Ford has taken the top two places in the definitive list of the cars Britain’s motor traders most like to sell.

Ford has taken the top two places in the definitive list of the cars Britain’s motor traders most like to sell. The Ford Focus (1^st) and Fiesta (2^nd) – two of the nation’s biggest-selling models – topped the poll, which was carried out by Car Dealer Magazine to celebrate its centenary issue.

The ever-popular Volkswagen Golf was third in the list of the 100 cars of all-time the nation’s dealers loved to have in their showrooms. BMW had the most models on the list (nine), while Audi were close behind with eight. Ford, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz all had six.

Commenting on the results, Kevin Griffin, Ford of Britain Sales Director, said:  “The Ford Focus and Fiesta broke the medium and small car moulds when they were launched 18 and 40 years ago respectively.  

Both have been the UK’s best-selling car, with Fiesta at number one for its 40^th celebrations this year.  Whether being sold new or used, Focus and Fiesta have a huge following – not least among the dealer body delivering hundreds of thousands of them to new owners every year.”

Dermot Rafferty, General Manager of TrustFord Northern Ireland, explained why so many of his fellow car dealers voted for the Focus.

He said: “Focus was, and is, the benchmark for everything else in its segment.

“When it was first launched, the key selling factors were its striking looks – it really did set the standards – and also its driveability, which is what really sold it. No-one ever test-drove a Focus and didn’t say ‘wow!’”

While it is perhaps no surprise to find hugely popular high-volume models like the Focus, Fiesta and Golf at the top of the list, further down the poll of more than 1,000 UK car dealers, there are plenty of surprises.

The world of classics is represented by the likes of the Jaguar E-Type (29^th), Subaru Impreza (30^th) and Saab 900 (37^th); while luxury models like the Mercedes S-Class (14th), Audi R8 (13th) and Bentley Continental GT (65^th) also make the cut.

Meanwhile, changing attitudes in the industry are reflected in the inclusion of the all-electric BMW i3 (94^th), and plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (33^rd).

The bulk of the list, however, is made up of more everyday models that represent ‘bread and butter’ sales for dealers.

James Baggott, founder and publisher of Car Dealer Magazine, said: “We cast the net far and wide with this poll and gave dealers complete freedom to tell us their favourite ever cars to sell.

“You wouldn’t have got long odds on the models at the top of the list as they sell in such big volumes but elsewhere there are some real surprises.”

He added: “Car Dealer magazine has come a long, long way since I produced the first issue in my conservatory six years ago and we’re immensely proud of the 100^th issue and all we’ve achieved along the way.

“We’re now the UK’s biggest motor trade publication and it’s fitting that our centenary issue is much larger and packed full of more exciting content than ever before.”

The bumper centenary issue of Car Dealer magazine – the biggest in the title’s history – will arrive with dealers across the country from this Friday.

UK SALES SEPTEMBER - FORD - #1 Best Seller (Fiesta) - #1+ #2 Best Seller CV (Transit & Connect).

Ford total vehicle sales exceeded 70,000 in September as it recorded its all-time best-ever month for commercial vehicle (CV) sales with 16,526 registrations.

According to the official September sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

• Ford total vehicle sales 71,296, up from 69,438 in September 2014
• Ford is the UK market leader in total vehicle, car and commercial vehicle sales
• Fiesta is UK best-seller; Transit Custom and Transit first and second in CV sales
• Transit range is third in UK total vehicle sales
• In 50^th year as UK CV sales leader, Ford outsells nearest CV rival by two to one

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "Vehicle sales are boosted in September due to the number plate change, and in combination with March sales account for a third of the UK annual total.  Ford’s best-ever car and CV ranges have contributed to Ford sales for March and September combined exceeding 150,000.

“Ford’s long-standing UK market leadership – 38 years for cars, 49 years for CVs – is being strengthened through continued investment in exciting products and industry-leading technologies.  The sales success of our fresh and extended CV range underlines this, while car sales are outpacing rivals thanks to the flow of new models, including C-MAX, S-MAX, Galaxy, Mustang and Mondeo Vignale."

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales in September were up 8.6 per cent to 462,517 units, compared with September 2014. Ford car sales were 55,083, 11,125 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.  For the year to date (end September) total UK car sales were 2,096,886, up 7.1 per cent compared with the same period in 2014.  Ford car sales for this period were 268,328, 56,228 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.

