Motor Trader Blog

Last year was a tough one for just about everyone involved in the car retailing business, yet some dealers improved their year-on-year performance by successfully implementing best practice initiatives aimed at winning and retaining customers.

For months now, all we've heard about the US automotive market is doom and gloom. Three former kings of the industry were brought to their knees (on their knees in carpeted private jets, but still) and reports are saying a Detroit sales slump of 31 per cent in December capped a year of market woes.

Let's not beat around the bush – this year has been the worst in recent memory for car retailing and just about every other commercial sector.

The November new car sales figures rank as the worst fall in recent memory.

The surprise 1.5 per cent interest rate cut was a rare piece of welcome news for dealers and showed the Bank of England had listened to the concerns of UK businesses.

The UK motor industry continues to be shackled to the economic roller coaster that has encircled the economy.

With Vertu one of the few big name groups to remain in the black, Robert Forrester has set himself a new personal objective which is like to pay-off come year-end time.

When Ford talks about increasing its retail sales, the industry sits back and listens - especially when the new car market is in freefall.

September's official car sales totals only tell part of the story.

Our quarterly Motor Trader Franchised Dealer Barometer provides an insight into the current state of play in the car retailing sector and it doesn't make for comfortable reading.