Rising Fuel Prices Drive 500% EV Sales Jump at Motorfinity
Motorfinity reported a 500% year‑on‑year jump in electric‑vehicle sales in Q1 2026, with battery‑electric models climbing to 19% of total sales from 5% a year earlier. Rising petrol and diesel costs—up to £27 per tank (about $34)—and a focus on long‑term running expenses drove the surge, alongside new‑car discounts for frontline workers. Customer savings reached £6.3 million (≈$8 million), a 90% increase, with an average of £8,000 ($10,200) saved per vehicle, and enquiries rose 49% versus Q4 2025. The firm also added Smart, Genesis and Changan to its manufacturer roster, broadening EV choice.
Devonshire Motors Creates New Finance and Operations Role
Devonshire Motors has appointed Marcus Whitfield as head of finance and operations, merging financial discipline with operational leadership. Whitfield arrives from Carbase, where he oversaw automated pricing for more than 3,000 vehicles and led logistics, re‑conditioning and business‑intelligence initiatives. The...
FCA Warns Lenders to Prepare for No-Scheme Scenario
The FCA warned UK motor‑finance lenders to prepare for a possible “no‑scheme” outcome as four legal challenges to its proposed compensation framework proceed. The regulator said the Upper Tribunal is unlikely to hear the case before October, leaving uncertainty over...
Omoda 7 UK Deliveries Begin as Brand Continues Model Line-Up Expansion
Omoda 7 has begun deliveries in the United Kingdom, priced from £29,915 (≈ $38,000) for petrol models and £32,000 (≈ $40,600) for the SHS plug‑in hybrid. The mid‑size SUV slots between the Omoda 5 and Omoda 9 and offers a 700‑mile total range, up to...
EMaC MD to Step Down After Solvd Integration
John O’Donnell will leave his role as managing director of EMaC on 31 May as the company completes its integration into Solvd Group. The move follows Allianz’s 2023 acquisition of Innovation Group, EMaC’s parent, and positions EMaC as a core component...
FCA to Review Claims Firms over Poor Practices
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has opened a formal review of the claims management sector, targeting aggressive marketing, misleading advertising and consent‑free sign‑ups, especially in motor‑finance claims. The investigation will assess fee structures, consumer value, and the end‑to‑end customer journey,...
UK Van Market up 6.8% in April as Pickups Slump
UK light commercial vehicle registrations climbed 6.8% in April to 21,716 units, led by strong demand for large vans. Medium and small vans fell 20% and 14.4% respectively, while pickup registrations plunged 57.4% after a benefit‑in‑kind tax change reclassifying double‑cab...
Suppliers, Share Your News for the AM Dealer Tech Guide
Automotive Management is inviting UK motor‑retail suppliers to submit their latest technology news for inclusion in the upcoming AM Dealer Technology Guide, a free editorial platform targeting franchised dealers. The guide covers a broad spectrum of solutions, from dealer‑management systems...
Porsche Retail Group Managing Director Steps Down
Adam Flint, who joined Porsche Retail Group in 2015 and became managing director in 2020, announced his departure this week, ending an 11‑year tenure with the company. Over his six‑year stint as MD, Flint drove record profitability at the Guildford...
Dicksons Expands Into Leasing with CARZAR Launch
Independent multi‑franchise dealer Dicksons has launched CARZAR Leasing, a new service aimed at corporate customers across the Scottish Highlands. The division, led by Pamela Walker—formerly with Jaguar and Land Rover—will provide a broader vehicle selection and flexible funding options. By...
New EV Tax Could Cost Economy Billions, Association Warns
The UK government plans to roll out a mileage‑based electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) in April 2028, charging three pence per mile for EVs. BEAMA, representing energy‑infrastructure firms, warns the policy could shave up to £4.8 bn ($6.1 bn) from the economy in...
Commercial Vehicle Dealer eStar Acquired by OEM-Owned Group
Daimler Truck Own Retail Europe has entered the UK market by acquiring award‑winning eStar Truck & Van, adding six North West locations to its direct retail network. The sites—Knowsley, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Deeside, Trafford Park and Skelmersdale—cover a key logistics corridor linking...
Startline Motor Finance Announces £452m Funding Move
Startline Motor Finance completed a £452 million (≈$575 million) securitisation on the London Stock Exchange, adding to its Satus 2024‑1 issuance and now financing over 90% of its assets. The deal marks the third tranche of the Satus programme and follows a five‑year...
Strong UK New Car Market Growth Reported for April
UK new‑car registrations jumped 24% year‑on‑year in April to 149,247, the strongest April since 2019. The market hit the two‑million EV milestone, with electric models capturing 26.2% of registrations and posting 59.1% growth. Ford’s Puma reclaimed the top‑selling model slot...
Formula One Autocentres Grows to 170 Sites with ATS Acquisition
Formula One Autocentres has acquired 35 former ATS Euromaster sites, expanding its UK footprint to 170 locations and adding 130 former ATS staff. The acquisition makes Formula One the largest independent autocentre network in Britain and is a key step...
