22 June 2020

The lifting of lockdown has heralded a long-awaited upturn in auto retail activity. Consumers are returning to showrooms and, as well as taking delivery of pre-ordered vehicles, have also resumed purchasing new cars and, in particular, used vehicles and CVs.

Auto Trader data shows that since showrooms reopened on 1 June, a record number of new car leads have been sent to retailers. Leads have almost doubled compared to 17 March, the week before lockdown.

Marketing Delivery data released exclusively to Auto Retail Agenda shows a 40% increase in enquiries for 1-15 June, compared to 2019. It is a “very tangible indication that there is life after lockdown” said MD Jeremy Evans.

Dealerweb has seen a 17% increase in used car sales compared to June 2019, in a sample of 800 franchised retailers. Used prestige vehicle sales are up 54% (but new prestige sales are down 58%).

The latest Indicata Market Watch study shows that the UK market had fully rebounded just 10 days after lockdown. Used car sales were actually up 3.4% year-on-year, despite Scottish and Welsh retailers still remaining closed.

Tags: Auto Trader, Dealerweb, Indicata, Marketing Delivery