PLUS: WHO WON WHAT AT THIS YEAR’S AWARDS PLUS JAMES BAGGOTT’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS
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THE BOSS
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James Baggott
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Twitter: @CarDealerEd
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EDITORIAL
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
James Batchelor
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STAFF WRITER
Jack Williams
jack.williams@blackballmedia.co.uk
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ADVERTISING
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ACCOUNT MANAGER
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COURTS
Car dealership thief jailed
A BURGLAR who targeted an Evans Halshaw car dealership in the north of England has been put behind bars.
Thomas Nixon, 42, made off from Evans Halshaw Ford Middlesbrough in a used Dacia Duster, which he used to smash through a roller shutter.
Nixom refused to stop for police and attempted to flee on foot after abandoning the car. He was arrested after a brief pursuit, when he tested positive for cocaine on a saliva swab test and refused to give a blood test.
INDUSTRY
Nissan holds talks over plant deal
NISSAN has held talks with the government over potential investment into its Sunderland plant, with any deal likely to be linked to changes to the ZEV mandate.
Car Dealer reported that the government’s eco targets could be watered down after Keir Starmer overruled his Net Zero minister Ed Miliband and side with business secretary Peter Kyle, who has been pushing for changes. It remains to be seen how the PM’s resignation will impact the tweaks.
NEWS DIGEST
Failed used car dealer Cazoo hit by fresh legal battle as creditor payouts put on hold
Creditors waiting on money from failed used car dealer Cazoo have been dealt a fresh blow after administrators revealed a legal challenge has put any future payouts on hold.
That is according to new documents, filed via Companies House, which show that one creditor has launched court proceedings disputing the firm’s decision on its claim.
While details remain thin on the ground, administrators Teneo say the action has forced a pause on planned payments to unsecured creditors.
The move was announced in a new administrator’s progress report, which covers the period between
November 21, 2025 and May 20, 2026. According to the report, the former Cazoo Group, which collapsed owing hundreds of millions of pounds, now has around £76m of unsecured creditor claims still to be dealt with.
While claims from former employees and HMRC have now been paid in full, thousands of other creditors remain in limbo.
The documents also reveal that the administrator’s costs have ballooned to an eye-watering £7.8m – around £1.8m higher than six months ago – with Teneo now seeking creditors’ approval to draw further fees above the original limits.
Jaguar Land Rover targets £1.7bn cuts to fuel growth plans
JAGUAR Land Rover is looking to cut costs by as much as £1.7bn but hopes that luxury car buyers can provide exactly the catalyst for growth the firm needs.
The British marque is continuing to recover from last year’s cyber attack and has been outlining its goals for the coming year.
Bosses say the company will be focusing on North America as a priority region, with the US already JLR’s biggest global market. The powers that be are also eyeing investment in regions including India and the
Middle East, while key markets in in the UK, Europe and China also remain important.
The carmaker is hoping to tap into rising demand for luxury products and cater to wealthy consumers with exclusive designs and tailored models.
The company said it was targeting revenue growth in the double digits by expanding hybrid options and launching new models. It is also hoping to make sweeping cost savings through cuts in areas like materials, warranty and fixed costs.
INQUEST
Car salesman hit tree at 100mph
A CAR salesman died after he careered off the road and hit a tree in a 100mph crash, an inquest has heard.
Ryan Featherstone, 28, worked in the sales team at Drayton Motors in Lincolnshire and was testing a potential route for customers when he lost control of a grey BYD Seal last December.
An inquest into his tragic death has now taken place at the Myle Cross Centre in Lincoln, where it was heard that the salesman was driving the BYD for the first time.
PEOPLE
BMW names new Park Lane MD
BMW has announced that James Morrison is to take over as managing director of its flagship Park Lane dealership. No, the singer-songwriter has not had a drastic career change – it’s his namesake who has been promoted having worked for the German brand for over two decades. Morrison is to take on the role from August 1, when he will succeed Michelle Roberts, who has been appointed vice president customer, brand & sales at BMW M GmbH.
NEWS DIGEST
A FORMER Volkswagen Group UK boss has revealed he questioned the agency sales model from the very beginning, saying manufacturers failed to understand the impact it would have on dealers.
Paul Willis, who served as managing director of Volkswagen Group UK before later joining Middle East car retail giant Al-Futtaim Automotive, said he was present when the carmaker first began developing its agency strategy and warned colleagues it would not work for volume car brands.
Speaking on the Car Dealer Podcast, Willis said he believed manufacturers underestimated the role retailers
Caffyns slumps to major pre-tax loss
CAR dealer group Caffyns has slumped to a pre-tax loss, following a decline in new car sales.
The listed retailer published its full results via the London Stock Exchange last month, in which bosses bemoaned ‘significant trading headwinds’.
According to the documents, the firm made a pre-tax loss of £1.72m in the 12 months to the end of March, having previously turned a profit of £246,000. Turnover also dropped by 2% to £270.66m – despite aftersales revenues climbing 6% to £32.7m –thanks in part to new car deliveries being down 11% year-on-year.
Ex-Volkswagen Group UK boss says agency model was ‘never viable’
play in driving sales and profitability.
Willis said: ‘I was in the room in Ingolstadt when we started putting the whole agency thing together.
‘You have to remember, what was the purpose of agency? The purpose of agency was because of the increase in development costs in OEMs and because of the erosion of margins due to intermediaries.
‘The question was: how do OEMs improve their margin? The way they thought they could improve their margin was through an agency-type model.’
Questions raised over Burnham’s EV strategy
AUTOTRADER expects the government to press on with proposed changes to the ZEV mandate but says questions remain about Andy Burnham’s electric vehicle strategy.
Car Dealer reported last week that Labour were planning on relaxing electric car targets after Keir Starmer overruled his Net Zero minister Ed Miliband and sided with business secretary Peter Kyle, who has been pushing for changes.
The proposals would see the requirement for 80% of new car sales to be fully electric by 2030 reduced to 50%.
BMW appoints new UK and Ireland CEO
BMW is to get a new boss in the UK and Ireland, with Neil Fiorentinos set to step into the hot seat later this year.
Fiorentinos will become chief executive officer of BMW Group UK and Ireland from September 1, replacing David George, who is leaving for a ‘leadership opportunity’ elsewhere.
The new man has been with BMW since 1994 and has held a number of senior leadership roles across the organisation, including CEO of BMW Netherlands and president and CEO of BMW Group Asia.
