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Issue 222| September 2026 | CarDealerMag.co.uk | £6
CARMAKER FIRST DRIVE: HAS CHINNESERE ON ITS HANDS? CHERY GOT ANOTHER WIN
NEWS • WADDELL COURT VERDICT • FORD RETAIL PROFIT BOOST • DESIRA GROUP FOUNDER DIES • NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS UP • DEALERS WANT ‘LEMON LAW’ • USED CAR MARKET GROWS
PLUS
ALL THE LATEST NEW CAR NEWS
INSIDE: JAMES BAGGOTT’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS
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IGNITION. ISSUE 222 | SEPTEMBER 2026
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 Chaplin, Jack Evans, Cameron Richards, Nigel Swan HEAD OF DESIGN Graeme Windell
graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @graemewindell
FINANCE FINANCE MANAGER Emma Davis emma@blackballmedia.co.uk
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SALES MANAGER Kevin Day
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ACCOUNT MANAGER Michelle Searle
michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @cardealermich
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CONTENTS
News Digest 5 Forecourt: Lepas L8 10 James’s views on the news 12 Car news round-up 14
Car Dealer Podcasts Finance Suppliers Guide Long-termers
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DASHBOARD TRIBUTE
Desira Group founder dies
DESIRA GROUP founder and chairman John Desira has died after more than five decades in the motor trade, the firm has announced. The group has paid tribute to Desira, describing him as an ‘extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, businessman, mentor and friend’ whose values continue to shape the company he created. Desira spent more than 50 years building the business into one of East Anglia’s leading family-owned motor groups.
COURTS
Car dealer must repay £66,000
A USED car dealer must repay more than £66,000 after he fraudulently secured a ‘Covid Bounce Back Loan’. Javed Akhtar, 49, was handed a confiscation order of £66,917 when he appeared at Bradford Crown Court. He must now pay back the sum in full within three months or face six months in prison, while still remaining liable for the debt. Akhtar was sentenced in March this year to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years.
HERE ARE TASTERS OF STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
NEWS DIGEST
CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR THE FULL STORY
COURTS
Peter Waddell wins unfair prejudice case against Big Motoring World and Freshstream
B
IG MOTORING WORLD founder Peter Waddell has won the central claim in his blockbuster High Court battle with the used car supermarket group and private equity investor Freshstream. In a judgment, Mr Justice Marcus Smith ruled that Waddell’s holding company had suffered unfair prejudice following his exclusion from the business. The judge found that Freshstream had improperly stored up allegations about Waddell’s misconduct before deploying them in March 2024 as part of a predetermined plan to remove him. He concluded that Freshstream had effectively ‘saved up’ Waddell’s misconduct before using it as part of a plan referred to throughout the judgment as ‘Option 4’. The ruling represents a major victory for Waddell, who has consistently claimed that his suspension and removal from Big Motoring World amounted to a coup designed to give Freshstream control of the company without paying to acquire a majority shareholding. However, the judgment was far from a clean sweep for the car dealer.
The judge ruled that the First Step-In Notice served by Freshstream was valid and that Waddell was not entitled to declarations that the Step-In Notices were unlawful. He also dismissed Waddell’s wrongful-dismissal claim after concluding that some of his conduct was sufficiently serious to entitle Big Motoring World to terminate his employment without notice. Nevertheless, the judge was critical of the way the dismissal decision was reached. He said he could place ‘no weight’ on the reasons set out in Waddell’s dismissal letter because of what he described as the deliberate process pursued by Freshstream and Big Motoring World to remove him as chief executive ‘come what may’. The judge found that current Big Motoring World chief executive Laurence Vaughan did not believe in the grounds contained in the dismissal letter and had not properly considered whether summary dismissal was appropriate. Instead, he concluded that Vaughan was indifferent as to whether the reasons given for dismissing Waddell were well founded.
DEALERSHIP
UK’s largest Ford dealer grows revenue by almost £300m FORD RETAIL saw turnover rise to £2.45bn last year, although profits softened as a result of investment in its dealer network and electrification. Newly-filed accounts listed on Companies House for the Ford-owned retailer – better known as TrustFord – for the year ended December 31, 2025, show revenue jumped from £2.16bn in 2024 to £2.45bn last year. Higher demand for Ford vehicles, particularly Transits, helped drive this increase. Pre-tax profit, however,
slipped from £16.97m to £13.42m, while net profit declined from £12.9m to £9.6m. EBIT before exceptional items also fell from £26.5m to £24.7m. Despite this, the business increases its net assets to £137.1m and increased the dividend paid to parent company Ford Motor Company Limited from £3.49m to £4.51m. Chief financial officer Michael Darnell said the company continued to outperform the wider market despite challenging conditions.
TURN OVER PAGE TO CATCH UP ON MORE STORIES CarDealerMag.co.uk | 05
DASHBOARD
GOLF
Matt’s drive to remember
HERE ARE TASTERS OF STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
NEWS DIGEST
CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR THE FULL STORY
ASTRA FACELIFT
A McLAREN product and training manager has hit what could be the longest hole-inone ever recorded in England after holing his tee shot from 411 yards. Matt Vigurs, 32, achieved the extraordinary feat at Great Barr Golf Club in Birmingham, finding the cup with his drive on the par-four third hole. Vigurs, who works as a product and training manager at McLaren, used an oak tree as his line from the tee and played what he described as ‘a little cut’.
