NFDA Trusted Dealers is celebrating strong growth results from the first quarter of 2017 as buyers dwell for longer online and retailers benefit from increased quality leads.
Poor dealer profitability in 2016 has led Seat UK brand director Richard Harrison to describe it as “a year of consolidation”.
Volkswagen and Nissan said they are making efforts to improve relationships with their dealer networks following low scores in the Winter NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey.
Kia Motors UK president and chief executive Paul Philpott said that he was “punching the air” after reading his dealers’ appraisal of his franchise in this week’s NFDA Winter Dealer Attitude Survey.
Mercedes-Benz is once again the highest scoring franchise in the NFDA’s Winter Dealer Attitude Survey with a score of 9.6 against a survey average of 6.1.
The NFDA has called for “continued strong and open trade with the EU” in a letter to HM Treasury ahead of the 2017 Spring Budget.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is confident dealer groups will be able to use all funding from their apprenticeship levy to avoid handing back unused money to the Government.
NFDA director Sue Robinson said it is “vital that UK retail motor industry is recognised by the Government alongside manufacturers in the post Brexit negotiations” following a meeting with MPs at the House of Commons.
The UK new car market achieved a 12-year high in January, with a 2.9% uplift in registrations. Private registrations were up 5%.
Dealers need to ensure they are aware of the new vehicle excise duty rates in order to avoid confusing customers.
UK drivers are becoming more accepting of driverless car technology, with half of motorists saying they would consider travelling in a self-driving vehicle, according to NFDA Trusted Dealers.
The NFDA has said that Teresa May’s speech about the nature of Britain’s exit from the EU was “positive” – despite the PM’s assertion that trade will continue from outside the single market.
New research reveals that buyers are increasingly prepared to buy cars online when they are backed up by the reassurance of a franchised dealer, according to NFDA Trusted Dealers.
The NFDA and Trusted Dealers has joined forces to encourage dealers to prepare for “draconian” new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), which could see dealers facing fines of up to £20 million.
The NFDA has announced it will meet with politicians in February about the implications of Brexit for motor retailers.
The NFDA has welcomed the Bank of England’s decision to leave interest rates at 0.25%, stating that it “protects the interests of our industry”.
NFDA director Sue Robinson has insisted that the association will has “teeth” as it pursues dealers’ interests in an opening address to the annual Autumn Roadshow.
New car registrations grew 1.4% in October.
The NFDA has a crucial role as the voice of the franchised retailer. Over many years the NFDA has developed a strong relationship with the government which allows us to effectively lobby on dealers’ behalf on important issues.
The Government has released more details of the apprenticeship levy, but there has been no movement on the April start date despite industry objections.
