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• USED CAR MARKET GROWTH
• PINEWOOD.AI TAKEOVER TALKS
• SUPERCAR DEALER COLLAPSE • CAR REGISTRATIONS UP 3.4% • UK JOBS AXED AT GROUP 1 • TOM HARTLEY PROFITS DIP
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FOUNDER
James Baggott
james@thebaize.com
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James Batchelor
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Cameron
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COURTS
Trading Standards acts on dealer
A ROGUE used car dealer has been ordered to pay almost £6,000 after Trading Standards accused him of selling ‘dangerous and unroadworthy’ vehicles.
Paul Mulford, 65, who traded as Auto Park Norwich, failed to carry out sufficient checks before listing cars for sale on his website.
His practices led to complaints from customers, sparking an investigation by Trading Standards at Norfolk County Council. A full trial took place at the end of last year.
FINANCE
Pinewood.AI in takeover talks
PINEWOOD.AI has entered talks over a potential takeover deal which could see the firm bought by a leading private equity firm.
A filing to the London Stock Exchange revealed that the automotive tech company is in talks with Apax Partners LLP over a potential cash offer of 500 pence per share. While an official offer is yet to be lodged, prices mentioned value Pinewood.AI at around £575m, with the company having around 115.1m shares.
NEWS DIGEST
Chinese carmaker Chery green-lights plan to add fourth brand to UK – meet Lepas
Chery will launch its Lepas brand in the UK this year, confirming news leaked to Car Dealer in April 2025. The Chinese automotive powerhouse already sells models under its own name in Britain, along with offering its Omoda and Jaecoo brands – both of which accounted for dramatic growths in UK sales last year.
But the company will continue its plan to disrupt the UK landscape by adding the Lepas brand later this year.
Car Dealer first heard of Chery’s plans for its Lepas marque last April, when sources told this publication that dealers had been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements about the launch.
Lepas is a self-described ‘New Energy Vehicle’ brand for ‘the European market’. The name is derived from ‘Leopard, Leap and Passion’, and only launched internationally as recently as Q3 2025.
In the UK, it is expected to sit below Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo and offer cheaper, more entry-level models to rivals Stellantis’ Leapmotor brand. An official announcement from Chery confirmed the imminent
arrival of Lepas, adding it will reveal ‘launch plans in the coming weeks, including full details of the first Lepas model scheduled to go on sale’.
The announcement added: ‘This phased introduction will outline leadership appointments, retailer plans, and the brand’s ambition to establish itself as a distinctive new presence in the UK market.’
Car Dealer believes Lepas will be independent of Omoda and Jaecoo eventually, but dealers currently representing Chery brands will sell Lepas models in existing showrooms.
Chery made significant inroads into the UK market last year. Jaecoo delivered one of the largest percentage increases in the market last year, adding 28,023 registrations year-on-year, representing a 13,408% increase on 2024’s sales figures.
Sister brand Omoda was close behind, growing volumes by 16,226 units, up 447%. Chery sold more than 5,500 cars in 2025, beating Alfa Romeo (3,000), Subaru (2,144), Genesis (1,225), and DS Automobiles (1,015).
Used car market records third consecutive year of growth
SECONDHAND EVs enjoyed record demand in 2025 as the UK’s used car market grew for the third consecutive year. That is according to new data from the SMMT which found that the market grew by an impressive 2.2% last year to 7,807,872 transactions.
The development comes as the new car market continues to recover towards pre-pandemic levels, having reached two million sales for the first time this decade in 2025.
The latest figures show demand for used electrified vehicles accelerated significantly, supported by a wider choice of models and the promise of lower running costs. Throughout last year, sales of used BEVs surged 45.7% year-on-year to a record 274,815, taking a record 3.5% of the market – up from 2.5% this time last year.
Elsewhere, PHEV sales rose by 6.3% to 88,032 units, while HEVs increased by 28.6% to 407,531 units. Overall, electrified car transactions made rose by 30.9% in 2025.
TESLA
Carmaker racks up £20,000 penalty
TESLA has racked up more than £20,000 in fines, costs and court fees after being convicted of failing to cooperate with UK police forces on at least 18 occasions.
It has been revealed that Elon Musk’s electric car giant has faced multiple criminal court proceedings over the past two years, after ignoring police requests for help in solving road traffic offences.
The cases relate to allegations of speeding Tesla drivers, with authorities contacting them for details.
DEALERSHIPS
Alpine
expands
UK dealer network
GRANGE Motors has opened a new Alpine ‘Brand Experience Dealership’ in Scotland’s capital city.
The new site at Bankhead Drive, Edinburgh will serve customers in the city and the wider Scottish region, and takes Alpine’s UK network to 20 locations.
Alpine says the new dealership has been designed to reflect the brand’s ‘contemporary performanceluxury positioning’, and features a ‘welcoming lounge’.
Targa Florio Cars to ‘enter liquidation’ as it blames ‘difficult trading conditions’ for collapse
TARGA Florio Cars director William Kirkham has told the BBC that the supercar dealer is ‘entering liquidation’ and he is ‘filing for bankruptcy’.
According to reports, at least some of the customers have received settlements from Kirkham for their missing cars. In a story published by BBC Sussex, three customers told how they had given Targa Florio their cars
Cyberattack leads to eye-watering losses
JLR has slumped to even deeper losses after last year’s cyberattack wreaked havoc with the carmaker’s performance.
New accounts show the British marque reported an underlying pretax loss of £310m in Q3.
The result represents a complete collapse on the same point last year, when the firm made a profitbefore-tax of £523m, with bosses pointing the finger of blame firmly at the hack. The Solihull-based outfit booked another £64m of costs related to the hack, which forced it to halt production across its UK factories for five weeks.
on a sale or return (SoR) basis but later found out that the cars had been sold and no funds had been handed over.
In each case, the customers said they been in contact with Kirkham until he eventually stopped replying.
When Car Dealer visited the ex-Targa Florio dealership, it found cars had been removed and the site still had computers on desks and many items left behind.
January new car registrations up 3.4%
NEW car registrations jumped by 3.4% in January, but alarm bells have been rung over EV uptake.
Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 144,127 cars rolled out of dealerships last month. It was a rise of 3.4% compared to January 2025, and represented the best start to a year since pre-pandemic 2020.
All buyer types saw growth: private retail was up 4.5%, fleets 1.6%, and low-volume business 46.5%. Fleets continued to dominate new car registrations.
However, behind the headlines, uptake of new EVs barely moved.
CMA green-lights Aston Barclay deal
THE Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally given the green light to Constellation’s takeover of Aston Barclay, concluding the deal is unlikely to harm competition in the used car auction market.
The watchdog said it has ‘provisionally found’ the takeover – by Constellation Developments Limited of ABVR Holdings Limited – ‘has created a relevant merger situation’ but ‘has not resulted, and may not be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition’ in the supply of business-to-business used vehicle auction services.