COURTS
Dealer stole cars from ‘friend’
A DODGY car dealer who fled the country after stealing three Mercedes cars and £42,000 from a former friend has been jailed. Paul Westcott, 56, fled to Cyprus in 2019 after taking the money and vehicles from Michael Hrycko. The Oxford Mail reported that despite agreeing a delivery date, the cars promised by Westcott never materialised and by the end of the year he had become uncontactable. 06 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
‘Remembering what we are’ is key to Vauxhall’s future success, says director VAUXHALL is focusing on remaining a ‘great mainstream value brand’ as the car market goes through the ‘biggest period of disruption in the last 120 years’. That’s according to Michael Auliar, Vauxhall’s commercial director, who spoke exclusively to Car Dealer this week at the launch of the brand’s facelifted Astra model. Auliar, who spent 27 years at Nissan UK in a variety of roles, only joined Vauxhall in December last
DEALERSHIP
year but is already focusing on ‘leaning back into our heritage’. ‘We build cars for everyone’, he said. ‘The worst thing is when [consumers] don’t feel anything about your brand’ and added that Vauxhall was ‘remembering what we are and that is a great mainstream brand’. With the new influx of Chinese brands often occupying the more value-focused end of the market, Auliar added: ‘I don’t always want to be the cheapest.’
EV BOOST
ADMINISTRATION
UK accounts for a fifth July new car of Lithia’s revenue registrations jump
Carzam liquidators still tracing vehicles
LITHIA’S UK dealer operations generated almost £3bn in the first half of 2026 as the US giant delivered record sales. The American giant has a major presence in the UK through its ownership of both Evans Halshaw and Stratstone, making Britain comfortably its largest market outside the United States. New figures, recently released by the firm, show that the outfit’s UK operations generated around $3.81bn (£2.9bn) in revenue during the first half of the year – equating to 20% all the group’s $19.06bn (£14.5bn) of global revenue.
LIQUIDATORS for online used car retailer Carzam are still trying to trace vehicles sold around the time it went into administration more than four years later. They have been examining the ownership history of vehicles through DVLA records as part of an investigation into the company’s collapse and financial affairs. Newly-filed documents at Companies House show joint liquidators are continuing to look at vehicles transferred around the time Carzam entered administration in 2022, with the work still preventing the liquidation from being concluded.
JULY saw an 11.7% rise in new car registrations, boosted by a ‘huge’ increase in EV sales, new data shows. Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader (SMMT) reveals 156,571 units were registered during the month, with July marking an eighth consecutive month of growth. Pure-electric cars led the charge, with registrations soaring 44.5% – although the SMMT did counter this with July 2025 seeing customers hold off on purchases due to uncertainty around the Electric Car Grant.
TURN OVER PAGE TO CATCH UP ON MORE STORIES
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Car Care Plan Protex boosts motor insurance excess return to £350
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nexpected motoring accidents happen. From bumps and scrapes to vehicle write-offs, they are part of the ownership journey, and why drivers are required to have motor insurance. While that policy may cover repair or replacement costs, the excess payment can often be an unexpected expense. That is why Car Care Plan Protex is extending its support to customers, by increasing their excess voucher value from £250 to £350. The motor insurance and accident aftercare provider now offers the complimentary 12-month £350 excess return voucher as standard to customers obtaining an OEM policy quote for their new or used vehicle from their franchised OEM dealers or via servicing at OEM centres.
What is Car Care Plan Protex?
Car Care Plan Protex is one of the UK’s leading providers of manufacturer branded retail motor insurance, accident aftercare solutions and bodyshop management. It is part of the award-winning vehicle warranty and add-on insurance provider Car Care Plan, which partners with over 30 major manufacturers and more than 2,500 retailers, registering in excess of a million vehicle protection products annually. Car Care Plan Protex products and services include: • driveaway insurance • excess protect vouchers • motor insurance • accident assistance • access to an OEM approved repair network • in-brand courtesy cars. They also utilise connected vehicle technology to provide personalised, on-demand services, such vehicle alerts that can be matched with a branded service and post-accident customer care, including a fully bespoke claims experience and OEM approved repairs. By building tailored, responsive and comprehensive customer experiences, Car Care Plan Protex aims to boost customer loyalty and trust through peace-of-mind motoring.
Branded motor insurance made easy
The wide-ranging benefits of choosing branded motor insurance and accident aftercare services through Car Care Plan Protex have now been extended with the £350 excess return voucher, which is available with all branded annual motor insurance products. Those products include: • Annual motor insurance • Van insurance • With further new product launches coming later this year. These can be managed seamlessly through a convenient, branded smartphone app and online portal – supplementing 24/7/365 telephone claims registration. Plus, Dealer Management System and finance platform integration is available, allowing retailers to embed quick-quote capability directly into their sales processes.
Embed awardwinning motor insurance in your business Many major vehicle manufacturers and retailers are already partnering with Car Care Plan Protex to offer their customers first-rate motor insurance and accident aftercare services. Several of these programmes have recently been awarded the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award, reflecting the consistent delivery of exceptional customer service. Sam Smith, head of sales for Car Care Plan Protex, said: “We are committed to delivering insurance products that provide genuine value to customers and partners alongside outstanding customer service. By continually refining our offering, increasing our excess return voucher to £350 ensures customers are better protected against the unexpected, while giving our partners an even stronger proposition at the point of sale.” If your business is looking to establish or grow its motor insurance customer base, improve customer services and satisfaction rates, and unlock new revenue streams, Car Care Plan Protex offers solutions that can be tailored to you and your customers.
To learn more about Car Care Plan Protex, visit carcareplan.com/protex CarDealerMag.co.uk | 07
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BITE-SIZE Click on the text box for the full story
HERE ARE TASTERS OF STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
NEWS DIGEST
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DEPARTURE: A Big Motoring World executive who found himself at the centre of the controversial Peter Waddell court case has left the used car supermarket group with immediate effect. Reza Fardad played a key role in the recent High Court drama.
