Car Dealer Magazine: Issue 218

You didn’t start a business to deal with warranty repairs... ...but we did.

You sell it. We’ll handle everything else.

Time is money scan now to save on both

FOUNDER

James Baggott james@thebaize.com

Twitter: @CarDealerEd

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jon Reay jon@blackballmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @JonReay

ASSOCIATE

James Batchelor

james.batchelor@blackballmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @JRRBatchelor

STAFF

Jack Williams

jack.williams@blackballmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @JournoJack25

CONTRIBUTORS

Becca

HEAD

Graeme Windell graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @graemewindell

SALES MANAGER

Kevin Day kev@blackballmedia.co.uk

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Michelle Searle michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @cardealermich

A DAY PACKED WITH TOP INTERVIEWS AND EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Car Dealer Live returned this year and once again brought together some of the biggest names in the UK motor trade for a packed day of debate, insight and networking at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon.

The event, sponsored by Autotrader, featured manufacturer bosses, franchised and independent dealers, and fast-growing challenger brands discussing the key issues shaping the industry.

Across the day, a series of keynote interviews, expert panels and research sessions tackled topics including EV adoption, used car supply, AI, and the growing impact of new market entrants. Industry leaders shared their views on the challenges facing dealers, from tightening margins to rising costs and changing consumer behaviour.

A recurring theme was how retailers can turn technology into real profit, with AI and digital tools highlighted as both an opportunity and a challenge. Sessions also explored how dealers must adapt their strategies to remain competitive, particularly as Chinese brands and other challengers gain ground in the UK market.

Over the next few pages we give you the headlines from every panel. Make sure to check the Car Dealer Podcast for a special episode of James Baggott’s highlights, and you can watch the sessions yourself by purchasing a streaming ticket on cardealerlive.co.uk.

KEYNOTE INTERVIEW

Incentives – not barriers –to EV adoption are needed

The government needs to do more to help car manufacturers continue the journey to electrification – and could show more understanding around the issue, according to Peugeot UK boss, Nicola Dobson.

Asked for her thoughts about the government’s planned ‘pay per mile’ EV duty, she said: ‘It is potentially the wrong measure. At this point in time, we want more people to transition to electric vehicles and we need to ensure that incentives are there, rather than put potential barriers in place.’

Dobson, who has been in her current role for 14 months, added: ‘We work very closely with the government and we try to ensure that we’re collaborative with the government as well.

‘The direction of travel towards electrification is correct, but the speed of that move is challenging because the touchpoints that we have, and the targets that are there, are ahead of where we are in terms of natural demand.’

Turning to the influx of Chinese carmakers into the UK, interviewer James Batchelor again raised the question of more government support – this time for brands who manufacture cars in the UK.

Dobson said: ‘We are always going to have new competition coming into the market and competition is great, right? It’s good for consumers. It gives consumers choice.

‘I think the government’s done a lot in terms of electric car grants. We are in a fortunate position at Peugeot because many of our vehicles qualify for the £1,500 midpoint government grant. So there are things that are being done to assist to the transition to electric, definitely.

‘Peugeot is a brand with a long history and a broad range of great products, but we are also a brand that looks forward and we’ve got some great things coming down the line, particularly with technology. What’s great to see with Peugeot is that we’re very forward-thinking. Regardless of who is coming into the market, it’s competition, which is good for the consumer.

‘It’s always good for us to review what we’re doing, but ultimately, we have a plan.

‘We know the direction of travel for us, and that’s what we need to focus on because we have lots of exciting things coming.’

KEYNOTE INTERVIEW

SOHIB GHAFOURI, FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, INFINITY MOTORS

Bravery or recklessness? The dilemmas of starting out in the motor trade

There is a fine line between being brave and being reckless when setting up a new car dealership.

That is according to Infinity Motors founder Sohib Ghafouri, A civil engineer turned project manager, Ghafouri turned his back on a career with blue chip companies after deciding he wanted a crack at the motor trade – against the advice of his father!

He began by operating a five-car site in London while holding down a full-time job but now operates a much larger showroom in Wiltshire, selling almost 200 vehicles a month. He and his team recently added a preparation centre equipped with 16 ramps and two MOT bays. Looking back to the early days of his business, Ghafouri pinpointed three things he needed:

passion, hard work and a vision. And he recalled the post-Covid era, when he started to realise he was making more money running his dealership than he was at work.

Discussing the challenges of deciding to pursue a full-time career in the trade, he admitted: ‘Some of it, you don’t really plan for. It hits you and you just have to deal with it. You’re in the thick of the moment. You’re down in the trenches, as they say. So you’re not having too much time to think about what you’re going through.

‘Of course, you have to try and make sure that you plan as well as you can. And that you’re well prepared for the risks, because it is very, very risky. People sometimes ask me, “What made you take that decision? That leap of faith?”

‘You do have to be brave. But there’s a fine line

KEYNOTE INTERVIEW

GINNY BUCKLEY, FOUNDER, ELECTRIFYING.COM

Lack of EV confidence is ‘a problem that we can’t seem to solve’

Confidence in EVs is still a huge issue among motorists who have yet to make the switch away from petrol and diesel.

Ginny Buckley and her team at Electrifying.com recently carried out extensive research in association with the AA which focused on the thoughts and opinions of 13,000 non-EV drivers from across the UK.

Thirty per cent of respondents said they wouldn’t feel confident about driving an EV while only 22% said they’d be confident charging one.

What’s more, 50% of people said they regarded the public charging network as unreliable –although that figure was down from 70% three years ago.

Affordability remains an issue, she added. When it comes to new electric cars, 57% of respondents thought they were too expensive although only 30% said used EVs were too expensive – ‘and that’s come down massively over the last couple of years’.

Perhaps the most startling statistic was also

related to used EVs. Buckley said: ‘When we asked people if they were confident in buying a used electric car, only 3% of non-EV drivers said yes –extraordinary.’

Moving on to the proposed pay-per-mile EV charge announced last year, Buckley said: ‘There are a lot of drivers in this room and I think we all know that you don’t get very far with one foot on the brake and the other on the accelerator. That’s what the government seems to be doing, to be frank.

‘One the one hand, they are saying “here’s some money for grants” and “let’s spend millions of pounds on a not very good public information campaign telling us all to switch to EVs”; but on the other hand, they’re saying, “we might tax EVs in a couple of years”.

‘What kind of messaging is that? It’s not helping anyone really. I strongly suspect there will be so much pressure on this, the government will have to

between being brave and being reckless. Only you can decide where you draw that line in the sand. So when we went into this new site in Swindon, that was exactly the situation. My dad advised me not to do it.

‘He said, “look, you’ve got to be really careful. This is obviously a completely different exercise” [to the much smaller London operation]. I took the leap of faith and went into an area I was unfamiliar with, 84 miles away from home. With respect, I didn’t even know where Swindon was!’

Reflecting on his journey so far, he said: ‘I have loved every single second of it – I almost wish I’d done it sooner.’

drop this policy.’

Buckley said it was important to realise that there are two different types of potential EV buyer arriving in car showrooms these days.

‘You’ll still be seeing people who don’t know how to charge an electric car and who don’t know what a kilowatt is. Why should they? It’s still very new stuff.

‘But you’ll also be seeing people on their third or fourth EV, who will want to know about the charging curve, who will want to know about range drop-off in winter and they’ll want realistic answers.’

Ian

Autotrader’s chief customer officer

RESEARCH SESSION

Supply squeeze, EV surge and AI: the three big challenges for dealers in 2026

The UK motor trade has entered a period of significant structural change, as supply pressures, shifting consumer behaviour and the rise of AI reshape the market, believes Autotrader.

Central to the company’s research session was that while there are clear challenges and risk for car dealers of all sizes, there are also new commercial opportunities for businesses able to adapt quickly.

New white-paper research commissioned for Car Dealer Live by Autotrader set out a ‘playbook’ for 2026 outlining how dealers can use data-led decision-making across their operations to stay competitive as the market continues to evolve.

It also highlights how emerging trends are already beginning to influence stock sourcing, pricing and sales strategies, arguing that dealers who act early on these insights will be better placed to protect margins and drive growth.

During the panel session, Autotrader’s chief customer officer Ian Plummer explained the thinking behind the ‘playbook for 2026’.

‘We think there are three key themes at the moment that we see in all the data we have,’ he said. ‘About a billion visits came to Auto Trader last year, and that gives us the chance to understand the market.’

The research centres around three pillars –

sourcing, sales, and systems.

On sourcing, Plummer said: ‘The supply challenge has been the one that’s probably driven the market in the last few years.

He added shortages are now spreading beyond franchised dealers.

‘It’s becoming a broader issue – more people are competing for the same cars, which might make things tight.’

