CHERY TIGGO7
IS THIS CHINESE CAR A RIVAL FOR THE NISSAN QASHQAI?
VOTING NOW OPEN FOR THIS YEAR’S AWARDS
• SUPERCAR DEALER ON THE BRINK
• NEW REGISTRATIONS SLUMP BY 2%
• AMAZON TO LAUNCH CAR SALES
• LOTUS TO SLASH WORKFORCE
• HOLDCROFT SEES PROFITS DECLINE
• HOWARDS POSTS IMPROVED PROFIT
FOUNDER
James Baggott
james@thebaize.com
Twitter: @CarDealerEd
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
James Batchelor
james.batchelor@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @JRRBatchelor
STAFF WRITER
Jack Williams
jack.williams@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @JournoJack25
MULTIMEDIA MANAGER
Jon Reay
jon@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @JonReay
HEAD
Graeme Windell graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @graemewindell
CONTRIBUTORS
Becca
SALES MANAGER
Kevin Day kev@blackballmedia.co.uk
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Michelle Searle
michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @cardealermich
Chaplin, Jack Evans, Cameron Richards, Nigel Swan
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INSIGHTS BEAT INSTINCTS
ACCOUNTS
Howards posts improved profits
CAR dealer Howard Garages has bucked wider industry trends to post improved profits for 2024.
The Somerset-based franchised group made a profit before tax of £4.38m. The figure represents a small increase on the £4.35m the firm pocketed in 2023, despite the vast majority of dealer groups reporting tumbling profits for the period.
As well as the increased profit, turnover was also up, with revenue shooting up from £198.76m to £215.9m.
NEW CARS
New registrations slump by 2%
NEW car registrations fell by 2% in August, as dealers battled the summer slowdown.
That is according to new data from the SMMT, which revealed that a total of 82,908 new cars were registered in the eighth month of the year.
The figure is 1,667 units down on the same period last year, when 84,575 new cars were registered.
Fleet uptake dominated the month, accounting for 59.1% of all new vehicles, despite a 4.6% reduction in volumes.
NEWS DIGEST
Research reveals just SIX electric cars could qualify for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant
Detailed research by Car Dealer Magazine reveals there could be just TWO electric cars available for the full Electric Car Grant for months to come.
In total, just SIX cars may eventually be eligible for the full government discount, but four of these cars do not even have a launch date.
Some two months on from launch, just two Ford models attract the headline discount and only 10 car manufacturers have managed to get grants signed off at the lesser £1,500 rate.
An incredible 26 car manufacturers are completely ineligible, either because their cars cost more than £37,000 or manufacturing locations rule them out.
As of today, there are 35 cars available for the Band 2 rate from those manufacturers and only two in Band 1. Confusion surrounding the scheme has caused paralysis in dealerships as customers delay buying decisions.
‘Every customer we speak to is expecting £3,750 off their electric car – most don’t even know there is a second-tier rate of £1,500,’ said one car dealer boss. ‘The fact that only two cars are available for the full rate is
BUSINESS
laughable.’ Other dealers branded the implementation of the scheme as ‘shambolic’.
Car Dealer asked every manufacturer selling cars in the UK whether they had applied for the grants and if they thought they would be successful. The DfT looks at the eco credentials of each car maker before placing qualifying cars in either the top rate £3,750 Band 1 category or the lower £1,500 Band 2 category.
Two manufacturers – Audi and Kia – told Car Dealer they had not applied for any grants, while two others, Lexus and Mini, said they are still waiting for confirmation of which grant, if any, they will get. Of those two manufacturers, it is unlikely any of their cars will qualify for the top rate. Five did not respond to a request for comment, but none of those are likely to get Band 1.
Tom Barnard, from electric car website Electrifying. com, who helped with the research, said: ‘We are finally starting to see deals on some cars that are attractive to new buyers – especially on the Ford Puma Gen-E. But the way the grants have been introduced has caused massive confusion and added unnecessary complication.’
Supercar dealer GVE London officially appoints administrators
SUPERCAR dealer GVE London has officially appointed administrators as the firm continues to teeter on the brink of collapse.
Car Dealer reported last week that the dealership had applied to the High Court with a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators (NOI), and the retailer has now moved forward with the plans.
A fresh submission to the court reveals that Farheen Qureshi of Parker Getty Limited has been appointed
to oversee the administration. The appointment was officially made on September 1, with the company’s official address now changing to the administrators’ office in Stanmore.
GVE London, based in Uxbridge, specialises in the sale of super and hypercars, selling a large number on a sale or return (SOR) basis. Numerous attempts to contact GVE London by Car Dealer for further comment have gone unanswered.
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ACCOUNTS
Holdcroft sees profits decline
BOSSES at family-run car dealer
Holdcroft say they are ‘proud’ of the group’s performance, despite a dip in profits for the second year running.
The new and used car dealer has filed its annual accounts with Companies House, showing a pre-tax profit of £7.69m in the 12 months to the end of last December.
The figure represents a 4.36% drop on the previous year’s result, when directors made headlines for awarding themselves a 345% pay rise.
BUSINESS
Brayleys owner buys Johnsons
THE deal is done – Brayleys owner Athenaeum International Holdings has completed its acquisition of dealer group Johnsons Cars.
Car Dealer first reported rumours of Johnsons being snapped up in February, before Athenaeum confirmed the news in May.
Athenaeum said the acquisition creates ‘a major force in the UK automotive retail sector’, and is alongside its ambition to be among the UK’s ‘top 10 dealer groups.’
Notorious hackers claim responsibility for cyber attack which has ground JLR to a halt
A GROUP of hackers who previously targeted Marks & Spencer has claimed responsibility for the cyber attack which has brought JLR to a halt.
IT issues that prevented the British carmaker from registering cars on new plate day were caused by an attack on the firm’s global systems. The incident brought retail and production facilities to a standstill
ONLINE
Car dealer has suspension lifted
USED car supermarket Big Motoring World has had its Trustpilot suspension lifted after customers were temporarily blocked from leaving reviews.
Car Dealer broke the news last month that the Kent-based outfit had its reviews suspended on the site for ‘breaching guidelines’ by ‘inviting people to review them in a way that encourages positive reviews’.
The decision was labelled a ‘misunderstanding’ by Big Motoring World boss Laurence Vaughan.
The problem seems to have been rectified, with Trustpilot officially confirming the car dealer’s return.
and the forces behind it now appear to have come forward – the BBC said three English languagespeaking hacking groups, Scattered Spider, Lapsus$ and ShinyHunters, have claimed responsibility.
The broadcaster says that the gang bragged about the hack on instant messaging platform Telegram. The group is said to be trying to extort money from the firm.