Car Care Plan unveils tech-led strategy for smarter vehicle aftercare
Car Care Plan is embarking on a data-driven, technology-led transformation that will impact all areas of its vehicle warranty and aftersales product business. Strategic, innovative upgrades are being rolled out across everything from customer claims to client reporting analytics, ensuring the company stays ahead in a fastmoving automotive market.
As an award-winning vehicle aftercare provider that has supported the industry’s most recognisable brands for over 50 years, Car Care Plan has extensive experience of consumers’ evolving preferences and behaviours. The latest initiative builds on that expertise, delivering faster, digitally enhanced products and services while streamlining delivery and integration for manufacturer, dealer and affinity partners.
At the core of the investment programme is a vast data repository containing claims data, sales metrics, and third-party enrichment information from over a million active products each year. Car Care Plan’s vehicle warranty provision, claims processing, retail and add-on insurance journeys are just a few of the areas being enhanced through this data-driven upgrade programme.
Technology-enhanced products and services
Car Care Plan’s ambitious transformation strategy will enhance products and services to deliver greater value for their retailer partners and customers. Some of those changes include:
• Warranty – Redeveloped systems to align with individual OEM factory warranty processes, incorporating parts prices, repair times, and defect
codes. The upgrade creates a simpler, more consistent system for dealers, while adding parity between customers with an extended, approved used or retailer warranty and those making a claim under the original factory warranty.
• Claims portals – Following the launch of a dedicated claims tool for cosmetic and alloy wheel insurance products, they are now implementing a fully automated claims process. By automating assessment and authorisation, while maintaining call centre support for vulnerable customers, claims processing is expected to accelerate by two working days. They are also enhancing the retail insurance sales portal by utilising smart autofill technology.
• Reporting analytics – Car Care Plan’s new product reporting tool provides up-to-date information and insights on how a vehicle aftercare programme is performing. For example, their warranty reporting portal provides sales and claims’ performance data to allow oversight across regional, national, and even global activity.
• AI integration – AI technology is being deployed to provide insights from the company’s vast data repository, from more than a million contracts on risk globally, to better support customers and deliver fast product enhancements. For example, with rising annual BEV and hybrid sales, data insights help ensure products continue to reflect evolving customer requirements and behaviours.
Technology benefits for retail partners and customers
Simon Cook, Sales Director at Car Care Plan, says the changes have been ‘exceptionally well received’ by customers. He continued: ‘We’re in such a fast-moving world that it’s imperative to have robust data on tap, which not only informs but preempts, allowing businesses to make the right decisions at the right time. Data is equally vital for the consumer experience. Customers want convenience, hassle-free interactions, and straightforward products. If they need to make a claim or a change, they want to do it at their own behest.
‘Customers expect us to understand what’s important for them and to tailor products that deliver the outcomes they are looking for, which is where smart usage of data will help us. By better anticipating customers’ changing requirements we can better bespoke our services. It’s an omnipresent requirement in the business that we continue to focus on customer need, looking at what the data is telling us about how they interact with us and using that to finesse and improve our proposition.’
BITE-SIZE
Click on the text box for the full story
DEALERS: Perrys Group has announced a ‘resilient’ financial performance in its end of year accounts for the 12 months to December 31, 2025. It reports that revenue grew 2.6% from £768.4m in 2024 to £788.5m last year. Profit before tax was up slightly to £2.8m, from £2.6m.
DEALERS: Waylands has announced plans to open a new Polestar dealership in Newbury as it looks to expand its growing partnership with the Swedish brand. The retailer says the new stateof-the-art facility has been designed around Polestar’s signature retail concept.
SALES: Dacia has slashed a whopping £4,000 off the price of its Spring electric city car making it the UK’s cheapest new car on sale – just 24 hours after Leapmotor claimed the title. The Romanian brand has lowered the car’s entry price to £11,990 – £1,000 cheaper than the Leapmotor T03.
MOT: The Independent Garage Association has called for the government to increase the price of MOT tests as businesses continue to battle rising costs. Recently, the DVSA announced increases to MOT fees for buses and HGVs, but class 4, 5 and 7 vehicles have not been included in the rises.
DEALERS: The rise of new car brands in the UK appears to be changing attitudes in the used car market, with dealers reporting a decline in brand loyalty among buyers. Almost three quarters (74%) of dealers believe used car buyers are now less loyal to traditional brands than they were in the past.
NEWS DIGEST
GVE London accountant denies defrauding supercar dealer but faces FOUR YEAR wait for trial
AN ACCOUNTANT accused of defrauding failed supercar dealer GVE London out of 750,000 is set to stand trial –although not for another four years!
Sarena Youssuf is accused of abusing her position at the retailer and making unauthorised payments, totalling £750,145 to a number of bank accounts, including her own.
The BBC reports that she has also been accused of stealing a chequebook and using criminal property, namely £679,092, between January 2021 and January
TOYOTA
Car dealer delivers ‘strong performance’
TOYOTA specialist Steven Eagell has reported a ‘resilient’ year of trading in 2025, despite profits taking a hit. Accounts, recently filed via Companies House, show that Steven Eagell Holdings Limited made a pre tax profit of £10.88m in the 12 months to the end of last December.
The figure is down almost 30% on 2024’s £15m, with bosses pointing to headwinds including ‘external cost pressures’ and a ‘competitive labour market’.
2025.
The 37-year-old appeared at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday), where she pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, theft and using criminal property. She was released on bail ahead of a trial but Judge Fiona Barrie said a backlog in the court system means that her hearing won’t take place until October 2030. Addressing the defendant, of Silvertown, east London, Judge Barry said: ‘I am sorry about that, I appreciate that that’s years away.’
Volkswagen steps up cost-cutting plans
VOLKSWAGEN is set to step up its cost-cutting plans, with as many as 100,000 jobs likely to be axed as part of saving measures.
The German manufacturer is looking to make cost savings worth €11bn (£9.5bn) by 2030, with four car plants in Germany expected to be put under review, ahead of production ending altogether.
The measures would mean double the number of job losses than had previously been anticipated.
THE government’s electric car targets are hurting manufacturers with the industry unable to wait for ‘lengthy’ discussions over reforms, the car industry’s trade body has said. A new report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says if the current ZEV Mandate targets aren’t revised and UK-EU trade protected, the UK car industry will face a loss of investment and jobs. The SMMT’s report sets out a ‘blueprint’ for the next prime minister.
EVENT WHO WON WHAT AT THIS YEAR’S AWARDS?
Presented by James Baggott and James Batchelor,
this year’s survey results provided some
real surprises.