Joining Plummer and host James Baggott was Vicky Hart of dealer group Waylands. She said that dealers are having to work harder to secure stock, with sourcing strategies evolving rapidly.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AUTOTRADER’S RESEARCH IN FULL

Over the next two years, the motor trade is forecast to experience a 35% drop in five-to-seven-year-old stock compared to 2024’s levels, leading Autotrader to encourage dealers to ‘diversify profitably’.

Using live market data will help dealers identify alternative opportunities and drive profits, rather than just paying higher prices for in-short-supply stock to fill forecourts.

The panel session also explored the role of AI and technology in improving efficiency and profitability.

Plummer highlighted opportunities to automate routine tasks and better use data. ‘Take away the mundane,’ he said. ‘Free up your people to do the things where they add the most value.’

FRANCHISED DEALER PANEL

SPONSORED BY AUTOTRADER

Profit warning despite strong new car sales

Franchised car dealers have warned of a growing profitability crisis despite strong new car sales, with bosses saying the challenges represent a fundamental shift rather than a short-term downturn.

Speaking on the Franchised Dealer panel, Hedin UK CEO Richard Ennis and Luscombe Motors MD Sam Luscombe said volumes remain healthy, but margins are under severe pressure.

‘New car volumes are definitely there,’ said Ennis, noting the market still delivers ‘circa two million’ annual registrations. ‘Profitability is really not – it’s become increasingly problematic for lots of retailers.’

He added the pressure is long-term: ‘It’s been our challenge since 2024, and it probably won’t change until ’28, ’29 or ’30.’

Heavy discounting is a key issue. ‘If you’re fighting that hard for market share, then you always end up discounting your way there,’ Ennis said. ‘The minute you’ve got more cars than customers, it becomes really tricky.’

Rising costs are compounding the problem, with wages, energy and property expenses all increasing. ‘Have we pulled any lever… that’s given us an extra 70% gross profit? And it hasn’t,’ Ennis added. Both agreed the industry faces a structural reset. Luscombe also warned AI must be used carefully: if efficiency gains simply lead to ‘an extra fag break, it’s useless’.

TURN TO PAGE 8 FOR MORE COVERAGE

Every sale starts with a signal

Buying Signals available now as part of your advertising package

SPONSORED BY IMPEL

Impel highlights the key steps car dealers can take to turn leads into sales

New and used car dealers are missing out on sales due to gaps in speed, follow-up and availability when responding to leads.

That is according to a new white-paper report from Impel, which has been looking into how retailers handle leads and meet ever-changing customer expectations.

The study, titled After the Lead Lands, was presented by Impel’s UK managing director, James Leese.

The report, which analysed mystery shop data, consumer surveys and more than 300,000 leads, says that dealers are currently being held back by the limitations of manual follow-up strategies, which prevent customers from getting a response outside of office time.

It found that 67% of buyers expect a same-day reply, while at the same time around a third of all customer engagement now takes place outside of normal working hours.

Speaking with Car Dealer’s James Batchelor, Leese explained how slow or generic responses are damaging trust and costing conversions.

Explaining the rationale behind the research, he said: ‘The amount of leads that dealers generate is very important and it’s a big point because of

the amount of money that’s invested in generating leads to get to the top of the funnel.

‘But actually, what happens what that lead lands is hugely important. Converting that lead through the funnel to become an appointment to ultimately help you sell a car, is massive.

‘If you look at the data, in the UK market, roughly 20 to 30% is the conversion rate of leads to appointments to bring people into your showroom so actually there is 70 to 80% of those high value leads that you’re generating that aren’t resulting in that.

‘We wanted to understand why, so the easiest way to to that is to say “let’s put ourselves in the consumer journey and see what happens.’

Elsewhere, the white-paper found that 25% of leads re-engage after more than 48 hours of silence, with Leese going on to stress the importance of persistent follow-up strategies.

The study also showed that 60% of customer interactions now happen via SMS, with the text channel delivering a 14% conversion rate compared to just 8% for email.

Meanwhile, 35% of buyers said they would look elsewhere if a dealer is slow to respond, and 12% of enquiries never received a tailored reply at all.

Personal branding is powerful sales tool

Car dealers are increasingly turning themselves into the face of their businesses, as personal branding becomes a powerful sales tool in response to changing consumer behaviour.

Speaking during a social media masterclass at Car Dealer Live, Solo Car Sales director James McConville and DB Automotive director Danny Bond said the shift reflects a new generation of buyers who are less comfortable with traditional showroom experiences.

‘I realised that we were getting to a point where consumers were a lot more shy than they’ve ever been, and the actual showroom experience wasn’t what they wanted,’ Bond said.

Instead, buyers prefer digital interaction, often using messaging rather than phone calls. This makes building trust before direct contact more important than ever.

For many dealers, that trust is now built through social media – and crucially, through people rather than polished adverts.

‘I think genuine human connection and the feeling that you know someone seems to matter a lot more,’ McConville said. ‘The rules have changed where people buy from people.’

Rather than focusing purely on cars, McConville creates broader content to maintain engagement. ‘It’s about keeping that person engaged until they want to buy a car,’ he added.

Bond said familiarity is key: ‘They see one of your posts and then that person is comfortable to pick up the phone.’

TURN TO PAGE 10 FOR MORE COVERAGE

After the Lead Lands

UK dealers aren’t ignoring leads. They’re losing them to gaps in speed, substance, and stamina — and the data shows exactly where.*

The Expectation

35% will look elsewhere if you’re slow

80% expect the experience to feel simple and joined up 53% say trust and transparency drive loyalty

Miss the window and 35% of customers go elsewhere.

What Actually Happens

17 min.

In-hours 13+ hrs.

median first tailored response

median first tailored response

Out-of-hours. 34% dealers stopped following up after one attempt

And after only 3.9 days on average, dealers give up entirely.

Where The Wins Are Hiding

67% 60% 42% out-of-hours conversion rate (vs 11.2% in-hours) of appointments booked within 15 minutes — when the response is there of engagements with our AI start within 15 minutes of its initial reply

25% of leads re-engage after 48 hours of silence—IF you follow up. Most dealers don’t. Additionally, channel choice is a conversion multiplier, not a preference. 60% of all engagement happens over text and converts at 2x the rate of email.

Speed gets the reply. Substance wins

the customer. Most dealers have one. Almost none have both.

SPONSORED BY KEYLOOP

Discounting new EVs impacting used values

Car manufacturer bosses have warned that discounting new electric vehicles to meet sales targets is damaging residual values and could hinder wider EV adoption.

Speaking at Car Dealer Live 2026, Dacia’s Lina Ribeiro, XPeng and Subaru UK boss Lorraine Bishton, and Suzuki GB’s David Kateley highlighted concerns that efforts to hit ZEV mandate targets are distorting the market.

Kateley described a growing tension between long-term planning and short-term pressures, saying the market is caught between ‘confliction, where we want to be strategic, but then you’ve got the short term tactics of trying to hit mandate targets’.

Heavy incentives used to drive EV sales are now impacting used values. ‘Every time we force the market on EV, that has a fundamental impact on the used car market,’ Kateley said.

Falling residual values risk feeding back into the new car market, increasing finance costs and weakening consumer confidence.

Kateley stressed it was vital ‘not [to] sacrifice residual value [as] customer experience and customer choice’ remain more important than simply hitting targets.

Industry’s efficiency problems are costing dealers thousands

The automotive industry has a problem with efficiency and disconnected systems are costing companies revenue.

That is according to a new white-paper report by Keyloop, which found that 94% of car dealers are operating with significant inefficiencies in their businesses.

The study found that large franchise dealerships could be missing out on as much as £800,000 in annual margins, as a result of due to poor system integration and operational friction.

The report argues that, as dealers adopt more and more digital tools and systems, they have been left with a ‘messy, complex tech stack’ that is now holding them back.

CLICK

through the industry.

‘I look at it from a macro level – so when we’re taking supply out from production into the retail industry – every single point in that process, every single link in that chain, increases risk, increases risk, increases complexity and potentially we see loss of revenue, systems not talking to each other, the leaking of information.

Elsewhere, the report found that swapping between various systems is creating a major drag on car dealers, with employees switching between applications nearly 1,200 times per day.

HERE TO DOWNLOAD KEYLOOP’S RESEARCH IN FULL

The session was hosted by Car Dealer’s James Batchelor and saw Keyloop’s Tim Smith take attendees through the findings.

Smith said: ‘Every single link in the chain has the potential for us as an industry – and you as dealers and manufacturers – to lose energy, time, money and increase risk.

‘We are really trying to deliver this from that concept and address those problems.

‘This is a collaborative effort. It is not done by just technology companies, it’s not done by training companies, it’s not done by OEMs and dealers – this is a problem that is all the way

The study says that this has resulted in up to four hours being lost every week –the equivalent to 32 days per year.

The issue is then further compounded by workers then taking an average of 23 minutes to regain focus after switching tasks.