Jaecoo/Omoda boss surprised by success
BOSSES of Chery UK have admitted that the runaway success of Omoda and Jaecoo models in the UK came as something of a surprise to them.
Speaking at the launch of the Chery brand last week in London – the third marque to land here in 12 months – UK CEO Gary Lan described selling cars here as ‘like a dream come true’.
‘I think the UK market, for every car manufacturer, is a dream,’ Lan told a panel of journalists.
‘Because it’s a country with 100 years of history of vehicles. You have a most professional, profound customer, and media.’
Sports car maker puts 550 jobs at risk
LOTUS is to slash the workforce at its Norfolk car building plant with as many as 550 jobs set to be axed.
The sports carmaker has outlined restructuring plans which could could see more than 40% of the factory’s 1,300 employees let go.
The firm has now launched a consultation process to determine exactly how many roles could be scrapped, with workers in engineering, manufacturing, and support services all at risk.
The plant, based in Hethel, has served at Lotus’s HQ since 1966 and bosses blame a ‘rapidly evolving automotive environment.’
CYBER
LOTUS
CHERY
BITE-SIZE
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TAX: A used car and van dealership has been fined more than £200,000 after appearing on a Government list of deliberate tax
defaulters. According to HMRC, Stanmore-based Auto Capital Limited intentionally avoided an eye watering £252,071 in tax.
DEALERS: The cyber attack is currently making life tough for JLR dealers, but that hasn’t stopped the family-run Lloyd Motor Group from expanding its partnership with the carmaker. The Car Dealer Top 100 firm has announced a deal to acquire three franchise sites from rival outfit, Stratstone.
CRIME: A family-run car dealership has fallen victim to a gang of vandals who broke in and damaged vehicles to the tune of £63,000, a court has heard. Regan Satterthwaite, 21, and two teenagers, wreaked havoc at Alan Myerscough Ltd in Cumbria last February.
BUSINESS: Endeavour
Automotive saw turnover and pre-tax profits tumble last year due to relocation of businesses and agency sales. The Hertfordshire-based, Car Dealer Top 100-ranked business suffered a 13.5% drop in turnover in 2024 compared to 2023.
WARRANTIES: Mazda UK’s new six-year warranty is part of a strategic move to boost its dealers’ profitability and safeguard the long-term health of its network, the carmaker has told Car Dealer. From September 1, all new Mazdas enjoy a six-year/100,000 miles warranty.
NEWS DIGEST
Auto Trader changing email lead notifications to ‘protect customer data’
AUTO Trader has told dealers that it will be removing customer contact details from email notifications.
From the end of September, the advertising marketplace said it would be redacting customer contact details and message content from email leads. The firm said this was to protect the ‘personally identifiable information’ contained in those emails.
Amazon to launch used car sales
AS the likes of Cazoo and Carzam have proved, selling used cars via a purely online model is a very hard thing to get right.
And while those two outfits failed spectacularly to capture the imagination of the car buying public, Amazon now think they could have it cracked.
That is because the e-commerce giant has signed a landmark deal with car hire heavyweight Hertz to sell certified used rental cars via its Amazon Autos marketplace in the US.
Car dealer customers will instead have to log in to their Auto Trader Portal account to view the message and respond if they rely on these for lead information. In a bulletin to customers – shared with Car Dealer –Auto Trader said: ‘Exposing this kind of data over email increases the risk of it being accessed or misused and can be a key factor in data breaches.’
Motor trade is failing some customers
THE UK motor trade is undermining customer trust through unnecessary barriers such as poor access to service histories, misuse of GDPR, and slow finance processes.
That’s the view of the Independent Motor Dealers Association (IMDA). Its chairman, Umesh Samani, the owner of Specialist Cars and Harris Motor Company in Stoke-on-Trent, said: ‘Too many needless obstacles are damaging trust in our industry — and in many cases, they’re being created by our own peers.’
Vertu on track to meet profit forecast
DEALER group Vertu says it expects its full-year profits to be in line with market expectations as the firm welcomed the Government’s attempts to boost EV sales.
The publicly-listed car dealer published a trading update via the London Stock Exchange, in which it told investors that the firm remains on course to make a pre-tax profit of £27.2m in 2025.
The firm admitted that, in the short term, the measures had led to some customers deferring EV purchases.
New Nissan Instant Service Plan backed by Car Care Plan and Payment Assist
The service plan is an increasingly popular product among new and used car buyers in the UK. It helps drivers spread the cost of interim and full services through monthly payments, while preserving resale value and offering the reassurance of approved service centres and genuine manufacturer parts.
The benefits for manufacturers and dealers are also myriad. Service plans boost customer retention rates, offer predictable, recurring revenue through monthly instalments, and support resale values by ensuring a full service history on sold vehicles. Service plans can also help seal a deal, especially when they’re included with finance and warranty packages, by delivering added value for the customer.
Many service plans are sold at the point of purchase in a new or used car deal, meaning the customer is paying in advance for their interim or full service in the coming year, which provides peace-of-mind when it’s time to visit a service centre. Now, drivers can start a service plan on the day their service is due, spreading the cost of that appointment over the next 12 months.
Introducing the Nissan Instant Service Plan
Industry leading vehicle aftercare provider Car Care Plan and finance provider Payment Assist have partnered with Nissan to offer their customers the Instant Service Plan. Currently, about 45% of Nissan retail customers purchase a service plan from new, with options spanning two, three, or four years. The new Instant Service Plan is designed to support customers who are not yet covered, helping them spread the cost of their next major and minor services with interest-free monthly payments – even if that next service is due the same day.
The plan covers eligible vehicles for either service instantly, no matter which is due, using Nissanapproved parts backed by a one-year warranty, alongside 12 months of RAC Roadside Assistance. By signing up, drivers can also lock in today’s servicing prices, beating any inflation-based increases over the coming 12 months, while ensuring a fully stamped Nissan dealership service book to help maintain higher residual values for their vehicles.
This partnership combines Car Care Plan’s nearly 50 years of experience delivering awardwinning warranty and aftercare solutions for global automotive brands with Payment Assist’s nationwide reach and expertise with customers, dealerships, and garages to underwrite this new servicing product.
A ‘win-win’ for customers and dealerships
Jon Norman, head of corporate sales at Car Care Plan, said: ‘We’ve worked with Nissan for over 15 years, and the Instant Service Plan is a great way to build on that partnership. By teaming up with Payment Assist, we’re making it easier for customers to access full Nissan servicing, helping them maintain their vehicle’s value and avoid turning to independent garages or skipping servicing altogether.’
Marcus Gregory, CEO of Payment Assist, said: ‘The Instant Service Plan gives customers a flexible, interest-free way to maintain a full dealer service history. It’s a win-win. Drivers can spread the cost into manageable monthly payments, while dealerships benefit from stronger long-term aftersales relationships.’