The cream of the motor trade have been revealed in the Car Dealer Power Awards 2026.
Since March, car dealers across the UK have had their say on the best suppliers they do business with and the car manufacturers they represent.
We received around 2,000 responses to our responses this year, giving us a fantastic picture of which carmakers and suppliers are doing a great job.
The hugely deserved winners in 24 categories were revealed in a special video filmed by the Car Dealer team, which you can watch at the top of this story.
BMW held onto its Manufacturer of the Year gong, coming out on top in the carmakers category once again and followed up its win in 2025.
Toyota slipped to third place after Chinese brands Omoda/Jaecoo surprised all by splitting our winner and the Japanese powerhouse.
Volkswagen was the biggest climber, rising an incredible 14 places to finish sixth overall. It’s one of the biggest improvements we’ve seen in recent years and suggests dealers have noticed significant improvements across the franchise.
There were also five-place drops for BYD, MG and Hyundai, but finishing dead last was Vauxhall.
The British brand dropped nine places to finish bottom of the manufacturer rankings. Dealers gave the brand reasonable scores for finance and forward planning, but lower marks across several other categories left it anchored to the foot of the table.
The full results, including detailed scores in the 13 categories car dealers voted in for each car maker, can be found here.
In the supplier categories winners and highly commended placed firms were named in 24 categories.
You can find out who won what in the video link below and read what the winners of each category had to say on our website.
CARS OF THE YEAR
Small Car of the Year Nissan Micra
THE reborn Nissan Micra impressed dealers enough to take the Small Car of the Year crown before the model has even reached many showroom floors.
The all-electric supermini marks the return of one of the UK’s best-known model names, combining distinctive styling with EV technology developed as part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
Mid-sized Car of the Year Jaecoo 7
THE Jaecoo 7 has quickly established itself as one of the UK’s biggest automotive success stories, helping propel the new Chinese brand into the mainstream thanks to its strong specification, competitive pricing and choice of petrol and plugin hybrid powertrains.
Large Car of the Year Chery Tiggo 9
THE seven-seat SUV impressed dealers with its generous equipment levels, spacious interior and value-for-money proposition, helping it stand out in a competitive family SUV market. It’s one of the most affordable cars of its type, and is helping make the brand be ‘even more appealing’ to a greater audience, one dealer told us.
Click
Mark Docherty, marketing manager at Autoglym
Lauren Ambrose, operations director at 67 Degrees
GardX’s global chief revenue officer, Dylan Haskell
Rebecca Clark, director of customer and data at Autotrader
THE WINNERS
MANUFACTURER
Manufacturer of the Year
BMW
Small Car of the Year
Nissan Micra
Mid-sized Car of the Year
Jaecoo 7
Large Car of the Year
Chery Tiggo 9
SUPPLIERS
Cleaning Product
Autoglym
Recruitment Agency
Perfect Placement
Used Car Valuations
Autotrader
Consumer Lead Generation
Autotrader
Dealer Management System
DealerKit
Website Provider for Independent Dealers
67 Degrees
Website Provider for Franchised Dealers
Keyloop
Provenance Checks
Experian
Warranties
Warrantywise
Paint Protection
GardX
Auction House
G3 Vehicle Auctions
Online Advertiser for New Cars Carwow
SUPPLIERS
Recruitment Agency
Pybus Recruitment
Used Car Valuations
Cap HPI
Consumer Lead Generation
CarGurus
Dealer Management System
Autopromotor & Click Dealer
Website Provider for Independent Dealers
MTC Autonomy & Click Dealer
Website Provider for Franchised Dealers
Haswent
Provenance Checks
Cap HPI
Warranties
Autoguard Warranties & Warranty Solutions Group
Paint Protection
Diamondbrite & Autoglym
Consumer to trade stock accquisition platform
Motorway
Trade to Trade stock acquisition
Dealer Auction
Online Advertiser for Used Cars
Autotrader
Finance (Sub-Prime)
First Response
Finance (Prime)
Close Brothers Motor Finance
Finance Broker
Octane Finance
Personalised Video
CitNOW AI product
Xcceleraite
Data insight Cazana
Extra Mile Award
Lawgistics
Product Innovation Brego
Trade Insurance
Howden
Auction House Manheim & Central Car Auctions
Trade to Trade Stock Acquisition
Cartotrade
Online Advertiser for Used Cars
CarGurus
AI Product
Impel & Dealerkit
Data Insight
JATO & Experian
BMW has strengthened its positioning as the industry’s best car manufacturer to represent by winning Car Dealer Power 2026.
The German carmaker has become a double-champion, after finishing in first place in Car Dealer Power 2025.
Last year’s runner-up, Toyota, slipped to third place, after being beaten by a surprising new entrant.
Omoda/Jaecoo has made huge gains in the UK market by snapping up dealers and launching cars that Brits want. Its Jaecoo 7 has been flying out of showrooms – it was even March’s best-selling new car – and it seems dealers are extremely happy with the franchise.
Meanwhile, Vauxhall fell nine places to finish plumb last, with dealers not impressed with the Stellantis-owned British brand on a number of fronts.
Car Dealer Power asks dealers across the UK to rank their manufacturer partners in 13 categories that cover all areas of the franchise. The scores for the individual categories are then taken to create the overall score.
The full results, brand by brand, are revealed to the right of this story. This year’s scores were higher than 2025’s, with BMW topping the table with 89.8% compared with the 84.3% it achieved last year.
Speaking about the win, BMW UK sales director Debbie McIntosh said: ‘Winning this award is absolutely fantastic and a real privilege.
‘Collecting awards is always very, very special. But this one really is because it’s coming from the people that we work with on a daily basis, our retailer partners, which just makes it that extra bit special.’
McIntosh explained that BMW works hard with its dealers on creating a mutually beneficial partnership.
‘We’re really a single team – we try and work with them, be as transparent as possible and do it with them rather than for them,’ she said.
WHERE DID YOUR CAR MANUFACTURER RANK THIS YEAR?
HONDA SUPER N
The Super N brings Japan’s legendary ‘Kei’ car to the UK, but can it handle the roads here?
Jack Evans finds out.
WHAT IS IT?
In Japan, there’s a type of car which punches well above its weight in terms of sales. Called the ‘Kei Car’ class, it’s a compact type of vehicle which has existed in the country for decades, allowing people to drive for less thanks to lower rates of insurance and fewer parking restrictions.
