Manufacturers are repatriating increasing numbers of ex-lease vehicles back into their franchise dealer network as demand for quality used stock increases, reports epyx.

The company says that activity through its 1link Disposal Network platform and elsewhere shows that fewer ex-manufacturer cars and vans are being disposed of through open sales to all retailers.

Epyx’s head of remarketing, Vicky Gardner (pictured), said: “Repatriation is a long term trend that most manufacturers have been following for several years, aiming to strengthen residual values and provide an early opportunity for franchise dealers to acquire the best stock.

“However, as the balance of activity in franchise dealerships has shifted decisively away from new to used car sales over the last year, this process has very much accelerated. Increasingly, cascade models for disposal offer the best stock to franchisees on more than one occasion before it is offered to other dealers.

“This works for manufacturers because they can achieve the best values and for franchise dealers because they get the best stock.

“What is interesting at the moment is the degree to which this is occurring. Even lower grade stock that would quite recently have been offered at open sales is now being shown to franchises first.”

Gardner said that the trend was very much indicative of the increased interest that manufacturers were taking in the used car sector.

“The issues that are affecting the new car sector such as Brexit are not within the gift of manufacturers to resolve,” said Gardner.

“However, they are able to have significant influence on used car and van sales by controlling how and where stock is sold as much as possible.

“With no obvious end date in sight for a recovery in the new car sector, we expect this focus on used vehicles to continue.”