Nicolas Belaud, director of aftersales at Nissan Motor GB, said: ‘We’re pleased to collaborate with Car Care Plan and Payment Assist on this new offering. It helps Nissan dealerships connect with more customers by providing a convenient, affordable way to pay, while still delivering all the benefits of a manufacturerbacked service, including Genuine Nissan Parts, trained technicians, and 12 months’ Roadside Assistance.’
With the Instant Service Plan, Nissan drivers can now enjoy the immediate reassurance of full dealership servicing without the upfront cost. Manufacturers or dealer groups interested in offering a similar, tailored service plan to their customers can contact Car Care Plan by visiting carcareplan.com/business/contact
CHERY TIGGO 7
Chinese car giant Chery has arrived in the UK with two new SUVs. But is the Tiggo 7 a proper rival for the Nissan Qashqai? Jon Reay finds out.
WHAT IS IT?
That’s right, it’s yet another Chinese compact SUV. The Tiggo 7 is the work of Chery: China’s biggest car exporter (take that, BYD). Its products have already been here for a year, hiding under a couple of pseudonyms – Omoda and Jaecoo.
The Tiggo 7 is the smaller of the two: a five-seater, roughly the size of a Kia Sportage or Nissan Qashqai, but with a considerably cheaper price tag than either.
That could make the Chery a bit of a bargain, then – but is this a case of ‘you get what you pay for?’
WHAT’S NEW?
To the UK at least, this is an entirely new car. But strictly speaking, this particular generation of Tiggo 7 has been on sale in China and other markets for a few years – so this is at least quite a tried-and-tested car by now.
Less new to us are all the oily bits underneath: the Tiggo 7 shares its platform, engines and gearbox with the Omoda 5, a car that’s been on sale here since August last year.
You might also recognise a few shared interior parts between the two: the Chery’s steering wheel, infotainment system, gear selector and more are near enough identical to the Omoda’s.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
There’s both a petrol, and a plug-in hybrid version of the Tiggo 7 – the latter of which is (for the moment) the cheapest PHEV you can buy in the UK. It’s also helpfully cheaper than the equivalent version of the Jaecoo 7, with which it shares its powertrain.
We’re driving the cheapest Tiggo 7: the regular 145bhp 1.6-litre petrol, available exclusively with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. It’s sprightly enough in terms of performance, feeling quicker somehow than its 9.4 second 0-60mph figure would suggest. But that’s largely where the positives end. In our testing it wasn’t terribly fuel efficient, and as we’ll get on to later, not the most enjoyable to drive.
The PHEV version has a bit more to shout about. Chery says it’ll manage 56 miles on pure electricity alone, is usefully more powerful, and not a whole lot more expensive. It will even charge at higher speeds using a rapid charger, should you wish to do so.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The ride is a little on the roly-poly side, and yet not the most adept at absorbing bumps either. Its steering is just a tad vague too – trying to make small adjustments to the Tiggo 7’s direction can feel like a bit of a guessing game. But really, it’s fine: there’s little to really
Power
The Tiggo’s 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol produces 145bhp and 275Nm of torque.
Chery Tiggo 7
1.6 Summit
Price (as tested): £27,995 Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol
Power: 145bhp
Torque: 275Nm
O-60mph: 9.4 seconds
Max speed: 112mph MPG (combined): 40.3mpg
Emissions: TBC
Style
The design of the Chery is a mishmash of styling cues from a Hyundai Santa Fe and a Lexus NX.
irritate or offend in the way the Chery goes down the road.
The powertrain is a different story – at least in the 1.6-litre version we drove. The Tiggo’s seven-speed automatic gearbox is incredibly dim-witted, pausing for breath and having a good long think every time you put your foot down.
Nor does it know how to make the best use of the torquey (but noisy) 1.6-litre turbocharged engine: changing down a gear and sending the revs soaring at times when, really, it doesn’t feel necessary.
A lot of this could likely be solved by software updates, and Chery quietly admits that these are on the way. But for now, it’s a rather tumultuous driving experience.
We’ve not driven the PHEV version of the Tiggo 7, but our experience in the Tiggo 8 with the same setup would suggest that this powertrain is a much better buy. It’s smooth, responsive and incredibly quiet – all the things the 1.6 petrol version isn’t.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
These days, it can be hard for an SUV to stand out against the competition – so Chery appears to have decided not to bother in the first place. Ask ChatGPT to draw you a five door SUV and it would probably look something like the Tiggo 7: a mishmash of styling cues from all sorts of other cars.
To our eyes, it mostly resembles a shrunken (last generation) Hyundai Santa Fe – albeit with the rear of a Lexus NX grafted on for good measure.
The result is a car that actually looks a bit older than most of its peers. Chery would probably say that this is sort of the point: customers that want something snazzy-looking will go for either a more expensive Omoda or Jaecoo.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
At first glance, the Tiggo 7 does a very good impression of a premium car – albeit one launched a decade ago, perhaps. A lot seems to have been inspired by the last generation Mercedes E-Class: attractive silver switches for the electric windows, circular metal-effect speaker grilles on the doors, and a centre console that looks eerily similar to Mercs of that era too. Even the start button could almost have been lifted wholesale out of a 2015 C- or E-Class.
It certainly feels plusher than other cars of this price: a Dacia Bigster’s dash looks spartan and basic by comparison. Only a few things give the game away: the front seats are flat and unforgiving, for example, and some of the fake leather scattered around the doors and dashboard won’t be convincing anyone that it’s come from a cow.
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
This is where Chery really has gone to town. There’s only two trim levels, and even basespec Tiggo 7s get tonnes of equipment bundled in. Electric adjustment for the drivers’ seat, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, rear view camera and parking sensors front and back are all standard.
For £3,000 more, Summit models add heated and cooled front seats, a wireless phone charger, electric boot lid, and what Chery calls a ‘540-degree’ panoramic camera, which offers a few more viewing angles than the average around-view monitor.
In terms of infotainment all Tiggo 7s get two 12.3-inch displays, both of which are pretty responsive and pleasantly laid out. Separate controls are provided for climate settings, but they’re touch sensitive and still require eyes off the road to operate – which of course the overly vigilant driver monitoring system will quickly reprimand you for doing.
VERDICT
Occasional shortcomings aside, it’s hard to argue with the value offered by the Tiggo 7. Apart from price tag, there’s no one thing it does better than the competition – and it’s not even the most memorable SUV on sale from a Chinese manufacturer, let alone all the others on the market.
But as it’s a whole heap cheaper than almost all of the competition, it’s easy to forgive many of its shortcomings as a result. While we wouldn’t particularly recommend the thirsty (but cheap) 1.6 petrol version, the ‘Super Hybrid’ PHEV is certainly worth a look. It might be Britain’s cheapest PHEV, but in powertrain terms, it could also be one of the best.