Ford is also the clear leader in retail car sales, which most accurately reflect the preferences of private buyers.  For September, Ford’s retail car sales share was 11.4 per cent, 3.2 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival, and for the year to date, Ford’s retail car sales share was 12.2 per cent, a lead of 4.0 percentage points.

The Ford Fiesta is in its seventh year as the UK top seller and in September it recorded 22,807 registrations, 7,137 sales and 1.5 percentage points of share ahead of its nearest rival.  With total registrations of 108,054 for the year to date, the Ford Fiesta is the UK best seller by a significant margin – 35,219 sales and 1.7 percentage points of market share ahead of its nearest competitor.

Ford’s broad customer appeal across its car range is demonstrated by Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga and Galaxy all occupying top three places in their respective market segments.  Ford Kuga sales are at the highest level since it was launched with September registrations of 5,090, up 13.9 per cent, compared with September 2014,  and sales for the year to date of 25,605, up 35.4 per cent, compared with the same period in 2014.

UK commercial vehicle sales in September were up 19.4 per cent at 65,472, compared with September 2014.  At 16,526, total sales of Ford CVs were at the highest level ever recorded following the previous record of 16,497 achieved in March this year.  Ford CV sales for the month and for the year to date are more than double those of its nearest rival.

For the year to date total UK CV sales were up 18.9 per cent at 325,940, compared with the same period in 2014. Total sales of Ford CVs for the year to date were up 23.6 per cent at 80,833, compared with 2014.

Ford light commercials sales for the year to date were up from 12,643 to 17,679, compared with the same period in 2014 and Ford medium commercials sales for the year to date were up from 52,735 to 63,154, compared with 2014.

The full availability of Ford’s extended CV family has helped deliver this strong sales momentum.  Fiesta Van, Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger are all placed in the top three in their respective market segments.

JD Power has named Suzuki as the second highest ranked volume brand for overall customer service satisfaction.

J.D. Power has named Suzuki as the second highest ranked volume brand for overall customer service satisfaction in their 2015 UK Customer Service Index Study^SM. Suzuki and Toyota tie second with a score of 759 points out of a possible 1,000, significantly above the volume brand average of 737.

The inaugural study measures UK customer satisfaction with their service experience at a franchised dealer facility for maintenance and repair work. 

The study explores customer satisfaction with their service dealer by examining five measures (listed in order of importance): service quality (26%); service initiation (23%); service advisor (19%); vehicle pick-up (17%); and service facility (16%). Satisfaction is calculated on a 1,000-point scale.

The CSI Study is a comprehensive analysis of the vehicle service experience and is conducted by J.D. Power in 16 countries worldwide, providing detailed after-sales solutions for automakers and dealerships. The 2015 UK Customer Service Index Study is based on 9,091 respondents who purchased their new vehicle between April 2012 and March 2014. The study was fielded between March and May 2015.

Dr Axel Sprenger, senior director of European automotive operations at J.D Power, comments: “The common perception is that the luxury brands are able to deliver a more satisfying customer experience, but the study shows this is not the case,” “Any brand and any dealership can provide a consistently positive customer experience if they make it a priority and have the people and processes in place.  When they do, they likely will see an increase in revenue and will be able to build customer loyalty.”

The 2015 UK CSI Study finds that satisfaction with dealer service leads to customer loyalty and advocacy.

Key findings across all brands in the study include:

• Satisfaction among the 93 percent of customers who are able to get an appointment on the day they desire averages 768, compared with 576 when an appointment is not available on their desired day.
• While 25 percent of customers would prefer to schedule a service appointment over the Internet, only 15 percent actually do. The Internet as a method to schedule an appointment is expected to increase with the emergence of mobile apps, which make the process faster and easier.
• The No. 1 reason for choosing a dealer for service is prior experience with the service department (35%), followed by location (34%) and prior experience with the sales department (32%). Fewer than 3 percent of customers indicate selecting their service facility due to advertising or promotions/coupons.
• Though only 31 percent of dealers recommend additional service work to their customers, when they do, 62 percent of customers have the recommended work done. Satisfaction is substantially higher among the 78 percent of customers who are recommended service and have it done, compared with those who do not have the recommended work done (760 vs. 693, respectively).
• Amenities offered at the dealership are key drivers of satisfaction with the service facility, as 24 percent of customers stay at the dealership while service is performed on their vehicle.