BITE-SIZE
Click on the text box for the full story
LEGAL BILL: Ousted Big Motoring World founder Peter Waddell has put his sprawling London estate on the market as his ongoing legal battles continue. Waddell was removed from the top of the used car supermarket group back in April 2024, following a string of allegations around his conduct.
DEALERS: Snows Motor Group is continuing to expand with BYD as it opens two brand new dealerships. The two newest additions to Snows’ BYD dealer network are in Waterlooville, Hampshire; and Honiton, Devon. Its other BYD outlets are in Basingstoke, Newbury, Chichester and Southampton.
PEOPLE: Rolls-Royce has a new UK boss after John Beckley was named as the luxury brand’s regional director for the UK, Europe and Central Asia. Beckley takes up the role after spending the three decades at BMW Group, the last 18 of which have been with Rolls-Royce.
LEGAL: A used car dealership has finally won a long-running legal battle against a customer who repeatedly exploited distance-selling rules, after his final appeal was rejected. The case involved Williams Group Maidstone, trading as PCBS Sales with dealerships in Maidstone and Wolverhampton,
PEOPLE: Mercedes has confirmed the return of a familiar face after former manager Jason Allbutt was named as the brand’s new UK sales director. Allbutt began his career at Mercedes way back in 1995 before going on to hold a number of senior management positions.
NEWS DIGEST
Group 1 to axe more UK jobs and dealerships despite clocking up record revenues in 2025
US giant Group 1 Automotive has signalled further job losses in the UK in 2026 as it continues a major restructuring programme, despite reporting record annual revenues for 2025.
The dealer group, which operates 254 showrooms across the US and UK, said it expects to take ‘additional actions in 2026’ to optimise UK operations and reduce costs.
‘Financially unviable’ sites to be closed
DEALER group Vertu has axed two showrooms in the north of England after ruling that the sites were no longer ‘financially viable’.
The Car Dealer Top 100 firm has ceased trading at both its Honda Bradford and Citroen Macclesfield sites, following a review.
The news comes just weeks after the retailer entered talks to close three other showrooms, which it acquired as part of its Helston Garages takeover at the end of 2022.
It confirmed that its UK-wide restructuring plan includes ‘further workforce realignment and strategic closings of certain facilities’.
During 2025, Group 1 closed BMW and Mini showrooms in Stansted and Hindhead, along with confirming it would be shutting all of its JLR sites over the next two years.
Motor trade biggest tax bills are revealed
THE motor trade has paid almost £130m in tax over the past year, making it one of the one of the biggest contributing sectors to the public purse.
That is according to the Sunday Times Tax List 2026, which has found that, as an industry, car sales has contributed a whopping £129.3m to HMRC over the past 12 months.
The industry’s biggest bill was paid by Lady Philomena Clark and her family, who coughed up a staggering £81m.
Tom Hartley reports small dip in profits
LEGENDARY supercar dealer Tom Hartley has announced a small dip in profits after spending a year fighting a ‘slow-moving market’.
Accounts recently filed via Companies House show that Tom Hartley Cars Limited made a profit-before-tax of £2.12m in the 12 months to the end of October 2024. That figure represents an 8.2% drop-off on the previous year, when the Derbyshire-based outfit pocketed £2.3m. Turnover also fell by 31.5% to £32.71m.
DEALER NEWS
Chery UK partners with Car Care Plan Protex
Chery UK has partnered with Car Care Plan Protex to introduce a suite of branded insurance and accident management services for customers of its motoring brands, OMODA&JAECOO and CHERY.
The new programmes include branded fiveday comprehensive driveaway insurance, plus a one-year excess return voucher for all eligible customers. Customers can also purchase a branded annual motor insurance policy, supported by comprehensive accident assistance services designed to deliver a smooth, reassuring claims experience.
A key benefit of the partnership is a bespoke repair journey routed through manufacturerapproved repairers, audited and approved by
Car Care Plan Protex, using genuine OEM parts. Together, the services are intended to strengthen drivers’ peace of mind while supporting customer satisfaction and retailer retention through consistent, brand-aligned aftersales support.
Customers will be able to access and activate their products through a simple registration process initiated by their retailer. Accident assistance is also available through a claims management smartphone app on iOS and Android, providing a quick and efficient way to make a claim, alongside the existing 24/7/365 telephone claims registration option.
OMODA&JAECOO is one of the fastest-growing UK automotive brand over the past decade, with cumulative sales of 60,000 vehicles to date. CHERY UK launched in September 2025 and has expanded rapidly, with a network of 46 retailers nationwide and sales of more than 5,000 vehicles and a 1.14% share of the market.
As our customer base grows, it is essential that our ownership proposition grows with it.
Gary
Lan CEO of OMODA UK
Simon Cook, Sales Director at Car Care Plan, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with CHERY UK to offer branded retail motor insurance and accident management services to their
OMODA&JAECOO and CHERY customers.
‘CHERY is one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the UK, having launched in September and already expanded to 46 retailers nationwide. Their approach to strong after-sales support aligns perfectly with our ambition to offer comprehensive, branded insurance and accident management solutions to their rapidly growing customer base.’
Gary Lan, CEO of OMODA UK, said: ‘As our customer base grows, it is essential that our ownership proposition grows with it. This partnership [with Car Care Plan Protex] gives OMODA&JAECOO and CHERY drivers a clearer, more confident route to insurance and accident support, backed by approved repair standards and a seamless customer journey. It is another step in building long-term trust, protecting residual values through quality repair, and ensuring every interaction reflects our brands’ commitment to reassurance, transparency and care.’
Several of Car Care Plan Protex’s manufacturer and retailer programmes won the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award in 2025, reflecting consistent delivery of customer service.
NEW GUESTS ANNOUNCED
Dealer Live 2026
14:00 MANUFACTURER PANEL
Carmakers have plenty of challenges of their own in 2026 – the ZEV mandate being just one of them. But what words of wisdom can they offer to their dealer partners, and are things going to get easier or more difficult in the next 18 months? Our dedicated manufacturer panel will comprise Suzuki GB’s director of automobile David Kateley, Subaru and XPeng UK managing director Lorraine Bishton, and Dacia UK’s new brand director Lina Ribeiro. The panel is set to be an umissable element of the day.
David Kateley Director of automobile,
British Motor Museum, Gaydon
MARCH 19, 2026
HEADLINE INTERVIEWS
Our headliners will feature in individual keynote interviews throughout the day, where they will individually share the secrets to their success, and discuss the hot topics of the automotive industry. More names will be added to the line-up soon.
Nicola Dobson Managing director, Peugeot UK
Sohib Ghafouri Founder & director, Infinty Motors
Suzuki GB
Lorraine Bishton MD, Subaru and XPeng UK
Lina Ribeiro Brand director, Dacia UK
Richard Ennis CEO, Hedin UK
Sam Luscombe MD, Luscombe Motors
FULL LINE-UP TO BE ANNOUNCED
Franchised dealers regularly find themselves at the bleeding edge of new manufacturer initiatives, and that’s not likely to change in 2026. Our experienced panel will share their insights on the technological and regulatory changes coming our way in the years ahead.