To qualify for this, Kei cars need to comply with set size and engine requirements, making them tiny compared to ‘full-size’ vehicles. Kei cars haven’t officially been on sale in the UK, up until now, that is, with the arrival of Honda’s Super N.
WHAT’S NEW?
Okay, so there’s a slight caveat; in order for Honda to make the Super N more appetising to European buyers, it’s slightly larger and more spacious than your typical Kei car. That said, it’s still a whole lot smaller than your typical supermini. In fact, it’s around 200mm shorter than a Fiat 500.
To up the ante, the Super N has also been tuned on UK roads to make sure that it handles as buyers here expect and comes equipped with a broad range of standard features that would ordinarily count as optional extras with other brands. At £18,995, it’s arriving with a very low price tag, too.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
If you haven’t guessed already, the Super N is an electric vehicle designed, primarily, for use in cities and urban environments. It’s a single-motor setup, hooked up to a small battery for a claimed range of 128 miles, or 199 miles if you’re driving mainly around the city, according to Honda.
Zero to 60mph is a leisurely 14 seconds and a top speed of 84mph means that the Super N just have just about enough in the ‘tank’ to do motorway driving. A small battery means that the Super N can be charged quickly and at a speed of 50kW, you should be able to manage a 10 to 80% top-up in around 30 minutes.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Honda has a few tricks up its sleeve designed to make the Super N more exciting than your typical EV from behind the wheel. To begin with, it has equipped it with a complete ‘engine sound’ which combines the noise from a classic Integra’s exhaust with a video game-style effect to create something which does sound genuinely different. Then, this is linked to a full ‘simulated gearshift’ which recreates the feel of changing gears via the wheel-mounted paddles. It works very well and helps to make you feel a little more in tune with the car.
Power
The single electric motor develops 94bhp and 162Nm of torque
THE KNOWLEDGE
Honda Super N
Price (as tested): £18,995 Engine: Single electric motor
Power: 94bhp
Torque: 162Nm
O-60mph: 14 seconds
Max speed: 84mph
Range: 128 miles
Charging speed: 50kW
Cabin
The interior is surprisingly spacious with a solid and chucky feel throughout.
But tech aside, how does the Super N drive? Well, because it’s so small, you’ve got more space within a lane to work with and the compact body rolls very little through the bends. The net result is a car which does feel quite accurate and exciting to drive. The best part is that it gives this experience at slower speeds, so there’s no need to endanger your licence in order to have a good time.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
The Super N looks nothing like anything else on the road today. Honda has a habit of achieving this – remember the Honda e, after all – and with the Super N you’ve got a car that’ll turn heads, despite its compact size. Its launch purple colour is particularly outlandish, but there are more subtle shades to choose from if you’re not feeling quite so controversial.
You can also get the Super N with additional sticker packs and bumper kits, so there’s some decent scope for customisation if you’d like to take ‘your’ car even further.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
Step inside the Super N and things get a lot more spacious than you might expect. Because of this car’s boxy design, there’s quite a lot of headroom and, as a dedicated four-seater, you don’t feel too squashed in the back. There’s even quite a bit of rear-seat legroom, too. You’ve got it all wrapped in typical Honda build quality, which is to say that everything feels solid and far more chunky than you might think from a car of this size and shape.
Boot space isn’t bad, either, at 162 litres with the rear seats in place, or 618 litres with the seats down. Both of those figures are loaded to the windows; so you can get more in if you’re willing to pack kit to the roof.
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
As mentioned, the Super N is priced from £18,995 and comes in just a single grade which is loaded with equipment. Elements such as heated seats, full air conditioning and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, so you shouldn’t have to want for more. The good news is that there are plenty of physical buttons to access all of these features, too, and it’s a showcase of how much more intuitive this kind of design is over a screencentric one.
The only real options are the additional paint colours and sticker packs. Honda is also offering the Super N with some very low rates of finance which, for many people, will make this car even more attractive.
VERDICT
The Honda Super N won’t be for everyone. With its rather outlandish looks, limited range and compact interior, it’s not going to suit all types of drivers. However, all-around appeal is missing the point of this car; it’s all about a little character.
You can tell some actual thought and flair has gone into the Super N, both in terms of design and dynamics, too. Against a background of rather mundane-looking EVs currently on sale, the Super N stands out, which makes it well worth investigating yourself.
Against a background of rather mundane-looking EVs currently on sale, the Super N stands out.
TARGET BUYERS:
Those looking for an affordable and easy-to-livewith electric car. THE RIVALS:
Design
The car’s looks will certainly turn heads with its compact size and purple paint job!
Twingo Dacia Spring
Dolphin Surf KEY SELLING POINTS:
Cool styling
It’s equipped with Honda’s ‘Magic Seats’
Boost button for extra power
DEAL CLINCHER:
It’s a quirky, affordable and practical electric city car that has dinky Kei car credentials.
JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS
What’s happening?
This month we heard the news that Skywell – one of the many new Chinese brands to have entered the UK in the last few years – had quit.
And it won’t be the last. While Chinese firms are seemingly launching every week, the new car landscape is getting increasingly crowded.
While this is an interesting time for consumers, with more choice and great value available in the new car market, it does mean dealers need to make some difficult decisions when deciding which firm to back.
So, which Chinese car brand would I put my money on?
Before I answer that, let’s look at the facts. In June, Chinese car brands accounted for more than 11% of the new car market.
BYD alone snapped up nearly 3% with its 6,242 sales beating the numbers chalked up by established brands including Cupra, Dacia, Honda, Land Rover, Mazda and Mini.
Jaecoo wasn’t far behind. It sold 6,071 – nearly three times the number of cars Citroen managed to post in June and secured the seventh best selling car with its 7.
These are incredible figures from brands that weren’t here three years ago. In fact, Jaecoo launched less than 18 months ago and is still a mere toddler in the car world.
Geely was a whisker away from a 1% market share with 2,119 sales and Chery, meanwhile, clocked up 1.8% with 3,836 sales.
But while the headliners are making impressive gains, the outriders are dwindling. Xpeng secured 245 sales, Skywell sold 64 cars, GWM managed a lowly seven and Maxus just TWO.
So, it’s not all rosy is it? Those four Chinese brands have dealers to try and push volume through and they’re clearly not cutting it.
I’d be pretty cheesed off if I’d set up the Clever Car Collection to represent Skywell or GWM, that’s
for sure.
At the same time as these figures emerged, I was getting behind the wheel of a few Chinese cars at Car Dealer towers. On test was a Chery Tiggo 9 and Jaecoo 7 – both very impressive cars.
