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THE BOSS
FOUNDER
James Baggott
james@thebaize.com
Twitter: @CarDealerEd
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Jon Reay
jon@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @JonReay
EDITORIAL
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
James Batchelor
james.batchelor@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @JRRBatchelor
STAFF WRITER
Jack Williams
jack.williams@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @JournoJack25
CONTRIBUTORS
Becca
HEAD OF
Graeme Windell graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @graemewindell
ADVERTISING
SALES MANAGER
Kevin Day kev@blackballmedia.co.uk
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Michelle Searle michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @cardealermich
Body’s warning as production falls
UK CAR and commercial vehicle production fell again last month, latest figures show, as the sector’s trade body called on the government to ensure Britishbuilt vehicles aren’t restricted under the EU’s new ‘Made in Europe’ policy.
The number of cars and commercial vehicles to roll off UK production lines fell by 1.2% in April to 58,513 units, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
PROTECTION
Honda cranks up warranty
HONDA is underlining its reputation for reliability by ratcheting up its new car warranty to eight years.
The warranty will cover a car for a maximum of eight years or 100,000 miles from the date of first registration.
As before, new cars come with a three-year warranty. But, from June 1, 2026, if customers follow the scheduled service and maintenance plan and use an authorised Honda dealership, the warranty is extended.
NEWS DIGEST
Constellation Automotive Group has upped its stake in car dealer Vertu after the firm was revealed as the mystery buyer of a £20m stock purchase.
Car Dealer reported on June 1 that an unnamed investor had scooped up a 7.5% stake in the listed car dealer after 23.2m shares changed hands from fund manager Schroders.
It has now been revealed that Constellation was the firm behind the move, increasing its stake in the dealer group from 11.02% to 19.15% in the process.
The acquisition, which has been confirmed in a filing to the London Stock Exchange, is likely to fuel further speculation about Constellation’s long-term intentions towards Vertu.
The firm, which owns Marshall Motor Group, Cinch, We Buy Any Car and BCA, previously made a £22.6m profit from its share holding in Lookers when it was taken private.
The group now controls 59.7m voting rights in Vertu, making it one of the company’s very largest
PRODUCTION
Vertu’s mystery investor revealed as Constellation increases holding in car dealer to nearly 20%
shareholders. The most recent shares were purchased in off-book deal at a price of 84p per share. The price was a 30% premium over the 64p price the business had been trading at prior to the announcement.
The deal saw the share price leap to a high of 75.6p after the transaction took place as retail investors followed suit.
At time of writing, shares in Vertu – run by Robert Forrester, pictured – are still trading at 72.5p, valuing the company at around £228m.
Constellation’s current 19.15% stake amounts to 59.7m shares – worth £43.3m at Vertu’s current valuation.
Following the announcement, a spokesperson for Vertu Motors told Car Dealer: ‘Constellation has been on the share register for some years and has been a supportive, positive shareholder.
‘We will continue to run the business in the best interests of all our shareholders, colleagues and OEM partners alike.’
Car Dealer has contacted Constellation for comment.
Ford outlines product offensive with five new vehicles
FORD is to launch five new models as part of a major model offensive, which could see the return of the Fiesta name.
Bosses at the Blue Oval have outlined plans to ‘renew its commitment to European drivers and businesses’ with proposals which also include an expansion of the firm’s commercial range.
The ‘comprehensive product and services rollout’ will see the launch of an electric B-segment hatchback, using the same platform as the Renault 5, which will likely see
the Fiesta nameplate brought out of retirement. The brand is also planning a small electric SUV, two multienergy crossovers and a European version of the Bronco, which is currently only on sale in America.
Ford says that it will introduce all of these cars by the end of 2029, illustrating a sizeable ramp-up in the brand’s production. The news has been welcomed by dealers, who have taken a major hit in representing the brand over recent years.
Lithia UK wraps up deal for JLR sites
LITHIA UK has confirmed a deal to buy three JLR sites from Group 1 Automotive as it looks to grow its UK dealer network.
Car Dealer broke the news that the two firms were in talks over showrooms in Derby, Chester and Preston last month.
Things have now moved along quickly and an agreement to bring the trio under the Lithia UK banner was completed late last month.
Under the terms of the deal, the Derby location will operate under the Stratstone name, while the Chester and Preston stores will become Hatfield sites.
Raban leaving Group 1 Automotive
GROUP 1 Automotive UK has announced that CEO Mark Raban will be leaving the company.
Raban has been the chief executive of the UK arm of the company for two years.
In an email to staff that Car Dealer has seen, it was also announced that Daniel McHenry will be taking up the position of president and CEO for Group 1 Automotive UK.
McHenry is currently chief financial officer for Group 1 and he will lead the UK business while continuing in his CFO role, reporting to Daryl Kenningham, Group 1’s president and CEO.
Stellantis to build Chinese EVs in Europe
STELLANTIS has signed a ‘memorandum of understanding’ with Chinese carmaker Dongfeng, in a deal which could see the brand’s vehicles built in Europe for the first time.
The two firms have signed a ‘non binding’ agreement to create a new European operation focusing on the sales, distribution, manufacturing, purchasing and engineering of Dongfeng’s new energy vehicles.
The joint venture – owned 51% by Stellantis and 49% by Dongfeng – is believed to be similar in structure to Stellantis’s existing deal with Leapmotor.