James McConville Director, Solo Cars
Danny Bond Director, DB Automotive
FULL LINE-UP TO BE ANNOUNCED
We’ll be chatting to dealers who have harnessed the power of social media to sell cars. We’ll be joined by James McConville, director of Solo Car Sales, about how he has mastered social car sales as well as other car dealers about how they do it too. Meanwhile, Danny Bond from DB Automotive will be explaining how his dealership previously sold cars exclusively through social media, with over 3000 vehicles transacted on solely through Meta’s various platforms.
Adam Harkin Dealer development director, Geely UK
Victor Zhang
UK country manager, Omoda & Jaecoo
BRANDS
Steve Beattie
Deputy country manager, BYD
Farrell Hsu
UK country manager, Chery
Could 2026 be the year Chinese car manufacturers conquer the UK market? This year, we’ve assembled a panel of their brightest and best representatives, to help you get a feel for what sort of products are coming down the pipeline.
Umeshi Samani Chairman, IMDA
Steven Douglas Founder, Really Easy Car Credit
George Manning Director, Hilton Garage
FULL LINE-UP TO BE ANNOUNCED
Independent dealers don’t often have an easy life. With recent challenges like vehicle electrification, volatile prices and a shortage of stock, our panel will discuss how to remain profitable and relevant in an everchanging automotive landscape.
Ian Plummer
Chief commercial officer, Autotrader
Headline partner Autotrader will be discussing the challenges dealers face going into the next 12 months, and how to mitigate them. This session will give attendees market context, real-world best practices from retailers, and actionable ideas that dealers can take straight back to their businesses.
James Leese UK managing director, Impel
If there’s one thing the world can’t stop talking about right now, it’s AI – and who better to discuss this vast topic than artificial intelligence experts from Impel.
Executives from the Impel team will be explaining how dealers can get the best out of AI, along with where to deploy it in their businesses, and what’s next for the technology.
Tom Leathes
Co-founder & CEO, Motorway
Leathes was one of the co-founders of the groundbreaking online used car marketplace which has shaken up the way car dealers buy cars. In this interview he’ll answer our questions – and yours – as he opens up about the future for the radical platform.
Phil Nothard
Insight director, Cox Automotive
This session explores how consumer interest in new market entrants has evolved over the past six months. Backed by fresh consumer data, we’ll analyse where these brands are gaining traction, where the market has been eroded, and what this shift signals for the retail landscape in the year ahead.
Tim Smith
Chief strategy officer, Keyloop
Automotive powerhouse Keyloop is responsible for the back-end operations of countless dealer group and OEM functions.
The Keyloop team will be bringing their latest insights to the Car Dealer Live stage, with further details to be announced.
Huxley Stewart
Senior Industry Manager, Google
How are consumers using AI to search for their next car? Search giant Google will reveal their latest insights into this key change in the world of car shopping at Car Dealer Live, as well as research into how dealers are leveraging AI, and the opportunity for the motor trade to connect with consumers on YouTube.
BYD SEALION 5
The Sealion 5 is BYD’s ninth new model to launch in the UK, and it comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Cameron Richards reports.
WHAT IS IT?
Chinese manufacturers have made big in-roads into the UK’s new car market, and BYD has been one of the most successful at shaking up the traditional order.
In just three years, the company has introduced eight new models to the market, featuring electric and plug-in hybrid setups with affordable price tags and bang up-to-date technology.
For 2026, the firm shows no sign of stopping, and has already kickstarted this year off with its ninth new offering.
Introducing the Sealion 5, a midsize C-segment SUV that is going after the likes of the Kia Sportage with a standard plug-in hybrid powertrain and an ultra-low starting price of £29,995.
WHAT’S NEW?
The Sealion 5 is BYD’s fifth SUV to come to the UK, while utilising the firm’s latest ‘DM-i’ plug-in hybrid configuration.
Although BYD already offers a midsize plug-in hybrid SUV, with the Seal U DM-i, the Sealion 5 is slightly smaller with a 53mm shorter wheelbase, and is more than £3,340 cheaper to buy than its bigger brother.
There is also a choice of battery pack sizes, and both variants come with BYD’s ‘Blade Battery’ technology, which are stronger, cleaner, more efficient and don’t use any precious metal such as cobalt and nickel in their construction
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
We’re driving the entry-level car, which is equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor and 12.96kWh battery.
It produces a total power output of 209bhp and 300Nm of torque, which can take the car to 60mph in 7.5 seconds, while it runs out of puff at 106mph.
BYD claims the car in this guise can travel up to 38 miles on electric power alone, while achieving 51.4mpg on the combined cycle.
The top-spec model comes with the same engine and electric motor, though its battery size increases to 18.3kWh, allowing the car to achieve a claimed electric range of up to 53.4 miles.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The Sealion 5 is not going to set your pulse racing from behind the wheel, but that’s not what it’s designed to do.
Power
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol with electric motor produces 209bhp and 300Nm of torque.
THE KNOWLEDGE
BYD Sealion 5
DM-i Comfort
Price (as tested): £29,995
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol with electric motor and 12.96kWh battery
Power: 209bhp
Torque: 300Nm
O-60mph: 7.5 seconds
Max speed: 106mph MPG (combined): 51.4 mpg
Emissions: 62g/km CO2
BYD SEAL 6 TOURING LONG TERM REVIEW – P29
Cabin
The soft-touch plastics used throughtout the cabin give the interior and high-quality feel.
Instead, the car’s smooth ride and decent visibility makes it a comfortable and easy-tomanoeuvre choice when driving around town.
The car’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is very impressive, as it’s extremely quiet, while the petrol engine only kicks in under heavy acceleration, making the car feel more like an EV than a PHEV.
On a twisty road, however, the car’s steering feels artificially heavy, lacking any sort of feel through the front wheels, giving a very remote and vague response, which doesn’t inspire much confidence at speed.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
When it comes to making an SUV stand out from the crowd, it’s very difficult for a manufacturer to succeed.
Sadly, the Sealion 5 doesn’t do anything radical or interesting when it comes to exterior design, with its anonymous boxy dimensions.
To liven the car’s profile, there is a coloured D-pillar, which gives the car a ‘floating roof’ effect, a single rear light bar and silver roof rails for that SUV look.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
The car’s cabin is also lacking in style, although all of the materials used throughout do feel high-quality with lots of soft-touch plastics.
All cars come with a 12.8-inch infotainment screen and a 8.8-inch digital driver’s display, unfortunately, lots of the car’s controls are still buried within the touchscreen itself, which can be difficult to operate when on the move.
At least storage is good, with large door bins, a deep centre armrest cubby hole, cup holders and a hidden compartment behind the centre console.
The Sealion 5 offers 463 litres of boot capacity, while the rear seats fold completely flat, extending that space to 1,410 litres. Disappointingly, that’s smaller than its main rivals, with the Kia Sportage providing 587 litres of room, and a Hyundai Tucson trumps that at 620 litres.