After stints behind the wheel of both it’s clear why these brands are snapping up huge chunks of the new car market. Yes, they’re not without the odd fault or annoyance, but that’s not a Chinese car thing – it’s symptomatic of all new cars these days. Bongs, bings and warnings are a sad part of modern driving and why I prefer used models.
I’ve driven a fair few of these new entrants now and heard from my colleagues who have tested others and the one that impresses the
most is Chery.
The Tiggo 9 is a really rather good seven-seater that has a whiff of Mercedes about it. Premium feeling materials, nice chunky doors, great technology on a massive screen and it drives, er, perfectly well.
And that is the thing. People upgrading from 10-year-old Vauxhall Mokkas into these new cars will think they’re driving a Rolls-Royce. Perfectly well is miles ahead of the older used car they’re chopping in.
So, if I were to put my money where my mouth is, I’d be knocking on Chery’s door for a franchise. I wonder if they’d like representation in sunny Gosport? Who would you back?
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The Need to Knows
Lookers aiming
to be UK’s number one dealer group as profits rise
Lookers increased pre-tax profit by 33.9% to £58.5m in 2025 as revenue climbed 1.5% to £4.35bn, driven by higher new and used car sales. The dealer group sold 105,814 new cars (+9.3%) and 76,754 used cars (+2.3%), while £14.6m of cost savings and lower finance costs boosted profitability. Chairman Alex Smith said the Global Auto Holdings-owned business aims to become the UK’s number one dealer group through operational improvements, technology investment, franchise expansion and growth in aftersales, fleet and leasing.
Data shows EV battery repairs less common than many buyers fear
New Warrantywise data suggests battery failures are far less common than many used EV buyers fear, with electrical faults, suspension issues and central locking accounting for the majority of repair claims. The only EV-specific component in the top five was the on-board charger, which had the highest average repair cost at £2,158.75. Warrantywise also reported a 68.2% increase in EV warranty sales between 2024 and 2025, reflecting continued growth in the used electric car market.
Arnold Clark set to acquire family-run car dealership
Arnold Clark is set to acquire family-run Seat retailer W.Livingstone Ltd, with a staff memo revealing the proposed takeover is expected to complete on August 7 following 65 years of family ownership. The Uddingston dealership, which has remained under the Livingstone family’s control for three generations, has begun employee consultation ahead of the proposed transfer to Arnold Clark. If completed, the deal would expand Arnold Clark’s Seat network in Scotland by adding the award-winning retailer to its existing operations.
What I’ve heard
THIS month Autotrader held another of their dealer partner meetings where a selection of new and used retailers gave the ad platform feedback.
The first meeting saw a lot of the group tell Autotrader about a variety of things they weren’t happy with and now they’re been hearing about some of the changes coming down the track.
My sources tell me that one of the major tweaks planned is a refresh of the much-disliked price flags on car dealer adverts. These have been a source of consternation for dealers since they were introduced, telling customers if a car was lower, great, good, fair or high priced.
These different bandings come with different colours with good and great getting shades of green, fair is yellow and high price flagged as red – a sort of traffic light warning system. Dealers hated it from the outset and have said it doesn’t take into account why the cars might be priced that way.
The site also tells customers how much in pounds the car might be ‘over’ or ‘under’ priced – something else that gets up dealers’ noses.
It sounds like Autotrader might be listening and I’m told it could be testing some new colours for those price flags. While nothing is confirmed, I understand dealers were shown more pastel colours to tone down the impact of the traffic light colour scheme. There was positive feedback from the dealers I spoke to about what they saw, but the pricing information looks likely to remain in place.
Pic of the month
The Ineos Grenadier Station Wagon and Quartermaster have been approved for UK police use after passing the Metropolitan Police’s demanding testing programme. The approval allows both models to enter blue light service and is expected to encourage wider adoption across UK emergency services.
One dealer told me Autotrader is also considering adding a box under the attention grabbers and near the price flags that dealers could use to justify why the car might be sat at a ‘fair’ price or whatever flag it falls into. They could explain it was because of its condition, its rarity or something else, but this would give the flag some context. I quite liked that idea.
While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, it sounds like Autotrader might just be listening and if these Customer Advisory Groups lead to some tweaks that benefit all dealers then that’s a very good thing. We’ll be watching what happens next very closely.
CAR NEWS ROUND-UP
BMW Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results...
Bold new look revealed for new X5
Nissan introduces lower-priced Leaf
NISSAN has launched an entrylevel Leaf with a new, smallerbattery version.
Priced from £28,849 inclusive of the government’s full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, the 52kWh battery version sits underneath the already-introduced 75kWh version in the range.
It puts it well under the £32,249 for the standard Leaf with the larger battery, which has been the only option up until now.
BMW has launched its fifth-generation X5 which arrives with a broad range of powertrains, including a new hydrogen version.
The X5 has been a core part of the German brand’s line-up for decades, having launched in 1999 as BMW’s first SUV. This latest model comes with a new design that resembles the recently introduced iX3, featuring slim
Skoda tops electric line-up with Peaq
SKODA has introduced a new flagship EV model with its seven-seater Peaq.
Set to go on sale in September, the Peaq arrives with a range of up to 390 miles and the ability to charge from 10 to 80% in around 28 minutes. Skoda has already confirmed that the Peaq will be priced from £51,980 with SE L, Edition and SportLine and the option of either two- or all-wheel-drive.
headlights and a compact interpretation of BMW’s kidney grilles. It arrives as the third model in BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ range of vehicles, alongside the i3 and the iX3. BMW has launched the X5 with five separate powertrains, too. Things kick off with standard petrol and diesel models, with these joined by plug-in hybrid, electric and hydrogen-powered cars.
Upgraded Polestar 4 on sale from £56,750
POLESTAR has updated its electric 4 coupe with a series of chassis tweaks and a revised trim layout.
Priced from £56,750 and available to order now, the 4 coupe has a recalibrated chassis in rear- and dual-motor variants. Changes include new dampers, springs, and anti-roll bar settings designed to make the driving experience ‘more controlled’, according to the Swedish brand.
Discovery line-up gains Landmark trim
THE Land Rover Discovery has gained a new specification with the Landmark.
It sits alongside the existing Tempest and S trim levels to broaden the range of available specifications and arrives with a new Tasman Blue exterior colour alongside a host of other features.
The special grade also features a mountain logo on the front tread plates, centre console and B-pillar insert.
POLESTAR
LAND ROVER SKODA NISSAN
Lamborghini takes Urus SE up a notch
LAMBORGHINI has pushed its Urus SE SUV to the limit with a new Performante version.
