were up 12 per cent, meaning deliveries of electrified vehicles accounted for three in 10 new cars, said the SMMT. Superminis continue in popularity and remain the most sought-after type of new car, making up nearly 33 per cent of registrations in May. The small-volume luxury car segment was the only area of growth – up 16.8 per cent to 369 units.

The Vauxhall Corsa was the month’s best seller with 4,399 units to its name, followed by the Ford Puma (3,580) and Ford Kuga (3,379).

In fact, the Puma and Kuga are the only models wearing the Blue Oval to appear in the year-to-date chart, with the Fiesta and Focus slipping out of the top 10 list.

The Corsa remains the best-selling car so far in 2022 with 17,198 registrations, followed by the Puma (15,426) and Nissan Qashqai (13,596).

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: ‘In yet another challenging month for the new car market, the industry continues to battle ongoing global parts shortages, with growing battery-electric vehicle uptake one of the few bright spots.

‘To continue this momentum and drive a robust mass market for these vehicles, we need to ensure every buyer has the confidence to go electric.

‘This requires an acceleration in the rollout of accessible charging infrastructure to match the increasing number of plug-in vehicles, as well as incentives for the purchase of new, cleaner and greener cars.

‘Delivering on net zero means renewing the vehicles on our roads at pace, but with rising inflation and a squeeze on household incomes, this will be increasingly difficult unless businesses and private buyers have the confidence and encouragement to do so.’

52 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

Model

Regs

Vauxhall Corsa

4,399

Ford Puma

3,580

Ford Kuga

3,379

Volkswagen Golf

2,623

Mini

2,538

Nissan Qashqai

2,261

Kia Sportage

2,260

Kia Niro

2,258

Volkswagen Polo

2,118

Hyundai Tucson

2,094

Click here to see our top 10 rolling sales charts for May 2021 to May 2022

In yet another challenging month for the new car market, the industry continues to battle ongoing global parts shortages.

Mike Hawes SMMT chief executive

Fifth consecutive monthly decline.