Cabin
The interior feels plusher than some cars in this price range, but the seats aren’t great and cabin has a datedfeel to it.
EVENT VOTING NOW OPEN
Make your nominations for the Car Dealer Used Car Awards 2025!
Voting is now OPEN for the Car Dealer Used Car Awards 2025, sponsored by Black Horse!
Nominations are now open for used car dealers to put themselves in with a chance of wining a gong in the prestigious awards for the used car sector –click here to enter.
The Used Car Awards are the Oscars of the industry, and winning a gong is no easy task. But, like that old phrase, you have to be in it to win it!
Black Horse is once again returning as the headline sponsor, plus a raft of other big names are supporting.
The 2025 running will, once again, be held The Brewery in central London, hosted by Mr Wheeler Dealer himself, Mike Brewer. And the date? Monday, November 24.
The black-tie evening will also feature pre-dinner drinks and a post-awards fun casino, both sponsored by Cazoo. There will also be a special After Party, courtesy of RAC.
To be in with a chance of a trophy, our nominations form needs to be completed and the process couldn’t be any more straightforward!
All you need to do is select the category that you’d like to nominate yourself or someone else for on the form and supply the requested details.
From there, all entries will be judged by our Car Dealer experts, who will whittle them down to a nominations list.
The nominees will then be subjected to further judging before a final five go through to the big night, when the winners and highly commendeds will be announced.
The judging process includes our rigorous mystery shopping, which secretly checks how dealers handle inquiries – meaning that anyone hoping to make the shortlist will have to stay on the ball all the time.
A full list of the categories in which dealers can vote can be found below. For suppliers and companies wishing to sponsor categories there are still a handful of opportunities available –but don’t hang around. Contact us now to discuss.
Key dates
Nominations close:
Monday, September 29
Nominations (long list) revealed: Monday, October 6
Shortlist revealed: Monday, October 20
Awards night: Monday, November 24
Mike Brewer with all the winners of the Used Car Awards 2024
Categories
Used Supercar Dealership
Sponsorship available
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Used EV Dealer of the Year
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Use of Video
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Used Car Website
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Used Car Online Sales
Experience
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Specialist Used Car Dealership
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Used Car Sales Team
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Used Car Dealer Principal
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Future Star
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Used Car Customer Care
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Used Car Supermarket Sponsored by Cazoo
Newcomer Dealership Sponsored by Moneybarn
Used Commercial Vehicle Dealer
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Days To Turn Award
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Diversity & Inclusion
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Used Car Dealership: Up To 50 Cars
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Used Car Dealership:
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Used Car Dealership: Over 100 Cars
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Used Car of the Year
The Used Car Awards 2025 will be held at The Brewery in London on Monday, November 24
‘I’m eager to see who will rise to the top in 2025’
CAR DEALER founder James Baggott said: ‘It’s that time of the year again –nominations open for the best used car awards ceremony in the industry.
‘These awards are a unique chance for dealerships to showcase their excellence and commitment to their customers.
‘Winning a Used Car Award is more than just a trophy – it’s a powerful endorsement that can elevate a business’s reputation and foster greater trust with buyers.
‘The impact these awards have on the industry continues to grow each year, and I’m eager to see who will rise to the top in 2025.’
He added: ‘Our event is not just about celebrating success, it’s also the perfect way to kick off the festive season in style.
‘With limited sponsorships and tables available, I would encourage everyone to secure their spot early – this is one night you won’t want to miss!’
Speaking ahead of the event, Brewer said: ‘I am absolutely buzzing to be hosting the Car Dealer Used Car Awards again this year!
‘This is one of the highlights of the automotive calendar, bringing together the best in the business to celebrate their hard work and dedication.
‘As someone who lives and breathes cars, I know how much winning one of these awards means — it’s a real badge of honour that sets you apart in the industry.
‘The night is always packed with excitement, surprises and a whole lot of fun.
‘If you’re in the business of selling cars, you won’t want to miss this chance to be part of something special. So get involved, and who knows? You might be the one driving home with a trophy!’
Car Dealer editor-in-chief
JAMES BAGGOTT has launched a subscriber-only Substack newsletter. Every Friday, he digests the week’s news and gives his opinion on the biggest stories. Here’s a selection of his comments from the most recent newsletters. To subscribe, head to cardealer.substack.com
JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS
Car manufacturers must work with government to drive electric vehicle success – Cupra CEO
Compensation for mis-sold car finance could begin next year
FCA boss Nikhil Rathi says consumers could begin receiving compensation for mis-sold motor finance agreements as early as 2026. The watchdog is consulting on a redress scheme covering the period from 2007 to 2020, during which up to 30m deals were made. It’s investigating discretionary commission arrangements that may have breached the law. Rathi urged consumers not to use lawyers or CMCs, warning most payouts will likely be under £950, not the thousands being advertised. The total compensation bill could reach up to £18bn.
What do I think?
The FCA does take its time, doesn’t it?
The noise surrounding this compensation scheme feels like it has been rumbling on far too long already. But then it is complicated – most finance deals, the circumstances surrounding them and the parties entering into them are different and complex. It will be incredibly hard for the FCA to unpick them all, especially considering there are nearly 40 finance firms involved.
Cupra’s interim CEO Markus Haupt has urged carmakers and governments to collaborate more closely if electric vehicles are to succeed. Speaking exclusively to Car Dealer at the Munich Motor Show, Haupt said the industry is investing billions but needs support with infrastructure and affordability. He also addressed the rise of Chinese competitors, saying the pressure is welcome and drives innovation. Cupra unveiled its £27,000 Raval EV at the show, alongside the Tindaya concept, both designed to compete on price and underpinned by a shared Volkswagen Group platform.
What do I think?
Read the Cupra boss’ comments closely and he’s expecting help to incentivise customers into electric cars. He told our reporter that while car firms are investing in the technology he still thinks consumers need a kick in the right direction. ‘We’re doing our homework and expect the same from governments,’ he said. He wasn’t the only one at the show calling for some support for EV buyers.
The car makers and dealers still seem unsure about the process and eligibility and there are customers cancelling their cars and putting off purchases while they wait for news to see if they can bag the grant.
Europe isn’t ready to go electric-only in 2035 – and that has to change – Skoda boss
Skoda’s Martin Jahn has questioned the EU’s 2035 zero-emissions target, telling Car Dealer that customer demand – not politics –should dictate the transition. Speaking at the Munich launch of the Vision O concept, he said regional differences meant a one-sizefits-all approach won’t work. Skoda continues to offer petrol, diesel, hybrid and EVs, and is seeing strong demand for combustion engines in Eastern Europe, while EVs sell well in markets like Denmark. ‘We want to offer whatever the customer wants,’ Jahn added.