Usually reserved for the brand’s highest-performance models, the Performante name was previously used on the standard V8-powered Urus.
It’s the first time that it has found its way onto the recently introduced Urus SE, which combines the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with an electric motor to create the most powerful Urus ever made with a total output of 799bhp and 1,000Nm of torque.
Lamborghini claims that the Urus SE Performante will go from 0-60mph in just over three seconds and flat-out will manage 194mph.
‘Cheapest new car’ title reclaimed
DACIA has cut £4,000 off the price of its Spring EV to reclaim its title of the UK’s cheapest car just 24 hours after Leapmotor took the mantle.
The cost-cutting measure means that the Spring now comes in at £11,990, making it £1,000 cheaper than the Leapmotor T03. China-based Leapmotor introduced a larger version of its ‘Leap-Grant’ on June 30, cutting £3,000 off the price to £12,995.
Morgan revives hard-top cars with new coupe
MORGAN has created its first hard-top tap in more than a decade with its latest ultraexclusive Midsummer Coupe.
Just nine examples of the sports car will be made, but all get a new fixed roof – the first time that such a car has been built by the firm since the Aero 8 which left production in 2015. The vehicle has been created through a partnership between Morgan and design house Pininfarina.
DACIA
MORGAN
NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM THE CAR DEALER PODCASTS
Sponsored by
If you look at the distribution strategy and the behaviour of BYD, I would question some of the things that they have been doing.
Paul Willis Former Volkswagen UK boss
Ex-Volkswagen UK boss warns car dealers to be cautious before signing with Chinese brands
Former Volkswagen UK boss Paul Willis has warned car dealers to be ‘very, very cautious’ before signing up with Chinese manufacturers, saying franchise agreements need to be scrutinised carefully as the brands rapidly expand across Europe.
Willis spent more than 40 years in the motor industry, including as managing director of Volkswagen Group UK and more recently with Middle East retailer Al-Futtaim Automotive. He said dealers should pay close attention to distribution contracts and the long-term profitability of Chinese franchises.
Speaking on the Car Dealer Podcast, Willis said he believed BYD would be his preferred Chinese brand if he were building a dealer group today, but said retailers should still proceed carefully.
You can listen to the interview in full by clicking the link below or watch the interview on our YouTube channel.
He explained: ‘Well, I did. I invested in BYD. I’ve spoken to all of them. I’ve been interviewed by all of them and I’ve interviewed all of them. So I
think BYD is probably the one.
‘However, again, if you look at the distribution strategy and the behaviour of BYD, I would question some of the things that they have been doing.’
Willis said his wider message to dealer groups was one of caution, and gave an example he had witnessed in Spain from a dealer group working with the Chinese car maker.
‘My overarching point would be to a dealer group, you need to be very, very cautious because I can give you an example of Madrid,’ he said.
‘One of the biggest dealer groups in Madrid opened a number of BYD outlets. Unfortunately, after two years, BYD’s view of the volume potential and their view of the volume potential was quite far apart.
‘BYD just opened a number of dealerships and resliced the market areas completely.
‘Within the distribution contract, or the retailer contract, that was in there, and they won’t take that out because it gives them more flexibility.
‘That makes it very, very difficult for a retailer if the ground underneath them continues to shift all the time.’
What one car dealer has learned after 30 years in business
Aused car dealer celebrating 30 years in business says he now sells half as many cars as he did before Covid while making broadly the same amount of money.
Simon Shield, of Simon Shield Cars in Suffolk, marked three decades in business this year and reflected on the dramatic changes he has witnessed in the motor trade since setting up on his own in 1995.
Speaking on the Car Dealer Podcast, Shield said the secret to longevity has been staying independent, remaining debt-free and focusing
on quality rather than chasing volume.
He said: ‘We’re selling half as many cars than I used to sell pre-Covid, or say 10 years ago, but what we’re doing is we’re getting decent margins because we’re not spending fortunes on repairing old junk that comes out of an auction.
‘It feels really bad because you think the forecourt’s empty, we’re not getting anywhere here. But actually, you get to the end of the year and you’ve made the same amount of money.’
On this episode of the podcast Shield talks in
depth about the industry and how he has made a success of their business. You can listen to it in full by clicking play below or searching for Car Dealer Podcast on podcast platforms.
He also called for the introduction of a licensing system for used car dealers, arguing that it would help raise standards across the industry and improve consumer confidence.
He said: ‘There should be some sort of formal licensing system whereby you have to achieve a certain level of capability and you have to work from a licensed premises.’
SIMON SHIELD CARS
Quick decisions Faster deals
FINANCE NEWS
FCA suspends parts of motor finance redress scheme pending legal challenge
by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor
Compensation for mis-sold motor finance agreements has moved a step further away after the UK’s financial regulator suspended key elements of its proposed redress scheme pending a legal challenge.
In a statement, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that the Upper Tribunal had confirmed it will be hearing legal challenges to the FCA’s scheme on December 14-18, 2026, or February 16-26, 2027.
The final date will depend on whether further expert evidence or disclosure requests are made.
The FCA has now confirmed a partial suspension of parts of the compensation scheme by order of the Tribunal. The move will allow firms to ‘keep preparing for the scheme and progress complaints as far as possible, while avoiding work that may need to be repeated if the challenges succeed’, said the FCA.
The watchdog has set out what the partial
suspension means for firms and consumers on its website.
As previously reported by Car Dealer, the legal challenges come from Consumer Voice, represented by Courmacs Legal, Volkswagen Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, and Credit Agricole Auto Finance.
Despite the suspension, lenders must continue identifying relevant complaints, gathering commission and disclosure data – including information held by brokers –responding to customers who are not due compensation in most cases, and continuing to work with claims management companies and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
However, firms will not have to calculate or pay compensation, or send communications about compensation owed under the scheme, until the Tribunal process has concluded.
The FCA reiterated its belief that the scheme remains the best way to resolve the issue.
New car finance volumes jump by more than a fifth INDUSTRY
CONSUMER car finance new business volumes grew by 3% in April 2026 year-on-year, new figures show.
Latest data published by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that strong growth through the month put the market on course for a strong second quarter.
The corresponding value of new business was 9% higher compared to April 2025, while in the first four months of 2026, new business volumes grew by 4% compared with the same period in 2025.
The consumer new car finance market reported new business up 25% by value and 21% by volume (to 53,381 cars) in April compared with the same month in 2025. In the first four months of 2026, new business volumes in this market were 16% higher than in the same period in 2025.
