Do you expect 2013 to be a better year for your business than 2012?

YES 51.2%

NO 48.8%

Dealer business confidence is increasing in the UK with a 26.2% improvement for the outlook this year in comparison to 2012.

Although the latest AM poll results show dealer opinion split down the middle on their expectations for 2013, it’s a vast improvement over last year which saw just 25% of respondents confident for the year ahead at the start of 2012.

The positive response shows dealers are ready to meet the combined challenges of a general block exemption and increased expectation from European manufacturers looking towards the UK as fertile sales ground for excess production.

One dealer said: “We have a recovering brand, a new franchise and different focus on used car, so I would expect an even better 2013.”

Another told AM they were confident and this was echoed by manufacturers who were “increasing objectives” as a result.
However, not all respondents were so positive about the 12 months ahead.

One said: “I believe that domestic and business spending will continue to be kept under very tight control and for many, unnecessary commitments will be curtailed or postponed.”