Addressing the challenges from a tech perspective, Smith added: ‘The compounding of short-termism by OEMs, by retailers, by all of us –because we are in a margin-constrained industry – has caused a lot of short-term decisions, and architectural issues that we are now addressing.

‘We manage 12 DMSs around the world and a lot of them were designed a long time ago.

‘We are trying to extract that information out of them but we’ve got to keep the industry moving on a daily basis.’

Motorway

CEO and co-founder

Tom Leathes

Dealers face new ‘stock-constrained normal’ as shortages worsen in 2026

RESEARCH SESSION

Car dealers are being forced to adapt to a new ‘stock-constrained normal’ as pressure mounts on supply despite continued strength in the used car market, new research from Motorway has highlighted.

The used car marketplace’s white-paper revealed that 78% of used car dealers are more worried about stock availability this year than in 2025, showing that this is beyond being a shortterm issue.

Despite Society of Motor Manufacturers data showing that used car transactions rose by 2.2% to more than 7.8 million vehicles in 2025, dealers told Motorway that conditions on the ground are tightening, with 74% reporting lost sales due to stock shortages and 46% experiencing margin pressure.

Presenting the findings was Motorway CEO and co-founder Tom Leathes.

‘We’ve had a shortage of “golden stock” – the three-to-seven-year vehicles, and that is clearly continuing,’ he said.

He added: ‘What’s interesting is it’s not getting any better or changing. So the fact that this year, actually, people are finding it harder than last, is interesting.”

The shortage is particularly apparent in key segments, with hybrid vehicles identified as the most in-demand. Motorway’s data shows dealer competition is intensifying across multiple age brackets, particularly in younger used vehicles.

Leathes said: ‘We’re seeing some pretty

interesting trends around specific stock types, like hybrids, which we’ve got the highest bid rate ratio on the platform over the past six months.’

The research found that as competition increases, dealers are relying more heavily on digital tools to source vehicles, and that 92% of dealers believe digital stock sourcing is essential.

‘I suppose that’s not a surprise, but I don’t think it’s all in one bucket because some digital sourcing is really just another way to buy stock from the same place in a different way. Whereas what we are doing is something very different, which is this exclusive private stock, which preMotorway didn’t really exist.’

The Motorway platform, which connects dealers directly with private sellers, now lists more than 2,000 vehicles per day, offering an alternative supply channel to dealers experiencing this constrained market.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MOTORWAY’S RESEARCH IN FULL

Despite these pressures, the overall market remains strong, with demand continuing to outstrip supply in key areas.

‘The UK used-car market is worth £100bn annually and continues to show strong consumer demand,’ Leathes said.

But he warned that headline growth figures do not reflect the reality for many dealers.

‘The headline growth doesn’t reflect the reality that many dealers are facing. Increased consumer demand means that the most in-demand stock is moving faster.’

He added: ‘This year dealers will be looking for smarter, more efficient ways to access the right stock at the right time and the right price.’

INDEPENDENT DEALER PANEL

Independent dealers warn of rising prep costs and stock shortages

Independent car dealers have warned that rising preparation costs and ongoing stock shortages are putting increasing pressure on margins, with further challenges expected this year.

Stephen Douglas, owner of Really Easy Car Credit, explained preparation costs have risen dramatically in recent years making selling used cars for a profit even more challenging.

He said: ‘There’s been a huge increase in preparation costs. Even putting four tyres on a car now, we’re talking £300.’

Umesh Samani, chairman of the IMDA and owner of Specialist Cars of Stoke, said that even the best prepared cars can still result in unexpected costs after sale.

‘It doesn’t matter how good an appraisal job you do, there’s always the unknown that comes back to bite you,’ he said.

George Manning, director of Hilton Garage, shared the concern about the looming shortage of mid-age vehicles.

He said: ‘My particular worry is the massive reduction in the five to ten year olds that are going to come up soon.’

However, he added that this is being compounded by a shift in consumer behaviour, with drivers now holding onto cars for longer.

‘The ownership cycle is increasing, so there’s not going to be as many customers.’

TURN TO PAGE 14 FOR MORE COVERAGE

Chinese car brands ‘not worried’ about potential of UK tariffs

Chinese carmakers are not worried about the impact potential tariffs in the UK, as brands continue to wrestle market share from more established competitors.

The UK currently does not impose any additional charges on cars from China, despite the EU and US both imposing tariffs.

Addressing the issue,Greg Wapling, head of regional dealer development at Geely UK, said: ‘All of us represent quite large organisations that are vertically integrated so that have a lot of control over margin.

‘I think ultimately, in a high tariff regime, that there’s the ability to build cars anywhere in the world. Geely, similar to BYD, similar to Chery, we’ve got manufacturing facilities in continental Europe – we’ve got manufacturing facilities in the UK.

‘Ultimately, if we needed to, we could protect ourselves from a punishing tariff regime.’

His thoughts were echoed by Steve Beattie, deputy country manager for BYD UK: ‘We are just about to open our plant in Hungary so I guess we’ll see the volume that can deliver, and go from there, really.

‘I don’t worry about two years’ time – this is Chinese speed!’

Warning of changing buyer habits as new ‘challenger’ brands grow

An influx of new car brands is reshaping the UK car market, with younger buyers leading a shift away from traditional manufacturers, according to new research from Cox Automotive.

The new white-paper, called ‘The Challenger Effect’, highlights how the market now has more than 75 car brands all fighting with each other for market share, and how this has intensified competition. Moreover, how new entrants now account for almost 10% of registrations since the start of 2026 — up sharply from just 2.65% a year earlier.

Presenting the findings during Cox Automotive’s session was the firm’s insight director Philip Nothard. He was joined by Waylands CEO John O’Hanlon, and Craig Ford, head of sales, marketing and digital solutions at Motability Operations.

Nothard encouraged dealers to look at how they present themselves to younger buyers, who are far more open to switching brands as they are attracted by technology, connectivity and lower cost of entry.

‘If you’re really reliant on that 25-to-34-year-old age bracket, those are the ones shifting to one of the new entrants. You need to start thinking about whether you need to change what you’re currently doing.’

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD COX AUTOMOTIVE’S RESEARCH IN FULL

Nothard explained the research was carried out to help dealers understand how both consumer attitudes and market dynamics are changing.

‘The key is to understand what’s happening in the consumer market and customers’ perceptions towards some of the new entrant brands,’ he said.

While only a small proportion of drivers currently own vehicles from new entrants, attitudes are changing, with more than a third of consumers shifting brand preferences in recent months.

Waylands CEO John O’Hanlon said the shift is already visible in dealerships.

‘We are looking [at the shift towards entrant brands] and it’s [from] BMW, Mercedes, and the Volkswagen Group. It’s these cars that are turning up as partexchanges,’ he said.

Affordability and product appeal are key drivers behind the growth of challenger brands, particularly in schemes such as Motability.

The firm’s Craig Ford said: ‘Affordability is clearly a major factor when customers are choosing cars.’

The panel also pointed to the need for dealers to adapt their sales approach, particularly for younger, digitally-led buyers.

‘I think for that, the younger generation, it’s got to be a great omni-channel experience,’ Ford said. ‘What they’ve seen online connects to that physical experience.’

TURN TO PAGE 16 FOR MORE COVERAGE

75+ years.

9 trusted brands.

One connected ecosystem.

Our connected solutions, delivered through our market-leading brands, combine best-in-class people, innovative technology and leading insights to allow you to experience things no other partner can – helping you lead the way in automotive.

Head to cox.auto/car-dealer-live-26 to experience more.

KEYNOTE INTERVIEW

HUXLEY STEWART, SENIOR INDUSTRY MANAGER (AUTOMOTIVE), GOOGLE

Car dealers are being urged to change their digital strategies as AI begins to radically change how customers are searching for their next car.

Speaking at Car Dealer Live 2026, Google senior industry manager (automotive) Huxley Stewart told the conference that the company is already seeing a major shift in how buyers research vehicles, with traditional search habits rapidly evolving.

‘The queries that people are typing in [to Google] are now far more conversational,’ Stewart said.

‘We see the longer kind of queries that people are putting in – five words plus, but also full sentences and having a full conversation with that as well.’

The change is being driven by the rise of AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT and Google’s own Gemini, which are increasingly being used by consumers as research assistants rather than relying solely on traditional search engines.

‘The days of just searching for “family hatchback” and then seeing what comes up in the results have gone,’ he said. “Customers are

Dealers need to change their digital strategies or risk being left behind

briefing the search engine… exactly what they’re looking for.’

The process of searching for a car is changing thanks to the rise of ‘multi-modal’ search where users combine text, voice and images to find vehicles.

‘People are still typing, but they’re also using voice and using images,’ Stewart explained.

As a result, dealers are being told that simply relying on traditional SEO tactics is no longer enough, with content needing to evolve to match how consumers now search.