INDUSTRY
Chinese carmaker Chery to build vehicles at
Nissan Sunderland
plant in major UK deal
CHINESE carmaker Chery is set to ramp up its presence in the UK by building cars at Nissan’s Sunderland plant. The two manufacturers have announced a new nonbinding memorandum of understanding, which could see Chery utilise spare capacity at the north eastern facility. If the deal goes through, Chery cars could be rolling off the Sunderland production line in the 2027 financial
year. The news comes after an announcement from Nissan last month, in which the Japanese brand outlined plans to consolidate its manufacturing operations onto a single production line to ‘assess future opportunities to secure full plant utilisation’. The change would result in some 900 job losses across Europe, although jobs in Sunderland were said to be safe from the chop.
INDUSTRY
Drivers in love with Chinese cars
CHINESE car brands aren’t just grabbing market share but they’re also delivering excellent customer experiences.
That’s the conclusion from the latest Carblah Customer Experience Index, which reveals punters are loving Chinese car brands as they make things ‘clear, fair and easy’. The Index – which analyses and aggregates real customer sentiment – shows Omoda finished in first place for customer experience, followed by its sister brands Chery and Jaecoo.
BIG MOTORING WORLD
Used car site set for £20m sale
THE site of Big Motoring World’s Camberley store is set to go up for sale, with experts tipping the plot to fetch close to £20m.
Car Dealer has seen a draft brochure from estate agents, which reveals offers are set to be invited in excess of £19.5m for the highly-desirable site. The document also reveals that Big Motoring World is currently paying £1.21m per year in annual rent, having taken over the former CarShop site from Sytner back in 2024.
BITE-SIZE
Click on the text box for the full story
PEOPLE: A family-run used car dealership is to close this month after more than six decades, following the owner’s ’emotional’ decision to retire. Stade Street Garage has been serving the community in Hythe, Kent, since 1964. The site is to cease trading on June 26.
DEALERS: T.I.M UK Motors has joined the Suzuki dealer network, opening a new showroom for the brand in Nottingham. The familyowned business is based on Haydn Road in the city and also represents Subaru at the location, as well as Isuzu trucks in Ilkeston.
DEALERS: Toomey Motor Group has posted an uplift in profits after a year of expansion which saw the business grow turnover beyond £320m. Newly filed accounts show the Essex-based group increased pre-tax profit by 46.8% to £3.25m in the year ended December 31, 2025.
PEOPLE: A dodgy car dealer has been banned from working in the motor trade after he admitted to fraudulent trading. Max Grunfeld ran BMG Autohaus in Gloucester, where he intentionally misled customers about the condition of vehicles, before using fake documents to cover his tracks.
VENTURE: Aion Auto UK and its dealer partners have opened the first showrooms in the UK this month. The new Chinese brand launched its first showroom in Slough. This site is a joint venture between Jameel Motors and, owner of Aion, GAC International.
NEWS DIGEST
Autotrader profits near £393m but admits Deal Builder roll-out hurt numbers FINANCE
AUTOTRADER saw its revenues leap and profit surge after pushing up the cost of advertising in April last year.
Operating profits for the firm hit £392.7m as revenues surged to £624.3m in its financial year to the end of March 2026 – an operating profit margin of 63%.
However, the advertising marketplace admitted in its annual results that revenue was dented following the
Motorway expands into remarketing
MOTORWAY has launched a new enterprise remarketing service after agreeing a new partnership with Mobilize Financial Services.
The online automotive marketplace has partnered with Renault and Nissan’s vehicle financing partner to open a significant new supply channel for Motorway’s dealer network.
Bosses say the vehicles involved in the programme will typically be two to four years old cars, with single owners, and low mileage.
introduction of its controversial Deal Builder product in November. The firm said revenue growth slowed to 3% in the second half of its financial year which ‘reflected the difficult trading conditions and retailer feedback regarding our Deal Builder product roll-out’. Autotrader said it ‘moved quickly’ to address these dealer concerns.
SMMT repeats calls for ZEV review
THE SMMT has once again called for the ZEV mandate to be reviewed amid concerns about EV adoption.
The trade body has been a repeated critic of the eco targets over recent years, branding measures as a ‘fantasy‘ as recently as March. The group has now taken a fresh swipe at the approach, with boss Mike Hawes repeating previous calls for a review into the rules.
The CEO added the UK is now in a ‘very different place’ when the mandate was first introduced in 2024.
Dick Lovett sees profits hold firm
LUXURY car dealer group Dick Lovett says profits have held firm in its latest set of annual accounts, despite the firm being hit hard by non-existent Jaguar sales and Mini’s switch to an agency model.
The retailer’s parent company – Dick Lovett Companies Limited –made a pre-tax profit of £10.59m in the 12 months ending December 31, 2025. While the figure represents a slight decline on the previous year, bosses are pleased with how the firm handled tricky market conditions.
W TH DEA ERS GET M RE THE
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EVENT VOTING NOW OPEN
Make your nominations for the Car Dealer Used Car Awards 2026!
Voting is now well underway for the Car Dealer Used Car Awards 2026 and we can now confirm that things will be a little bit different this time around.
That is because we have decided that our RAC Customer Care Award will now be divided into five distinct sub-categories, to give you an even greater chance of glory.
For the first time, 2026 will see the prize broken down into Small, Medium, Large, Supermarket and Manufacturer gongs, in recognition of the stellar work done by all corners of the industry.
The change means that we will now be giving out more awards than ever before, so don’t miss your chance to put yourself forward!
Confirming the change, Car Dealer editorin-chief, James Baggott, said: ‘We know just how much effort dealers and manufacturers put into delivering outstanding customer care, so we wanted to make sure more businesses had the chance to be recognised for their achievements.