ACQUISITION: Dealer group Waylands has announced further expansion in Hampshire with the acquisition of independent Volkswagen service and repair specialist White Rose Petersfield. The business specialises in servicing Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda vehicles. INDUSTRY: The Government has announced £130m of new funding aimed at giving Britain’s automotive sector a much-needed boost. Ministers announced plans to provide additional cash through the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, helping to support an estimated 1,800 jobs. EXPANSION: Mitsubishi has ramped up its return to the UK with the appointment of 24 new dealer partners. The latest appointments bring the Japanese brand’s total UK network to 58 locations dealerships and 117 outlets overall, including pre-existing aftersales locations. ACCOUNTS: Dealer group Barretts has returned to profit, despite a £29m drag on new car turnover as a result of manufacturer partners switching to agency sales. The retailer’s annual accounts show a pre-tax profit of £0.6m in the 12 months to the end of December 2025. 08 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
LEGISLATION CALL
Car dealers have their say: We want a US-style ‘lemon law’ to replace Consumer Rights Act CAR dealers have called for changes to the Consumer Rights Act, which has been dubbed ‘not fit for purpose’ for the motor trade. Car Dealer has approached multiple independent and franchised dealers asking them for the one piece of legislation they would like to see the government change to better support the motor trade. Among the changes
dealers called for were tweaks to distance selling laws and different rules for different ages of vehicle. Explaining the current issues, Craig Walker, boss of Culloden Cars, said: ‘The Consumer Rights Act treats a 13-year-old car the same as a three-year-old one. The rules are the same, but the product is completely different.’ Read more on cardealermagazine.co.uk.
DEALERSHIP
DATA BOOST
ROGUE WEBSITES
GVE London collapse drags on
Used car market is growing again
Calls to crackdown on fake HPI Checks
GVE London’s administration has been extended by 12 months as work continues to resolve the failed supercar dealer’s affairs. The firm collapsed into administration last October and work has been ongoing ever since to sell off assets in order to recoup funds for shareholders. The process had been due to come to an end on August 31 but administrators have now been granted more time to complete their work.
THE used car market returned to growth in Q2 after stalling earlier this year, new figures show. Latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 2,009,318 vehicles changed hands in the second quarter, up by 0.7%. It was the first Q2 to exceed two million units since 2021. It marks an improvement on Q1, which saw sales slip 0.2%, bringing an end to 12 consecutive months of growth.
CAP HPI has called on regulators to crack down on what it describes as rogue vehicle history check providers, warning that misleading websites are putting used car buyers at risk. The company behind the HPI Check brand says it has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), urging it to investigate operators it believes are using misleading marketing, hidden subscription charges and poor-quality vehicle data to attract customers.
CarDealerMag.co.uk | 09
FORECOURT
LEPAS L8
Power
The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with electric motor produces 275bhp and 364Nm of torque.
Has Chinese carmaker Chery got another winner on its hands with Lepas? James Batchelor has driven its new L8 SUV to find out.
WHAT IS IT? Another day, another Chinese new car brand. Meet Lepas – a new name that has visions of taking on established players such as Volkswagen and Toyota, but also tempt more wellhealed customers out of their premium marques. Lepas – which is a portmanteau of ‘leopard’ and ‘passion’ – is the latest venture from the Chinese powerhouse Chery. It has already found huge sales success with its Omoda and Jaecoo brands, along with SUVs wearing its own name. But the firm believes there’s more it can do to win the hearts of British buyers, and the Lepas brand, with its loftier aspirations, is the answer. WHAT’S NEW? It may sound new, but the Lepas L8 uses some very familiar ingredients. Underneath, it shares plenty with its sister brands Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo, and it’s a strategy the Volkswagen Group has found great success with. Power comes from the same SHS ‘Super Hybrid System’ set-up as found in a whole number of cars from the Chery cars. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? It’s a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and an 18.4kWh battery. Power stands at 275bhp, with the EV range topping 56 miles. That’s average rather than outstanding – a Citroen C5 Aircross manages 53 miles, but a Toyota RAV4 can eke out a claimed 85 miles. The L8 also gets DC rapid charging up to 40kW, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2) up to 6.6kW. While the powertrain is designated a plug-in hybrid, in reality it performs more like a range-extender. When driving, electric running is prioritised, with the petrol engine kicking in when needed. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? With the same mechanicals as several other Chery Group cars, it’s of little surprise to discover the Lepas L8 drives in a very familiar way. While it won’t trouble a Ford Kuga PHEV for driver involvement, the L8 does impress in an area that is more important to most buyers – ease of use. While the ride is fidgety at nearly all speeds and there’s a slight wobbliness around corners, it’s not really an issue for a family-sized SUV like this. The steering feels noticeably more accurate and better weighted than any previous Chery or Jaecoo I’ve driven, and the L8 is super quiet on the move. That’s mostly due to 10 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
THE KNOWLEDGE Lepas L8 Elevate Price: £37,900 Engine: 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with electric motor Power: 275bhp Torque: 364Nm O-60mph: 7.7 seconds Max speed: 111mph Electric-only range: 56 miles Charging speed: 40kW
Style
The Lepas has a European look and there’s a Porsche Cayenne feel to the rear.