‘The old days of keyword stuffing have gone,’ he said. ‘You need to be putting in content that people are going to be engaging with and how people are going to be searching.’

He added that duplication of manufacturer content could actively harm visibility in an AIdriven search world.

‘If it’s just copied from somewhere else then there’s going to be duplication, and it’s not your unique content that is going to be surfaced.’

Instead, Stewart said, dealers should focus on creating original, relevant and consumer-focused content that reflects real-world search behaviour.

‘Make sure your website content reflects that people are searching in more of a conversational way,’ he said.

While the journey is changing, the core sources of information remain broadly similar.

‘The types of sources that they’re getting that information from hasn’t fundamentally changed,’ Stewart said. ‘It’s just the way that is being served.’

Looking ahead, dealers were warned to prepare for a future where AI agents could play an even bigger role — potentially filtering, comparing and even negotiating on behalf of buyers.

‘Don’t wait for change to happen before you then try and adjust to it,’ Stewart said.

You need to be putting in content that people are going to be engaging with and how people are going to be searching.

Huxley Stewart, senior industry manager (automotive), Google

IN PICTURES

Replay all the exclusive Car Dealer Live interview sessions in full now

REPLAY tickets for this year’s Car Dealer Live conference are now available for those who missed out on the big event.

Our exclusive conference saw leading car dealers, manufacturers and industry experts come together for a day of thought-inspiring interviews.

Those who couldn’t make the event can stream all 14 sessions on the CarDealerLive.co.uk website now with a £225 replay ticket.

New wave of Chinese brands reshaping UK car market, says Black Horse

Black Horse’s Preston Rogers chats to Car Dealer

The influx of Chinese carmakers into the UK market represents a significant challenge to established legacy brands, with the newcomers rapidly establishing themselves as a serious player in Britain.

That is the verdict of Black Horse’s consumer distribution director Preston Rogers, who says that the impact of the Chinese brands has been a long time in the making.

The industry expert has been speaking exclusively to Car Dealer about the topic and says that the incoming OEMs are now bringing increasingly sophisticated products to go with their competitive pricing.

Recent data has suggested Chinese brands now account for 13% of new registrations –double what it was this time last year – and Rogers says the growth should not come as a shock to anyone.

‘It’s probably not a surprise,’ he said. ‘Although it has taken them some time to enter markets in other countries, these are big companies. If you look at global Fortune 500 rankings, their turnover is substantial and they’re selling a lot of vehicles – although historically, these sales haven’t extended beyond China in many cases.

‘So when they do expand geographically, you would expect them to have an impact. And they’ve also got a lot of good products across all powertrains, which is why the UK is attractive – it’s not just fully electric either.’

The recent wave of new brands from China has been compared several times to the growth of Korean brands, back in the 1980s and 90s. But while the likes of Kia and Hyundai took decades to reach their current levels, Rogers believes that today’s challengers are moving at a far quicker pace.

‘Part of that is because they already have

existing playbooks showing how others have approached the situation, and they’ve managed to streamline those methods into a single narrative,’ he explained. ‘They also haven’t had to develop a product portfolio from scratch. These are cars already selling in other countries, so in many ways it’s more of a geographic expansion story.’

He added: ‘I also think it’s a price and product story. They are coming to market with attractive prices, but they’ve also got attractive products. ‘These are tech-first offerings. They’re often software-defined vehicles, which means they can bring cars to market more quickly. And while there are different views on things like screen-only interiors, the overall package – powertrain, technology, value – is strong.

‘So it’s not just that they’re cheap. These are not uncompetitive, out-of-date vehicles being sold at a discount. It’s a much more complete proposition than that.’

One potential stumbling block that has been mooted for the Chinese brands is a simple issue of numbers – are there too many arriving at once for them all to succeed?

Research suggests that as many as 91 car brands could be operating in the UK by the end of the year and Rogers does not expect all of them to make it in the long-term.

‘I don’t think they’ll all survive,’ he said. ‘That number will include some that are not quite here yet but are about to arrive. Even

so, it’s already clear there are some dominant players emerging that will sit alongside the established legacy brands.

‘What it means is competition only gets more intense. And with economic headwinds now looking stronger, any new entrant that isn’t here yet needs a very clear product and go-to-market strategy or they won’t make it.

‘Success doesn’t have to mean 50,000 or 100,000 cars – a 5,000 or 10,000 run rate can be a very good business for the right company. It might be one or two specialist vehicles rather than chasing scale.’

The arrival of so many new brands at once could also pose a challenge to more established brands here in the UK and Rogers says it is now important for the legacy outfits to ‘play to their strengths’ and utilise their ‘strong brands, loyal customers and large existing customer bases’.

However, he remains adamant that the overall effect of challenger brands entering the UK is positive.

‘It brings more choice, more attractive prices and better value for consumers,’ he said. ‘That creates a very competitive market.

‘There will be some challenges along the way, but ultimately it will make the industry fitter for the future.’

For the use of motor dealers and other motor professionals only. Black Horse Limited. Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Registered Number: 661204 England and Wales. Black Horse Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Scan the QR Code to go to the Black Horse EV Driving Hub It’s already clear there are some dominant players emerging that will sit alongside the established legacy brands.

COURTS

Sales exec admits £33,600 fraud

A NORTH East car sales executive is facing jail after pleading guilty to pocketing more than £30,000 of customers’ cash.

Ryan Knox worked for Richard Hardie MG in Ashington, where he defrauded clients in summer 2025.

Knox gave customers his own bank details rather than those of his employer, allowing him to personally bag £33,600.

Police charged the 32-yearold and charged him with one count of fraud by abuse of position.

DEALERSHIPS

Dealer acquires Land Rover site

CAR dealer West Motor Company has reached an ‘important milestone’ after it agreed a deal to buy a former Land Rover site in Kent.

The dealer group has signed off on the acquisition of the ex-Harwoods Land Rover site in Edenbridge, marking its first acquisition outside of the M25.

Bosses say the location represents an ‘excellent opportunity’ for the business, after agreeing to pay an undisclosed fee.

Jaguar boss on the personal attacks that followed firm’s controversial rebrand

Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover has spoken out about what it was like dealing with personal attacks in the wake of the company’s rebrand.

Speaking exclusively to the Car Dealer Podcast, Glover revealed what it was like being inside Jaguar when its controversial rebrand exploded across the internet.

The firm relaunched in November 2024 with a social media teaser video that showed sci-fi characters and bold statements – but no car.

It was ridiculed online and blasted as ‘woke’ by Donald Trump, lambasted by Nigel Farage while Tesla boss Elon Musk asked if the manufacturer ‘even sold cars’.

There were hundreds of thousands of comments about the brand online and for three days straight it was the most talked about thing on the internet. Glover was personally attacked in a number of comments on social media while some staff even received death threats.

Jaguar director Santino Pietrosanti was also targeted in a series of articles by the Daily Mail which have since been removed from the newspaper’s website.

Glover spoke at length about what it was like being behind the scenes at Jaguar during this extraordinary time for the brand in the third episode of our special Podcast series Jaguar Rebrand: Mistake or Genius? You can listen to it now on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

He said: ‘Personally, I felt a great amount of responsibility to the team here.’ He explained it was a ‘tough time’ for a number of the individuals on the receiving end of that online attention.

‘I felt a responsibility to look out for them,’ he added. ‘I felt a responsibility to defend what we’re doing and to defend them. If I think about things that are written about me, less so really. Because if somebody writes something on social media about me and I don’t know who they are… why would their opinion matter?’

Glover also tells the podcast about the moment Elon Musk tweeted about Jaguar. He said: ‘It’s quite surreal looking back on it now. It’s almost like it happened to somebody else.’

You can listen to the interview with Rawdon Glover in full in episode 3 of Jaguar Rebrand: Mistake or Genius?. All episodes are available now wherever you get your podcasts. A video of the podcast –complete with mics and cuts – has been published on our second YouTube channel, CarDealerMagazine2.

COMPANY NEWS

Official: Huge used car supermarket Cargiant will close on April 24

USED car supermarket Cargiant will close for good on April 24, the company has confirmed.

Bosses have been consulting with employees for more than a month at the business which was once the most profitable used car supermarket in the UK.

Owner Geoffrey Warren has been weighing up his options for the site after the land was valued at nearly £100m. Now, after weeks of consulting staff, employees have been told of the closure.

Cargiant confirmed the news in a statement to Car Dealer. A spokesperson said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Cargiant’s retail operations. This decision follows an extensive consultation process with our team, during which we carefully explored all potential options to secure a viable future for the business. We would like to sincerely thank our colleagues for their commitment, professionalism, and the constructive way they engaged throughout that process.’