‘By splitting the award into five distinct categories – Small, Medium, Large, Supermarket and Manufacturer – we believe the judging will be fairer, more competitive and a far better reflection of the diversity within the used car industry.
‘We’d encourage every dealer to put
themselves forward and get involved!’
The Used Car Awards are the Oscars of the industry, and winning a gong is no easy task. But, as the old phrase goes, you can’t win the raffle without buying a ticket!
The glitzy event will once again be sponsored by headline partner Black Horse,
Nominations close: Monday, September 28
Nominations (long list) revealed: Key dates
Categories
Dealers’ Dealer
Sponsored by Dealerkit
Service & Repair Outlet
Sponsorship available
Used EV Dealer of the Year Sponsored by Warrantywise
Social Media User
Sponsorship available
Use of Video
Sponsorship available
Used Car Website
Sponsored by Visitor Chat
Used Car Online Sales Experience
Sponsored by Central Car Auctions
Specialist Used Car Dealership
Sponsorship available
Used Car Sales Team
Sponsorship available
Used Car Dealer Principal
Sponsorship available
Future Star
Sponsored by Northridge Finance
Used Car Customer Car and sub categories
Sponsored by RAC Dealer Network
Used Car Supermarket Sponsored by Cazoo
Newcomer Dealership Sponsored by Jigsaw Finance
Used Commercial Vehicle Dealer Sponsored by Close Brothers Motor Finance
Days To Turn Award Sponsored by Autotrader
Diversity & Inclusion
Sponsorship available
Used Car Dealership: Up To 50 Cars
Sponsored by Black Horse
Used Car Dealership: 51–100 Cars
Sponsored by Black Horse
Used Car Dealership: Over 100 Cars
Sponsored by Black Horse
Used Car Dealership Group Sponsored by Black Horse
Outstanding Achievement Sponsored by AA Cars
Lifetime Achievement Sponsored by GardX
Manufacturer Used Car Scheme of the Year Sponsorship available
Car categories
Sponsored by Autoglym
Small Car
Mid-Sized Car
Executive Car SUV
AFV (Alternatively Fuelled Vehicle)
The Used Car Awards 2026 will be held at The Brewery in London on Monday, November 30
VOLVO EX60
Power
The dual electric motors produce 503bhp and 710Nm of torque.
Volvo is quickly expanding its line-up of electric models, so is the EX60 a worthy addition? Jack Evans has been finding out.
WHAT IS IT?
The electric SUV segment is showing no signs of slowing down. Manufacturers across the world have been getting in on the portion of the market which continues to rise in demand, and Volvo has been present in it for a little while now. It is hoped, however, that this car –the EX60 – will be the one to make its stamp on the world.
Rivalling accomplished rivals such as the BMW iX3 and BMW GLC, the EX60 weighs in with a long range and plenty of on-board technology, but is that enough to put it at the top of the list? We’ve been driving it to find out
WHAT’S NEW?
The Volvo EX60 brings a handful of traditionally ‘Volvo’ innovations, but these are bundled together with plenty of brand-new features. For instance, there’s a big focus on storage inside – more on that later – yet with Google’s Gemini AI service, you can, in theory, have a full ‘conversation’ with the car’s on-board assistance. We gave this service a good test, too, and it found local hairdressers rated by Google scores and even recommended a used motorcycle to cut through our Barcelona test route’s traffic.
Volvo will also be introducing a ‘Cross Country’ version of the EX60, which brings a boost in ride height and more adventure-focused design touches.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
The EX60 will be available, initially, in three battery and motor configurations. Things kick off with the P6, which brings a range of up to 385 miles and a total output of 369bhp, while the dual-motor P10 AWD ups that power output to 503bhp and range increases, too, to 410 miles. At the top – and due to be introduced slightly later – is the P12 AWD, which brings a headline range of 503 miles, the longest of any EV currently on sale.
The EX60 also benefits from a very rapid maximum charge rate of up to 400kW, which means you could take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around 16 minutes. Sadly, the entry-level P6 does without this, but still gets a respectable 350kW charge rating.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The EX60 certainly lies on the comfort end of things when it comes to driving style. The ride is good – though our Spanish test routes were glass-smooth – and what really stands out is the level of refinement that this car offers. Even at motorway speeds, it is remarkably hushed, which will help to make longer journeys more relaxing. The steering isn’t the most pleasant, mind you, while the ultra-small steering wheel is – in our opinion – a little too compact and leaves you feeling a little lost when piloting the car. It’s a shame, as
Volvo EX60 P10
Price: £59,860 Engine: Dual electric motors
Power: 503bhp
Torque: 710Nm
O-60mph: 4.4 seconds
Max speed: 112mph
Range: 410 miles
Charging speed: 400kW
The materials used throughout are good but some trim parts don’t have the usual ‘Volvo’ levels of solidity.
‘traditional’ Volvo steering wheels have always been very pleasant to use. Unfortunately – and as we’ve found on some other Volvos – the main screen is a little too distracting to use safely on the move. More physical buttons could help with this, or even some clearer shortcuts on the screen itself.
With over 500bhp, the mid-range P10 is more than quick enough but for most, we reckon that the standard P6 will bring more than enough performance. What we’d really like would be a single motor car with the larger battery found on the P10 and P12; it feels like it would bring the best blend of performance and efficiency.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
Given that the EX60 slots between the smaller EX30 and the larger seven-seater EX90, you can see how Volvo has brought some ‘family’ styling to tie the three together. There’s lots to like, too, with the classic ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights providing a futuristic appearance up front.