What do I think?
Here’s another boss – from the same group as Cupra – suggesting the move towards electric is still happening too fast. You’d think by now, with just five short years in the UK before an end to petrol and diesel sales, that car firms would have accepted it. But they’re at the coal face, trying to sell these cars to consumers and struggling. These bosses are starting to ring the alarm bells and more and more of them are starting to speak out.
Dealer group Tustain Motors changes ownership following major management buyout
Tustain Motors has undergone a management buyout, with co-founders David Storey and Brian Baxter stepping back from daily operations to become co-chairs. The Northumberland-based firm, which operates seven sites across Scotland and northern England, reported £40.9m in turnover and £1.1m pre-tax profit last year. The deal was advised by Azets, who praised the group as a ‘successful operator’ in the retail motor sector. The buyout sees new leadership take the reins while the founding team continues to provide strategic oversight.
What do I think?
I love to see a dealer business handed on in this way. It provides continuity for the staff and means passionate people take the reins who understand the values of the business. As more founders decide the huge changes to the industry happening right now are not for them, these sorts of deals provide a great way to change a firm’s ownership without too much disruption.
What I’ve
heard
Brand launches aren’t normally the sort of event we’d bother with, but my colleague Jon Reay headed to Chery’s unveiling to see what all the fuss was about. Here he explains what he found out.
There’s only so much sparkling wine, logo-covered cupcakes, and promises about a new ‘premium’ brand’s conquest sales ambitions that a journalist can stomach in their short time on this planet. But when Chery, the behemoth behind Omoda and Jaecoo, suddenly announced that it would introduce its third brand to the UK in as little as 12 months, I thought I’d better toddle along to their big reveal to try and understand what they were up to.
I’d love to report back and say it was all a bit of a naff spectacle, but frankly, it wasn’t. All the usual corporate event boxes were ticked of course: canapés, cars, a celebrity MC, and a team of mild-mannered execs doing their very best Steve Jobs impressions (turtlenecks not included).
But surprisingly, it all seemed to be working. This was a room chock full of people that sounded genuinely excited about the two rather anonymous-looking SUVs perched on stage.
What I really wanted to know was where did Chery fit alongside Omoda and Jaecoo – what does it represent? What are the brand values? The answer, I suspect, is that Chery isn’t too bothered by such trivialities. Its priority is getting products in the hands of customers as soon as possible, not faffing around with fabric swatches for the showroom furniture.
I left the launch feeling two things. Firstly, Chery is deadly serious about what they’re trying to do. It’s already started a second dealer network – additional to that of Omoda and Jaecoo – with 25 sites ready to sell cars from this month, and eventual plans for over 100.
Secondly – and rather cheeringly (sorry) – here is a company that’s realised dealers are absolutely vital to growing their brand. Rather than spend millions on marketing, advertising, agency sales setups and so on, they’ve simply handed their products to people who know how to sell them. Imagine that.
The French affection!
When James Batchelor was invited to the world premiere of Alpine’s new electric SUV, there was only way to get there – by A110 S.
Car manufacturers who build just one car don’t tend to last very long these days. The time when a sports car maker could concentrate on honing its only product, which it had pored over for years and years, built for a loyal but small audience, is all but over. And yet that’s exactly how Alpine has operated for the last eight years.
The charismatic little French brand has quite happily been building the A110 sports car since 2017. But that changed this year when its range swelled with the Renault 5-derived A290 electric hot hatchback, and pulled the covers off an electric SUV – the A390. It was the latter’s reveal that I was invited to earlier this year, and instead of just catching a plane to the world premiere in France, I thought I’d drive there in the most suitable car I could lay my hands on – an A110 S, my favourite of the A110 models. It would be a special drive not just because the car I was going to see owes its very existence to this little twoseater, but the aforementioned will be bowing out in 2026 to make way for a new electric age for Alpine. So, this drive would serve as my last taste of one of the greatest sports cars of the last decade.
The drive down to the home of Alpine, Dieppe, was a simple one. It takes around three hours from Calais – whether you fly along the autoroutes or elect to take the D-roads. I took the second option, and while it won’t go down as the one of the most spell-binding drives of my life, there was pleasure to be had nosing the A110 S through picture-perfect villages before letting the little 1.8-litre turbocharged engine sing on long, straight treelined avenues.
It was rather an uneventful drive, but it allowed me to reflect on what a special car the A110 is. While production started in 2017, the story of the revived sports car brand began some five years earlier when Renault Group signed a 50/50 partnership with Caterham to create a new sports car project. It would allow the tiny British sports car maker to push
While it won’t go down as the one of the most spellbinding drives of my life, there was pleasure to be had nosing the A110 S through pictureperfect villages.
Alpine and Dieppe is like Ferrari and Maranello – the brand is a huge part of the seaside town’s history, and its inhabitants are hugely proud of the company.
upwards into more premium circles occupied by Lotus, while, for Renault, it would allow the French manufacturer to bring back the Alpine brand that had been mothballed for over 20 years.
In 2014 the partnership collapsed, although Renault decided to plough on regardless, but alone. The car’s aluminium structure was a hangover from Caterham, but the design and detailing was pure Alpine. The quad lights, fluted bonnet, wide rear arches and wraparound rear window were faithful to the original A110 of the 1970s, yet the engine and technology were bang up to date. As reborn cars go, the A110 of 2017 is probably the finest of all.
The A110 S’s stiffer springs, 4mm lower ride height, and optional aero kit weren’t exactly tested on this relaxed jaunt along the coastline of northern France. Soon after passing through the town of Criel-sur-Mer, the remaining 23km of road to Dieppe began to get a little more interesting. The A390’s world premiere had brought out Alpines from all over Europe it seemed, as owners of original and new A110s, A310s, GTAs, A610s and even Alpine-tuned original Renault 5s negotiated their way through the busy town centre to the main esplanade. Here, Alpine had erected a large building to showcase the new member of the family that evening.
The next day called for an early start to visit the factory. It’s hard to describe how appreciated you are in Dieppe if you’re driving an Alpine; even at 8am in the morning, people rushing to work showed their appreciation by waving, blowing kisses, and tooting their car horns. Jean Rédélé, Alpine’s founder, who was born there and set up shop just a stone’s throw from the town’s port, is still hailed as a local great. Alpine and
OVER PAGE
Dieppe even has its own statue of Alpine founder, Jean Rédélé
It’s hard to describe how appreciated you are in Dieppe if you’re driving an Alpine
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Dieppe are almost like Ferrari and Maranello, but arguably more sophisticated.