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
There’s no shortage of standard kit with any Sealion 5, as the range represents superb value for money.
Our entry-level Comfort test car comes in at £29,995, which is more than £3,300 less than a basic Ford Kuga and just under £1,000 cheaper than a petrol-powered Kia Sportage.
All Sealion 5s come with LED headlights, vegan leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats, a rear view camera and a six-speaker sound system.
The flagship Design model comes in at £32,995 and adds the larger 18.3kWh battery, a powered tailgate, heated front seats, front parking sensors and wireless smartphone charging.
VERDICT
The Sealion 5 is a car you’re going to buy with your head rather than your heart, as its ultralow starting price, practical interior and efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain will tick a lot of boxes for young families.
Style
There are a few design touches to liven the car’s looks, such as a D-pillar that gives the ‘floating roof’ effect plus a single light bar at the rear.
The Sealion 5 is a car you’re going to buy with your head rather than your heart.
JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS
What’s happening?
Atrip to the NADA conference in America is often on the list of must-do events for forward-thinking car dealers.
The huge conference brings together thousands of automotive professionals from across the world to one place to see new products, chat to peers and hear about the latest trends.
Last week, after a 10-year hiatus, I decided it was time to make the trip back to the show halls to see what’s new across the pond. So, after a week of reflection on the Las Vegas event, what did I really learn on my trip?
Well, when I went to NADA before things were very different. This was pre-Covid, pre-Cazoo, preAI – and the differences between the US and UK automotive markets felt vast.
I came away from that San Francisco event surprised at how advanced American automotive retailing felt. This year, I really didn’t get that impression.
It seems to me that UK car dealers have very much caught up with their American cousins and, in a lot of areas, are actually exceeding them.
Take AI as an example. At last year’s Car Dealer Live event we heard from Available Car boss Michael Bell about how he had deployed AI technology to deal with thousands of enquiries.
One session I attended at this year’s NADA conference featured a panel of US dealers who were merely scratching the surface of the technology. In one workshop, they advised other dealers to simply ‘try ChatGPT’. Hardly, ground breaking tips.
And this came at a time every other firm was seemingly showcasing their AI wares in the conference halls. Despite the fact that most stands were debuting an AI solution of some kind, none of the dreams they were selling sounded very different.
Most offer some sort of voice solution, most can
COVERAGE FROM NADA STARTS ON PAGE 16
answer inbound enquiries and most can chase leads, but they all seemed to do it in much the same way.
AI feels like a bit of a Wild West for the automotive industry at the moment with dealers working out which horse to back. That’s not to say there aren’t some great providers out there, what I am saying though is it’s very hard to see the difference.
Walking around the huge Expo halls we saw nothing particularly new and nothing terribly innovative. And while that sounds like a disappointment, I saw it as more of a positive, because to me it meant that UK car dealers are keeping up with the US.
I’ve also spent this week touring a lot of American car dealers and I wrote last week about how this is very different to selling in the UK. What did become clear during my subsequent visits, though, was how the theatrics of car selling in the States is far more important.
We saw car dealers filled with pizza vending machines, ice cream bars and confectionary stands. One had its own Starbucks and a Subway.
And they were packed with hundreds of people smiling, laughing and enjoying themselves.
Buying a car in the US is more like visiting a retail park and people clearly relish the experience. It’s hard not to, I suppose, when you’re scoffing pizza, but still it felt unusual.
This is where we differ a little from the States. The scale of American dealers are so vast in comparison to the UK that touring them feels special and they really have got car sales wrapped up as an event.
It’s something consumers were clearly enjoying and I am not sure the same could be said all of the time back home.
If you get the chance to visit the States, be that on holiday or a visit to NADA, it’s worth taking a trip to an ‘auto mall’ to take it in for yourself.
And if you’re looking for some hints and tips on how to improve your business, as well as some inspiring conversations, make sure you’ve got your ticket to Car Dealer Live. It takes place on March 19 at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
I look forward to seeing you there.
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The Need to Knows
BMW to recall nearly 25,000 cars in UK over potential fire risk
BMW is recalling 24,732 UK cars as part of a global 575,000-vehicle safety campaign after identifying starter motors that could short-circuit, overheat and potentially cause a fire. The recall affects models built between July 2020 and July 2022, including the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6 and Z4, with owners advised not to leave vehicles unattended while the engine is running and to watch for signs such as a smell of smoke.
Automotive business expert backs calls for ‘comprehensive review’ of the ZEV mandate
Professor David Bailey has backed calls for a ‘comprehensive review’ of the ZEV mandate, warning that current targets risk creating ‘market distortion rather than smooth transition’. The Birmingham Business School expert said manufacturers cannot force a ‘government-mandated number of consumers’ to buy EVs and cautioned that increasing supply targets without addressing barriers such as charging infrastructure, high upfront costs and resale value concerns could lead to heavy discounting and rapid depreciation.
Pic of the month
A 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon driven by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible – Final Reckoning is set to be auctioned on February 21, with an estimated price of £25,000-£50,000. The stuntprepared ‘Ethan 1’ features a welded roll cage, four-point harnesses, fire suppression system and specialist fuel cell setup.
Used car buyers are still keen for a Fiesta as much-loved Ford tops sales charts yet again
The Ford Fiesta has once again been named Britain’s best-selling used car, topping the SMMT’s 2025 rankings with 303,090 transactions despite production ending in 2023. The Vauxhall Corsa (247,853) and Volkswagen Golf (226,082) followed, while no EV-only models made the top 10. The Nissan Qashqai was the only SUV to feature, and the Audi A3 was the sole new entrant in 10th place.
QuoteA third year of used car sales growth underscores the market’s resilience, with recovering new car demand revitalising choice and affordability – especially for EVs – in the used market.
SMMT boss Mike Hawes on news secondhand EVs enjoyed record demand in 2025 as the total used car market grew to 7.8m transactions
What I’ve heard
I’M an Apple fan boy, love a Ferrari but am not the biggest lover of EVs so when I saw pictures this week of the Sir Jony Ive-designed interior of the new Luce Ferrari EV I was torn.
Firstly, I couldn’t help but love the pictures and video of the Ive inspired interior. The reveal video felt like I was being shown the latest Apple product with its close ups of the dials and bevels.
I think the whole thing is wonderful and hope they let Ive loose on every aspect of Ferrari’s designs.
I might have missed it, but I didn’t even know the former Apple designer was working with the supercar brand, but I’m delighted he is.
But a Ferrari EV? For years the brand has been saying it wouldn’t do one, then it changed its tune to only if they could give it true Ferrari DNA. I hope for their sake they’ve managed to do just that with the Luce. I’ll have to reserve judgement until I see it revealed in full, but if the iPhone-esque interior is anything to go by I’m excited to see more.
TikTok: Car dealers should encourage everyone to create video content
• Social media site tells NADA conference that more and more buyers are researching their next car on TikTok
More car buyers are shortlisting their next vehicles using the social media platform TikTok –but dealers are lagging behind on content creation.