G3 Auctions bought by US-based firm

G3 Auctions has announced it has been acquired by US-based company America’s Auto Auction. This is the firm’s first acquisition outside of the United States and shows UK automotive businesses continue to be hot property. The acquisition includes G3’s two auction locations in Castleford and Bedford. CEO of America’s Auto Auction Chuck Tapp commented: ‘Entering the UK market is a defining moment for our company, and there was only one way we wanted to do it, with a partner that is already setting the standard.’

Autotrader named in fake reviews probe

THE Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating Autotrader – and other high profile firms – as part of a crackdown on ‘fake’ reviews.

The used car marketplace is being investigated as part of wider probe into five companies – which includes Just Eat and Dignity – for ‘fake or misleading’ online reviews.

Feefo, the online reviews provider used by Autotrader, is also being probed, as well as Pasta Evangelists.

The CMA said it has not reached any conclusions about whether the companies have broken the law.

Motorpoint backs profit rise to £7.5m

MOTORPOINT is expecting to announce soaring profits when it publishes its accounts for 2026, with bosses toasting a year of record sales.

The used car supermarket group published a trading update via the London Stock Exchange, in which it revealed what it called its ‘continued outperformance of the used car market’.

Bosses are expecting the outfit to post a pre-tax profit of around £7.5m in the 12 months to the end of June – 83% up on last year’s return of £4.1m.

FCA

launches

sale or return crackdown

after sudden closures of GVE London and Targa Florio

THE FCA is looking to clamp down on car dealers who deploy a ‘sale or return’ model, following the high-profile collapse of two luxury retailers.

In the past six months, Car Dealer has reported on the closures of GVE London and Targa Florio – both of whom had been operating a sale or return approach. Customers say they have been left out of pocket and without cars.

Car Dealer reported that GVE London is still holding some customer cars, months on from its collapse, with investigations ongoing to establish who actually owns the vehicles. The situation has now piqued the interest of the UK’s financial watchdog, which is said to be writing to dealers who currently advertise sale or return. The regulator has been approached for a comment.

Allen Ford carries out restructure

CAR dealer Allen Ford has announced a major restructure after the firm slumped to an eight-figure loss in 2025. Accounts recently filed via Companies House show Allen Ford (UK) Limited made a pre-tax loss of £12.54m in the 12 months to the end of June 2025. The figure represents a complete collapse on the previous year’s £3.52m profit, with bosses bemoaning ‘lower new vehicle retail volumes, weaker used vehicle pricing and margins, and higher interest costs’.

PEOPLE

New CEO of Lepas named

brand Lepas has confirmed that Gary Lan will lead its UK operation as the outfit looks to establish itself in Britain.

Lan has been named CEO of the newly arrived outfit – a role he will combine with his existing positions as CEO of Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery UK. He will be responsible for overseeing Lepas’s strategic development in the UK, working closely with new managing director Ray Wang. Lan said: ‘Introducing Lepas to the UK represents an exciting new chapter for our global business’

BITE-SIZE

Click on the text box for the full story

MOTABILITY: Changes to the Motability scheme are set to leave disabled drivers facing higher bills, as the system faces political scrutiny. Bosses at Motability say the firm needs to offset £300m of new taxes, imposed in last year’s Budget, with costs – in part, at least –set to be passed on to users.

FINANCE: Pinewood.AI says that its profits are set to take a hit this year amid a delay in its new partnership with Marshall Motor Group. The automotive tech firm signed a five-year deal to implement its systems across Marshalls back in October, but the process has been hit by setbacks.

EVs: Interest in new and used electric cars has surged in recent weeks due to the conflict in the Middle East and concerns over fuel prices and supply. Data from Autotrader shows leads for new EVs jumped 28% since February 28. Meanwhile, enquiries for nearly-new EVs rose 15%.

MANUFACTURING: The government has said £700m of taxpayer funding has been assigned to boosting EV production in the UK – with more than half of the cash going on JLR’s new Somerset gigafactory. The measures include spending on training staff, research and innovation.

PEOPLE: Automotive legal firm Lawgistics has paid tribute to ‘much-loved colleague’ JideOfor Okagbue, who has passed away following a long battle with illness. Insiders described Okagbue as a ‘special person’ who will be remembered for her ‘warmth, positivity and the genuine care she showed to everyone she dealt with’.

NEWS DIGEST

Chinese car tops UK sales charts as EVs power best March since 2019

LAST month was the best March for new car registrations since 2019 as EV sales soared to new levels, while a Chinese car led the charts, latest data shows.

New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 380,627 new vehicles were registered, representing a 6.6% rise. The growth was driven by private demand, rising 10.1% to 162,470. Fleet

DEALERSHIPS

Mitsubishi appoints first dealer partners

MITSUBISHI has announced its first new dealer partners as the Japanese brand prepares for its muchanticipated return to the UK.

Car Dealer reported in February that the outfit was in ‘advanced negotiations’ with potential partners, ahead of vehicles arriving in showrooms in May. It has now been confirmed that 33 new sales sites will open in the first wave of the return.

The uptake sees the return of a number of long-standing Mitsubishi dealers, including Humphries & Parks in Maidstone, Adam Purves in Galashiels and Fields of Bromsgrove.

SAFETY

registrations increased 3.5% to 208,853 units, while the smaller business sector grew 18.8% to 9,304 units. March was also the best month for electrified vehicles – PHEVs rose 46.9% to take a 13.0% market share, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) increased 7.3% to take 15.8% of the market. The Jaecoo 7 was the top-seller with 10,064 units, followed by the Ford Puma (9,193).

Stellantis announces recall of 44,000 cars

STELLANTIS has issued a recall of 44,000 vehicles in the UK due to an issue which could cause vehicles to catch fire.

The fault affects certain Peugeot, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Vauxhall, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Fiat models made from 2023 to 2026.

It means that there could be insufficient space between a petrol particulate filter pipe and a protection cup for the 48-volt starter generator system. Stellantis says that in ‘wet conditions’ and in a ‘worst-case scenario’, this could result in a ‘potential risk of fire’.

ENVIRONMENT

Government begins ZEV mandate review

THE government has begun its review of the ZEV mandate, raising the possibility of revised sales quotas in the near future.

Currently, the percentage of car sales being of zero-emission vehicles rises every year to 80% in 2030. At that point, sales of new pure petrol and diesel cars will be out outlawed, while hybrids will be allowed to remain on sale until 2035.

The ZEV mandate quota for 2026 is 33%, but carmakers have been heavily incentivising and discounting models in an attempt to not be fined for not reaching sales quotas.

Lead the charge

Here as your trusted finance partner. There to help you meet changing demand.

With over four million drivers of alternative fuel vehicles on UK roads already, the shift is happening fast.

Speak to us about our electric and hybrid vehicle finance products today.

RENAULT TWINGO

Power

The single electric motor 80bhp and 175Nm of torque giving the Twingo and top speed of 81mph.

The new Twingo continues Renault’s classic-name revival, but is it a relaunch too far? Jack Evans finds out.

WHAT IS IT?

It feels like Renault is on a bit of a roll. It kicked off a new age with its now-successful Renault 5 and quickly followed up with the more spacious 4. Now, it’s looking to revive yet another household name – the Twingo.

The original Twingo was an icon of French motoring, offering low-cost, accessible motoring that was infused with loads of Parisian chic, albeit one we didn’t get here in the UK. A second-generation car brought a similarly compact design before a third generation introduced a quirky rear-mounted motor. Now, it’s making a comeback as an electric vehicle that aims to have the same accessible focus as the cars which came before it. We’ve been driving it to find out whether it’s been a successful operation.

WHAT’S NEW?

The Twingo arrives as a new electric vehicle, but one which is underpinned by a platform which has already been put to good use in other Renault vehicles like the 5. Like the original Twingo, it has been designed to be as compact as possible, measuring in at just 3.79m. As a result, it’s focused more on urban users and those who are often driving around town, where this car’s compact proportions and tight turning circle should help. The main difference between the underpinnings of the Twingo and the 5 is that this new city car does without the 5’s multi-link rear axle, and instead uses a more traditional beam setup.

While Renault has yet to announce full specifications and pricing, we can confirm that the Twingo will be priced at under £20,000 when it goes on sale, making it one of the cheapest EVs on the market today.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

The Twingo gets a relatively compact, lightweight battery and motor setup. With a 27.5kWh battery, it gets a range of 163 miles, which, given the car’s urban focus, seems about right. A small electric motor produces just over 80bhp, so zero to 60mph comes in just under 12 seconds. However, you should be able to get from a dead stop to 30mph in 3.5 seconds, so there’s enough zip for city driving.

A top-whack charge speed of 50kW means that you can take the Twingo’s battery from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes, while a standard slow charge should take just over four hours. Most importantly, the Twingo is light at just 1,200kg – far lighter than many other EVs on sale today. The Twingo will also be available with vehicle-to-load technology, allowing you to power other devices from the car’s onboard supply.