the predominant electric-running characteristics of the powertrain, but also the doublethickness glass for the front side windows, and the active noise cancellation. Both of these features are standard on the top-spec car. HOW DOES IT LOOK? Lepas says its cars have more of an elegant flair to them compared to sister Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo models, and are designed to appeal to a more aspirational customer. That’s mostly marketing speak, but the L8 undoubtedly has a more European look compared to Omoda models, for instance. It’s quite a simple, if unassuming, design from most angles, with smooth surfaces and little ornamentation. There’s a whiff of Porsche Cayenne from the rear, while the only real example of design flair is the front-end that has more than a passing resemblance to a Genesis GV70. WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? Again, if you’ve stepped inside a Chery or a Jaecoo model recently, there won’t be many surprises in the L8. There’s a similar minimalist look with a very touchscreen-heavy design. The 13.2-inch portrait touchscreen is relatively easy to use, and there’s a small row of physical buttons. However, what looks like a volume knob actually controls the driving modes, which is rather odd, and there’s no shortcut to disable the ADAS – but Lepas promises it is working on a solution for this. Interior space is the real highlight here. There’s plenty of it up front, but the rear quarters are positively limousine-like. There’s tons of rear legroom and head space, and the front and rear seats can be reclined – the front can even lie completely flat if you wish. Boot room stands at 507 litres, which is comfortably more than most rivals. The only real disappointment for me was the interior fit and finish. While there are a few too many hard plastics on the doors and glovebox lid for my liking, there isn’t a noticeable step up from cheaper Chery models. It’s a sign of just how plush the more entry-level models are in the Chery Group empire. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? Very good – but did you really expect anything less? The entry-spec Essence, at £34,900, gets 19-inch diamond-cut alloys, an acoustic laminated windscreen, panoramic sunroof with electric blind, fabric and leather effect seats, the large central touchscreen and 10.25inch digital driver’s display, and a wireless charging pad with cooling. Bizarrely, this trim is £270 cheaper than the Jaecoo 7 plug-in hybrid, despite the Lepas supposedly being more premium in the Chery group of brands For an extra £3,000, the Elevate adds larger 20-inch wheels, laminated front side windows and active noise cancellation, a six-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats with massage, 256-colour ambient lighting, an in-cabin fragrance system, a Bentley-esque folding table on the back of the front passenger seat, a Sony sound system, and much more. VERDICT The Lepas L8 is another example of why the Chinese brands are doing so well in the UK – it’s a well-equipped, spacious, refined and surprisingly plush-feeling car at a good price. The premium feel and image Lepas is trying to present is a little harder to identify with, though, especially when cheaper Chery and Omoda models are impressively well equipped and trimmed. On paper, the L8 should be a posh Jaecoo 7, but it isn’t.
It’s a well-equipped, spacious, refined and surprisingly plush-feeling car at a good price.
TARGET BUYERS:
Family buyers looking for a well-priced SUV with some luxury touches.
THE RIVALS:
Kia Sportage Ford Kuga Volkswagen Tiguan
KEY SELLING POINTS: Cabin
The interior has a minimalist look with a touchscreen-heavy design, plus there’s plenty of room through out.
1. Stylish design 2. High kit levels 3. Spacious interior
DEAL CLINCHER: It’s noticeably cheaper than some key rivals
CarDealerMag.co.uk | 11
DASHBOARD
JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS What’s happening?
Y
ou can take the boy out of car sales, but you can’t take car sales out of the boy – a statement that perfectly sums up the motor trade legend Daksh Gupta. The former Marshall Motor Group chief executive officer has been out of front line motor trade jobs since 2022, but you would never really have noticed. Despite running Huws Gray, the £1bn builder’s merchant, since 2024, Gupta has added a string of motor trade jobs to his non-executive roster. He chairs Hendy Group, is a board advisor to Ford of Europe and is vice president of the IMI, but he’s recently added a new motor trade business to his portfolio – and this time he’s put his money where his mouth is by taking a minority investment. But what is it? Well, this time it’s a company called StackCX. You won’t find it on his LinkedIn profile as he’s been keeping his involvement quiet – but it’s one he is incredibly excited about. So excited, in fact, that he’s even managed to convince former Sytner boss Darren Edwards to join the board of the fledgling start-up too. I caught up with Gupta this week and he described the firm’s technology as the ‘most innovative product I’ve ever seen’ and I can see why he’s excited. Using AI, the business monitors all telephone calls coming into a business – car dealership or otherwise – and helps business owners track pretty much everything. On the sales side it not only logs calls, but it transcribes it, producing clear action points for salesmen to follow up and even writes a detailed email follow up they can cut and paste to the customer. ‘One of the biggest problems I had when I was running car dealers was knowing if sales people were following up those leads we paid huge amounts of money for,’ Gupta told me on the call. 12 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
‘This gives business owners full oversight. You can see inbound and outbound calls and track every step.’ Gupta showed me some practical examples of how the AI layer over the top of a businesses’ call system can provide answers to pretty much everything. If you want to know how many complaints you’ve had, how many times people chatted about the football, what the level of interest is on a certain model – it’s all in there. StackCX even scores sales peoples’ calls and helps coach them on what they got wrong to make them better. It works in after sales too and ensures up-sales are actually taking place and logs the promises made to customers so teams don’t forget. ‘This is a huge customer satisfaction improvement tool,’ said Gupta. ‘The email follow ups it writes after a sales call are amazing, it puts the customer’s details straight into your DMS and gives a level of oversight no one has had before. ‘This will genuinely change the way companies are run forever.’ Gupta told me that when founder Jason Thorpe showed him the product for the first time he immediately offered to invest. ‘I don’t usually invest in small companies but this one is different,’ said Gupta. ‘As soon as I saw it I knew I had to be involved. I
offered to write them a cheque there and then and took a 5% share without any due diligence. I wish it had been more.’ The company is growing at an exponential rate, hoovering up car dealers from the Car Dealer Top 100 and beyond. It’s gaining customers in Asia and America and in plenty of other industries too. ‘When a car dealer sees this it sells itself – they have to have it,’ added Gupta. ‘I could see that was the case as soon as I saw it and that’s why I put my money where my mouth is.’ You might not have heard of StackCX and that’s because it’s not really had to advertise. So far all its business has come from referrals with some dealer bosses who have taken the system dubbed ‘our best sales team’. Gupta has high hopes for the firm and thinks it could eventually become a ‘unicorn’ – a business with a valuation of $1bn or more. And with a large number of car manufacturers already interested in deploying the technology across its dealer networks I can well believe that could be the case. As for Gupta’s involvement? ‘I’m just telling everyone I know about it and as soon as they see it, they want it,’ he added. ‘It sells itself.’ And before you ask, no I wasn’t paid to write about this. I was just equally as impressed by what I saw on the call as Gupta was back then, that I had to share it.
