9 July 2018
By Paul Muers
Many franchised dealers rely heavily on service activity when it comes to ensuring healthy levels of profit. With many consumers now turning to alternative means of choosing and even buying cars online, the survival of bricks and mortar dealerships is increasingly dependent on service centres and the expertise they offer.
15th May 2018
Chris Saunders
This year we are pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at CDX –the UK’s largest automotive expo, brought to you by the publishers of Car Dealer Magazine.
CDX 2018 will be held at Manchester Central Convention Complex on 21st & 22nd May 2018 – and boasts an exhibitor list that includes some of the leading vendors and suppliers to the UK automotive sector.
CDX 2018 – Workshops and Panels
30th April 2018
Paul Muers
From estate agency to the insurance industry, the internet has wreaked a disruptive – and sometimes destructive – path through multiple business sectors. What were once solidly bricks-and-mortar industries have come up against a host of online-only competitors who offer today’s time poor consumer a faster-moving and often more cost-effective service.
28th March 2018
By Paul Muers
26th February 2018
By Chris Saunders
2017 was without any doubt a challenging year for the new car market, with several factors having a negative impact on sales. A radical overhaul of the UK’s system for taxing cars, known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), came into effect at the beginning of April last year, making many new cars significantly more expensive to tax in year one. The knock-on effect was striking, as new car sales in the UK immediately plummeted by 20%.
31st January 2017
By Paul Muers
Towards the end of 2017 autoVHC carried out some research into service workshop performance - specifically relating to sales of replacement tyres. Our data, gathered from more than 400 UK franchised dealers, unveiled a very alarming trend.
9th July 2017
By Chris Saunders
Following the introduction of new VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) rules earlier this year, the UK automotive market has experienced a notable reduction in new vehicle sales. As reported by the Telegraph, the number of new cars being driven off dealers’ forecourts plunged by 20% in April and has continued to fall in the months after.
11th June 2017
By Paul Muers
The safety net of a manufacturer warranty means that, for vehicles less than three years old, any repair work is likely to be conducted by a franchised dealership’s workshop. But what happens when this cover ceases? Worries over perceived increases in costs or a desire to take advantage of new found flexibility can prompt motorists to shop around for alternatives.
23rd March 2017
By Chris Saunders
In January the Government unveiled plans to increase the first MoT date for new cars from three to four years. If approved, the changes could come into effect as early as next year.
11th January 2017
By Chris Saunders