THE KNOWLEDGE

Renault Twingo

Price: £20,000 (est)

Engine: Single electric motor

Power: 80bhp

Torque: 175Nm

O-60mph: 11.9 seconds

Max speed: 81mph

Range: 164 miles

Charging speed: 50kW

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Style

There are many design touches that hark back to its predecessor and also some bright and fun colours to choose from.

The Twingo is compact in design, so it immediately feels well-suited to more urban driving. With its light steering, it’s a car which is easy to pilot and while that power output might not be all that much, there’s more than enough performance for urban driving. Our test car came on 17-inch wheels, which put a slight edge on the ride, but the car still does a good job of tackling lumps and bumps in the road without sending too many shockwaves through to the interior. For what is a relatively simple car, the Twingo also comes with a self-park feature that can make those inner-city parking operations a lot easier.

Visibility is good, too, and given that the car’s wheels sit right out on all four corners, the Twingo feels easy to manoeuvre. At greater speeds, the Twingo still feels planted, though there’s a fair amount of wind noise. However, as we mentioned, this is a city car designed for nipping in and out of traffic, which the Twingo does very well at indeed.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

The Twingo has always had style on its side over the years and it feels as though this trend has continued with the latest model. There are some subtle nods to this car’s predecessors, too, such as the plastic trim section on the bonnet, which mirrors the grille on the firstgeneration Twingo. In this car, it’s actually where you’ll access the windscreen washer fluid bottle.

Up front, there’s a friendly ‘face’ and thanks to a solid range of bright and fun colours, the Twingo is a car that’ll stand out just as strongly as the Renault 5.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

There’s a utilitarian feel to the Twingo, with some clever solutions dotted around the place to help improve practicality without increasing price. There’s a central armrest which unzips to provide storage, while the boot floor is split into two sections so that you can still access the charging cables underneath even if you’ve got luggage up above. Some areas do feel particularly cheap, with the central storage section between the seats flexing when you touch it. The plastics used lower down are scratchy, but fortunately, there are plenty of textured areas to help make things feel a little more upmarket.

Headroom all-round is surprisingly good, too, and there’s a handy feature linked to the rear seats. They’re on rails, so you can choose between maximising boot space or improving rear-seat legroom. Move those seats forward, and you get up to 360 litres of boot space, and you can fold them down to increase that to 1,010 litres, which is impressive for a car of this size and more than you’ll find on nearly all rivals.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

Renault has yet to confirm full pricing for the Twingo, but has already stated that it’ll come in at under £20,000. If it were to qualify for the government’s electric car grant, then it could quickly become one of the cheapest EVs on sale in the UK. However, with its 10inch central infotainment display and seven-inch driver’s screen, it doesn’t feel lacking in equipment. It’s got Google built-in, too, so popular apps such as Google Maps come preloaded and are fully integrated into the system as a whole. It’s smooth and easy to use, too.

VERDICT

It feels as though Renault could be on to another winner with the Twingo. It’s the ideal contrast to the wave of heavy, rather plain electric SUVs that have been inundating the new car market lately and instead relies on clever packaging and a lightweight design. If the pricing is right, then this could prove to be a very popular electric car. We just wish that Renault was bringing the Twingo to the UK sooner.

Cabin

The interior has a utilitarian feel and some plastics do feel cheap – there are some clever storage touches, though.

It feels as though Renault could be on to another winner with the Twingo.

TARGET BUYERS: Those who want a fuss-free electric car with bags of character.

RIVALS:

SELLING POINTS:

DEAL CLINCHER:

brings lots of equipment and loads of character - just bring it to the UK sooner, Renault!

JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS

What’s happening?

There’s never been a time like this for the car industry. Ever. New car brands are opening as fast as vape shops on a dilapidated High Street and it’s hard to keep up.

In the last seven days, the Car Dealer team has been at three Chinese car events and the invites are still coming in thick and fast.

My colleague Jack Evans has driven the new Chery Tiggo 4, while James Batchelor has been clocking up some miles checking out Aion’s offerings and, importantly, BYD’s luxury entrant, Denza.

Denza’s launch was the one I was particularly keen on hearing more on. It took place in Paris with a huge budget, paid influencers dressed like James Bond and more fanfare than the Changing of the Guard… which was apt.

But what was the car like? And is this Chinese car brand really a rival for Porsche?

I asked James Batchelor to report back from the glittering event in the fashion capital of the world.

Here’s what he had to say…If you thought the Chinese were just content on turning the volume end of the market on its head, then think again. They want to disrupt the traditional world of the premium marques, too.

Trying to move upmarket with a more desirable, higher-margin brand aimed at wealthier buyers is a well-worn strategy in the car business. Yet the UK market is full of examples of ambitious marques that launched with high hopes, only to struggle to gain real traction. Dare I mention Infiniti?

Chery is readying its Lepas brand, which is tasked with appealing to more premium tastes

but with less of the rugged styling of its Jaecoo models, while BYD has Denza and the hilariously named Yangwang.

While it’s not quite clear exactly when Yangwang will arrive here in the UK (although I am promised it will), BYD has officially launched Denza in Europe. I was there to learn how it intends to do business and to see the first two cars – the Porsche-rivalling Z9GT, and the posh D9 minivan (oxymoron?).

In a bold move to show that the brand had really arrived, BYD hired out one of Paris’s gems. The Palais Garnier is arguably the most famous opera house in the world. It’s a spectacularly opulent building lavished with gold and marble, and puts on the finest ballet shows. To borrow the keys for a day would cost hundreds of thousands of euros.

BYD took over the whole building. Two new Z9GTs were placed on plinths outside, and acres of red carpet led guests from the street into the building itself.

Those guests – apart from the shabby-looking UK media contingent – were mostly Chinese. Celebrities and content creators dressed as if they were on their way to a James Bond-themed prom – all in keeping with Denza’s new brand ambassador.

BYD has hired the services of Daniel Craig to appear in adverts for Denza, presumably in an attempt to give the name some Jermyn Streetcred and align it with a masculine, luxury clientele. Inside, it was off-the-wall spectacular. Various

areas of the Palais had been converted to give ‘workshops’ to the guests. Here, they floated from one area to another, learning about the brand’s ultra-fast ‘flash charging’ system, which claims dramatically reduced charging times, and why the flagship Z9GT is being positioned as the nextgeneration EV.

But the centre piece of the day was Stella Li’s address. She’s BYD’s uncompromising executive vice president, and a key component in the firm’s remarkable rise from a battery maker to a global EV powerhouse.

Guests and the media were shuffled to the Palais’s Grand Staircase – a 30-metre high space that has marble steps, marble balustrades and, well, marble everything, and was designed to allow patrons to ‘see and be seen’.

After a show of ballet and a performance of the ‘Flower Duet’ from Léo Delibes’ 1883 opera Lakmé (the music to the British Airways TV advert, in other words), out stepped Li from the central doorway in a sparkling lilac suit. It was over the top, for sure, bizarre possibly, but impressively confident and assured performance nevertheless.

A little while later, Li held a round table for UK media in one of the Palais’s boxes. Another gorgeously opulent and theatrical room just inches away from the stage. Here she drummed home why Denza is different from the other premium brands that Europeans aspire to owning.

When I asked her if Denza is using European luxury brands as inspiration, she said: ‘We have our own idea for luxury.

The Need to Knows

The best used car advertising platforms rated and ranked

Car Dealer has named Autotrader as its top used car advertising platform after analysing sales at the Clever Car Collection, where it accounted for 55.7% of deals in the 2025/26 financial year. CarGurus and 67 Degrees were both highly commended, each contributing 13.6% of sales, with other platforms including Google Vehicle Ads, Carwow, Motors/Cazoo and Dealerway delivering smaller shares.

FCA bans fake Martin Lewis motor finance ads

The Financial Conduct Authority has banned motor finance compensation adverts from Conclusive Financial Ltd after they used edited, unauthorised clips of Martin Lewis and the regulator’s logo. The watchdog said the adverts were misleading, including claims customers would receive £1,846 in compensation without explaining how the figure was calculated, while also failing to clearly outline fees linked to ‘no win, no fee’ services. The FCA reiterated that consumers can make claims for free and warned it will take swift action against firms that give the impression of endorsement or mislead customers.

Norton Way saw pre-tax losses more than double to £5.7m in the year to March 31, 2025, as turnover fell 13.7% to £353.3m amid declining new and used car volumes and ongoing site closures. The group shut multiple dealerships during and after the period, including Letchworth sites whose disposal alone resulted in a £4.1m loss. Operating losses widened to £4m. Despite the challenging performance, parent company Marubeni has continued to back the business with a £74m Subscribe to James’s weekly newsletter at

‘For Denza, we’re not coming here to follow the rules and to compete with the leather, the wood –we’re competing with the technology.’

After I mentioned brands like Mercedes, DS, and Genesis, she replied how these carmakers only improve their cars through ‘design’, but technology is never ‘significantly improved’. Denza wants to ‘define the new rules’ for a luxury brand, ‘just like how the iPhone changed the industry’.