The Alpine factory is unequivocally a matter of local pride. The story began in 1955 when Renault dealer and motorsport fanatic Rédélé decided to build his own cars. Throughout the 1970s, the factory, built in 1969, handcrafted the A110 Berlinette, while the A310, GTA and A610 kept the workers busy and the Alpine name alive well into the mid-1990s.
Renault finally mothballed Alpine in 1995, with the last car leaving the factory that April. Yet the Dieppe plant thrived, producing the Renault Sport Spider from 1996 before becoming home to many high-performance Renaults, with the Alpine name returning above the door for the reborn A110 of 2017.
It’s quite unlike any other factory I’ve ever been to. During my visit, a handful of A390s trundled down the production line; and before long even more will roll along as production moves into top gear. The axe is hanging over the A110 – not just due to the A390 muscling in on its patch, but the company is drawing up plans for an electric replacement. But, for now, the factory is the A110’s playground.
Unlike some other plants I’ve visited, you can tell the workers love building the A110. It’s a mixture of automation and manual labour like in most facilities, but there seems to be more human involvement at Dieppe. The cars creep along at a glacial place, and roll off the end in tens rather than hundreds, with the complete build process taking around three weeks. At various points, the aluminium bodies are lovingly checked and checked again for quality control, the engine and suspension are bolted in, and the cars are test driven for 15 miles before awaiting transportation.
While it’s a sad drive back to Calais knowing that the A110 is the last chapter in Dieppe’s petrol sports car novel, I doubt the factory and the town’s passion for cars will die just because a pure-electric future is on the horizon. If anything, the Alpine brand has never looked so healthy.
Fresh from its world debut, the A390 begins to roll down the factory’s lines
Left: The Alpine factory has been on the same site since 1969; Above: The drive down to Dieppe took in many picturesque French villages.
LAMBORGHINI
CAR NEWS ROUND-UP
Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results...
Limited-edition V12-powered Fenomeno revealed
LAMBORGHINI has created a limited-edition car which, it says, aims to achieve ‘new levels of performance and technical innovation’.
Called the Fenomeno, it’s a new hybrid supercar, with just 29 worldwide. It’s part of Lamborghini’s Few Off programme, which has included the Sian and Sesto Elemento models.
At its heart sits the most powerful V12 engine in Lamborghini’s history, coupled with three electric motors, similar in design to the Italian firm’s Revuelto supercar. In total, it produces 1,065bhp driven through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and enabling a 0-60mph time of just over two seconds.
BYD NISSAN
Go-faster Nismo version for X-Trail
Atto 2 goes on sale priced from £30,850
Updated 308 and 308 SW revealed
NISSAN has released a performance version of its X-Trail SUV with a new Nismo variant.
Though released in Japan to begin with, the popularity of Nissan’s Nismo versions in the UK means there is a good chance it will also arrive on these shores.
Utilising the same e-4orce hybrid system as the standard X-Trail, the Nismo has a more rear-wheel-drive bias for a sportier driving experience.
THE new BYD Atto 2 has hit the road in the UK with prices starting from £30,850.
The compact electric model arrives with two battery sizes – 51.1kWh and 64.8kWh – with the latter able to return up to 261 miles of range.
Thanks to a maximum charging rate of 82kW, the smaller-battery Atto 2 can be charged from 30 to 80% in 30 minutes. The larger 64.8kWh version does this in 21 minutes.
PEUGEOT has taken the covers off the updated 308 hatchback and 308 SW estate models.
Under the bonnet, there is a choice of diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains. Changes include the plug-in hybrid car which has the same 1.6-litre fourcylinder petrol engine as before, but now gets a larger 17.2kWh battery that increases the claimed electric range from 41 miles to 53.
E5 electric SUV now available
JAECOO has announced that the E5 electric SUV has gone on sale priced from £27,505. The electric model will complement the combustionpowered 5 SUV, with the E5 rivalling the likes of the Jeep Avenger Electric and Ford Puma Gen-E. The car uses a 61.1kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor to produce 204bhp and 288Nm of torque. Jaecoo claims up to 248 miles on a single charge.
PEUGEOT
JAECOO
New No4 arrives in UK priced from £32,200
DS has announced pricing and specifications for its latest No4 model. Arriving hot on the heels of the larger No8, the No4 will be available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains.
Prices start at £32,200 for the regular hybrid model, rising to £39,000 for the plug-in hybrid and £39,995 for the full EV.
The electric model offers a range of up to 279 miles from one charge, while the plug-in hybrid variant combines a four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and battery for an electric-only range of up to 50 miles.
The standard hybrid, meanwhile, utilises a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol
Second-generation T-Roc unveiled
VOLKSWAGEN has given the lowdown on its secondgeneration T-Roc SUV.
Sitting between the smaller T-Cross and larger Tiguan, the T-Roc has formed a core part of Volkswagen’s SUV range.
From launch, the new T-Roc will be available with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, and a choice of 114bhp and 148bhp power outputs.
Sportback model broadens Q3 range
AUDI has unveiled its secondgeneration Q3 Sportback.
Widening the current Q3 range, the Sportback model brings a more coupe-inspired design with a raked roofline, which gives the car a more dynamic profile compared to the standard SUV model. In fact, the Sportback brings a 29mm lower roofline overall.
At the rear of the car is a continuous LED bar and illuminated Audi rings.
INDUSTRY VIEWS
AND THOUGHTS FROM
can watch all our Car Dealer Live broadcasts by clicking here:
The impact has been pretty strong in terms of boosting visibility of EVs and boosting consumers’ appetite for them.
Ian Plummer Auto Trader
‘Confusing’ Electric Car Grant has left EV sales in a ‘holding pattern’
EV sales are currently stuck in a ‘holding pattern’ as a result of ‘confusion’ around the government’s new Electric Car Grant.
That is according to Auto Trader’s Ian Plummer, who has been discussing the impact of the recently introduced government legislation.
Appearing on a recent episode of Car Dealer Live, Plummer said the announcement initially brought positivity, with searches for EVs rising in the immediate aftermath.
However, as the details of the grant began to become clearer, consumer behaviours began to change, leading to major headaches for dealers and manufacturers.
Plummer, Auto Trader’s commercial director, told Car Dealer: ‘The impact has been pretty strong in terms of boosting visibility of EVs and boosting consumers’ appetite for them.
‘The day after the announcement, we saw a large boost of audience numbers looking at new electric cars and the share of the new market that was going towards electric ad views and leads jumped from around one in
four to around a third, so there was big rise.
‘There was a doubling of interest in EVs under £37,000 so people had got the message that it was more likely to be the affordable product that was going to be incentivised and were putting their eyeballs and their clicks where those most relevant cars were.