Around the rear, it’s a little more slab-sided. However, the EX60’s boxy design is what helps it deliver good levels of headroom.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
In a similar vein, the interior of the EX60 has elements of EX30 and EX90. The good news – and what will help the EX60 to appeal to family buyers – is that there’s loads of storage inside. There’s no traditional glovebox, but this area has been replaced by a large section underneath the main screen and provides a usefully large storage space and one which can be concealed to help keep your items safe. There’s also a very good slide-out cupholder section underneath the central armrest. Material quality is good, too, though we can’t help but feel that some of the upholstery and trim sections don’t quite feel up to the usual ‘Volvo’ levels of solidity
Space in the back is great, too. There’s a fully flat floor, so even the person in the middle seat has enough space to stretch out and, as mentioned, headroom is great too.
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
Here’s the crunch point – the price. However, don’t fear, as the EX60 is competitively priced against rivals. You’ll pay £56,860 for the entry-level P6 in Plus grade and its range of 385 miles, or £59,860 for the P10, which brings a range of 410 miles. At the top, you’re looking at £64,860 for a P12 and its standout 503-mile range.
Equipment levels are solid across the board. Plus cars get climate control, heated steering wheel and that clever 15.04 curved central display as well as a load of safety assistance features. The fixed panoramic sunroof is included, too. As mentioned, the central screen is where you’ll access pretty much everything about the car – even the wing mirror and steering wheel adjustment – and while it’s quick to respond and accurate, we’d still like more physical buttons to help keep things safer.
You can move up to ‘Ultra’ grade if you’d like laminated side windows and an upgraded Bowers and Wilkins sound system, but, in truth, we reckon that the EX60 is at its best in standard Plus specification, where its price is kept the most competitive.
VERDICT
The Volvo EX60 enters a very competitive area of the market. However, we feel that it has all of the tools to succeed; a great range, lots of equipment and a genuinely well-packaged interior which feels perfectly suited to the family buyers who operate in this area of the car market.
At motorway speeds, it is remarkably hushed, which will help to make longer journeys more relaxing.
TARGET BUYERS:
Those who want a practical SUV with one of the longest electric-only ranges around. THE RIVALS:
iX3
GLC
Styling
The EX60 shares many design cues from the EX30 and it’s bigger brother the EX90, including the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights.
SELLING POINTS:
Huge range
Fast charge speed
Good practicality
DEAL CLINCHER:
The Volvo EX60 could be one of the best EVs on sale today –only its screen-heavy layout lets the side down.
JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS
What’s happening?
The fight for dealers’ used car advertising spend hotted up this week as another challenger announced a number of bold plans.
There’s been a lot of turbulence in the marketing world since Autotrader introduced its Deal Builder product at the end of last year.
While that discontent with the UK’s number one platform has died down a little, the furore gave other advertising alternatives a chance to woo dealers.
One of those focussing hard on its ad platform is Carwow and, this week, it showed dealers some of its new moves in a webinar that I took part in.
So, what did the firm have to say?
The opportunity in the used car advertising space is huge. Car dealers across the country spend hundreds of millions combined on advertising their stock every year, but that outlay has come into sharp focus in recent times.
We saw in Autotrader’s results that following the protests revenue did not grow quite as fast as usual in its second half and even they admitted this was as a result of dealer sentiment following changes it made.
We’ve made it clear before – and fully tested it last year – that Autotrader is by far and away our largest supplier of used car buyer leads and, in turn, sales.
But the other platforms out there are working hard to step up to the plate. Competing requires a large amount of investment and development, but it helps if you’ve got an audience – and Carwow has a huge one of those.
Its YouTube channel is one of the most successful in the world and it funnels millions of eyeballs from its drag race videos to the different parts of its lead generating website.
The used car side of it is becoming more and more important. The firm has been quietly signing up dealers, many of whom signed up to give it
a go after the Autotrader fall-out, and now it is working hard on improving its offering.
I’ve been on the Carwow site for over a year and have found it does deliver a steady stream of leads to our stock. We’ve certainly sold cars off the back of those leads, but have had a few frustrations. Buyers struggle a little to work out where in the country we are and our videos and descriptions aren’t displayed prominently enough.
Carwow told the dealers who joined for the webinar that it was working on all of this and more. It said it was very much focused on becoming the ‘credible used alternative dealers depend on to grow their business’.
The firm’s George Stokes said Carwow has taken the time to ‘understand the market’ and chatted to a number of dealers to help it plan its
Oh, and as a Carwow-related side note, there was an unusual winner in our Battle of the Buyers 2.0 competition revealed on video this month. Check it out below to see which ringer beat a group of seasoned car dealers in our competition.
next steps. These include helping dealers turn their stock faster and sharing more data to help them grow.
The data point sounded a lot like Autotrader’s Retail Ratings, which helps you work out which cars are in demand, but Carwow says it wants to be more forward thinking to help dealers go after the stock that might not be currently available to customers.
Immediate changes being made to the site include better location accuracy so customers can work out which dealers are close to them. The firm will also be removing the 13-year age cap on cars advertised on the site to any age.
Next on Carwow’s plan will be adding finance calculators to dealers’ ads, supporting more video formats and adding other contact methods,
The Need to Knows Motorpoint announces soaring profits, sales
and
turnover in stellar final results
Motorpoint reported a strong set of results for the year to the end of March 2026, with pre-tax profits rising 82.9% from £4.1m to £7.5m and turnover increasing from £1.17bn to £1.26bn. The used car supermarket group sold a record 91,100 vehicles, up from 87,700 a year earlier. Boss Mark Carpenter credited the firm’s use of data and AI, including a tool which reactivated historic quotes to generate an additional 900 sales, while direct consumer sourcing through its Sell Your Car channel rose 85% to 6,603 vehicles.
