January Snows Brings…+29.8 Y-on-Y Sales!

Along with increased business for accident and repair shops plus 4×4 sales, January also brought cheer to many franchised dealers with a much welcome +29.8% year-on-year increase in sales at 145,479 vehicles, the seventh successive monthly increase. (more)

Toyota: The Dealer In Front…

For anyone involved in the Toyota drama that’s unfolded during the past few days, there seems to be one inescapable truth; Toyota might just need a new press relations strategy! (more)

Toyota: The Sticking Point

Having weathered the economic downturn as well as any manufacturer, it’s somewhat ironic that a component costing pennies is likely to damage Toyota more than the ravages of the past 18-months. But at least they came through the recession with their reputation untarnished, possibly enhanced if their increased market share last year (5.14% from 4.96% in ’08) is indicative, which is highly unlikely given the negative press their currently suffering. (more)

Kia: I’m Confused!

This week, Kia started promoting their 7-year warranty on TV and billboards, amongst many other media formats. This coincided with my first sighting of the distinctive Kia Soul actually on the road, instead of in print.

Following their success with the scrappage scheme, there has also been quite a bit of exposure of Kia in the trade press lately: plans for expansion, raised sales targets for the coming year, and the launch of their new Venga. (more)

AM100 or MT200 Updates: The Bigger They Are..

Both Motor Trader and Automotive Management have published their end of year dealer group reviews. What they tell us could mean that we are approaching the end of an era. (more)

Caution – It’s Not Over Yet

There’s an optimistic mood in the trade press, but are manufacturers justified in their plans for expansion? (more)

December 2009 Autointel ‘Top-50 Dealer Groups’ Released

Bringing Christmas cheer to new car registrations December showed an uncharacteristic increase of +38.9%, albeit compared to a heavily subdued December 2008.

This increase, being 150,936 vehicles and only 7,146 vehicles fewer than November, reflects the consumer’s continued use of the scrappage incentive and the race to buy before the increase of VAT (from 15% to 17.5%) effective from January 1^st, 2010. (more)

Autointel 2009 Review

Later this month we will be publishing our own review of 2009 based on many of the facts and figures we collected during our research programme last year. If you would like to receive a copy of this report we would be grateful if you would register below. And, if anyone needed encouragement, for everyone that registers we will make a donation to the DEC appeal on behalf of the Haitian crisis. (more)

Networks & Groups in 2010: What Do You Think?

Last Friday (14th January) the Government confirmed the current scrappage scheme would continue into 2010, with the potential of another 80,000 eligible vehicles being available.

Click link to go to FEEDBACK form, and tell us what you think.

Peugeot: New Corporate I.D. and a New Role for Dealers

Peugeot has just announced three new corporate objectives: (1) Move up three places in the world ranking of manufacturers, (2) Establish the marque as a ‘benchmark for style’ and (3) Become a leader in ‘mobility services’. (more)