You couldn’t help but be impressed at how BYD had rocked up at one of Paris’s most significant buildings that’s rich in culture, theatre and luxury, and put on a visually spectacular display to present

Losses more than double to £5.7m at car dealership group Norton Way

a new brand and a new car. Was it the Chinese saying that they can build luxury cars better than the Europeans in their own back yard?

Daniel Craig

Probably, yes.

But with the electric Z9GT set to wear a price tag of around £100,000, will Europeans consider the car a credible alternative to a Porsche Taycan or another model from a long-established luxury brand? Only time will tell, but BYD is going to give it a damn good try if that afternoon in Paris is anything to go by.

I THINK we probably all saw it coming, but this week it was confirmed that used car supermarket Cargiant will officially close on April 24.

Insiders told me that they were informed on Friday by email that the decision to close the ‘retail operations’ of the business had been made. We gave the company the weekend to send us a comment and on Monday they exclusively revealed to Car Dealer they were calling it a day.

Staff leaked to me the email in which they were told the news. It said the ‘collective consultation process’ had looked at a range of proposals for the business which included ‘reducing its operational footprint, restructuring departments, adjusting staffing levels’ and even ‘revising operational and buying strategies’.

But the company told staff that after reviewing them all it had decided it was ‘not possible to operate a viable and sustainable’ model going forwards.

Car supermarkets have had it increasingly tough in the last few years as stock gets harder to come by after the pandemic. The pile them high, sell them cheap model has struggled and only a few are currently able to make it work. We’ve seen many high profile closures, but this one, after 50 years in the business, is a huge shock.

Cargiant has been an award winning business that was highly profitable. It once stocked thousands of cars at its West London site but that has dwindled over the last few months to a few hundred.

The real story behind this, though, is not a broken business model – it’s that owner Geoffrey Warren has likely decided to cash in on the value of the land. With a £100m valuation in the last set of accounts, that’s enough to make any billionaire decide it’s time to swap warranty claims for retirement.

I still think someone may snap up the Cargiant name. It’s a strong brand and will have built up a loyal following over the years. It must be worth it alone for the SEO value? I’ll be following what happens next closely. What I’ve

CAR NEWS ROUND-UP

Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results...

New wave of EVs continues as 559-mile i3 is unveiled

Prices for ES electric saloon announced

LEXUS has revealed prices and specifications of its ES electric saloon ahead of its on-sale date later this year.

The ES is a premium four-door saloon that takes on cars such as the BMW i5.

The latest model will be available in three trim levels. The Premium comes in at £59,345 and includes a 12.3inch digital driver’s display and panoramic sunroof.

BMW has extended its range of electric vehicles with the new i3, which will hit the road as the longest-range EV in the UK.

Continuing the brand’s ‘Neue Klasse’ offensive, the new i3 effectively acts as an electric version of the popular 3 Series model which has formed a core part of BMW’s line-up for decades. However, it won’t act as

Tiggo 4 goes on sale priced at £19,995

CHERY has announced that the Tiggo 4 hybrid crossover has gone on sale with prices starting at £19,995.

The Tiggo 4 is the firm’s latest entry into the B-segment crossover market and is available in two trims.

The entry-level Aspire features heated door mirrors and electric windows. The topspec Summit is £21,995 and brings eco-leather seats and rear privacy glass.

a replacement, with the combustion-engined 3 Series remaining on sale alongside the i3.

Following on from the new iX3, the i3 introduces a host of technologies designed to help get it further between trips to the plug. Arriving in 50 xDrive form to begin with, the i3 will bring a range of up to 559 miles – the longest of any EV currently on sale.

Powertrain boost for Tavascan models

THE Cupra Tavascan has received several updates to its model line-up, including a new entry-level powertrain.

The Tavascan is Cupra’s flagship coupe-esque electric SUV and rivals cars such as the Volkswagen ID.5.

The Tavascan can be specified with a new 58kWh battery pack and electric motor to produce 187bhp, while the manufacturer claims 270 miles between charges.

‘Pulse Edition’ adds to Juke line-up

NISSAN has added more appeal to the Juke model lineup with the ‘Pulse Edition’.

The Juke was the trailblazer of the compact crossover market in 2010, and 16 years later, the Japanese brand has sold more than 1.4 million units across the globe.

The Juke Pulse Edition adds more style with the exterior boasting a sound-wave inspired roof decal with the Pulse name integrated into the graphic.

New No7 with electric and hybrid options revealed

DS has launched a brand new version of its DS7 SUV with a hybrid and electric model.

The original DS7 was one of the brand’s first luxury crossovers, introduced in 2017 and showcasing a new look for the French firm. Now, the new No7 brings the model closer into line, naming-wise, with other cars from DS, and returns with the options of either hybrid or electric powertrains.

The electric model, badged No7 E-Tense, incorporates a 97.2kWh

Grandland plug-in hybrid announced

VAUXHALL is expanding the Grandland SUV line-up with a new plug-in hybrid variant.

The Grandland is Vauxhall’s flagship SUV and is also available with regular hybrid and electric powertrains.

The new setup consists of a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor and 21kWh battery pack. It produces 222bhp and 350Nm of torque, while 60mph comes round in 7.6 seconds.

Latest RAV4 will be priced at £43,845

TOYOTA has announced that the new sixth-generation RAV4 will be priced at £43,845 when it goes on sale later this year.

The RAV4 kick-started the SUV trend and six generations later, it is one of the world’s best-selling cars.

The latest model comes in four trims: Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport. The entry-level Icon has 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and steering wheel, a powered tailgate and a 12.9-inch infotainment system.

INDUSTRY VIEWS

NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM CAR DEALER LIVE

DERREN MARTIN

Electric vehicles have stayed level. I expected them to go up, but they haven’t. That’s not a negative –they’ve stayed stable.

Derren Martin

Used car pricing expert and consultant for Cazana

Used car prices continue to rise in March as dealers hold prices firm

Used car prices on car dealer forecourts increased in March as the market remained robust in light of weakening consumer confidence.

Cazana data for the key plate-change month show the price of three-year-old used cars rose on average by 1% in March.

Cazana scrapes data from across the internet to monitor the prices dealers are advertising their cars for online.

Speaking exclusively to Car Dealer Magazine, used car pricing expert and consultant for Cazana, Derren Martin, said that despite the geopolitical situation, the used car market remains robust.

In a video, which you can watch on our YouTube channel, Martin said petrol and diesel cars went up 1%, hybrids went up 2% and electric vehicle values remained flat.

Martin said: ‘Petrol and diesel have both gone up by a similar amount – about 1% on average. I was expecting diesel to drop, but obviously the cars we’re looking at are on forecourts, so it’s good dealers aren’t slashing prices.’

Martin said he was surprised EV values had not surged in light of rapidly rising fuel prices and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

He said: ‘Electric vehicles have stayed level. I expected them to go up, but they haven’t. That’s not a negative – they’ve stayed stable, and as we all know EVs have been very volatile over recent years. There’s still lots of movement within the sector.

‘It’ll be really interesting to see what happens if this continues – particularly with concerns around the Strait of Hormuz and oil supplies.’

Martin said he expects dealers to start pushing the prices of EVs up if demand continues to increase. Several used car marketplaces have reported soaring interest in used electric cars as fuel prices continue to go up.

In terms of brands, BMW and Mini were top performers with average prices up 3% and 2.8% respectively. Mercedes was third with a 1.8% price rise.

Martin added: ‘As in previous months, estates and hatchbacks remain sweet spots for dealers, as volumes of SUVs continue to dominate.’

KGM seeks new UK dealers as it highlights ‘easy to do business’ model

KGM is on the hunt to add more dealers to its network, with the Korean brand highlighting a ‘straightforward’ and low-cost opportunity for dealers seeking a new franchise partner.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Car Dealer Podcast, KGM Motors UK sales director Clive Messenger explained how the company currently has ‘just over 65 dealer partners’ across the UK, with ‘good geographical

coverage’, but acknowledged there are still gaps it is keen to fill.

‘There are some potential areas or territories that we would like to fill – namely kind of the Yorkshire area, sort of Cambridge and Essex, East Anglia area and the south-east,’ Messenger explained, noting that the latter remains particularly challenging ‘because of the costs of running businesses’.

Despite this, KGM – formerly SsangYong –believes its proposition is attractive, especially in a market where many dealers are reassessing their brand partnerships amid growing competition and shifting volumes.

‘I think with us the key point to note is that one, we’re really easy to do business with,’ Messenger told podcast hosts Jon Reay and James Baggott.

Quick decisions Faster deals

FINANCE NEWS

Mby James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor

£7.5bn compensation scheme for motor finance scandal revealed by FCA

Motonovo owner to quit UK over FCA scheme

MOTONOVO owner FirstRand Bank is to pull out of the UK in response to the FCA’s ‘disproportionate and unfair’ motor finance redress scheme.

