“Following the triggering of Article 50, the NFDA will engage constructively with the Government to ensure the retail motor sector is actively involved in the process going forward”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle dealers across the UK, commenting on today’s announcement.
The most recent edition of the National Franchised Dealers Association survey has been published, with dealers showing more optimism about profit returns. “It is positive to see that when evaluating their satisfaction with profit return, the majority of dealers gave a response which was higher than the neutral score of 5.0. However, the average score for both current and future profit return has decreased again compared with the last survey,” said Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA, commenting on the results.
UK chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond’s spring Budget contained the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) upgraded growth forecasts for 2017, while predicting lower – but rising – figures for the years following the assumed activation of Article 50 as the country leaves the European Union. The government also confirmed an extra £690 million will be added to the £1.3 billion announced in autumn to improve transport networks in urban areas. In other transport news, the freeze on fuel duty has been retained.
The new light commercial vehicle market declined in February, falling -4.3 per cent to 13,291 registrations, according to SMMT. The downturn follows an exceptionally strong performance in 2016, when the sector recorded an eight-year high in registrations.
The National Franchised Dealers Association Winter 2017 survey had 1,704 respondents from a total of 29 participating franchise networks, which equates to a response rate of 41 per cent. The all-important question asking dealers ‘how would they rate their manufacturers overall’, saw a slight decline compared with last summer’s survey (6.1 vs 6.2), but it stands at the same level as the winter 2016 survey.
The UK new car market remained steady in February, dipping just -0.3 per cent, according to figures released by SMMT. 83,115 vehicles were registered in traditionally one of the quietest months of the year ahead of the number plate change in March. Fleets drove the market, with 45,699 cars registered, up 3.3 per cent, while private demand fell -4.4 per cent to 36,018 units and business registrations declined -5.3 per cent to 1,398.
The new van market got off to a positive start in 2017, with January seeing a small 1.2 per cent growth in registrations, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Heavy vans weighing between 2.5 and 3.5t, which make up the bulk of the market, rose 5.6 per cent in January. Meanwhile, pickups’ popularity continued to grow following a successful 2016, with registrations increasing 28.9 per cent.
New vehicles registered for the first time with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) from 1 April 2017 will pay new first year licence rates based on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions bands which are different from the ones currently in use. In some cases, these fees will almost double.
The new car market following Brexit, the role of dealerships, consumer legislation – including Consumer Rights Act, and the NFDA Consumer Attitude Survey, were the main topics of discussion at the NFDA meeting in Belfast. “The UK new car market may stabilise slightly in the near future, but will still be strong. Our sector has demonstrated its resilience over the past months and dealers have been coping well with recently introduced measures and unexpected challenges”, said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA).
Brexit, digital marketing, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) compliance and competition compliance in the automotive sector were all subjects discussed at the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Autumn Roadshow, which took place recently at the Hilton Warwick.
New van registrations declined by 4.5 per cent in October, showing the first signs in 2016 of weakening. In year to date figures, the market remains two per cent higher than 2015, with a total of 318,664 units registered in the first ten months of 2016: the best performance on record.
“Mileage fraud is a huge problem for the UK and urgent action needs to be taken. We are pleased to see that the government has taken the issue seriously and we have responded to the consultation outlining the implications of this practice and the urgent need to make it illegal”, said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA).
Over two thirds of respondents (71 per cent) described franchised dealers as professional, in the latest National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Consumer Attitude Survey, while 67 per cent viewed them as knowledgeable. Positively, 63 per cent of surveyed consumers also considered franchised dealers reputable and the same percentage described franchised dealerships as a place with good customer service.
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) 2016 Autumn Ball took place over the weekend at the Grove Resort in Hertfordshire.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveal that the UK new car market remained steady in September, rising 1.6 per cent. 469,696 cars were registered, as buyers purchased the new 66-plate.
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