Research by the video sharing site, shared at the NADA conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday, claimed that more than half of US car buyers are actively researching their next car on TikTok.
TikTok encouraged dealers to post more videos that show off what cars in their dealership are really like to live with as more buyers than ever are using the platform to validate their choice of car.
Referencing its own research into car buyers, Tsega Worku, head of automotive for TikTok in the United States, said 51% of buyers were shortlisting their next car on the platform and 80% of users were actively researching cars.
The TikTok session featured marketing experts on the live stage at the Las Vegas show who explained how car dealers can use the platform to boost their marketing.
While TikTok did not disclose sample size or the methodology behind the figures it presented, it did say dealers should encourage its sales and service teams to create content ‘all of the time’.
The experts said car dealers still have a ‘first to market’ advantage by using the video sharing site – and shouldn’t think of it as ‘just for Generation Z’.
Worku explained that a growing number
of older users are now turning to TikTok with Millennials and Boomers among the largest growing user groups.
‘The amount of 50-year-old plus users on the platform that I am engaging with right now is really scary,’ she said.
She said these older generations are actively searching for content about cars to help them make sense of their potential purchases.
Everyone
John Fitzpatrick, CEO of Force Marketing, told the audience that ‘everyone’ in a car dealership should be on TikTok.
He said: ‘TikTok is not one person at the dealership that’s tech savvy, or, you know, younger. It’s everybody.
‘Everyone at your dealership can take time. Every single one of them. Why? Because when we buy cars, we buy it on trust and someone that we like. This is a referral business.’
The marketing experts said the content
dealers create does not need to be funny either and should instead focus on detailing what a car is really like to live with.
Art Pier from agency C-4 Analytics said all dealers needed was a ‘phone and a hook’ to make a good TikTok video.
He added: ‘The short form videos people want to see feature options and benefits of the vehicles. They want to see the screens, they want to see the massage seats.
‘It doesn’t have to be, you know, the funny TikTok stuff. Not saying that stuff doesn’t work too. But it doesn’t have to be that.’
Kevin Butler, from Cars Commerce, added: ‘It’s got to be just low-fi, natural – that’s what really resonates on the platform.’
The panellists added that car dealers should at least invest time in trying the platform. They explained it is a great way to connect with buyers and put a face to your brand for potential buyers.
NADA reporting by James Baggott @CarDealerEd
The panel session on stage at the NADA conference
•
Does anyone really know what they’re doing when it comes to using AI?
A special panel on the future of AI-powered car dealerships explored the revolution
Car dealers attending this year’s NADA convention in Las Vegas will find AI topics rippling through the halls and speeches as the industry attempts to make sense of it.
Car Dealer attended a panel session on February 3 which highlighted where some dealers have deployed artificial intelligence and where other experts think it can help the most.
What was abundantly clear was that, when it comes to AI, no one really knows what they’re doing.
The NADA convention is often seen as a showcase for the rest of the world’s car dealers to follow, but when it comes to AI, this panel session proved that even the big US firms still don’t know where it’s best to deploy it.
Matthew Laughridge, a Hyundai and Genesis dealer, cautioned dealers when they were choosing which AI tech partner to work with.
‘This is not magic,’ he said. ‘These are tools. Don’t get oversold on the product.’
He said he’d implemented AI solutions throughout his dealership but explained getting his team on board at the start was key.
‘You can’t just buy a tool and expect it to work,’ he said.
He added that making sure staff saw AI as a companion and not a replacement for their jobs was critical.
‘This is still a relationship business,’ he added. ‘AI should enhance their job, not replace it.’
Laughridge suggested dealers should not view AI purely as a cost-saving measure,
either, but instead see it as a potential driver of revenue.
He has deployed AI in his warranty administration department to great effect helping streamline claims, documenting the process and automating submissions to manufacturers.
He has also added AI to his telephone process to follow up leads, in his sales departments to deal with some customer enquiries and in his marketing to help improve messages.
Team player
Thinking of AI as a ‘team mate’ was a good start for dealers, explained Jennifer Suzuki, from eDealer Solutions. However, she warned that applying AI to a bad process would just make ‘that bad process even worse’.
She told the packed auditorium that AI ‘doesn’t fix operational problems’. If dealerships automate poor messaging or broken processes, they’ll ‘simply scale those mistakes’, she explained.
Suzuki said the best way for dealers to work out where to deploy AI was by identifying the biggest pain points in their processes and
Humans are lazy –they’ll find ways to make their lives easier.
Steve Greenfield Automotive Ventures
then getting those staff affected involved in the solution.
‘Train everyone on how and when to use AI,’ she said.
And use AI in team meetings, she added, as this will encourage others to do the same.
Steve Greenfield, an investor from Automotive Ventures, echoed these views. He told the audience that getting your staff to experiment with AI was vital.
He added: ‘Humans are lazy – they’ll find ways to make their lives easier. Encourage your employees to experiment.’
He also explained how more consumers are using AI to help them buy a car and are moving away from traditional search engines. Because of this, dealers need to work out where they rank in the likes of ChatGPT’s answers and if they’re not there work how to be there.
‘We’re back in the very early days of SEO and trying to figure out how to show up in AI search results,’ he said.
He advised searching for your dealership in ChatGPT, checking if you appear and, if you don’t, study what your competitors have done to get there instead.
He also implored dealers to deploy AI to help answer phone calls. He said ‘lost phone calls were lost money’ and AI is able to help fix that.
The panel also stressed the importance of discussing AI with dealership staff. They warned that a staff member may already be innocently uploading sensitive data to large language models and may not understand the risks.
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Amazon Autos UK launch
‘lined up for 2026’ as
web giant to go head to
head with Autotrader
• Amazon Autos director says its not ‘if but when’ it will launch here
Amazon Autos – a rival to Autotrader –is set to launch in the UK by the end of 2026, sources have told Car Dealer. Suppliers are currently being ‘lined up to help’ the shopping giant set up in the UK with a target of advertising dealers’ cars later this year.
Speaking exclusively to Car Dealer after a speech at the NADA conference in Las Vegas on February 4, Amazon Autos director Steve Johnson said it was a case of ‘not if, but when’ the firm will launch in the UK.
‘We are exploring the UK but we have so much to do here,’ he said.
‘We are really focussed on the US, but the UK is interesting despite the complex laws and regulations there.’
Sources separately told Car Dealer that the Amazon launch in the UK was ‘imminent’ and the web giant is understood to be in talks with partners who can help facilitate its launch.
Meetings with trade partners have already taken place as Amazon looks to work out how to offer finance, warranties and other F&I products to its customers.
Consumers will be able to choose a new or used car, obtain finance quotes and add on extras like warranties on the site.
Amazon Autos will then hand that customer over to the dealer with a fully prepped deal, much like Autotrader’s Deal Builder product.
The UK is understood to be the first of five European markets the company will target as part of its push overseas.