It also reported the value of new business in April 2% lower than in the same month in 2025, new business volumes fell by 3%. In the first four months of 2026, new business volumes in this market were 2% lower than in the same period in 2025.
TIME IS MONEY
RICHARD PYGOTT
A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE AND MARKETING
Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk
Under pressure...
I’m sure you’ll agree it has been an interesting few months.
We’ve had some of the hottest temperatures on record, with prolonged high pressure sitting over Europe bringing some extreme weather across the UK. At the same time, England’s World Cup journey has had the whole country talking, with millions watching every game and following every moment.
The expectation on the manager and players and has been huge. Every decision, every substitution, every missed opportunity and every result has been analysed and then some. When you represent your country at that level, the pressure to perform is constant.
But pressure isn’t something that only exists in the weather or the World Cup. It’s something that car dealers understand all too well.
The difference is, there is no final whistle, no off-season and no opportunity to step away when things get challenging. The pressure continues week after week, month after month.
Running a dealership has always come with challenges, but the current market has created even more. Margins are tight, customers are being more careful with their spending, costs continue to increase, and every sale matters.
We know that behind every dealership is a team working hard to keep vehicles moving, customers looked after and the business performing.
At First Response Finance, we see those pressures every day because we work alongside dealers across the UK. We understand that a customer enquiry is never just another enquiry. It represents an opportunity, an opportunity to help someone get the vehicle they need and an opportunity for our dealer partners to get another piece of metal shifted.
A finance provider should not create more obstacles for dealers. They should help remove them. They should be approachable, consistent and understand that behind every finance application is a dealer trying to help a customer while running a successful business.
At First Response Finance, we’ve spent more than 20 years building relationships across the motor trade. We understand that every customer is different, and our flexible approach helps dealers support customers who may not fit traditional lending criteria.
Just like a successful football team relies on every player, dealership success relies on strong partnerships. Nobody achieves their goals alone.
Pressure is part of every business. The difference is having the right people around you when those challenges arrive. For thousands of dealers across the UK, First Response Finance is proud to be that partner.
If you don’t currently work with us and would like to understand how we can help you support more customers and sell more cars, get in touch
There is no final whistle, no off-season and no opportunity to step away when things get challenging.
SUPPLIERS GUIDE
LOOKING FOR A MOTOR TRADE SUPPLIER? YOU CAN FIND THE DETAILS OF SELECTED COMPANIES HERE
Auctions
Auction4Cars.com
W: auction4cars.com
T: 03003 730 866
E: customerservice@auction4cars.com
Info: The UK’s leading independent trade car auction site. Completely online, it boasts some of the lowest auction fees on the market.
Auctions & Trade-To-Trade Sales
BCA
W: bca.co.uk
T: 0344 875 3480
Finance
Close Brothers Motor Finance
W: closemotorfinance.co.uk/
Info: Close Brothers Motor Finance are a specialist finance provider, working with over 8,000 dealer partners to offer flexible finance solutions for car, motorcycle and LCV customers.
Finance
E: customerservices@bca.com
Info: BCA’s remarketing programmes deliver volume, choice and availability for buyers, and speed, efficiency and market-leading returns for sellers.
Automotive E-Commerce
ATG
W: atg.auto
T: 0844 264 3519
Info: Leading provider of retailing solutions, Automotive Transformation Group maximises sales for retailers, OEMs, financiers and fleet suppliers by making car buying easier for their consumers.
Data
Real World Analytics
W: realworldanalytics.com
T: 0808 1890 617
E: auto@realworldanalytics.com
Info: We are a SaaS-based data analytics solution provider for multisite dealers. Our business intelligence tools help customers make faster and better decisions.
DMS
MotorDesk
W: dealerdesk.co.uk
First Response
W: dealer.firstresponsefinance.co.uk
T: 0115 671 1755
E: marketing@frfl.co.uk
Info: First Response is an awardwinning UK finance company providing simple financial solutions. Get in touch and let us help increase your profits.
Finance
Lead Management
GardX AD-Vantage
W: gardx.co.uk/gardx-ad-vantage
T: 01243 376426
E: goforaspin@gardx.co.uk
Info: The award-winning 360 service offers an engaging display of the vehicle while additionally presenting profitable F&I products to a consumer.
Lead Management
iVendi
W: ivendi.com
T: 0330 229 0028
Recruitment
WeRecruit Auto
W: werecruitauto.co.uk
T: 01603 550041
Info: Permanent recruitment – here to assist businesses within the automotive sector find the best fit for their company in terms of skillset, experience and culture.
Trade Bodies
Ben
W: ben.org.uk
T: 0808 131 1333
Forza Finance
W: forzafinance.co.uk
T: 01245 245678
Info: Benefit from Forza Finance’s expertise, choice of products and lenders. Their personal approach will help you achieve higher levels of finance penetration and, ultimately, sell more cars.
HR & People Management
HR Manager
W: hrmanager.co.uk
T: 01480 455500
E: info@hrmanager.co.uk
Info: HR Manager is Lawgistics’ new digital compliance portal designed to assist employers in managing their legal obligations, responsibilities and duties.
E: contact@dealerdesk.co.uk
Info: Modernise your stock management, advertising, communication, sales and website. DealerDesk provides you with easyto-use tools designed to simplify your dealership management.
Finance
Blue Motor Finance
W: blue.co.uk
T: 020 3005 9331
E: dealersupport@blue.co.uk
Info: Blue is transforming the car finance market, making car ownership simple and flexible and providing motor traders with access to essential finance.
Insurance
Tradesure
W: tradesureinsurance.co.uk
T: 0121 248 9313
Info: Providing motor trade insurance to full- and part-time motor traders in the UK, the Tradesure team are reliable professionals who know how to help you.
Key Control
Traka
W: traka-automotive.com
T: 0333 355 3726
E: automotive@traka.com
Info: Bespoke software and electronic key management cabinets to deliver the most effective solution to dealerships to manage their keys and vehicles.
E: tellmemore@ivendi.com
Info: iVendi delivers a fully connected platform that engages consumers, converts buyers and manages transactions of vehicles online and in the showroom.
Legal & Compliance
Lawgistics
W: lawgistics.co.uk
T: 01480 455500
E: sales@lawgistics.co.uk
Info: The legal experts for the motor trade, giving advice and support to our industry for over 15 years. Not anti-consumer, just pro-trader.