Used car market sees strongest price growth for three years –Autotrader
Autotrader says the average used car price rose 0.7% year-on-year to £17,306 in May, marking the strongest rate of growth in nearly three years. Demand continued to outpace supply which helped reduce average stock days from 31 to 29. Used EVs were the standout performers, with demand surging 36.4% while supply dropped 11.2%, resulting in average selling times of just 24 days.
Compensation payouts pushed back until at least 2027
The FCA has warned that compensation payments linked to the motor finance mis-selling scandal are now unlikely to begin before 2027 as it battles four legal challenges to its proposed redress scheme. The watchdog estimates that 12.1m car finance agreements involving discretionary commission arrangements could qualify for average payouts of £829, with the scheme expected to cost the industry £9.1bn. FCA boss Nikhil Rathi warned the scheme could be struck down, potentially forcing a complaints-led process that would add £6bn to lenders’ costs and take three more years.
including WhatsApp.
Further down the line, Stokes said the data the firm will be able to share with dealers will increase further too.
‘We hear that these insights about where the market demand is, what portions of the market are under served or over served are really important to you as dealer partners,’ he said.
‘We have a really wide view of the market so we want to be able to give you more procurement and demand insights to give you the power to think more strategically.’
The company is also planning to deploy AI to handle more of the initial customer enquiries so that when they’re passed on to the dealer, they
are ‘higher intent’ and more qualified.
Carwow certainly seems to be taking the used car market very seriously. It has already managed to build an impressive daily auction business and now seems to be doubling down on its push into used car ads too.
After spending a morning with the evergrowing team at their bustling London offices, I could tell they are very serious about these plans and have the talent to push these ambitious plans forward. What’s more, like I said on their webinar, dealers are looking more closely than ever at where they put their marketing spend right now so the opportunity for the firm is a great one.
I’ve heard
THIS month, my colleague Jack Evans has been out driving yet more Chinese cars – he filed this report back after a chat with bosses at a Leapmotor event
You may not have heard about it yet, but I’m sure that you will soon. It’s something called ‘China Speed’, and it’s a phrase which is being used across the industry.
It’s used to describe the sheer pace at which China works and has come to represent a whole new way of developing, building and updating cars, too. In fact, Renault recently told me China Speed was one of the key drivers behind the development of its latest Twingo, which went from concept to production in just 100 weeks.
It’s also something that was routinely mentioned at the Leapmotor launch I attended earlier this week. Leapmotor, despite being part-owned by European manufacturing giant Stellantis, is still very much a Chinese brand at heart and uses its native country’s pace to develop and create its tech.
Execs at the launch said that China Speed could be used to address some of the criticisms that we had of its new B05 electric hatchback.
Our compliants about glitches with software and an overnannying suite of assistance systems could be all remedied in ‘a few days’, according to the team there. Bosses said engineers back at the brand’s Chinese base would work on fixes, roll out new software and have it installed in cars by the end of the week. That’s the theory, anyway.
CAR NEWS ROUND-UP
Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results...
REVEALED
Ferrari goes electric with the Luce
FERRARI has revealed its first chapter into the EV market with the Luce.
The firm’s first electric all-wheel drive model, the Luce will arrive as a four-door coupe-esque grand tourer to rival the likes of the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo.
Its powertrain consists of a 122kWh battery pack with quad electric motors and an 800-volt architecture
to enable ultra-rapid charging speeds. In terms of numbers, the setup produces 1,035bhp and 990Nm of torque, while the car can sprint to 60mph in just 2.3 seconds and will reach a top speed of 193mph.
Ferrari says that the car’s claimed range is currently under homologation, though it’s anticipated to achieve up to 329 miles between charges.
MERCEDES-AMG
Electric
power for GT 4-door coupe
MERCEDES-AMG has revived its GT 4-Door Coupe as an electric performance car.
While the previous AMG GT 4-Door Coupe was available with combustion engines, this new model has swapped to an entirely battery-powered setup. Now, the GT 4-Door brings 1,153bhp, enabling a 0-60mph time of just two seconds and a top speed of 186mph. However, it also has a range of up to 285 miles.
NEW MODEL ELECTRIC BYD
Dolphin gets plug-in hybrid power
BYD has added a new plug-in hybrid supermini to its growing model range.
The Dolphin G DM-i rivals the MG3 Hybrid+ and Toyota Yaris, plus pure EVs like the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, and focuses on value for money. While details remain thin on the ground, BYD has confirmed that the car will be able to drive a claimed 621 miles on one tank of fuel. Pricing should kick off at around £23,000.
Fiat expands SUV range with Grizzly
FIAT looks set to introduce a new model into the popular C-SUV segment as it reveals a first look at its Grizzy model.
Available in both SUV and Fastback bodystyles, the new Grizzly will look to rival cars like the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai in a hugely competitive area of the market. At under 4.5 metres long, the Grizzly is slightly longer than Fiat’s current Grande Panda.
Leapmotor confirms pricing for B05
LEAPMOTOR has released full pricing for its upcoming B05, showcasing the electric hatchback’s £28,995 starting price.
The B05 broadens the Leapmotor range and provides a more accessible option. Part-owned by Stellantis – the group which looks after brands such as Citroen and Peugeot –Leapmotor is a Chinese brand that focuses on electrified vehicles.
Lotus reveals more powerful Emira 420 Sport
THE Lotus Emira has lost weight and gained more power with the new ‘420 Sport’ variant.