LCV news: p54

-62%

+79%

SUBARU

POLESTAR

Figures supplied by SMMT

MAY 2022 Marque

2022

MAY 2021

% market share

2021

YEAR TO DATE

% market share

% change

2022

% market share

2021

% market share

% change -23.02

Abarth

311

0.25

234

0.15

32.91

719

0.11

934

0.13

Alfa Romeo

129

0.10

139

0.09

-7.19

625

0.09

554

0.08

12.82

17

0.01

19

0.01

-10.53

118

0.02

77

0.01

53.25

9,057

7.28

12,839

8.19

-29.46

46,116

6.98

53,396

7.38

-13.63

187

0.15

103

0.07

81.55

752

0.11

527

0.07

42.69

BMW

8,646

6.95

10,396

6.63

-16.83

44,050

6.66

51,097

7.06

-13.79

Citroen

2,727

2.19

2,400

1.53

13.63

12,705

1.92

13,646

1.89

-6.90

Cupra

973

0.78

644

0.41

51.09

3,828

0.58

2,096

0.29

82.63

Dacia

2,237

1.80

1,414

0.90

58.20

9,739

1.47

5,826

0.80

67.16

Alpine Audi Bentley

DS

293

0.24

207

0.13

41.55

1,121

0.17

669

0.09

67.56

Fiat

1,456

1.17

2,105

1.34

-30.83

9,282

1.40

6,589

0.91

40.87

Ford

11,106

8.93

11,433

7.29

-2.86

50,904

7.70

60,464

8.35

-15.81

Genesis

39

0.03

0

0.00

0.00

188

0.03

0

0.00

0.00

Honda

1,831

1.47

2,662

1.70

-31.22

11,656

1.76

9,413

1.30

23.83

Hyundai

6,955

5.59

6,228

3.97

11.67

33,212

5.02

23,608

3.26

40.68

Jaguar

1,102

0.89

2,364

1.51

-53.38

5,532

0.84

9,485

1.31

-41.68

Jeep

239

0.19

537

0.34

-55.49

1,012

0.15

1,653

0.23

-38.78

Kia

8,530

6.86

8,207

5.24

3.94

48,237

7.30

36,101

4.99

33.62

Land Rover

3,635

2.92

5,494

3.51

-33.84

18,759

2.84

32,419

4.48

-42.14

Lexus

631

0.51

1,266

0.81

-50.16

4,286

0.65

5,634

0.78

-23.93

Maserati

59

0.05

58

0.04

1.72

315

0.05

268

0.04

17.54

Mazda

1,235

0.99

2,611

1.67

-52.70

10,203

1.54

10,156

1.40

0.46

Mercedes-Benz

7,712

6.20

9,515

6.07

-18.95

39,148

5.92

49,883

6.89

-21.52

MG

3,143

2.53

2,453

1.57

28.13

19,695

2.98

10,760

1.49

83.04

Mini

3,365

2.71

3,563

2.27

-5.56

18,461

2.79

17,473

2.41

5.65

0

0.00

1,001

0.64

0.00

0

0.00

3,545

0.49

0.00

4,162

3.35

4,639

2.96

-10.28

25,973

3.93

30,761

4.25

-15.57

Peugeot

5,056

4.06

6,058

3.87

-16.54

26,580

4.02

28,519

3.94

-6.80

Polestar

428

0.34

239

0.15

79.08

2,275

0.34

1,479

0.20

53.82

Porsche

1,454

1.17

921

0.59

57.87

6,808

1.03

5,064

0.70

34.44

Mitsubishi Nissan

Renault

1,688

1.36

2,345

1.50

-28.02

12,635

1.91

12,772

1.76

-1.07

Seat

1,892

1.52

4,808

3.07

-60.65

10,635

1.61

20,412

2.82

-47.90

Skoda

3,758

3.02

6,093

3.89

-38.32

18,138

2.74

26,169

3.62

-30.69

Smart

137

0.11

148

0.09

-7.43

698

0.11

682

0.09

2.35

SsangYong

97

0.08

120

0.08

-19.17

665

0.10

464

0.06

43.32

Subaru

60

0.05

158

0.10

-62.03

445

0.07

596

0.08

-25.34

Suzuki

1,432

1.15

2,664

1.70

-46.25

8,193

1.24

7,882

1.09

3.95

Toyota

7,170

5.76

8,420

5.37

-14.85

41,085

6.21

40,095

5.54

2.47

Vauxhall

7,894

6.35

9,516

6.07

-17.04

37,834

5.72

43,314

5.98

-12.65

10,502

8.44

16,413

10.47

-36.01

44,234

6.69

65,955

9.11

-32.93

2,738

2.20

4,056

2.59

-32.50

16,903

2.56

22,341

3.09

-24.34

153

0.12

236

0.15

-35.17

970

0.15

1,058

0.15

-8.32

158

0.13

2,011

1.28

-92.14

16,387

2.48

10,009

1.38

63.72

-20.64

661,121

Volkswagen Volvo Other British Other imports Total

124,394

156,737

723,845

-8.67

CarDealerMag.co.uk | 53

DATA FILE

GOING DOWN

LCV NEWS

Sales suffer fifth consecutive monthly decline

by John Bowman john@blackballmedia.co.uk MAY saw LCV sales drop by just over a quarter to exactly 22,000 – their fifth consecutive month of decline, according to figures released on June 6 by the SMMT. The industry body said they were down by 25.1 per cent versus May 2021, but although last May saw the highest recorded May registrations at 29,354, the market was still some 21.5 per cent below the five-year pre-pandemic average of 28,041.

Component shortages restricting production and therefore delivery were to blame, said the SMMT, with 39,209 fewer vans registered to date in 2022. Some 869 batteryelectric vans (BEV) were registered in the month – 276 more than last May – making BEV registrations for the year to date 62.7 per cent higher than last year at 6,085.

