20 October 2019

• NISSAN USING HOLOGRAMS FOR JUKE RETAILER LAUNCH
• INSPIRATION AND EDUCATION AT NADA 2020
• VOSPERS TURNOVER NEARS £250m
• AUTO TRADER BOARD NOW 50% FEMALE
• BCA VALUATIONS OFFERS REAL-TIME INSIGHT
• RENAULT ISSUES PROFIT WARNING
• TOYOTA AND MERCEDES-BENZ IN INTERBRAND TOP 10
• STOCKWATCH – Inchcape growth continues
• LAUNCH DIARY – Volvo XC40 Recharge, Volkswagen Grand California
• COMING UP – PSA, Daimler sales updates
• BOE STILL TARGETING ‘LIMITED AND GRADUAL’ INTEREST RATE RISES
• BUSINESSES WANT BREXIT DEAL GUARANTEE
• BLOG: Is GDPR a looming used car headache?

Nissan using holograms for Juke retailer launch

Nissan is embarking on what UK MD Kalyana Sivagnanam calls “the best ever dealer launch of any brand in the UK – both volume and premium” with the introduction of the new Juke. Running over 45 days to 15 November, 179 VIP preview evenings will be held, in every UK dealer.

20,000 existing and conquest Juke customers will attend an event said Sivagnanam, speaking exclusively to Auto Retail Agenda. The centrepiece will be a 20-minute presentation by the car’s British designer, Matt Weaver – beamed into retailers as a hologram.

“My agency told me it’s the first time anything like this has been done in the UK, on this scale, both inside and outside automotive.” A sound and light show is also part of the installation, and guests can use 3D VR headsets to view the new Juke. A robot will draw sketches of the car.

The high-tech launch tour even includes a competition to win a holiday to Japan: guests are asked to tweet, using the hashtag #jukepreview. Retailers are encouraged to engage.

Nissan’s investment in the VIP package for retailers is, said Sivagnanam, part of a new approach to communicating technology in its cars. “I also feature as a hologram – but only sat behind a desk, not as a full-length presenter like Matt.”

Read the latest Auto Retail Profit for more tips on how to successfully run a new model preview evening

Inspiration and education at NADA 2020

The popular Distinguished Speaker series is back for NADA Show 2020. Running alongside over 60 best practice workshops, and a trade show with more than 500 exhibitors, the Distinguished Speaker series adds an extra dimension of education and inspiration to NADA Show.

Delegates say a visit to NADA Show in Las Vegas, February 14 to 17, 2020 is a great opportunity to see the very latest trends in auto retailing, first hand.

Recent NADA Shows have seen the launch of instant walk-around video, the growth of Facebook Marketplace as a powerful sales tool, the importance of AI in online chat and plans for dealers to benefit from the success of a car-sharing economy.

Auto Retail Network is partnering once again with auto retail profitability experts, ASE, to create a trip that will maximise your opportunity to learn and enjoy your time.

To find out more about the ARN/ASE visit to NADA Show 2020, go to: http://bit.ly/2ZFZril

Vospers turnover nears £250m

Vospers of Plymouth has reported an increase in turnover to £248.2m for 2018, up from £236.9m. Growth has been driven by opening the first phase of its new £15m multi-franchise development in Exeter. The site covers 6.5 acres, with a large used car area to strategically compete with supermarkets.

Consolidating several retailers into the new Matford Green site in Exeter will deliver economies of scale as the business grows, say the directors. Vospers’ profit before tax fell to £1.94m, down from £2.67m the previous year.

Auto Trader board is now 50% female

Sigga Sigurdardottir has joined the Auto Trader board an independent non-executive director. Her appointment takes female representation up to 50%. Formerly of American Express and Santander UK, chairman Ed Williams said her financial service experience will help develop Auto Trader’s consumer finance offering.

The Auto Trader board now comprises four independent non-executive directors, three executive directors and a non-executive chairman. Sigurdardottir will also join Tesco Bank as chief customer officer in November 2019.

BCA Valuations offers real-time insight

BCA Dealer Pro now includes daily valuation intelligence, called BCA Valuations. It is called the only service that reflects remarketing sale values in real time using “fully automated machine learning algorithms”. All pricing relationships are re-evaluated every night.

The service also predicts future auction values. Described as a unique feature, it allows retailers to value customer part-exchange vehicles that might not return to the network for several weeks.

WORLD NEWS
Renault issues profit warning

Renault shares slid as much as 15% last week to a six-year low after it issued a profit warning. Sales would be 3% to 4% down on its earlier forecast, and a 6% operating margin target was cut to 5%. Difficulties in Argentina and Turkey were among the factors cited. Renault has a new interim CEO, Clotilde Delbos, after ousting Thierry Bollore.

Toyota and Mercedes-Benz in Interbrand top 10

Fifteen automotive brands feature on the Interbrand Best Global Brands 2019 report. Two are in the top 10: Toyota is fifth, with a brand valuation of $56.2bn, and Mercedes-Benz is eighth at $50.8bn. Ferrari is the biggest riser, growing 12% to $6.4bn, placing it 77^th; Kia fell 7%, also to $6.4bn. It placed 78^th.

http://bit.ly/31sbXCh

STOCKWATCH

Closing prices on 18 October 2019 and weekly movement

Inchcape growth continues

Auto Trader Group 530.0p (-9.6p)

BCA 236.2p (+0.4p)

Cambria 57.0p (-0.5p)

Caffyns 400.0p (n/c)

Inchcape 651.5p (+25.5p)

Lookers 55.2p (+2.5p)

Marshall Motor Holdings 142.0p (n/c)

Motorpoint 236.0p (+14.0p)

Pendragon 11.4p (+0.5p)

Vertu 37.25p (+2.25p)

LAUNCH DIARY

Volvo XC40 Recharge, first fully electric Volvo, launches ‘Volvo Recharge’ line of electrified cars from early 2020

Volkswagen Grand California, large motorhome based on the Crafter van, has shower and toilet, arrives in Van Centres from early 2020 with prices from £68,899

Uniti One, British-designed and Swedish-built three-seat urban electric car, range of up to 186 miles, prices from £15,100 including £3,500 government grant

COMING UP

Wednesday, Groupe PSA Q3 results

Thursday, Daimler Q3 results

MONEY MATTERS

BoE still targeting ‘limited and gradual’ interest rate rises

An orderly Brexit should lead to gradually increasing interest rates, says deputy Bank of England governor Dave Ramsden. Restating the policy of “limited and gradual” rate rises contrasts with American and European trends to lower interest rates.

http://bit.ly/2VZyiG5

Businesses want Brexit deal guarantee

Business leaders are reportedly seeking assurances from the government that Britain won’t leave the EU without a deal on 31 October. “There’s an audible sign across many quarters of business,” Brexit expert at professional services firm EY Marc Brunch told The Sunday Times. Prolonged uncertainty is damaging bottom lines and investment decisions.” Sterling is predicted to trade lower when markets open on Monday.

http://bit.ly/2P9QUSm

BLOG – Is GDPR a looming used car headache?

Tags: ASE, Auto Trader, BCA, BoE, Brexit, Interbrand study, Kalyana Sivagnanam, NADA, Nissan, Renault, VIP preview, Vospers