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Hopefully another pointer to a drop in the base rate on 11th Jan.
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I doubt it, B of E needs to keep a lid on inflation. There have been inflationary pressures recently.
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Well, at least the first post was motoring related...
smokie, BR Moderator
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The comments from other Broomers, working within the motor sales industry, have been saying the same thing, for some time & certainly HJ's auction reports, have shown 'bargains' on some late registered vehicles.
Think the REAL bargains have yet to show their rubber, 'cos we've still the mini-boom, we had in 2003, to now become de-fleeted.
It'll be interesting to see how the private buyers react to, what will, no doubt be a HUGE deprectiation, curve - or even vertical line!!
When I think what the REAL value of Mrs V's Mx5 Montana is currently, compared to the £22,000 showroom price, it could have been, if we'd paid the full whack, with all the options, she chose, just26 months ago.
If we can have 04 models, for not even £8000 it ain't much!!
VB
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Could the lack of 'new' car sales be a knock-on effect of more people having opted-out of company car policies ?
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If people are releuctant to buy new or nearly new then will the second hand market for cars upto say 5 years old become more robust as people seek to buy cheaper alternatives? just a thought.
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The article says retail sales have dropped, but business sales have softened the blow. I wonder how many of these so called "business" sales have been cars that have been back-doored to private buyers from a broker who pre-registers the vehicle to a fleet?
A lot of business registrations must be straight to manufacturer affiliated fleets - look at any big car supermarket and you'll find 6 month old cars that have been registered to the manufacturer.
Whilst the economic situation may play some part, I think the dealers need to have a good look at themselves as to why people are staying away. I bought a nearly new car last month and visiting some dealers is akin to sticking pins in your eyes - they either ignore you, leave you waiting whilst they "speak to the manager", make desirory part exchange offers and try and sell you financial products at ridiculous prices. Dealers seem to hate customers who know what they want and how much they should be paying for it. I eventually bought from Fords of Winsford where the sales process was actually quite enjoyable and the sales staff where there when you wanted them but knew exactly when to back off and leave you be for a while.
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Whilst the economic situation may play some part, I think the dealers need to have a good look at themselves as to why people are staying away. I bought a nearly new car last month and visiting some dealers is akin to sticking pins in your eyes - they either ignore you, leave you waiting whilst they "speak to the manager", make desirory part exchange offers and try and sell you financial products at ridiculous prices.
This reminds me of a visit I made to a Surrey VW dealership 6 or 7 years ago.
I was in the market for a NEW VW Passat and wanted to do a deal with them. I walked into the showroom and a salesman was talking to another man/customer, so I tried to catch his attention by walking past his office and also sitting in some of the cars in the showroom. Ten minutes passed, I still didn't even get a hand gesture from this guy to say he'd be out to talk as soon as he was done, 20 minutes passed, still-same. By this time I was fuming. 25 minutes passed, and he was still talking to this guy and would not acknowlege that I was there. In the end after a good 1/2 hour I finally collared him. The reason I waited so long was I just wanted to let him know he had definately lost an easy sale !
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In my recent experience with VW I would agree that on the whole they are not good at selling cars and there is a distinct attitude of if you dont want it someone else will, but when buying SWMBO's new sharan in december the process was very plesant and it was the first time that I have been sold a car by a woman. Upon entering with my daughter she was the only one who acknowledged her - not a big thing, but it makes you feel a bit more loved, and upon getting me a coffee got her a drink as well, and some biscuits to keep her quiet for a few minutes while we talked. The part ex value was arrived at very quickly, and was a few hundered more than I expected, and £900 more than the other 2 VW dealears offered me plus it was not dependant on which car I bought it was just an amount they would allow me against anything. I picked a car I was interested in, but explained that I only had 10 mins left as I needed to pick up my other child soon, so off she went and came back with a good deal which she explained was the best they could do straight off as she appreciated I was in a rush - I pushed a little, and did manage to get a tank of derv thrown in, but was happy with the deal, so paid deposit and left.
Incidently I live outside of the area where I bought the car and was aksed why I traveled to that garage and didnt use my local dealership - I explained that they were not very good, and that I had had poor sales experiences with them in the past. They then told me that they did a good proportion of there business with people who lived in my area and the reason given was usually the same.
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Change is happening with the car market, sales were down by 5% but considering the increases over the last few years that's fine. The market has always gone up then down and will continue to do so (its the economic cycle).
People are also moving from old mainstream brands into luxury makes, while the Asian's are increasing in popularity and cars (arguably) are becoming more reliable.
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The trouble with car dealers is that up till now, they have been able to supply cars in bulk and with no real hassle for lease companies or car fleets in general. The private motorist is a 'nuisance' to the as they complain, haggle on price and are generally seen as whingers by most car salesmen.
This is gradually changing as the lease/fleet market grows smaller, so I hope this corrects the attitude of the car salesman a bit.
AS a sales guy in the technology industry, I firmly belive that no salesman should be arrogant enough to EXPECT to sell rather than to understand the customers reasons for buying and be grateful for their business !!
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