The Emira 420 Sport’s powertrain consists of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 414bhp and 500Nm of torque, while the car can accelerate to 60mph in 3.7 seconds and will top-out at 186mph. Power is sent through to a standard eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
As an option, customers can spec the car with a ‘Lightweight Handling Pack’ which reduces the car’s weight by 25kg and adds 25kg of extra downforce. This means it now comes in at 1,332kg.
The exterior boasts several tweaks over the standard Turbo car, including a 5mm lower ride height, revised suspension with two-way adjustable Multimatic dampers, high-performance tyres and a bonded aluminium chassis.
Raval goes on sale priced at £23,785
CUPRA has announced that its Raval electric hatchback has gone on sale with a starting price of £23,785.
The Raval is Cupra’s smallest model and is one of a quartet of affordable new EVs from the Volkswagen Group sitting on the ‘MEB+’ platform, which is shared with the Skoda Epiq, Volkswagen ID.Polo and ID.Cross.
The Raval range kicks off with the entry-level Origin.
GENESIS
GV60 Magma range to start from £75,915
THE Genesis GV60 Magma will go on sale this summer, priced from £75,915.
The high-performance model –which represents a move from the Korean brand into more dynamic territory and away from its traditionally luxury-focused area – is based on the standard GV60 electric SUV but brings several tweaks. Chief among these is the car’s power output, with its dual electric motors bringing 641bhp and 790Nm of torque, enabling a 0-60mph
CUPRA
NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM THE CAR DEALER PODCASTS
Sponsored by
We want representation in the right markets and we want partners who are excited about the opportunity that Leapmotor presents.
Damian Dally Leapmotor’s UK MD
Leapmotor brings in new customers to Stellantis as firm eyes up further UK expansion
Leapmotor is bringing a wave of fresh customers into Stellantis, who have never bought from the firm’s brands before.
That is according to the Chinese firm’s UK MD, Damian Dally, who insists that the newcomer is not canniblising Stellantis’s existing offerings.
Dally appeared as a guest on episode 261 of the Car Dealer Podcast, where he revealed that 95% of Leapmotor’s retail customers have never previously owned a Stellantis vehicle.
He told hosts James Batchelor and Jon Reay that the outfit now operates around 80 dealerships across the country, with aims to expand to as many as 110 by the end of the year.
The majority of that expansion will come from existing Stellantis partners although the brand remains open to signing up with new dealers too.
‘The statistic that really stands out for me is that 95% of our profiled retail customers are conquest customers to Stellantis,’ he said.
‘So these are not customers who were previously driving a Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep or Alfa Romeo. These are people who are completely new to the group.
‘That tells us we’re attracting a different audience and bringing incremental customers into our retailers, which is exactly what we set out to do.’
He added: ‘We’ve got a roadmap to around 99 sites already and we’ll continue to grow from there,’ he said.
‘There will come a point where we need to recruit retailers from outside the current Stellantis network and that’s something we’re actively looking at.
‘We want representation in the right markets and we want partners who are excited about the opportunity that Leapmotor presents.’
In a previous interview with Car Dealer last year, Dally was bold in his predictions for Leapmotor.
He told us that while ‘not all Chinese carmakers will make it’ in the UK, Leapmotor would not be one of those to fall by the wayside.
Speaking on the podcast, he repeated that belief and admitted that early performance had actually exceeded expectations, with the vast majority of registrations coming from private retail buyers rather than fleet channels.
From dropping bars to selling cars: How former DJ became a hit in the motor trade
THE motor trade attracts people from all walks of life, but few arrive via the global club scene. However, that is exactly the unconventional route taken by one car dealer in Derbyshire, who has swapped his decks for vehicle checks.
David Gott spent 25 years working as a professional DJ, playing all over the world including to packed out clubs in Magaluf. He now runs the Lovely Car Company,
a premium used car dealership based in Bolsover, which specialises in second-hand Teslas.
Appearing on episode 260 of the Car Dealer Podcast, he said: ‘I was a DJ for 25 years. I worked all over the world and worked in a big club in Magaluf called BCM. After about 12 years of doing that, I came back to the UK.
‘Then, whilst I was DJ, during the day I
needed something to do so I started selling cars from home. It was just two or three on the drive, and then just built it up from there.
‘Now we’ve got about 50 cars in stock and we’ve built it from sub £5k cars, to now, where everything’s over £15k at the minute.
‘It’s been a really good journey, it’s been really enjoyable. Lots of ups, lots of downs but I’m still alive.’
Quick decisions Faster deals
FINANCE NEWS
Close Brothers delivers ‘solid’ performance
by Jack Williams @JournoJack25
Close Brothers has increased its provision for motor finance commission compensation to an eye-watering £320m. The lender published a trading update via the London Stock Exchange, in which it revealed that it had set aside an additional £30m charge during Q3. The move was made in response to the FCA finally publishing the details of its redress scheme, earlier this year.
The scheme is currently subject to a legal challenge from firms including Mercedes-Benz and VW but Close Brothers said the proposals offer a ‘quick, clear and certain route to resolving this matter for all relevant parties’.
Despite this, bosses admitted the firm continues to disagree with elements of the scheme, in comments similar to those from the Finance and Leasing Association last month.
In the trading update, Close Brothers said: ‘While there are elements of the scheme that we disagree with, we continue to believe that the existing scheme offers a quick, clear and certain route to resolving this matter for all relevant parties.
‘However, the ultimate cost to the group remains subject to the outcome of the legal challenges to the scheme and any further legal, regulatory or industry developments including court claims and complaints from consumers.’