In the US, Amazon Autos sells new and used cars to consumers via its online platform. Consumers are currently able to choose new cars from Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Ford and Kia with more manufacturers being added to the site all the time.
Used cars are also available on the Amazon Autos platform to buy in 130 cities across the United States. The product is being rapidly rolled out to other cities across the US.
Amazon Autos would be a direct rival to Autotrader in the UK and would compete with other used car platforms for dealers’ marketing spend.
Motorway rival
Amazon Autos is also likely to launch a rival to the likes of Motorway and Carwow as part of its automotive plan.
In LA, consumers are already able to offer their cars to dealers through Amazon and it’s likely this will be part of its roll out across the world.
Johnson said this was launched after dealer feedback suggested used car stock acquisition was a pain point for them and having the opportunity to buy, as well as sell, on the site was requested.
‘We’re evaluating expansion opportunities for this,’ he added.
Amazon is currently offering dealers in the US free advertising on the site and says it is not planning to take a cut of sales. It launched in the States 13 months ago.
Johnson said: ‘We are not participating in front-end gross or taking a revenue share on vehicle sales.
‘Our business model is built around advertising.
‘Today, we are waiving subscription fees as we continue building the marketplace. That may not last forever, but our focus remains on growing the ecosystem.
‘Future capabilities may include sponsored listings – similar to other sponsored product placements on Amazon – but those features are still being developed.’
Johnson was also keen to point out that Amazon Autos does not dictate the price car dealers sell their cars for on the site.
He added: ‘Dealers control pricing, inventory, deal structure, F&I rates, and markups – just like other independent sellers on Amazon control their products and pricing.’
When approached for comment, an Amazon UK spokesperson said: ‘We’re focused on expanding Amazon Autos in the United States, where we’re continuously adding new dealers, vehicle inventory, and features for customers.
‘While we’re always exploring opportunities to serve customers in new regions, we do not have anything more to share at this time.’
American car dealers want to block Chinese manufacturers from gaining a foothold in the US
• NADA CEO says Chinese cars are ‘bad for country’ and ‘the industry’
American car dealers are seeking to block Chinese manufacturers from entering the market with cheap vehicles.
Speaking at the NADA conference, Mike Stanton, CEO of the trade organisation, claimed Chinese cars were ‘bad for the country’ and ‘bad for the industry’.
He said 95% of the car dealers he represents want to ‘keep Chinese car makers out’ of the US.
Chinese car manufactures are subject to 100% tariffs in the States, but the likes of BYD, Chery and others could still undercut homegrown car makers if they bought their cars into the US.
In the UK, Chinese car sales are growing rapidly and are likely to take as much as 20% market share by 2030. Last year, they swallowed up 10% of all car sales.
However, in the States, car dealers are a forceful lobby group and are well known to do battle with perceived threats to their industry.
Stanton said: ‘We’re not telling dealers not to take the Chinese franchises. We’re gonna support policies, though, to keep them out.’
Car dealers in the States are struggling with higher interest rates and affordability issues as new cars have risen in price.
Honda dealer Doug Delacuesta, who runs Findlay Honda in Henderson, told Car Dealer that he thought Chinese brands would be accepted by US consumers who are looking for better value – if they’re ever allowed in.
‘I hope they don’t come here, though,’ he said.
‘But if they do I see they could be successful as their cars would undercut many of the vehicles already on sale in the US, even with the tariffs taken into account.’
NADA’s Stanton said he ‘doesn’t know what president Trump will do’ but said one senator told him Chinese car makers would be allowed in ‘over his dead body’.
‘It’s bad for our industry, it’s bad for our country and it’s bad for consumers,’ he told dealers at this week’s NADA convention in Las Vegas.
The NADA organisation is well versed in battling sales models that pose a threat to traditional dealers. It has ongoing battles with Tesla, Rivian, Lucid Motors and Scout Motors which are all direct-to-consumer sales models.
Scout Motors, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, has angered VW, Audi and Porsche dealers with a direct to consumer model. Franchisees are taking the manufacturer to court in a variety of states over the way it has cut out dealers from sales.
Stanton added: ‘NADA is in a very good financial position and we have, and we will, continue to throw the kitchen sink to make sure that we get this right because this is different. This is our traditional OEMs deciding to divert resources away from their dealer partners and into a new franchise that competes directly.’
In a battle that echoes those fought silently in the UK between dealers and manufacturers rolling out agency sales models, Stanton added car makers often ‘underestimate the value that dealers bring to the equation’.
Cargurus AI search function could be rolled out to the UK
CONVERSATIONAL AI used car searches could be rolled out on Cargurus’ UK platform after successful testing in the US.
The used car advertising platform – by far and away the largest in the United States – has been testing a ChatGPT-style search function on its website since the middle of last year.
Called Discover, the search system allows consumers to find a car on the site using chatty questions, rather than specific model searches.
Consumers are increasingly turning to large language models to find their next car and ask for advice, and experts say buyers prefer these interactions as they can often input questions they’re afraid to ask others.
None of the big used car search giants in the UK have deployed AI to any great effect in their searches and still rely on consumers to know the make and model of the car they’re looking for.
Many car buyers are now starting their searches on Google’s Gemini or ChatGPT, but these may not necessarily serve up results from the likes of Cargurus or other used car platforms.
Cargurus’ AI search function, demonstrated to Car Dealer at the NADA conference in Las Vegas on Thursday, allows users to search for their car by asking simple or very complicated questions.
The AI quickly surfaces cars for sale by dealers and then helps the user ask relevant follow-up questions to refine their search further.
In the States it can help scour as many as 5m listings and refine customer searches down quickly.
Users can also compare models they like using data points that are important to them and the website’s AI system will run the two side by side in relevant comparison tables.
AI search functionality may come to the Cargurus UK platform, but nothing has been confirmed at this stage.
DASHBOARD CAR NEWS ROUND-UP
Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results...
RENAULT has unveiled its new flagship SUV which will become the French brand’s biggest-ever production car when it goes on sale later in the year – but not in the UK.
Named the ‘Filante’, the car will measure almost 15ft long and over 5ft high, with a new hybrid powertrain system which teams a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 247bhp and 565Nm of torque.
Junior gets refreshed model line-up for 2026
THE Alfa Romeo Junior model line-up has received updates for 2026 with the introduction of fresh trim levels.
The Junior is the firm’s smallest model and is built on Stellantis’ ‘STLA Small’ platform.
The Junior range consists of a new ‘Ti’ trim level, which boasts standard kit such as heated and electrically adjustable front seats. There is also a ‘Sport Speciale’ variant, which adds matrix LED headlights and powered tailgate.
Upmarket version of the Duster revealed
RENAULT has revealed a more upmarket version of the Dacia Duster SUV: the Renault Duster.
Dacia is Renault’s Romanian budget sub-brand and the Duster is one of its best-selling models, but now the French firm has given the car a premium makeover.
The Renault Duster has a new front end with a trapezoidal grille with LED headlights, while at the back, there are LED taillights.