REGISTRATIONS OF NEW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES LESS THAN 3.5 TONNES Marque

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

Figures supplied by SMMT

MAY 2022

2022

8,624 2,250 1,625 1,593 1,561 1,387 1,238 1,144 525 513 377 330 217 207 158 93 57 38 32 15 13 3 0 0 22,000

% market share

MAY 2021

2021

39.20 10.23 7.39 7.24 7.10 6.30 5.63 5.20 2.39 2.33 1.71 1.50 0.99 0.94 0.72 0.42

9,215 2,892 2,582 2,149 3,453 942 2,255 1,419 501 848 447 147 1,189 251 200 97

0.26 0.17 0.15 0.07 0.06 0.01 0.00 0.00 100.00

37 369 36 16 0 0 0 309 29,354

YEAR TO DATE

% market share

% change

2022

31.39 9.85 8.80 7.32 11.76 3.21 7.68 4.83 1.71 2.89 1.52 0.50 4.05 0.86 0.68 0.33

-6.41 -22.20 -37.06 -25.87 -54.79 47.24 -45.10 -19.38 4.79 -39.50 -15.66 124.49 -81.75 -17.53 -21.00 -4.12

45,595 12,700 10,988 8,440 9,259 6,194 9,767 3,311 1,658 2,210 1,555 1,610 1,156 714 774 592

0.13 1.26 0.12 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.05 100.00

54.05 -89.70 -11.11 -6.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -25.05

327 795 104 93 28 71 0 0 117,941

% market share

2021

38.66 10.77 9.32 7.16 7.85 5.25 8.28 2.81 1.41 1.87 1.32 1.37 0.98 0.61 0.66 0.50

53,119 15,413 11,750 12,505 16,342 6,392 12,925 7,139 1,539 3,947 1,680 504 6,476 1,420 992 461

0.28 0.67 0.09 0.08 0.02 0.06 0.00 0.00 100.00

189 1,645 73 108 0 0 68 2,463 157,150

REGISTRATIONS OF NEW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 3.5 TONNES TO 6.0 TONNES Marque

Ford Mercedes Fiat Peugeot Iveco Maxus Citroen Other imports Vauxhall

MAY 2022

2022

% market share

MAY 2021

2021

% change

33.80 9.81 7.48 7.96 10.40 4.07 8.22 4.54 0.98 2.51 1.07 0.32 4.12 0.90 0.63 0.29

-14.16 -17.60 -6.49 -32.51 -43.34 -3.10 -24.43 -53.62 7.73 -44.01 -7.44 219.44 -82.15 -49.72 -21.98 28.42

0.12 1.05 0.05 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.04 1.57 100.00

73.02 -51.67 42.47 -13.89 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -24.95

Figures supplied by SMMT

YEAR TO DATE

2022

% market share

% market share

% change

% market share

20.10 15.78 28.07 23.09 3.16 0.00 1.16 0.33 0.00

52.07 58.95 -49.11 -76.98 0.00 0.00 14.29 150.00 0.00

603 505 391 299 91 28 75 15 10

28.69 24.02 18.60 14.22 4.33 1.33 3.57 0.71 0.48

2021

% market share

% change

316 587 685 409 126 0 25 17 2

12.98 24.12 28.14 16.80 5.18 0.00 1.03 0.70 0.08

90.82 -13.97 -42.92 -26.89 -27.78 0.00 200.00 -11.76 400.00

184 151 86 32 19 16 8 5 5

36.01 29.55 16.83 6.26 3.72 3.13 1.57 0.98 0.98

121 95 169 139 19 0 7 2 0

MAN

3

0.59

12

1.99

-75.00

19

0.90

59

2.42

-67.80

Renault

2

0.39

0

0.00

0.00

6

0.29

3

0.12

100.00

Volkswagen

0

0.00

20

3.32

0.00

30

1.43

133

5.46

-77.44

Renault Trucks

0

0.00

18

2.99

0.00

18

0.86

65

2.67

-72.31

Isuzu Trucks

0

0.00

0

0.00

0.00

12

0.57

7

0.29

71.43

511

100.00

602

100.00

-15.12

2,102

100.00

2,434

100.00

-13.64

Total heavy CV

54 | CarDealerMag.co.uk

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CarDealerMag.co.uk | 55

DATA FILE

SUPPLIERS GUIDE

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LONG-TERMERS

MAZDA MX-30 We’ve had the MX-30 for quite a while now.

Jon Reay explains what it’s been like living with Mazda’s latest EV

A

fter a year in our possession, it’s time to hand the MX-30 back to Mazda – and to sum up what we’ve learnt after living with the uniquely shaped EV for the past 12 months.

