September, like March, is a rush
period for consumer car purchases.
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For 72 hours around 1 September, no
dealer has time to take our calls.
“Any day but today,” we are told.
“Honestly, pal, you have no idea how busy it is down here,” is at
the polite end of replies when we ring.
So, in a year that has seemed
gloomier than most for auto retail, just how was new registration
day for the industry?
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By GlobalDataPeter Stewart, finance
and insurance director, Vertu Motors
“The day was good. New car sales
were up. It was a decent start.
“There were a lot of very strong
finance-led consumer offers. General Motors and Vauxhall offer 0%
over five years. That is a very strong offer and working well, as
is PCP.
“The market is not easy but if you
put the right amount of effort in, you do well. It’s hard work but
hard work is rewarded.”
Mehmet Aray, business
manager, Jemca, Croydon
“It was quite an unusual September,
but we are still doing well. We would normally deliver 40 to 50
cars, this year it was 25 to 30.
“The customers were your standard
Toyota customers, 25 to 40 years old. The Aygo and Yaris did well,
all sold on PCP. Up until a few years ago it was all HP.”
Frank Berry, group
marketing manager, CEM Day Ltd, Swansea
“New registration day is a
challenge in this climate to say the least, with 40% of employment
in Swansea in the public sector.
“We have to work twice as hard but
it looks like we are going to achieve our manufacturer’s
objectives.
“The Fiesta is still our strongest
product, followed by the new Focus. Kuga continues to surprise. It
attracts exotic part exchange deals. Since the Kuga has hit the
streets it has been a star performer.
“The finance packages that sold
well were those provided by the manufacturer – Ford Credit options
on APR or representative APR. Renewals were quite strong.”
Paul Bentley, finance
and insurance director, Lookers
“It was business as usual. We get
so well prepared for 1 September, and the vehicle supply has
improved over the last month.
“It’s well documented that the
market’s a challenge but we are holding our own.
“Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover are
doing well.
“Vauxhall has generated incremental
sales above expectations, PCP and penetrations are strong. Customer
retention is a key part of our strategy. Over September we’ll see
the numbers rise.”
Graham Prestedge,
commercial director, Santander Consumer UK
“September is hard work for dealers
and manufacturer partners.
“Early indication is that retail is
going to come in level to expectations, but down a little on last
year.
“The plate change doesn’t have the
effect it used to have.
“With finance, we expect high
penetration on September registrations. Are people looking for
bargains? Yes. Are they happy to pay on monthly rental? Yes. But
are there enough customers out there?”
James Statham, business
manager, Bristol Street Ford, Birmingham
“It was fairly quiet, though that
depends what you class as quiet.
“September’s never been as buoyant
as
1 March for us.
“It was what we were expecting.
We’re always busier at the end of the month, though the deposit
allowance scheme with Ford Credit is always successful, and the
Fiesta and Ka always sell well.”
Gary Styles, business
manager, Premier Autocentres, Sidcup
“1 September wasn’t fantastic. We
only had about 14 cars go out the door, we normally have over
20.
“The doom and gloom about motor
finance has been driving people away.
“PCP hasn’t taken off for us,
partially because we’re in a transition with regard to Hyundai’s
finance.”
Gary Crawford, business
manager, Polar Ford, Runcorn
“Everybody was in early and here
late. We saw customers by appointment only and it ran quite
smoothly.
“There was an upturn on last year,
delivery-wise. Most vehicles that were sold, probably 60%, went out
on the first day. The big seller was all-new Focus, which has taken
off in a big way. Second was the Fiesta.
“PCP is the order of the day with Ford Credit and accounted for
82% of our sales. If you look at other manufacturers, it will
probably be that high.”