Elsewhere, despite the growing financial hit from the motor finance crisis, Close Brothers reported a ‘solid performance’ in Q3.
The firm said its lending divisions delivered a ‘resilient’ third quarter, with the loan book growing 1% to £9.3bn.
The group maintained a robust net interest margin of 7.0% and stable credit quality, with the bad debt ratio holding at 0.8%.
FCA launches investigation into CCL INVESTIGATION
A CLAIMS management company has been placed under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority over its handling of the motor finance scandal.
The FCA says it is looking into allegations that Consultation Claims Limited (CCL) may have signed up consumers without their consent. It is also claimed that the firm may have forged customer’s signatures in relation to compensation claims between April 2025 and December 2025.
The regulator is now working to establish how customers were contacted, what they were told during and after sign-up, and the information they were given about exit fees.
Customers unhappy with the outfit’s response should omplain to the Claims Management Ombudsman.
In a statement, the independent regulatory body said: ‘The FCA is investigating concerns that consumers may have been signed up during the period April 2025 to December 2025 without their consent, with some allegations that signatures have been forged.’
TIME IS MONEY
RICHARD PYGOTT
A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE AND MARKETING
Be more human
Irecently found myself on the other side of the desk… as a customer in the motor trade. I’m not one of those difficult customers. I’ve worked in the trade long enough to understand what dealers deal with, so I tend to give a bit of grace when I’m buying a vehicle. So it was interesting, to say the least, dealing with different dealerships via phone, text, WhatsApp, and email when I needed a new vehicle. The differences in approach were pretty stark.
One of the larger supermarket-style dealers (I won’t name names) came in hot. After my initial enquiry, I was hit with constant WhatsApp messages. But when I asked for more images and a video walkaround, things went quiet.
It quickly became clear why. When I was sent the images, they didn’t match the reality.
There was no mention of damage or scuffs in the advert, and nothing in the photos suggested otherwise. That only surfaced once I pushed for more detail.
When I pointed it out, ‘That’s a lot of damage that wasn’t in the original pictures’, the tone shifted immediately. I was told it was ‘priced accordingly’, then the WhatsApp chat was closed down with the assumption I was ‘no longer interested’. I was advised to call if I wanted to continue.
I was genuinely taken aback. It felt misleading. And worse, it felt dismissive. I won’t be recommending them.
The next dealer I spoke to was the complete opposite.
A family-run business, established in 1933. And if my experience is anything to go by, it’s no surprise they’ve lasted nearly a century.
Their advert clearly mentioned a small mark on the vehicle, barely visible in the photos. When I asked for more detail, they sent a personalised video, used my name, and walked me around the car. They pointed out the mark (which I still struggled to see), and then naturally highlighted the rest of the vehicle’s condition and features.
They took the car off sale without a deposit, despite me offering one. Within minutes of me confirming, I had an order form in my inbox, followed by updates throughout the weekend, workshop prep, delivery timing, and everything in between.
Professional. Friendly. Honest.
I did buy a car. It doesn’t take a genius to work out which dealer I bought from!
And it left me thinking…
Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk
I was genuinely taken aback. It felt misleading. And worse, it felt dismissive.
We spend so much time in this industry automating, scripting, and ‘optimising’ communication that we risk losing the one thing customers actually remember: how we made them feel.
Because in the end, people don’t buy the most polished process.
They buy the people who treat them like one.
And if you’re looking for a finance company that still believes in that, treating people like people, not numbers, get in touch. We’d love to help.
PARTNER WITH AN AWARD-WINNING COMPANY
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
Info: Whether using Mobil 1™ or Mobil Super™, Mobil™ engine oils meet or exceed the latest standards of the oil industry and vehicle manufacturers.
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 Preparation & Cleaning
Autoglym Professional
W: autoglym.com/professional
T: 01462 677766
E: enquiries@autoglym.com
Info: Award-winning Autoglym Professional products deliver exceptional results with safe, easy application. supported by expert aftersales service, training and nationwide delivery.
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: 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.
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.
Here and there
Here for the long-term. There when it matters.
We rise to challenges and work hard, because your goals are our goals.
We make face-to-face visits and answer 99% of calls first time*.
We’re passionate about partnerships and committed to going the extra mile for customers.
We have a proven track record and a long history of lending.
AUDI A6 AVANT
The
A6
Avant’s plug-in hybrid setup might not be for everyone, but Jon Reay has been finding the merits in it.
As the months roll on with our A6, I’m pleased to say it’s settled into my life very comfortably indeed. Now I admit, I’m not the perfect candidate for a PHEV – I’ve got nowhere to charge it for starters – but despite that, I’m still enjoying a lot of the benefits of the A6’s hybrid traits.
I know it might seem a bit wasteful to be hauling around a massive 20kWh battery when you’re not actually charging it, but actually, the A6 does a surprisingly good job of doing that itself. After an hour or so on a motorway run, it’s not unusual to discover – as if by magic – a few miles of electric range have appeared on the Audi’s digital dials.
That’s actually pretty handy when, inevitably, you find yourself stuck in a stop-start traffic jam for example. Having such an enormous battery means the A6 can happily crawl along, air conditioning on, for what seems like forever without needing to rouse the petrol engine at all.
The benefits of that are starting to become pretty obvious. Without going near a plug, I’m managing around 40mpg on a mix of motorways and A-roads – which for a petrol-powered car weighing 2.2 tonnes, I don’t think is bad going.