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The Need to Knows
The dealer boss who failed his exams but went on to build used car giant V12 Sports & Classics founder Farhad Tailor has revealed how he went from getting U’s at school to building one of the UK’s major used car supermarket groups. Tailor spent much of his childhood working on markets with his father, sold his first car aged just 13 and later left a job with Lloyds TSB to pursue the motor trade full-time. V12 now sells upwards of 1,400 cars a month and the business is becoming a family affair, with Tailor’s 18-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son both joining the company. Tailor says the industry remains one of the best trades for young people prepared to work hard and stay focused.
Car dealers call for US-style ‘lemon law’ Car dealers are calling for an overhaul of the Consumer Rights Act, arguing current rules fail to recognise the realities of selling older used cars. Dealers said they want clearer rules based on vehicle age and mileage, with several pointing to US-style ‘lemon laws’ as a possible model that could give consumers and retailers greater certainty. Other suggestions included changes to distance-selling rules and a licensing scheme for independent dealers to tackle kerbside traders.
Pic of the month Jaguar has revealed the interior of its upcoming Type 01 electric saloon for the first time ahead of the production car’s full debut in New York on October 6. The minimalist cabin keeps many cues from the Type 00 concept, including a central spine, low seating position and camera-based rear-view mirror. The three-motor GT is expected to produce around 986bhp and offer up to 400 miles of range.
Dealers can still make money from used cars if they stay ‘nimble’, says Swansway boss Swansway director Peter Smyth says used cars remain central to dealer profitability, with money still to be made if retailers turn low-mileage stock quickly and avoid letting vehicles age. The group expects to sell around 20,000 used cars this year, and Smyth says opportunities remain in late, low-mileage stock created by manufacturer self-registrations. He also warned that AI-written customer complaints have increased sharply, creating extra workload for dealer staff even as Swansway continues to respond to complaints with human interaction.
What I’ve heard OMODA and Jaecoo have now sold more than 100,000 cars in the UK – and the speed at which they’ve done it is remarkable. Omoda only arrived at the end of August 2024, with Jaecoo following in January last year. Less than two years later, the two brands have nearly 5.7% of the UK new car market between them and more than 144 retail locations. For comparison, BYD recently celebrated exactly the same 100,000 milestone. It started selling cars here in March 2023 and took a little over three years to get there. Omoda and Jaecoo have managed it considerably faster. The Jaecoo 7 has been the star. More than 53,000 have been registered since February 2025 and it has remained in the UK’s top 10 bestselling cars since September. What impresses me most, though, is how quickly they’ve built the infrastructure around the cars. They’ve signed up established dealers, created a 144-strong network and launched petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models at a pace traditional manufacturers would struggle to match. Those dealers have been crucial, though. An unfamiliar Chinese badge becomes a far easier sell when there’s a proper dealership behind it, a competitive finance deal, a decent warranty and someone local to look after the car afterwards. Don’t you think it’s funny how car dealers have been the secret weapon for these Chinese car brands at the same time established legacy manufacturers tried to sideline them with agency sales? Who would have thought it… CarDealerMag.co.uk | 13
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CAR NEWS ROUND-UP Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results... ASTON MARTIN
Vanquish ‘25’ edition celebrates the firm’s V12 supercar
ASTON Martin is celebrating 25 years of its Vanquish V12 supercar with a new limited-run ‘25’ edition. The original Vanquish was launched in 2001 and was the British firm’s ‘halo’ V12-powered supercar. This new limited-run variant celebrates that car and will be available as a coupe or drop-top Volante, finished exclusively in Skye Silver paint. There is
commission metal foil detailing on the side sills and front wing vents, while there is ‘25’ badging and unique ‘V’ highlights on the car’s 21-inch wheels. Its cabin is finished off with embroidered ‘25’ logos on the headrests, laser-etched Aston Martin trim inlays, a red start-stop button, and a choice of three interior trim colours: Onyx Black, Oxford Tan and Phantom Grey.
MERCEDES
XPENG
VOLKSWAGEN
VAUXHALL
New GLA model brings 406-mile range
New L03 coupe SUV to join UK line-up
ID. Polo hits the road priced from £23,945
Mokka Yes brings lower starting price
THE Chinese EV manufacturer XPeng has announced that its third model to arrive in the UK will be the L03 coupe-style SUV. XPeng is a Chinese technology company that was founded in 2014, and last year, it brought its first car to the UK: the G6 electric SUV. The L03 will sit below the G6 in the firm’s model line-up and features lots of sporty design details.