Let’s start with the positives. When the MX-30 first arrived, I wasn’t at all convinced by its crossover-slash-coupe looks – I thought it was a niche that, quite frankly, didn’t need to exist. A year on, though, I’ve grown to like its shapely body and rough-and-tough plastic body cladding. I suspect it’s one of those cars whose design is a smidge ahead of the curve and will age pretty gracefully as a result.

Then there’s the cabin. I’m forever banging on that Mazda is the king of interior design – at least for the price point – and nowhere is that more true than in the MX-30. Not only is it well built and attractive to look at, with an interesting mix of recycled and unusual materials, but it’s typically well thought out too. Rivals might attempt to wow you with their walls of touchscreens, but in day-to-day use the MX-30’s sensible ergonomics beats them hands down.

I’m also a big fan of the infotainment system. It’s not heavily laden with extra features, but it’s attractively designed – feeling properly integral to the car – and blissfully easy to use while on the move. Perhaps most importantly of all, it works flawlessly: quick to start up, and without any of the teething troubles that plague plenty of manufacturers’ efforts these days.

Another typical Mazda trait is the way the MX-30 drives. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s quite a stretch to suggest the MX-30 handles like Mazda’s famous soft-top of a similar name, but for a tall-ish electric crossover it’s not half bad. My biggest takeaway, however, is how downright luxurious it feels against rivals such as the Vauxhall Mokka-e and Nissan Leaf. There’s an air of solidity and refinement to the MX-30 that’s missing from the majority of circa-£30k electric cars – and that’s worth bearing in mind if you’re asking it to soak up the miles of a daily commute.

Now for the not-so-good bits... The elephant in the room with the MX-30 is, of course, its battery – and 12 months on, I can report that it’s very much still its Achilles’ heel. Much has been said about Mazda’s ‘right-sized’ battery gambit, but the reality is its small capacity feels like it was born out of technical and financial limitations rather than anything else.

We’ve kept an open mind over the past year and have used the MX-30 as we’d use a normal petrol-powered car – sometimes to the Mazda’s advantage, sometimes not so much. Short journeys are of course where the MX-30 is happiest – instantaneous torque around town, no noisy engine to warm up and absolute pennies to run. The whole experience is a joy.

Long journeys, on the other hand, are completely impractical. Even with all the stars aligned and perfectly positioned chargers along your route, the MX-30 simply doesn’t rapid-charge quickly enough to make progress. There have been a few other foibles along the way, too. For example, the ‘freestyle’ barn doors aren’t particularly practical, and on our car they began to rattle irritatingly after a few thousand miles.

So, how can we sum up our time with the MX-30? A great-to-drive, nice-to-sit-in EV for around £30k, but fundamentally flawed not just by the size of its battery but also the speed at which it’ll charge. It’s a car we’d have no hesitation recommending – or even buying – as a second car; one that doesn’t have to be burdened with travelling more than 90 miles at a time.

In reality, you’ve got to really want the MX-30 to warrant picking it over its other rivals with bigger batteries – particularly something like an MG ZS, which now offers a tantalising 270mile range for around the same cash. Pick the MX-30 though and you’re guaranteed one of the best-handling, most-refined EVs for the money, with an interior that shames even German premium marques for look and feel. Now please Mazda, just give it a bigger battery would you?

THE KNOWLEDGE Mazda MX-30 GT Sport Tech

Price (after govt grant): £30,345 Engine: Single electric motor Power: 143bhp Torque: 271Nm Max speed: 87mph 0-60mph: 9.7 seconds Fuel economy: 19kWh/100km Emissions: 0g/km CO2 Mileage: 10,910

This month’s highlight: Even after 12 months’ ‘ownership’ we still love the MX-30’s luxurious feel – especially compared with its rivals.

OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING

Audi Q4 e-tron Launch Edition Mileage: 9,066 We’ve been finding out whether it’s possible to live with an electric vehicle if you can’t charge at home.

Nissan Qashqai Mileage: 11,221

The Qashqai has been ferrying family to and fro, but a cracked windscreen has dulled our mood.

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