According to Plummer, the ‘initial first boost of positivity’ has been followed by ‘confusion’ and ‘disappointment’ as far as the automotive industry is concerned.
There remains a major lack of clarity over which cars will qualify for the full £3,750 grant, which is decided by a number of sustainability criteria.
Plummer says that after the grant was launched, a number of customers cancelled EV orders in the hope of getting money off, with several yet to re-place them. It has led to a ‘holding pattern’ in which interest in EVs has remained high, but uptake has stayed low.
Plummer added: ‘Some people are waiting to see how this plays out, looking at EVs on our platform and others not not necessarily translating that into an order. We’re in a holding pattern.’
Top Gear’s former Stig is now the making waves in the world of Japanese imports
HE’S best known for his seven-year stint as Top Gear’s mysterious racing driver but former Stig Ben Collins has now stepped out of the shadows and turned his attention to the world of Japanese imports.
The racing driver, who donned the famous white suit between 2003 and 2010, is currently working with MotorCap, which imports lowmileage European and Japanese cars before
selling them to the motor trade at auction.
The firm aims to take the stress of imports away from the dealers themselves, something which Car Dealer’s James Baggott can relate to, having recently gone through the process with his business, The Clever Car Collection.
All MotorCap vehicles are sold via BCA having passed an MOT test and registered to drive on UK roads.
Having previously worked with WSG, Collins was brought on board to for his ‘unique perspective and knowledge’, particularly in the worlds of warranties and motorsport.
Ironically, given his years of anonymity, the 50-year-old now serves as the face of the company and he appeared on the most recent episode of the Car Dealer Podcast to tell us all about the venture.
BEN COLLINS
FINANCE NEWS
Compensation for mis-sold car finance could begin next year
by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor
Consumers could start to receive compensation for motor finance claims next year, the chief of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said.
Nikhil Rathi said up to 30 million car finance deals were made between 2007 and 2020, but not all will be eligible for compensation.
The FCA is currently consulting on an industry-wide redress scheme. It said some motor finance firms broke the law or its rules by not properly informing customers about commission paid by lenders to the car dealers that sold them the loan.
Rathi told a group of MPs on the Treasury Committee: ‘During the period that we’re looking at – from 2007 through to approximately 2020 – there are around 30 million agreements.’ He added that not all of those will be eligible for compensation.
He said: ‘One of the things that we are looking at very closely is what the scope of the scheme will be.’ He added that the FCA was looking into so-called discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs), of which there were around 14.6 million over the same period. This refers to arrangements whereby brokers, including car dealers, were able to increase interest rates on car loans so they could receive more commission.
‘A very significant proportion of those agreements… we do think probably breached the law when it came to disclosure and, by extension, unfair relationships,’ Rathi said.
The regulatory chief said the FCA was consulting on the scheme because there was ‘evidence that there have been unfair relationships between lenders and their consumers, and commissions paid that were not adequately disclosed’.
He said that a ‘large number of consumers were not properly informed and perhaps did not get the fairest interest rate that they should have done’ for a motor finance agreement.
The consultation is due to be launched by early October, Rathi said, adding: ‘We hope that compensation, where it is due, can start to be paid next year.’
The FCA previously estimated that most individuals would probably receive less than £950 in compensation. It also said that the final total cost of any compensation scheme is estimated to be between £9bn and £18bn. Rathi told MPs that there were at least 38 motor finance firms in the UK that were likely to have to be involved in running a scheme.
Repair finance firm bags £8m of industry backing NEWS
BUMPER has raised more than £8m in equity funding with some of the biggest names in the automotive industry backing the repair finance firm.
Bosses say the additional funding brings to an end its Series B investment round, which has now brought in a total of £20m since launch.
The latest round has seen major brands invest into Bumper, including Suzuki Global Ventures, Porsche Ventures and Shell Ventures. Money has also arrived from JLR – via its InMotion Ventures division – as well as Autotech Ventures.
The completion of the latest funding round coincides with Bumper marking its 10th anniversary with a refreshed corporate brand identity and the launch of a new website.
The firm will now use the new funding to launch its new Bumper Pro platform and AutoBI services across the UK and Europe, and scale up the company’s operations.
Bumper Pro enables automotive retailers to use Bumper’s direct payment solutions to reduce card transaction fees and automate back-office workflows.
TIME IS MONEY
RICHARD PYGOTT
Flexible subprime finance that flexes with you
Does anyone else feel like 2025 has gone by in the blink of an eye? One minute we were talking about the new year hangover, the next, it’s nearly autumn and I’ve already spotted mince pies sneaking back onto supermarket shelves!
Time’s flying, but some things in the motor trade don’t seem to change quite so quickly.
Take finance companies’ finance criteria. Over the past few months, I’ve been chatting with some of our dealer partners, and the same theme keeps cropping up: how different every lender’s criteria can be, and how frustrating that is when you’re just trying to get a customer into the right car.
It’s a fair point. Dealers want to help people drive away without unnecessary hassle — but sometimes it feels like lenders throw up barriers just for the sake of it. Higher mileage cars? Too often a no-go, even though they’re practical, affordable, and in many cases exactly what a customer needs.
Older cars? Forget it. Perfectly good stock sits on forecourts, gathering dust, because someone behind a desk decided they wouldn’t finance them.
And then there are the customers themselves. Provisional licence holders; selfemployed workers; people with an IVA or a credit history that isn’t spotless. Too often they’re declined outright, even though there’s no real reason they couldn’t be on the road today.
For me, that’s the bit that sticks. Every ‘computer says no’ moment is another missed opportunity: a car not sold, a customer left without transport, and a dealer stuck scratching their head.
Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk
That’s why at First Response Finance we’ve taken a different approach. Flexibility isn’t an afterthought, it’s what we build everything around. Higher mileage? No problem. Older cars? Bring them on. Customers in trickier circumstances? We’ll always look for a way forward rather than shutting the door.
At the end of the day, dealers don’t want more hoops to jump through. You want deals done and customers happy to be. And that’s exactly what we’re here to help with.
If you’re not already working with us and want to see how flexibility could make life easier on your forecourt, check us out here.
Dealers want to help people drive away without unnecessary hassle — but sometimes it feels like lenders throw up barriers just for the sake of it.
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
DealerDesk
W: dealerdesk.co.uk
E: contact@dealerdesk.co.uk
Info: Modernise your stock management, advertising, communication, sales and website. DealerDesk provides you with easyto-use tools designed to simplify your dealership management.
Finance
Blue Motor Finance
W: blue.co.uk
T: 020 3005 9331
E: dealersupport@blue.co.uk
Info: Blue is transforming the car finance market, making car ownership simple and flexible and providing motor traders with access to essential finance.