I’m telling myself this is good consumer journalism, because even if you do have a means to charge your PHEV – as most buyers will – there’s always a point at which you’ll find yourself driving with no charge at all. In some plug-in hybrids, that’s the moment the shine really starts to fade. It’s surprising how clunky, slow and jerky a petrol-powered car can feel when the electrical assistance runs out.
Happily, the A6 doesn’t seem to have this problem. Firstly, it’s very hard to completely run out of electricity – the car is clever enough to hold a little in reserve, just enough to get you up to 10mph, or fill in the gaps between gear changes. Secondly, even without any help from the electric motors, then A6’s gearbox is smooth and quick to change, and the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine is pretty torquey in the first place.
It must be said, sticking a four-cylinder petrol engine in a car like this doesn’t lead to a particularly premium soundtrack. It all just feels a little bit coarse, most noticeably when you’re trying to get the A6 up to speed – and perhaps that’s to be expected given the amount of mass it needs to shift. It’s not intolerable by any means, I just wish they’d injected a little more Golf R or Audi S3 noise into proceedings – it’s the same engine, after all.
As for when you do plug it in, things get even better. Officially, Audi says the A6 e-hybrid will manage as much as 70 miles on pure electric – not the best, but reasonably competitive nonetheless. We’ve not managed more than about 60 in the real world, but what’s more impressive is how the A6 behaves on battery power alone.
The e-hybrid is happy to be hustled along a country lane, or accelerate up to motorway speeds at surprising pace before the petrol engine kicks in. That’s mostly to do with the electric motor Audi has used – all 141bhp of it, if you must know – but also aided by some clever throttle pedal mapping. In everyday ‘balanced’ driving mode at least, the car stops you accidentally straying into petrol power when you don’t need to – it’s only with a real purposeful stab of the accelerator that you’ll awaken the engine.
In short, it all feels like properly engineered bit of kit – as a £70,000 Audi should you might argue. It would be very easy to drive the e-hybrid around entirely on cheap, overnight electricity, if you so desired. When the battery runs out though, it’s far from the miserable experience you’ll find in plenty of PHEVs currently on sale.
As I’ve been exclusively plugging the A6 into (rather pricey) public chargers though, I do have one gripe. Unlike PHEVs from sister brands Skoda and Cupra, Audi hasn’t given the A6 support for CCS rapid charging. A few years ago I’d have said it was unnecessary, but these days it does rather limit where you can top up the battery.
Sticking
Price: £70,160 Engine: 2.0-litre petrol plug-in hybrid Power: 296bhp
This month’s highlight: We’ve spent most of the month plugging the A6 into rather pricey public chargers.
a four-cylinder petrol engine in a car like this doesn’t lead to a particularly premium soundtrack.
The A6 plug-in hybrid doesn’t take too long to charge
BYD SEAL 6
It’s been a busy time for the Seal 6, but with rising fuel prices its fuel economy has been proving helpful. Nigel Swan explains.
Month two with our BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring Comfort Lite and life is far from Crazy living with it – apologies, that may well be the last Seal reference I make.
Jokes aside, the timing of this car’s arrival is starting to feel rather fortuitous. With ongoing instability in the Middle East pushing fuel prices ever higher, running something that majors on efficiency rather than outright performance is beginning to make more sense by the day.
And it’s not as though the BYD has been taking it easy.
Over the past few weeks, it’s been pressed straight into proper long-distance service. Multiple runs from the north west down to the south coast, combined with various shoots scattered across the country, have seen the odometer climb rapidly. Before long, the total mileage ticked past 8,000 miles, and there’s no sign of things slowing down anytime soon.
It’s in this kind of real-world, high-mileage use where the Seal’s plug-in hybrid setup really starts to justify itself.
Each full tank continues to deliver around 750–770 miles of range, which significantly reduces the need for regular fuel stops on longer journeys. When you’re covering this sort of distance week in, week out, that convenience quickly becomes one of the car’s biggest strengths. It’s a very different ownership experience compared to a full EV, where journey planning and charging stops can often dictate the pace of travel.
A fully charged battery is now returning closer to 60 miles of electric-only driving, which is noticeably down from the 77 miles I saw when the car first arrived. That said, it remains more than enough for day-to-day duties.
Over the past couple of months, it’s experienced just about everything the British climate can throw at it – from properly Baltic mornings to unexpectedly warm, almost Mediterranean afternoons. Thankfully, the cabin is well equipped to deal with both extremes. Heated and cooled seats make a noticeable difference depending on the conditions, while the heated steering wheel is a welcome addition on colder starts. When you’re spending hours behind the wheel, those touches go a long way.
Not everything is quite as seamless, though.
The infotainment system remains something of a bugbear. On the face of it, it’s a strong setup: the screen itself is large, clear and responsive, and the icons are logically laid out and easy enough to understand. The issue is that everything is routed through it. From navigation to media to various vehicle settings, it all lives within the same interface.
The most intrusive of these is the driver monitoring system, which uses a camera to check whether your eyes are on the road. In principle, it’s a sensible feature – and one that’s becoming increasingly common – but in practice it can feel overly sensitive. Glance across at the infotainment screen to adjust navigation or audio settings, and it’s quick to issue a warning. You can understand why it’s there, but the execution could certainly be more refined.
Still, these are largely usability frustrations rather than fundamental flaws. As a long-distance companion, the Seal continues to make a strong case for itself, blending impressive range with genuine day-to-day comfort.
The Seal 6 seems perfectly suited to long-distance driving
BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring Comfort Lite
This month’s highlight: We’re loving the 750 miles from a full tank – and fewer visits to the petrol station!
It’s a very different ownership experience compared to a full EV, where journey planning and charging stops can often dictate the pace of travel.