VOLKSWAGEN has launched its new ID. Polo in the UK, bringing its electric hatchback to market with a starting price of £23,945. The new ID. Polo brings with it two battery options and a range of up to 281 miles. Initially, the ID. Polo will be launched in a highspecification edition with a starting price of £25,555, before ‘standard’ models go on sale in September.
VAUXHALL has opened up a new entry point for its Mokka compact SUV with its Yes specification. Following on from the Corsa, the Mokka is the latest Vauxhall model to get a Yes trim level which replaces the previous Griffin specification as the entry point to the range. Priced from £26,545, the Yes is available on electric, hybrid and petrol setups.
MERCEDES has renewed its GLA with a new model available with both electric and hybrid options. Slotting underneath the GLC in the brand’s line-up of electric cars, the new GLA is headlined by a new electric model which brings a range of up to 406 miles from a single charge. From launch, three electric models – GLA 200 Electric, GLA 250+ Electric and GLA 350 4Matic Electric – will be available.
2026 sub-prime finance 14 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
REVEALED
Range Rover GT electric coupe SUV joins line-up LAND Rover has revealed a sleek electric coupe to the Range Rover line-up with the addition of the new GT. The SUV will be the fifth car in the Range Rover family, serving as an electric alternative to the firm’s Velar. It will be the first electric Range Rover to sit on the new ‘EMA’ platform, though details on the car’s exterior design are limited at this stage. The images show that the car will have a low, sloping roofline, flush door handles and curvaceous rear overhangs. The cabin features a rectangular digital instrument cluster, a single infotainment display and a concealed air vent that runs the width of the dashboard. Meanwhile, the dash itself is wrapped up in a woven textile upholstery, which has been used to hide the speakers and to make the cabin feel more premium.
Appy days.
The new and easy way to send your customer finance applications... BYD
AUDI
New Ti 7 aims for SUV glory with UK arrival
Q9 arrives as brand’s SUV flagship
BYD has introduced a new challenger to the Land Rover Defender with its plug-in hybrid Ti 7. Priced at £47,995, the new SUV gets a plug-in hybrid setup which combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and battery for a total output of 402bhp. Despite this performance, the Ti 7 will also manage a claimed electric-only range of up to 74 miles.
AUDI has launched its largestever SUV – the Q9. Acting as the first time that the brand has used the number 9 in its model range, the Q9 measures in at 5.31m long and 2.21m wide, making it one of the largest cars to arrive on the UK’s roads.As standard, the Q9 will offer seating for seven people, though an optional six-seater version will be available for those who want even more space for each passenger.
Done in 30 seconds. WhatsApp the word ‘APP’ to +44 115 671 1720
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provider of the year CarDealerMag.co.uk | 15
The latest from our fleet Long-termers: p21
NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM THE CAR DEALER PODCASTS Sponsored by
AUTOTRADER
Prices have actually returned to growth, so we’re seeing retail prices up a little bit.’ Ian Plummer Autotrader’s commercial director
‘People are still ready to buy’ despite August’s used car slowdown, says Autotrader chief
N
ew and used car dealers should not be spooked by the traditional summer slowdown, with used car demand remaining strong and the new car market continuing to outperform the wider economy. That is according to Autotrader’s commercial director Ian Plummer, who has suggested that things might not be as quiet as some dealers fear. Appearing on a recent episode of the Car Dealer podcast, Plummer said that motorists are still ready to buy their next car, with the motor trade currently performing ahead of the wider economy. He also told hosts James Baggott and Jon Reay that used cars are currently selling at the same rate as this time last year, despite complaints from some dealers that business appears to be drying up. Speaking on the show, Plummer said the industry was entering its usual seasonal slowdown but stressed that market fundamentals remain strong. ‘It’s not the busiest month in terms of seasonalisation for new and used cars alike,’ he admitted. ‘We are going into that real quiet period where the kids are on holiday, we’re often on holiday, your teams are on holiday and so on in retail, so it can feel quieter.
‘But actually, it’s quite important to remember that it probably was last year as well. Used cars are still selling at the same pace as they were last year and the year before, that’s 30 days. ‘Prices have actually returned to growth, so we’re seeing retail prices up a little bit, up nearly a percentage point in the context where trade values are down a little bit. Overall, the broader context is pretty good.’ Plummer also addressed the current state of the new car market, which performed well again in July. Analysing the market, Autotrader’s expert suggested people are currently being ‘priced back into new cars’ with the market enjoying double digit growth throughout the year. He added: ‘There’s no doubt a lot of registration activity just happening, but we’re very likely to see a double digit growth number again for this month [July], which continues the double digit growth we’ve seen in retail particularly. ‘Maybe a few people are being priced back into new cars. There’s no other sector or hospitality, retail, whatever is at 10%. The economy is not at 10%, yet new cars are. So potentially that might be taking a few people pricing them back into new and maybe even out of used cars.’
UNITY AUTOMOTIVE
Dealer boss warns ‘there’ll be casualties’ as Chinese brands reshape UK market
A
dealer group boss has warned there will be ‘casualties’ among traditional retailers as the rapid rise of Chinese manufacturers transforms the UK motor trade. Jon Mathers, CEO of Unity Automotive Group, believes established dealer groups face a ‘real challenge’ unless they adapt to a market changing at unprecedented speed, with Chinese brands refreshing model ranges faster than their European rivals and attracting customers with increasingly competitive finance offers.