The SUV shares its name with Renault’s record-breaking Filante electric concept, which managed to travel 626 miles in 10 hours, while averaging 7.9 miles per kilowatt at an average speed of 68mph.
It is equipped with ultra-slim front headlights and an illuminated three-dimensional grille, which has been inspired by Renault’s diamond logo.
5 range receives new hybrid option
OMODA has announced that the 5 SUV will be available with the firm’s latest hybrid powertrain option.
Omoda is owned by the Chinese giant, Chery. The firm introduces bespoke models to European markets.
The 5 can now be specified with Omoda’s ‘Super Hybrid System – Hybrid’ powertrain, which combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine to an electric motor.
EX60 breaks cover with massive range
VOLVO has taken the covers off its latest entry into the electric SUV market.
The EX60 is built on Volvo’s new ‘SPA3’ platform, which allows it to be offered with three battery options and 800volt architecture. The entrylevel ‘P6’ comes with an 83kWh battery paired to a single electric motor for a claimed 385 miles between charges. The ‘P10’ variant has a claimed range of up to 410 miles.
OMODA
VOLVO
DACIA
ALFA ROMEO
GR Yaris ‘Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion’ edition is revealed at Monte Carlo rally
TOYOTA has kickstarted this year’s FIA World Rally Championship at the Rallye Monte Carlo by unveiling a limited-run version of its GR Yaris.
The GR Yaris ‘Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion’ edition pays tribute to the firm’s Gazoo Racing World Rally Team’s driver for winning his ninth world title in the sport last year.
The car has been developed by the team at Toyota Gazoo Racing and
Hyundai has announced that the hot Ioniq 6 N performance EV will sell for £65,800.
The 6 N is the second addition to the Korean firm’s electric ‘N’ performance division, sitting alongside the Ioniq 5 N. The Ioniq 6 N utilises the same battery setup as its older 5N sibling, which is an 84kWh unit paired to dual electric motors to make four-wheel drive. It produces a 607bhp and 770Nm of torque.
MG has announced the MG4 model line-up has been updated with the introduction of a new ‘Urban’ variant.
The MG4 is the Chinese firm’s budget-friendly electric hatchback, and for 2026, the Urban model adds more appeal with a lower price tag.
The car features a new exterior design over the standard car, with a shorter bonnet, curved front headlights and roof rails. Inside, there is a new steering wheel, light interior fabrics and materials and updated infotainment screen. Powertrain details will follow.
HYUNDAI MG
NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM THE CAR DEALER PODCASTS
Sponsored by
It’s just a pretty standard thing in business. You pay more, you get more.
Autotrader boss confirms package prices will rise AGAIN – and explains why in Car Dealer Podcast
Autotrader’s CEO Nathan Coe has confirmed dealers will face a 5.5% increase in their package prices this year.
The rises, which will come into effect from April 1, will be levied across all dealer packages.
Autotrader’s CEO
Speaking on the Car Dealer Podcast – available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts – Coe said this year’s rise was ‘lower than normal’.
Last year, Autotrader hiked prices by 8%.
Coe said he felt the price rises were ‘justified’ because the business ‘continues to invest’ in making the advertising platform better. He said some £170m will be invested in the marketplace this year.
He explained dealers will be told about the price rises via official communications next week as well as special offers that will be available to some customers.
On the podcast, Coe said: ‘There’s a whole bunch of stuff that we take into account [when deciding price rises] – how the market’s doing, how dealers are doing, what sales rates are looking like, how’s our audience doing, what products we’ve delivered during the year. And we kind of put that all in a bucket. It’s a bit of science and it’s a bit of art.
‘But recognising, particularly for lots of big retailers, if you’ve got lots of labour costs, you obviously had a pretty abnormal increase in those last year as a result of the Budget. So we kind of put that all into a bucket and we’re looking at a level of 5.5% for people.’
Car dealers were left reeling after Autotrader introduced Deal Builder in November which led to a host of protests. Some dealers downgraded their packages while others said they left completely.
Coe said the reality was just under 100 dealers downgraded or quit the platform.
Autotrader has launched a series of offers alongside the news of the price rises to soften the blow – but controversially these will not be available to any dealers on ‘Starter’ packages. Many who downgraded as part of the protests changed their accounts to the lowest levels.
The offers include the choice between a free double stock offer for four weeks, a free package upgrade to the next level or a free PPC campaign. Full details will be shared with eligible customers by their reps, said Coe.
On why ‘Starter’ customers were excluded, Coe said: ‘It’s just a pretty standard thing in business. You pay more, you get more.’
Used car demand surges in January, driving up retail prices by 0.9%
USED car prices surged in January as the market made a confident start to 2026, with dealers benefiting from healthy consumer demand.
Latest retail pricing data from Percayso Vehicle intelligence, released to Car Dealer early ahead of official publication, shows at the three-year age mark, average retail values increased by 0.9% (£180) – almost exactly mirroring the drops recorded in December.
January’s rise drew a line under a soft yearend where prices fell by 0.6% in November and
just over 1% in December.
Speaking on Car Dealer Live, automotive consultant Derren Martin said the new year had begun positively, with January once again proving to be one of the busiest months for the trade.
‘January tends to be a month where people do go out and buy cars and the dealers like to stock up,’ he explained in the video posted at the top of this story.
Values increased across almost all age groups. Martin said dealers had been ‘pushing
those prices up a little bit’, and retail prices were up by around 3%.
Even one-year-old cars, which can be affected by pre-registration activity and new car discounting, saw gains.
‘They’ve gone up a percent and a half, which is £450,’ Martin said, calling it ‘a good start to the year’.
Martin noted that while used cars are often essential purchases, January 2026 saw many buyers splashing the cash after delaying buying decisions until after Christmas.
Nathan Coe
Quick decisions Faster deals
FINANCE NEWS
FCA fires warning shot at claims management firms
by Jack Williams @JournoJack25
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning to law firms who are representing clients involved in motor finance commission claims. The watchdog has teamed up with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to make sure that all rules are being followed, as claims continue to build up.
The regulators say that claims management companies and law firms need to make sure that consumers do not have multiple representatives for the same claim and are not charged excessive termination fees. Where claims have more than one representative, firms should work together and consult with the customer to agree the sole representative, the regulators say. They add that if a customer wants to switch representatives or terminate an agreement, firms must do so without charging unfair fees and any fees must reflect the work done.
The FCA has also written to lenders setting out the potential actions they should take to address this issue.
Consumers who believe they were not given the right information when they signed up or have been unfairly charged are now being advised to complain to the firm directly. If they are dissatisfied with the response, the regulators say they can take their complaint to the Claims Management Ombudsman or Legal Ombudsman.
The FCA said that following scrutiny, two FCA-regulated claims management companies have agreed to change their termination fee policies, protecting 70,000 consumers from excessive charges.
Ahead of the FCA introducing a proposed motor finance redress scheme, it is also launching an advertising campaign to warn consumers about scammers pretending to be car finance lenders and falsely claiming that people are owed compensation.