First Response
W: dealer.firstresponsefinance.co.uk
T: 0115 671 1755
E: marketing@frfl.co.uk
Info: First Response is an awardwinning UK finance company providing simple financial solutions. Get in touch and let us help increase your profits.
Finance
Forza Finance
W: forzafinance.co.uk
T: 01245 245678
Info: Benefit from Forza Finance’s expertise, choice of products and lenders. Their personal approach will help you achieve higher levels of finance penetration and, ultimately, sell more cars.
HR & People Management
HR Manager
W: hrmanager.co.uk
T: 01480 455500
E: info@hrmanager.co.uk
Info: HR Manager is Lawgistics’ new digital compliance portal designed to assist employers in managing their legal obligations, responsibilities and duties.
Insurance
Tradesure
W: tradesureinsurance.co.uk
T: 0121 248 9313
Info: Providing motor trade insurance to full- and part-time motor traders in the UK, the Tradesure team are reliable professionals who know how to help you.
Key Control
Traka
W: traka-automotive.com
T: 0333 355 3726
E: automotive@traka.com
Info: Bespoke software and electronic key management cabinets to deliver the most effective solution to dealerships to manage their keys and vehicles.
Lead Management
GardX AD-Vantage
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
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
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
Info: Ben is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with the automotive industry to provide support for life to its people and their families.
Vehicle Photography
Dealer 360
W: dealer360.co.uk
T: 01270 780855
E: nicky.spratt@ukturntables.com
Info: UK makers of photo booths incorporating our turntables for car, van and motorcycle dealers. Our software controls turntable and cameras – a onestop solution.
Vehicle Tracking
Meta Trak
W: metatrak.co.uk
T: 020 8867 2340
E: enquiries@metatrak.co.uk
Info: Total vehicle security. Clever tracking technology, advanced immobilisation, 24/7 monitoring and an easy-to-use app. Security. Connectivity. Peace of mind.
Warranty Providers
AutoProtect
W: autoprotect.co.uk
T: 01279 406888
E: sales@autoprotect.net
Info: AutoProtect offers a full portfolio of award-winning protection products, including GAP. We lead the market with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot.
Warranty Providers
Car Care Plan
W: carcareplan.com
T: 0344 573 8000
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: Car Care Plan is a leading provider of motor protection products, trusted around the world to deliver quality protection with integrity and a customer-oriented outlook.
Warranty Providers
Centurion Warranties
W: centurionwarranties.co.uk
T: 0800 368 7420
E: support@cwuk.net
Info: Centurion offers comprehensive aftermarket warranty solutions to motor dealers across the UK who sell first-owned vehicles through to high-end, prestige and sports cars.
Warranty Providers
Händler Protect
W: handlerprotect.com
T: 0800 088 7889
E: sales@handlerprotect.com
Info: Händler Protect is an exclusive dealer warranty provider. Proud to partner and represent more than 1,000-plus ‘active’ independent motor dealers across the UK each month.
Warranty Providers
Warrantywise
W: warrantywise.co.uk/dealer
T: 0800 001 4551
E: dealers@warrantywise.co.uk
Info: Warrantywise sells over 100,000 warranties per year.
Quentin Willson personally designed Warrantywise to be the UK’s best used car warranty.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Bluesky Interactive
W: blueskyinteractive.co.uk
T: 01926 651000
Info: Bluesky Interactive drive dealer websites and digital marketing forward thanks to game-changing innovation, the latest technology and our exceptional relationships with our clients.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Haswent
W: haswent.com
T: 020 3920 6164
E: hello@haswent.com
Info: Composer is a next-gen automotive platform. You have extensive stock management options, and you’ll gain a brilliantly responsive new website.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Spidersnet
W: spidersnet.co.uk
T: 01273 837749
E: hello@spidersnet.co.uk
Info: Websites that are designed to increase the number of customers for dealers. We have solutions for all budgets and needs. All solutions include our DMS Autopromotor.
THE KNOWLEDGE
Cupra Leon VZ2 DSG
CUPRA LEON
After nearly seven months and 5,000 miles, Cameron Richards is sad to see this spicy hot hatch leave the fleet.
So, the time has come to hand back the keys to my trusty Cupra Leon, which I’ve been running for nearly seven months.
I won’t lie, it’s been a pretty sad day. If I cast myself back to February 10, when I took delivery of the car, I was jumping with joy as it was so refreshing to drive a car that wasn’t an SUV.
Since February, the Leon and I have racked up nearly 5,000 miles together and I can honestly say, it’s been a joy. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been all plain sailing, as I’ll get onto that later, but as an overall package, I’ve been very smitten with my Spanish hot hatch.
Let’s start with the good. I’ve lost count with the amount of times I’ve travelled up the M3 and along the M25 in this thing, but every time I have, it’s been a painless and smooth process. In terms of refinement, its German underpinnings and excellent build quality means that the Leon absorbs lots of its surroundings, meaning when I haven’t got my music blaring out of the speakers, I can just get home in a comfortable and quiet manner. The fuel economy has got a little bit better too, as it’s now easily achieving around 40 to 45mpg on a long run and, although I hate to say it, I’ve got used to the touch-sensitive volume and climate control buttons.
When it comes to performance, I love how stealthy this car looks, with only the quadexit exhaust tips giving the game away that this is a fire-breathing 296bhp hot hatchback. The power is just there, whenever you want it and the sheer level of torque from the 2.0-litre engine is just as impressive.
It’s been a great workhorse as well, with the five-door body style really making it easier for passengers to clamber aboard, while there is plenty of interior storage and the large 380-litre boot space has managed to transport my grandparents’ old 55-inch TV with no issue.
So, the Cupra Leon has been perfect, right? Well, not quite, even though it’s been an extremely capable car, there have been some irritations and gremlins that slipped in over the last seven months. The first has to be the seats, which look great, but after a while began to give me a lot of backache. Meanwhile, the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox isn’t the most responsive and the steering wheel-mounted paddles don’t improve engagement any further.
If you’re looking for a hot hatchback that you want to take on a Sunday afternoon gander, then this isn’t it. The car would be far more fun to drive if it came with a manual gearbox, as having a standard auto box limits the fun factor you get from a hot hatch. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Cupra Leon. It’s fast, practical, looks good and has proved to be fairly economical for a long-distance trip. Sure, it’s not the most engaging hot hatch to ever grace the tarmac of our roads, and the little glitches have been annoying. But, for those looking for a performance-focused hatch to live with everyday and want something with a little bit more flair, then the Cupra Leon really is great choice.
This month’s highlight:
We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Leon and now after nearly seven months and 5,000 miles it’s time to wave the car off.
OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING
Mileage: 3,670
We’ve become very smitten with this budget-friendly SUV – a shame it has to be returned soon.
X3
Dacia Duster
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