He appeared on a recent episode of the Car Dealer Podcast, talking about the biggest news stories of the week with James Baggott and Jon Reay. Mathers’ Warwickshire-based business operates seven dealerships and a preparation centre, representing brands including MG, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Subaru, Isuzu and Leapmotor. It also specialises in importing and selling American vehicles such as Dodge, Ram, GMC and Cadillac models, giving it exposure to both mainstream and niche areas of the market.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR CAR DEALER PODCASTS 16 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
Speaking on the podcast, Mathers said dealers who fail to embrace the changes risk being left behind. He said: ‘Conventional dealers are facing a challenge going forward unless you’ve embraced this and understand it. ‘There’ll be some big groups, there’ll be some casualties out there.’ Mathers said one of the biggest differences between Chinese manufacturers and many established brands is the speed at which they develop new products.
The sub-prime finance lender.
Fast decisions. Fewer declines. More deals done.
dealer.firstresponsefinance.co.uk Registered Office: First Response Finance Ltd, Chetwynd Business Park, 5 Regan Way, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 6RZ. Registered in England No. 03560611. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ref no. 309356.
CarDealerMag.co.uk | 17
DASHBOARD
FINANCE NEWS ADMINISTRATION DEAL
Hodge Bank says Blue Motor Finance is ‘open for new business’ after rescue deal
H
odge Bank has reassured dealers that Blue Motor Finance is ‘open for new business’ after completing its rescue of the lender through a pre-pack administration deal. The bank has confirmed that Blue Motor Finance’s brand, operations and employees have all transferred into Hodge MF Limited, ensuring the lender will continue supporting its dealer and broker network despite entering administration last month. Blue Motor Finance was placed into administration after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the lender had been running at a loss for a number of years and faced compensation liabilities it could no longer meet. Hodge has now provided further details of the transaction, saying it acquired the business to preserve operations, protect jobs and provide continuity for customers, employees and dealer partners. Importantly for car dealers, the bank confirmed that Blue Motor Finance, operated by Hodge MF Limited, remains open for new business. However, while the business, brand
and employees have transferred, Blue Motor Finance’s existing liabilities have not. That means compensation liabilities, including those relating to the FCA’s motor finance redress scheme, remain with the original Blue Motor Finance Limited business and will continue to be managed by the joint administrators. Hodge said the structure of the deal is expected to maximise the amount available for distribution to creditors, including customers with motor finance redress claims. The bank added that without the transaction, Blue Motor Finance would have entered liquidation, resulting in significantly lower compensation being available for redress claimants. Richard Saulet, CEO of Hodge Bank, said: ‘This transaction provides a pragmatic and responsible solution to a complex situation. ‘By acquiring the business through the pre-pack process, we have been able to secure continuity of operations, protect jobs and ensure that customers continue to be supported.’
INDUSTRY
Motor finance growth continues FINANCE & Leasing Association (FLA) members provided more than £84bn of new lending in the first six months of 2026, new data has shown. Figures released by the trade body, show that members advanced £84.3bn between January and June, up 5% on the same period last year. The data also reveals that motor finance accounted for almost 27% of that total, with £22.7bn provided to households to fund new and used car purchases during the first half of the year. Overall, households received £63.3bn in finance over the sixmonth period, while businesses borrowed £21bn to invest in machinery, equipment and vehicles. Of that business total, £13bn went to small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs). There was also a shift in the type of lenders providing finance, with non-bank lenders providing £34.4bn of new lending in the six months to the end of June. Elsewhere latest monthly figures showed total new business reached £14.76bn in June, an increase of 8% compared with the same month last year.
2026 sub-prime finance 18 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
TIME IS MONEY RICHARD PYGOTT
A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE AND MARKETING
Send us business via WhatsApp – Appy Days!
I
Richard Pygott is digital marketer for First Response. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk
’M a big believer that if something can be made easier, it probably should be. There are plenty of things in everyday life where I find myself thinking, ‘there’s got to be an easier way of doing this right?’ Whether it’s filling in the same information on another form, remembering another password, or following a process that feels like it has one step too many, I always appreciate it when someone finds an easier and simpler way. I know dealers are busy. You’re speaking with customers, booking appointments, sending videos and images of vehicles, answering questions, and trying to keep everything else moving. One thing that stood out to me recently was how many dealers already use WhatsApp as part of their everyday business. It’s become a key communication tool, helping dealers stay connected with customers and manage conversations quickly and easily. So, a few of us in the office asked ourselves a simple question: If dealers are already using WhatsApp every day to run parts of their dealership, why shouldn’t they be able to use it to send finance applications to us too? We’ve designed it to be simple. There’s no complicated process to learn and no unnecessary steps. All dealers need to do is WhatsApp us the customer’s name and number to +44 115 671 1720, and we’ll take care of the rest. Simple as that! Whether you’re on the forecourt, away from your desk or speaking with a customer, WhatsApp gives you another option for getting applications started. It’s easy because it’s something many dealers already know and use every day, helping make the process of sending applications that little bit easier. It’s not about changing how dealers already work; it’s about making the process easier by using something they already know. By making it simpler to submit applications, we hope dealers can spend less time on admin and more time doing what they do best: sell more stock! For customers, it also helps create a smoother experience by allowing the finance process to move forward quickly and efficiently. We’re always looking for ways to support our dealer partners, and WhatsApp is another example of listening to what dealers need and finding practical ways we can make it that little bit easier. If you haven’t tried it yet, why not give it a go? WhatsApp us your customers name and number to +44 115 671 1720 and we’ll do the rest. For more information, please visit our dealersite.