Barclays assigns additional £235m for compensation LENDERS
BARCLAYS Bank has assigned an additional £235m to cover the cost of the ongoing motor finance scandal.
The lender’s annual accounts revealed the additional amount has been ring-fenced alongside the £90m it set aside last year. It means that the banking giant has now dedicated an eye-watering £325m to compensating motor finance customers under the FCA’s proposed redress scheme.
Barclays said it considers it ‘more likely than not’ that the compensation scheme – which is expected to be set out in the coming weeks – will be implemented by the FCA.
The bank pulled out of the motor finance sector in 2019 with finance director, Anna Cross, previously admitting that the bank only had a ‘relatively low market share’, in the ‘low single digits’.
In its accounts, the firm stated that it generated a pretax profit of £9.1bn for 2025 –a 13% increase on the £8.1bn it made in 2024.
Income from all its divisions increased, with total group income jumping by 9% year-onyear to £29.1bn.
TIME IS MONEY
RICHARD PYGOTT
Mental health in the motor trade – ‘are you alright mate?’
Ican’t quite believe we’re nearly at the end of February. January disappeared in a flash, and February is already preparing to quietly slip out the back door too.
Time moves quickly in the motor trade. Deals to chase, stock to source, targets to hit. It’s relentless. But if there’s one thing we should all consciously slow down for in this industry, it’s mental health.
Before I moved into marketing, I spent over a decade speaking to dealers every single day –on the phone, on forecourts, in offices with a brew in hand. I heard the wins, the frustrations, and sometimes the quiet admissions about how tough it can really be.
Behind the pitch and the professionalism were stories of sleepless nights. The pressure of running a business while supporting a family. Keeping staff motivated when margins were tight. Juggling personal struggles alongside the demands of an industry that rarely pauses for breath.
And heartbreakingly, I also heard about people in the trade, colleagues, friends, family members – who simply couldn’t carry the weight anymore.
One conversation has stayed with me for years. I visited a dealership in the West Midlands to speak to one of our long-time dealer partners, Steve. His father, who also worked there, told me that just weeks earlier he had found his son at the dealership, unresponsive. The pressure had become too much, and he had taken his own life.
It’s a sentence that still feels heavy to write, and I think that’s exactly why we don’t talk about this side of the motor trade enough.
Yes, we’re resilient. Yes, we’re resourceful. But we’re also human. In an industry built on performance and pace, sometimes the bravest thing we can do is check in – with ourselves and with each other.
Like stock on the forecourts, bodies and minds need care and maintenance to keep running well too. If the warning lights are flashing, constant exhaustion, short tempers, withdrawing from the people around you, don’t ignore them. Speak to someone. Slow down where you can. Ask twice when you check in on a mate and their ‘I’m fine’ doesn’t quite convince you.
Because no deal, no target, no month-end figure is worth more than your mental health – or a life.
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is check in – with ourselves and with each other.
Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk
We’ve previously worked with Ben, the automotive charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of people who work, or have worked, in our industry. We plan to support them again soon, because the work they do is just as important as anything else happening in the motor trade right now.
If you’re struggling, or you know someone who is, please don’t leave it too late to have the conversation. YOU CAN FIND ACCESS TO BEN’S SERVICES HERE
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Auctions
Auction4Cars.com
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Auctions & Trade-To-Trade Sales
BCA
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T: 0344 875 3480
Finance
Close Brothers Motor Finance
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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.
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Automotive E-Commerce
ATG
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Data
Real World Analytics
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MotorDesk
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Finance
Blue Motor Finance
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First Response
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Finance
Forza Finance
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HR & People Management
HR Manager
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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
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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
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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.
These Listings Work!
More Sales For You
W: Your website address
T: 020 8125 3880 (that’s us!)
E: sales@blackballmedia.co.uk
Info: The Suppliers Guide lets dealers find the companies they need to help them with their business. Make sure you’re here. Contact us via the above number or email address.
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
BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring Comfort Lite Price (as tested):
BYD SEAL 6 TOURING
Chinese cars are arriving in the UK in their droves, so we’ve taken the
keys to one to see where the appeal lies. James Batchelor reports.
The car world as we know it is changing at a pace that we’ve never really known. By the end of the year, Autotrader predicts there could be as many as 80 car brands all competing with each other in the new car market. For context, in 2019, there were around 45.
This explosion in carmakers is almost entirely down to the Chinese. A vast number of previously unheard of car names have arrived in the UK over the past couple of years, and an early leader has been BYD. It accelerated past Tesla last year to become the world’s largest seller of EVs. The Chinese firm sold 2.25 million of them – a near-28% rise on 2024 – compared to the 1.64 million Teslas that Elon managed. All this from a company that only built its first car in 2005. It’s gobsmacking.
We have been watching all of this with interest, which is why we’ve been keen to live with a BYD for some time. You kind of know what the ownership experience will be with cars from long established manufacturers like BMW and Volvo, but what will life with a BYD be like? Well, we’ve got six months to see why Brits are turning their backs on the traditional car brands and going Chinese.
We’ve plumped for one of BYD’s very latest models, the Seal 6 DM-i, which comes as a saloon and as a ‘Touring’ estate. It’s a plug-in hybrid and mixes a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with twin electric motors and one of BYD’s famous ‘Blade’ batteries – a 10.8kWh pack on the entry-level car, and 19kWh on the higher spec models – the latter, tested here, givin up to 65 miles of electric running.
BYD claims fuel consumption of up to 188.3mpg and a combined petrol-electric range of 935 miles, which, again, is hugely impressive. But like with a lot of hybrids, especially PHEVs, the real-world fuel economy is significantly less.
Since it arrived, pretty much brand new with just 240 miles on the clock, I have only driven around 100 miles. Most of that has been in EV mode, so I was expecting better fuel consumption than 59.8mpg. But it’s early days and I would imagine that once the engine gets a few miles on the clock its efficiency will improve.
Early impressions of the Seal 6 are impressive material build quality (a hallmark we’ve come to expect from many Chinese carmakers, especially BYD), and loads of interior space. The boot is of a very good size – 675 litres, rising to 1,535 litres with the seats down.
But there are some annoyances already making themselves known. The suite of safety gizmos such as the speed warning and lane-keep assist are pretty easy to turn off, but you have to remember to dive into the touchscreen to do this at the start of every journey – there’s no handy ‘off’ button like in some cars. The camera that monitors your face to make sure you’re not taking your eyes off the road is especially annoying – even glancing in the driver’s door mirror or rear view mirror leads to a loud bonging noise and a frantic warning message being displayed on the driver’s display. This, as far as I can work out, cannot be turned off.
The next six months look like they could be enjoyable, though, and it’s going to be fun to spot another Seal 6 Touring on the road for the first time. Judging by how much success BYD has found so far in the UK, I doubt this will take very long.
This month’s highlight:
Getting to grips with a car from a brand that’s a newcomer to the UK, but one that is already making waves
OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING
Mileage: 2,134 miles
We hoping the Terramar can help us get excited about SUVs.
