Retailing

TROUBLE AHEAD?

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

I have been in two meetings this week both of which predicted a severe economic downturn and shock development in July or August this year. It is not in my nature to be unduly gloomy but I admit to being taken aback by the remarks and whilst I have forecasted consistently a difficult year for the UK I am now having to consider the “double dip” recession. Whilst my automotive newsletter AUTOMOTIVE DESKTOP is steadfastly a-political the results of the UK general election will of course have a big effect on the way the UK’s deficit is addressed. To that end I am not greatly enamoured by the prospect of a hung parliament as it seems obvious it would only cause a further delay in getting to grips with the economy.

Christopher Macgowan

 

SMMT PROUDLY SUPPORTS SEARCH FOR YOUNG TALENT TO ENTER INDUSTRY.

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is backing this year’s Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award seeking to attract young talent into the automotive industry.Open to all higher education students, the competition aims to promote careers in the motor industry and showcase UK talent. Entrants must submit a written response to the question: Where do you think the next automotive industry revolution will start and what will it deliver? Six finalists will be selected to go before a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style judging panel to present their ideas to top industry executives including SMMT president and chairman, Ford of Britain, Joe Greenwell. Proposals may focus on technology, politics, production methods, financial incentives, or all of the above, as long it’s within the scope of the automotive industry.

The winner of the award will be announced at SMMT’s Annual Dinner, 24 November at the Park Lane Hilton, and will receive one month’s work experience at each of the four partner companies (Ford, Harley Davidson, Honda and Marshall Motor Group) supporting the programme as well as a cash prize.

Entries can be made online at www.autocar.co.uk/next-generation  and must be received by 23 October 2009.

Christopher Macgowan

UK INDEPENDENT GARAGES – SIGN UP TO THE CODE.

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Independent garages urged to embrace industry code of practice to avoid losing their independence

The automotive service and repair sector currently faces a number of serious issues – none more urgent than the threat of legislation in the form of licensing. By subscribing to the low-cost, consumer-focussed Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair, any garage can ensure it is in the best position to demonstrate a commitment to open and honest business to its customers and to government.“The Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair is unique because it is a low-cost scheme which benefits customers and businesses alike,” said Chris Mason, director of Motor Codes Ltd. “While the franchised operations have been quick to see the advantages of committing to the Code, it is vital that independent outlets also embrace it to demonstrate to everyone that as a sector, we are capable of managing our own affairs.”

As a cross-industry Code, it received the support of organisations including the Retail Motor Industry Federation and Independent Garage Association who are urging members of their bodies to subscribe. To help them spread the message, Motor Codes Ltd has created a one page summary of what the Code means and why independent garages need seriously to consider being part of this, to satisfy consumer bodies and government that the garage trade is honest and, where required, has cleaned up its act. The information sheet will also appear in some trade journals and industry magazines.

Any UK garage can sign up to the voluntary Code, which is currently progressing through the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) and has completed the first stage of the OFT’s code approval process.

Christopher Macgowan

Suddenly 2m UK registrations looks horribly possible!

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

There is talk that that September UK new car registrations will slump to around 340,000, down almost 20% on last year’s near 420,000 and 13% down on the SMMT’s forecast of 390,000. Leading trade journal AM reported last week that with 17 of the 22 trading days reported, dealers had registered just over 250,000 new cars.

Most pundits are still forecasting a 2008 of 2.15m but with Ford – and everyone else – talking lower figures the Christopher Macgowan Forecasting Model sitting at 2m suddenly looks horribly possible.

Christopher Macgowan

EU passenger car registrations up 8.7% in February – www.acea.be

Sunday, March 16th, 2008

PASSENGER CARS: EU new car registrations up 8.7% in February

 

In February, new passenger car registrations in Europe (EU27+EFTA) were 8.7% higher than in the same period in 2007, helped by one extra working day in the whole region*. In total, 1,180,842 new cars were registered over the month. Western Europe accounted for a sound 7.7% increase and registrations in the new Member States remained on a growth path with a plus of 20.5%.

In Western Europe, the German market recorded the largest growth (+24.8%) and also the most cars registered (228,623) in absolute terms. The Spanish market roughly equaled last year’s February results (+0.7%). The other main Western European markets noted a drop in registrations, with Italy ending the month at –3.9% and the United Kingdom at –5.4%. Overall, a quarter of the Western European markets saw their registrations decrease. The cumulative January-February figures were 2.7% higher in Western Europe and 3.8% in the EU27 as compared with the same period last year.

February also saw positive results in the new Member States. Apart from Latvia, all countries posted an increase. The major markets remain Poland (+28.1%), Romania (+37.1%), Hungary (+7.1%) and the Czech Republic (+15.8%). Poland and Romania registered the most cars in absolute terms, with 28,182 and 21,423, respectively. Two months into the year, cumulative figures showed a solid 18.6% increase.

* and two more working days for Greece