26 August 2019

• PRE-REG LEVELS DELAYING AGENCY AGREEMENTS
• NFDA LAUNCHES BREXIT HELPDESK
• NEW FLEET HQ FOR LOOKERS
• SHELBOURNE GROWS WITH RENAULT
• NEW VW BRANDING
• GOOGLE OPENS UP AUTONOMOUS SOFTWARE
• STOCKWATCH – New Inchcape FD pleases market
• LAUNCH DIARY – SsangYong Korando prices revealed
• COMING UP – Consumer credit figures
• NEW RETAIL CONCEPT BOXPARK EXPANDS
• LEASE FIRM INVESTS IN CARNEXT

Pre-reg levels delaying agency agreements

Group 1’s UK boss has cited the level of manufacturer push in the car market as the reason the franchised retail model hasn’t switched to agency agreements yet.

In a wide-ranging interview for sister publication Auto Retail Bulletin, Group 1 managing director, Darren Guiver said he “wouldn’t bet against” the introduction of agency agreements for retail sales in the UK following trials in other countries such as New Zealand and some Scandinavian countries.

“However, in a true agency type scenario, there will be a loss of volume. Because if we aren’t targeted in the same way, or we don’t have to register cars in other guises such as pre-registering, then you’ve got to find a way to mitigate that volume risk. And I think that’s probably the conundrum that’s holding it at bay at the moment,” said Mr Guiver.

In the full interview, published in the September issue of Auto Retail Bulletin, Mr Guiver also discusses his plans for Group 1 in the UK including the recent purchase of several VW operations from Inchcape and the business’s plans to decrease waiting times for aftersales customers.

If you’re not already a Bulletin subscriber, you can sign up for a free trial here.

NFDA launches Brexit helpdesk

The NFDA has launched a Brexit helpdesk and advice website to provide retailers with no-deal planning help.

“Franchised vehicle retailers must now take very seriously the idea that a ‘no deal’ Brexit is fast approaching and take steps to mitigate against the potential threats associated with this outcome,” said an NFDA spokesman.

“If the UK leaves without a deal, the UK will immediately shift to trading under the World Trade Organisation framework. Trading on these terms is likely to involve tariffs on imports and exports, an increased regulatory burden for businesses and delays to the delivery of vehicle stock and parts.”

The NFDA has commissioned automotive research body ICDP to compile a key list of questions for franchised dealers to ask of their manufacturer partners, suppliers and themselves. The information from this checklist can now be found on the ‘industry issues’ section of the NFDA’s website.

http://bit.ly/2PaHtnz

New fleet HQ for Lookers

Lookers has opened a new head office for its fleet division. The new office is a relocation within Team Valley, near Gateshead, for the 20-strong fleet sales division team.

http://bit.ly/2KTU22o

Shelbourne expands with Renault

Northern Ireland-based Shelbourne Motors will open an additional Renault operation in Newry next month. The group already operates Renault, Dacia, Nissan and Toyota in neighbouring Craigavon.

WORLD NEWS

New logo for VW

Volkswagen will launch a new simpler logo at the Frankfurt motor show next month. The new VW badge will find its way onto cars and could also be part of any future corporate identity upgrade.

http://bit.ly/2ZgsZXW

Google opens up autonomous software

Waymo, Google’s autonomous driving division, has launched an open-source software platform to help boost research into self-driving vehicles, according to the International Business Times.

http://bit.ly/2ZcvLxq

STOCKWATCH

Closing prices on 16 August 2019 and weekly movement

Appointment of new finance director at Inchcape pleases market.

Auto Trader Group 525.0p (+0.6p)

BCA 241.6p (n/c)

Cambria 55.5p (n/c)

Caffyns 390.0p (-20.0p)

Inchcape 573.0p (+26.5p)

Lookers 51.5p (+3.3p)

Marshall Motor Holdings 142.5p (+0.5p)

Motorpoint 241.0p (+13.0p)

Pendragon 10.7p (n/c)

Vertu 33.9p (+0.1p)

LAUNCH DIARY

Citroen C3, model-year updates, on sale October, priced from £15,860

Audi RS6, new 600hp model, on sale November, deliveries January

Ssangyong Korando, new model, on sale now, priced from £19,995

COMING UP

Friday, Consumer credit figures

Friday, Nationwide House Price Index

Friday, GFK Consumer Confidence figures

Sunday, 69-plate registration starts

17 September, Auto Retail Live Profit Briefing: How to drive more sales using Google & YouTube

MONEY MATTERS

New retail concept Boxpark expands

Boxpark, the retail site make from re-purposed shipping containers, has revealed it will open 10 new sites over the next five years after posting record revenues and footfall.

The new firm has appointed KPMG to review investment proposals to expand the business nationwide, according to Retail Gazette.

http://bit.ly/2NsDArv

Lease firm invests in CarNext

LeasePlan, one of Europe’s largest vehicle leasing firms, has seen its profits impacted by investment in its used car sales website CarNext.com in a bid to sell more of its ex-lease cars direct to the public.

http://bit.ly/2MBQzYh

Tags: Agency Agreements, Boxpark, Brexit, CarNext, Darren Guiver, google, Group 1, Inchcape, Leaseplan, Lookers, NFDA, pre-registrations, Renault, Shelbourne Motors, Ssangyong, Volkswagen, Waymo