Top stories of the year: auto retail in 2019

29 December 2019

Auto retail PLCs dominated Auto Retail Agenda in 2019, with developments at Inchcape, Pendragon and Lookers all featuring amongst our top 10 most-read stories of the year.

Inchcape’s plans to sell off a fifth of its retailers, which we reported on in July, leads the rankings. Sources told us it was about “right-sizing” the business. Six months on, it appears the markets have responded positively: Inchcape’s stock is up 26% in 2019.

Lookers has performed less well in 2019, with July’s announcement of the FCA investigation into its financial sales processes weighing heavily on the group. November’s shock news that Andy Bruce and Nigel McMinn had left the retailer with immediate effect also grabbed the headlines on Auto Retail Agenda – as did the FCA’s plan to ban commission linked to the interest rate of motor finance loans.

Pendragon also surprised industry watchers with the departure of CEO Mark Herbert, just three months after taking over from Trevor Finn. Later in the year, Pendragon announced a £130m loss.

Other well-read stories reported on premium brands slumping in the latest NFDA survey, Darren Guiver quitting Group 1, Sytner selling four of its VW sites to Johnsons – and, rounding out the top 10, the news back in February that Mr Herbert was to take over from Mr Finn.

“I am delighted to be joining Pendragon as CEO at this time of rapid change and innovation in the consumer retail and automotive sectors,” he said at the time. Few would have predicted just how rapid the change would continue to be.

From all at Auto Retail Agenda, I wish you a happy and prosperous new year, and look forward to bringing more industry news and analysis to you throughout 2020.

Auto Retail Agenda – top 10 stories 2019

Richard Aucock

Editor, Auto Retail Agenda

Why Subscribe?

As an auto retail executive you need insightful and unique industry intelligence to boost your business potential. Here’s a taste of what Auto Retail Network has to offer:

Get informed and boost your business potential
More than 1,200 fellow executives have joined us since launch
Independent, carefully crafted, unique content relevant to you and your business
Develop a greater awareness of market trends and opportunities
Access to a wide range of materials whenever, wherever and however you want it
Significant discounts on ARN events, reports and other publications

Subscribe now

Latest ARN Blog Post

Testimonials

I’ve found today really exciting. I’ve attended a number of conferences this year and I’ve been surprised by how well attended this was by some of the great players in the industry and by the quality of the speakers. I’d say it was definitely the best event I’ve attended this year.

Chris Penny, Chief of Staff, Vertu Motors plc

I found it very insightful. I’ve taken copious notes and there are lots of things we can take away and do.

Tracy Perryman, Managing Director, Denbury Diesels

I’ve been an Auto Retail Network subscriber since it was first launched. I find Auto Retail Bulletin particularly useful since it gives real, in-depth analysis into the issues facing this industry.

Ken Savage, commercial director, Perrys Group

This is the 3rd time I’ve attended the event & I thought today’s was the best one yet, the content was superb. It really gave us an insight into how we’ve got to take our business forward.

Ian Godbold, ICG Digital

I use Auto Retail Bulletin to keep fully up to speed with what is going on. The analysis is first class and I read it from cover to cover. It really helps my understanding of our industry and is not to be missed.

Robert Forrester, CEO Vertu PLC