Callum Jaguar #2 now being built by Classic Motor cars in Bridgnorth.

The build of the second Mark 2 by Callum is already underway at the headquarters of leading restorers Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC).

The first car, a Mark 2 redesigned by Jaguar’s Design Director Ian Callum and reengineered by CMC for his own personal use, was unveiled at the opening of the company’s new headquarters in August 2014, boasting a huge number of aesthetic and technical modifications.

This will be the second of a limited run of twelve cars and is expected to visit the US next year.

Nick Goldthorp, Managing Director of CMC, said: “The second Mark 2 by Callum is in production, it is going to be a left hand drive car and the body is nearing completion. We should finish the vehicle by the end of this year.”

Each vehicle will be tailored to an individual buyer, who will spend time with Ian Callum to finalise the specification.

Nick Goldthorp said: “No two cars will be the same, which makes them more unique. It is all in the small details that can be tailored, including the gearbox, exterior and interior colours. Each Mark 2 can be built as a right or left hand drive car with automatic or manual transmission and can be additionally fitted with power steering, air conditioning, electric windows and different types of wood veneer.”

USA - Nissan to import more Rogue Crossovers into the USA amid a sales boom for the model.

Renault-Nissan will export 38 percent more Nissan Rogue crossovers to the U.S. from South Korea in 2015 than planned earlier, to meet rising demand in North America.

The alliance will produce 110,000 Rogue crossovers at Renault’s South Korean factory for U.S. exports this year, from its previous plan of 80,000.

Nissan started producing the Rogue in South Korea and shipping it to the U.S. last year, a move that helped boost the factory utilization of Renault Samsung, the South Korean unit of the French carmaker.

Renault Samsung, squeezed by bigger rival Hyundai Motor Co. and German imports, saw its domestic sales nearly halve in 2012, although they have been recovering since then.

The Rogue, of which a new version was launched in 2013, is Nissan’s second best-selling model in the U.S. after its Altima midsize sedan, and posted a 13 percent rise in sales in January from a year earlier. Overall sales of compact crossovers rose 20 percent in the month.

Nissan also shifted the production of Rogue from Japan to the U.S. and started producing the model in Tennessee in 2013.

REPORT HERE

Peugeot prices new 308 below the VW Golf

Peugeot will sell the new 308 compact car at a price below the European compact segment leader, the Volkswagen Golf, when it begins deliveries at the end of September.

Peugeot says the 308's front is dominated by a new interpretation of the brand's 'floating' front grille, and by the strong lighting signature.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is counting on models such as the new-generation 308 and the new Citroen C4 Picasso minivan to boost falling vehicle sales in Europe.

Peugeot said prices for the 308 will start at 16,450 euros in Germany for a gasoline model compared with the Golf's 17,175 euros. The Opel Astra, another rival in the key compact segment, begins at 16,770 euros, while the Ford Focus starts at 16,450 euros.

Peugeot says 308 diesel variants will start from 19,550 euros.

The current 308 is the brand's No. 2 best-seller in Europe after the 208/207 subcompacts, according to market researchers JATO Dynamics. 308 sales slipped 34 percent to 48,641 in the first half, making the model No. 13 in the compact sales ranking in Europe (see table below).

The 308 is designed to help Peugeot in its ambition to move upscale. The initial design brief for the model had the "highest levels of quality at its core," Peugeot says. Details such as high quality interior materials and the satin chrome or gloss black detailing "add to the feeling of sophistication and maturity in the car's design," Peugeot said in a statement.

Peugeot describes the 308's new look as 'classy and sophisticated.'

The 308 will debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September but Peugeot is already taking orders for the model.

Customers can choose between three gasoline and two diesel engines with the most fuel efficient offering CO2 emissions of 85 grams per km.

The 308 and the Citroen C4 Picasso are the first two models undepinned by PSA's new Efficient Modular Platform (EMP2) architecture that helps cut the 308's weight by about 140kg compared with the current model.

PSA sales in the EU and EFTA markets fell 13 percent in the first half to 716,739 vehicles in a total market down 7 percent, according to data from the industry body ACEA. Peugeot brand sales were down 11 percent while Citroen sales dropped by 16 percent.

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