Marketing, PR & Video
OnCue Communications
W: oncuecomms.com
T: 020 8125 3880
Info: We are a leading provider of PR, video and events services to the automotive industry. The PR team has a proven track record of securing high-value, big-impact media coverage.
Marketing, PR & Video
Marketing Delivery
W: marketingdelivery.co.uk/
T: 01892 599911
E: get.in.touch@marketingdelivery.co.uk
Info: Our SocialStock helps target prospects with tailored stock remarketing and social media advertising tools, and automated lead capture for Facebook.
Oil & Lubricants
Mobil™
W: mobil.co.uk
T: 0800 0857 420
Info: Whether using Mobil 1™ or Mobil Super™, Mobil™ engine oils meet or exceed the latest standards of the oil industry and vehicle manufacturers.
Info: Ben is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with the automotive industry to provide support for life to its people and their families.
Vehicle Photography Dealer 360
W: dealer360.co.uk
T: 01270 780855
E: nicky.spratt@ukturntables.com
Info: UK makers of photo booths incorporating our turntables for car, van and motorcycle dealers. Our software controls turntable and cameras – a onestop solution.
Vehicle Preparation & Cleaning
Autoglym Professional
W: autoglym.com/professional
T: 01462 677766
E: enquiries@autoglym.com
Info: Award-winning Autoglym Professional products deliver exceptional results with safe, easy application. supported by expert aftersales service, training and nationwide delivery.
Vehicle Tracking
Meta Trak
W: metatrak.co.uk
T: 020 8867 2340
E: enquiries@metatrak.co.uk
Info: Total vehicle security. Clever tracking technology, advanced immobilisation, 24/7 monitoring and an easy-to-use app. Security. Connectivity. Peace of mind.
Warranty Providers
AutoProtect
W: autoprotect.co.uk
T: 01279 406888
E: sales@autoprotect.net
Info: AutoProtect offers a full portfolio of award-winning protection products, including GAP. We lead the market with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot.
Warranty Providers
Car Care Plan
W: carcareplan.com
T: 0344 573 8000
Info: Car Care Plan is a leading provider of motor protection products, trusted around the world to deliver quality protection with integrity and a customer-oriented outlook.
Warranty Providers
Centurion Warranties
W: centurionwarranties.co.uk
T: 0800 368 7420
E: support@cwuk.net
Info: Centurion offers comprehensive aftermarket warranty solutions to motor dealers across the UK who sell first-owned vehicles through to high-end, prestige and sports cars.
Warranty Providers
Händler Protect
W: handlerprotect.com
T: 0800 088 7889
E: sales@handlerprotect.com
Info: Händler Protect is an exclusive dealer warranty provider. Proud to partner and represent more than 1,000-plus ‘active’ independent motor dealers across the UK each month.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Bluesky Interactive
W: blueskyinteractive.co.uk
T: 01926 651000
Info: Bluesky Interactive drive dealer websites and digital marketing forward thanks to game-changing innovation, the latest technology and our exceptional relationships with our clients.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Haswent
W: haswent.com
T: 020 3920 6164
E: hello@haswent.com
Info: Composer is a next-gen automotive platform. You have extensive stock management options, and you’ll gain a brilliantly responsive new website.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Spidersnet
W: spidersnet.co.uk
T: 01273 837749
E: hello@spidersnet.co.uk
Info: Websites that are designed to increase the number of customers for dealers. We have solutions for all budgets and needs. All solutions include our DMS Autopromotor.
NISSAN MICRA
The new Micra has returned as an electric model, but
what does it have to offer? Dave Brown reports.
The best things come in small packages, so the saying goes, and we were hoping that would be the case when we were loaned a new Nissan Micra for a couple of weeks recently.
For those unfamiliar with the name Micra (hello to any younger readers!), it has been around for more than 40 years – a genuinely impressive achievement. The latest version, which has been available in the UK for a few months now, is the sixth generation of the city car, and is a pure EV.
The Micra is offered with two battery options. The line-up starts at £21,495 for a 40kWh Engage model capable of travelling up to 196 miles on a single charge, while the longer-range 52kWh Advance model starts at £23,245 and can travel up to 257 miles on a charge.
When the battery needs a top-up, the Micra is no slouch. Thanks to its 100kW DC charger (or 80kW on the 40kWh version), a fast-charge from 15%-80% takes around 30 minutes. And to maximise charging efficiency, a heat pump is standard on both battery options, as well as battery heating and cooling capability.
So on to the $64,000 question – what did we make of OY26MFJ? First impressions were certainly positive, with its rebel red paint job (a £760 extra but included in the price quoted here) certainly helping the car make its presence felt from the off.
The Micra is built on the same underpinnings – and also in the same French factory – as the new Renault 5, thanks to a close working relationship between the two manufacturers.
Although there are many similarities beneath the skin, the cars do look appreciably different, thanks in Nissan’s case to input from the team at the company’s design centre in London.
Although Micra’s diminutive dimensions are perfectly suited to the urban jungle, its exterior feels SUV-inspired. We especially liked the circular ‘look at me’ headlights which even wink to welcome you on board. We also appreciated the Mount Fuji ‘Easter eggs’ – a nod to the car’s Japanese roots of course.
Behind the wheel, the Micra feels comfortable and capable. Its multi-link rear suspension, low-mounted battery, and direct steering response deliver a pretty enjoyable driving experience. In sport mode in particular, the car is exceedingly nimble and accelerates with an exciting flourish.
The tech is impressive – and works well. NissanConnect plus Google built-in combine to create a car that is easy to use and more like your smartphone. The NissanConnect services app is also something I really liked, as it provides access to features such as battery state-ofcharge, the car’s location, charging history, and the remote control of features such as cabin temperature and charging schedule.
Any downsides to Micra life? Well, there’s not a huge amount of space for rear-seat passengers to enjoy – though the room available depends on the positioning of the front two seats, of course, not to mention the height of the vehicle’s occupants! It is a city car after all, though.
I guess it was appropriate that Nissan’s smallest car should have been with us for only a short time – but it certainly made a big impression, and for all the right reasons.
THE KNOWLEDGE
Nissan Micra 52kWh Advance
Price (as tested): £24,005
This month’s highlight:
We’re loving ‘our’ new Micra, especially its looks and also all the impressive tech – it’s made a big impression on us in a very short time!
Its multi-link rear suspension, lowmounted battery, and direct steering response deliver a pretty enjoyable driving experience.
OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING
Mileage: 15,200
BYD Seal 6
Long stints behind the wheel of the Seal are handled with ease –comfort is the car’s strong point.