The South African banking group has hit out at the scheme, announced by the UK’s financial watchdog in March, labelling the model ‘problematic’.

illions of car drivers who took out motor finance are set to receive payouts this year after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed a sweeping compensation scheme for mis-sold agreements.

Announcing the final details on March 30, the watchdog said the average payout will be around £830 – higher than it had previously stated. However, fewer consumers will get payouts as the scope of the scheme has been reduced.

The FCA expects 12.1m consumers will now receive cash and the total bill for the industry is likely to be in the region of £7.5bn – down from a previous estimate of around £10bn Consumers will not know up front how much money they are owed as the lenders will calculate the amount. The figure will be calculated on how much commission was paid, how much extra interest was paid, plus 3% interest per year on top.

Consumers can choose not to take part in the FCA’s compensation scheme and instead go to court, where they may get more or less compensation, based on the facts of their case. However, the outcome of a court claim is uncertain and with legal fees they may pay, many consumers could end up with less. The FCA’s scheme is also likely to be faster and simpler.

Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said: ‘We’ve listened to feedback to make sure the scheme is fair for consumers and proportionate for firms. It will put £7.5bn back into people’s pockets. Now we need everyone to get behind it and ensure millions get their money this year. Payouts should not be delayed any longer, especially as household bills come under greater pressure. Delivering compensation promptly also gives lenders the chance to rebuild trust, and means we can draw a line under the past and support a healthy motor finance market for the future.’

It now says it aims to withdraw from the UK market by selling its challenger bank, Aldermore – through which it owns Motonovo. According to the FT, FirstRand coughed up £1.1bn to buy Aldermore in 2017, but has now decided it is no longer worth the risk.

The lender confirmed the news in a lengthy statement to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, in which it also announced it was upping its provision for handling claims under the scheme.

The bank says it will take an additional £510m provision to pay all motorists who are entitled to compensation, bringing the total to £750m.

Bosses say the figure significantly exceeds the £275m total profits the bank has earned from the UK motor finance over a decade.

TIME IS MONEY

RICHARD PYGOTT

A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE AND MARKETING

Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk

Feeling the squeeze…

Iwas catching up on Car Dealer Live the other day, and the talking points from the independent dealer panel really caught my eye. In a nutshell, rising preparation costs, stock shortages and squeezed margins are still the story for 2026.

So, even when cars are selling, making money on them is getting harder. From talking with our dealer partners, I know that prep costs, for example, have gone through the roof. Stephen Douglas on the panel pointed out that what used to cover a full car prep a decade ago now barely covers four tyres.

That’s not considering getting the stock on the forecourt to start with. There are fewer cars due to the pandemic years, and other challenges mean dealers are competing nationally for the same stock.

I think this explains why paying more up front for stock has become the norm and why dealers’ margins feel under constant pressure.

It’s not just the dealer side that’s shifting, though. Customers are generally holding onto their cars longer overall which is contributing to the issue, and the panel confirmed this, too. Customers are looking at their budgets more closely and thinking twice before committing. That’s completely understandable all things considered, but for dealers, it means converting interest into a sale is becoming trickier.

This is where I think First Response Finance really comes into its own. I see us giving dealers (and customers) more options: more ways to present affordability, more ways to match the right car to the right customer, and more ways to sell to a wider range of buyers, especially if they’re classed as subprime.

Instead of being stuck on headline price, you can focus on manageable monthly finance payments, making cars feel accessible, even to customers who might otherwise hold off or have been declined elsewhere.

I also think this makes your stock work harder. Every vehicle on the forecourt has a better chance of selling, because finance opens the door to customers with different budgets and priorities. In a market where stock and prep costs are high, every sale counts more than ever.

So, for me, the big takeaway from the panel, and what I see in my conversations with dealers, is that 2026 isn’t just about finding the right cars – it’s about finding smarter ways to sell them. And that’s exactly where I know that First Response Finance can help.

If you’re feeling the squeeze on prep costs, struggling to convert cautious customers, or simply want to make every car on your forecourt work harder, I would encourage you to explore how First Response Finance can support your business. Because in a market like this, it’s not just about having the right stock, it’s about giving customers the options that let you sell more cars, more efficiently, and more profitably.

In a market where stock and prep costs are high, every sale counts more than ever

SUPPLIERS GUIDE

LOOKING FOR A MOTOR TRADE SUPPLIER? YOU CAN FIND THE DETAILS OF SELECTED COMPANIES HERE

Auctions

Auction4Cars.com

W: auction4cars.com

T: 03003 730 866

E: customerservice@auction4cars.com

Info: The UK’s leading independent trade car auction site. Completely online, it boasts some of the lowest auction fees on the market.

Auctions & Trade-To-Trade Sales

BCA

W: bca.co.uk

T: 0344 875 3480

Finance

Close Brothers Motor Finance

W: closemotorfinance.co.uk/

Info: Close Brothers Motor Finance are a specialist finance provider, working with over 8,000 dealer partners to offer flexible finance solutions for car, motorcycle and LCV customers.

Finance

E: customerservices@bca.com

Info: BCA’s remarketing programmes deliver volume, choice and availability for buyers, and speed, efficiency and market-leading returns for sellers.

Automotive E-Commerce

ATG

W: atg.auto

T: 0844 264 3519

Info: Leading provider of retailing solutions, Automotive Transformation Group maximises sales for retailers, OEMs, financiers and fleet suppliers by making car buying easier for their consumers.

Data

Real World Analytics

W: realworldanalytics.com

T: 0808 1890 617

E: auto@realworldanalytics.com

Info: We are a SaaS-based data analytics solution provider for multisite dealers. Our business intelligence tools help customers make faster and better decisions.

DMS

MotorDesk

W: dealerdesk.co.uk

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.

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.

RENAULT SCENIC E-TECH

The Renault Scenic

E-Tech

has been busy, so how has it been performing? Jack Williams finds out.

It’s fair to say that Renault is a brand on something of a hot streak when it comes to EVs right now.

The Renault 5 has been one of the biggest automotive success stories of recent years, while the 4 and Twingo also look set to go the same way pretty soon. However, against this backdrop, the larger Scenic E-Tech has somewhat slipped under the radar. That is why I leapt at the opportunity when I was offered the chance to run one just over a month ago. I wanted to find out whether this more family-focused EV still carries that Renault stardust.

The early signs were good. First up, the car looks great – especially with its matt grey paint –and the stylish and well-thought out interior means that the cabin is a genuinely nice place to sit. The car drives well too, offering smooth and near silent running. While this is all great, where Renault’s smaller EVs excel is their ability to bring a touch of fun. Sadly, though, that does seem to be missing slightly here.

Over recent weeks of living with the Scenic it has done everything I have asked of it practically but excitement has very much been in short supply. For the football fans among you, you can think of this car as being a bit like the Arsenal side currently sitting at the top of the Premier League: Very good, but about as likely to get pulses racing as a night in listening to Ed Sheeran.

While this is disappointing from a driver’s perspective, it does not mean that the Scenic should be completely ruled out. The car offers a good level of boot space and has proved more than adept at handling weekly shops, a tip run and every other daily challenge I have thrown at it (I don’t play golf because I am a normal human being, so therefore cannot comment on how many sets of bats fit in the back).

The majority of my driving in the past month has been around town and the Scenic has proved itself to be more than comfortable. Despite warnings from my colleague who had the car before me, it has generally held its charge pretty well in urban environments and there have been no issues connecting to chargers that have blighted so many of my previous experiences with electric cars.

There have also been a few longer-distance journeys, which have seen the Renault settle down into being a smooth and relaxing cruiser. While this is great and comfortable, the big challenge with EVs will also be range and motorway speeds are something of an issue for the Scenic. The car has a quoted range of 381 miles but in the real world, I am struggling to return anywhere near that figure.

As an example, I recently drove from Portsmouth to near Staines for the launch of yet another forgettable Chinese EV. The round-trip was around 120 miles, so I thought I would be more than comfortable setting off with 250 miles of range. Sadly, by the time I returned, I was down to just 70 miles – well below what I would expect.

So, how have I been enjoying life with the Scenic overall? I would have to say that’s a pretty tricky one to answer. As a practical family car to be used around town, it’s been excellent, while out on the open roads it feels comfortable, quiet and sophisticated. However, it does have its drawbacks and despite spending several weeks with it, I still don’t feel any real connection to the car. As a practical machine, it certainly serves its purpose, but when it comes to that Renault stardust? Let’s just say I can understand why it’s being overshadowed by its smaller siblings.

This month’s highlight: It’s been a busy time for our Scenic with plenty of long distance drives – but we’re struggling to connect with the car.

OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING

Mileage: 896

We’ve got a few months to see if the Fiat 600e can stand out in the very competitive small electric SUV sector.