WhatsApp gives dealers another way to send applications to First Response Finance.
provider of the year CarDealerMag.co.uk | 19
DATA FILE
SUPPLIERS GUIDE
LOOKING FOR A MOTOR TRADE SUPPLIER? YOU CAN FIND THE DETAILS OF SELECTED COMPANIES HERE Auctions
Finance
Lead Management
Recruitment
Warranty Providers
Auction4Cars.com
Close Brothers Motor Finance
GardX AD-Vantage
WeRecruit Auto
Car Care Plan
Auctions & Trade-To-Trade Sales
Finance
Lead Management
Trade Bodies
Warranty Providers
BCA
First Response
iVendi
Ben
Centurion Warranties
Automotive E-Commerce
Finance
Legal & Compliance
Vehicle Photography
Warranty Providers
ATG
Forza Finance
Lawgistics
Dealer 360
Händler Protect
Data
HR & People Management
Marketing, PR & Video
Vehicle Preparation & Cleaning
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Real World Analytics
HR Manager
OnCue Communications
Autoglym Professional
Bluesky Interactive
DMS
Insurance
Marketing, PR & Video
Vehicle Tracking
Website Design & Digital Marketing
MotorDesk
Tradesure
Marketing Delivery
Meta Trak
Haswent
Finance
Key Control
Oil & Lubricants
Warranty Providers
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Blue Motor Finance
Traka
Mobil™
AutoProtect
Spidersnet
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.
W: bca.co.uk T: 0344 875 3480 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
W: gardx.co.uk/gardx-ad-vantage T: 01243 376426 W: closemotorfinance.co.uk/ Info: Close Brothers Motor Finance are E: goforaspin@gardx.co.uk a specialist finance provider, working Info: The award-winning 360 service offers an engaging display of the with over 8,000 dealer partners to offer flexible finance solutions for car, vehicle while additionally presenting profitable F&I products to a consumer. motorcycle and LCV customers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To have your details included email sales@blackballmedia.co.uk and ask for Suppliers Guide listings 20 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
LONG-TERMERS
CUPRA TAVASCAN THE KNOWLEDGE Cupra Tavascan VZ
Jack Williams has spent a month living with Cupra’s sporty SUV coupe to see if it can bring the personality in a crowded field of competitors.
I
t’s fair to say that electric cars have something of an image problem. For many, the mere mention of EVs is enough to trigger a diatribe about how they’re nothing more than soulless boxes with all the excitement of a particularly dull kitchen appliance. So when the keys to the Cupra Tavascan landed on my desk, I was intrigued. Could this sporty SUV really prove that battery power doesn’t have to mean boring? After a month behind the wheel, I was determined to find out. The Tavascan was given the chance to prove itself early, when just hours after taking delivery of the car, my wife – in very typical fashion – agreed to collect a new fridge freezer without any consideration of how to get it back to our house. After establishing that a six foot slab of white goods would not fit in the back of her Ford Fiesta, we set off together in the Tavascan, the atmosphere frostier than the aforementioned fridge freezer. Thankfully, Hotpoint’s finest did fit in the Cupra, despite the sloping roofline and domestic bliss was restored after a slightly uncomfortable trip home for Mrs W, who did have to endure a pretty uncomfortable 20 minutes crammed in alongside a fridge. Once free from home appliances, I had a chance to get to know the Tavascan a little better and the early impressions were strong. First up, the car looks great. Its sleek SUV coupe body really stands out from the crowd – even the VW ID.5 on which it’s based – thanks to its rose gold accents and sporty touches including massive gold-accented wheels, which I lived in constant fear of curbing. The performance is great too. A trip to the West Country for my parents’ birthdays exposed the Tavascan to a nice variety of country roads, allowing it to show off its sporty pedigree. Around the bends the car held its own, with lots of traction and minimal body lean but it’s on the straight bits of tarmac where the Cupra really excels. This car isn’t just quick for a family SUV. It’s quick full stop. Plant your foot to the floor and it flies off like a stabbed rat, offering instantaneous acceleration and grip. One area where the car is strong is the interior, which looks like it’s been lifted straight out of the Starship Enterprise. All the materials used throughout are sustainable and everything you touch feels high-quality but, despite looking great, there are a few drawbacks. First up, I lived with this car during two heatwaves. With that in mind, it is less than ideal that the climate control is buried deep within the infotainment system. I’m not sure what was wrong with a dial or button but somewhere along the line, someone at Cupra HQ decided that what I really wanted to be doing in 35 degree heat is smearing my sweaty fingers all over a touchscreen. The other big issue was that the car developed a very annoying habit of deciding that the key was no longer inside the cabin. This resulted in much bonging while I grumpily moved the key to different parts of the car until I could prove that I had not, in fact, lobbed it out of the window on the motorway. Having said that, I was still sad when the Tavascan moved on for use by one of my colleagues. In the days since, I have found myself pining for its return. Since it left, I have driven a VW Transporter Sportline, a Volvo XC60 and a Volvo V60 – all of which have been excellent but all lack the personality of the Cupra.
Price (as tested): £55,945 Engine: Dual electric motors Power: 335bhp Torque: 545Nm 0-60mph: 5.3 seconds Top speed: 112mph Range: 320 miles Emissions: 0g/km CO2 Mileage: 3,334 miles
This month’s highlight: Managing to fit a fridge freezer in the back – plus enjoying the Cupra on some proper roads in the West Country.
OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING
Skoda Kodiaq vRS Mileage: 1,873 We’re finding out if our Kodiaq vRS can keep up with all the family duties.
Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta DiG-T MHEV 158 Mileage: 14,621 OY74 NMA will be leaving us next month and we will certainly miss this capable and comfortable car. CarDealerMag.co.uk | 21
Services that make a difference At Black Horse, we support dealers with expert knowledge and insight, so you can support your customers. We underpin everything with straightforward tools and systems to simplify the finance journey and help you grow your business.
Find out how we can help you at www.blackhorse.co.uk