Used Car Values Hold Steady Despite Economic Uncertainty
Used‑car residual values proved resilient in April, with the three‑year, 60,000‑mile benchmark slipping only 1.2% – about £220 (≈ $280) – in line with long‑term seasonal patterns. One‑year‑old cars fell 1.3% (≈ $490) while five‑year‑old models were down 0.8%, and ten‑year‑old values...
Carwow Appoints New CTO to Develop Dealer Technology
Carwow Group has named Hizam Sahibudeen as chief technology officer to accelerate AI‑driven dealer tools and platform scalability. Sahibudeen, a veteran with more than 20 years of experience across the US, Europe and Asia, will oversee engineering, IT and security...
Industry Group Lobbies for EV Battery Checks to Be Added to MOT Regime
The 4R Battery Alliance, representing the UK battery supply chain, is lobbying to add mandatory EV drivetrain‑battery health checks to the MOT regime. While this year’s MOT updates introduced visual inspections of high‑voltage components, they still omit functional battery testing....
EV Purchase Intent Reaches Record Levels, Reports Motors & Cazoo
Motors and Cazoo’s Consumer Insight Panel of 2,000 car buyers shows 55% now expect their next vehicle to be a hybrid or electric, pushing overall EV intent to a record 24%. Demand for brand‑new EVs outpaces used models, with 53%...
Dealers Should Be Securing Good Margins in EV Sales, Says Autotrader
Autotrader’s head of strategy Marc Palmer says dealers should secure solid margins on electric‑vehicle sales as consumer barriers fade. Improved public‑charging infrastructure, lower vehicle prices and two million EVs on UK roads have pushed 60 % of motorists to consider an EV...
Group 1 Delivers Record UK Profits as Aftersales Powers Q1 Performance
Group 1 Automotive posted record UK first‑quarter gross profit of £170.8 million (≈$217 million), a 6.3% YoY rise, driven by strong after‑sales, finance and insurance performance. The £346 million (≈$440 million) acquisition of Inchcape UK’s 54 dealerships lifted the company into the UK’s top‑five motor...
UK Vehicle Production Drops Amid EU Collaboration Calls
UK vehicle production slipped 8.2% year‑on‑year in March 2026, with total output falling to 72,511 units. While car output was relatively flat, commercial vehicle output plunged 68.3% after a major manufacturer’s restructuring. Export volumes dropped 7.4% as demand from the...
Drivers Split on Trusting Car Tech - or Themselves
A OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK drivers commissioned by OBD‑diagnostics firm Carly finds the market evenly split on trusting vehicle software versus personal judgement. Twenty‑eight percent say they rely more on the car’s digital systems, while 27 percent prefer their...
Audi Launches Vorsprung Leadership Programme for Dealers
Audi UK has introduced the Vorsprung Leadership Programme, a bespoke development track for heads of business and emerging leaders across its dealer network. Developed with Hult Ashridge Executive Education, the initiative combines virtual coursework with immersive residential modules at Ashridge...
Closing the EV Confidence Gap in Retail
Electric vehicle demand is rising, yet a confidence gap hampers retail conversion. Black Horse’s report identifies lingering misconceptions about battery health, affordability, and charging that deter shoppers. Dealers who introduce clear total‑cost‑of‑ownership messaging and align finance teams as confidence partners can...
Volkswagen Reveals New Details for Entry-Level ID. Polo EV
Volkswagen unveiled the ID. Polo, an entry‑level electric version of its best‑selling Polo, priced from €24,995 (about $27,200) in Germany. The model offers up to 282 miles WLTP range on a 52 kWh battery, three power outputs and two battery sizes, with DC...
The Business Of Used EV Retailing - Report Now Published
The UK automotive market is rapidly shifting toward electric vehicles, and a new report from Automotive Management, sponsored by Black Horse, details how dealers can profit from the burgeoning used‑EV segment. With nearly 2 million EVs on UK roads—most younger than five...
Used EV Sales Surge as Fuel Prices Rise, Says Indicata
Used electric vehicles captured a record 9.8% of the UK used‑car market in April, up from 7.4% in March, as soaring fuel prices pushed buyers toward electrics. Stock levels fell sharply, with Market Days’ Supply dropping to a historic low...
BMW UK Launches Classic Car Pilot Programme with AM100 Dealers
BMW UK has launched a pilot BMW Classic Partner programme, officially recognising four authorised retailers—Halliwell Jones Wilmslow, Sytner Stevenage, Group 1 Hailsham and Dick Lovett Bristol—as part of its global classic‑car network. The partners will offer heritage expertise, original BMW Classic parts and factory‑approved care standards to...
Autotrader Says Most Dealer Customers Now Using Co-Driver
Autotrader reports that 85% of its dealer customers – roughly 11,000 businesses – now rely on its AI‑powered Co‑Driver suite. In the past year the platform generated more than 2.5 million vehicle descriptions and image orders, with adoption among customer‑portal users...
Finance Industry Will Not Challenge FCA Motor Finance Redress Scheme
The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) announced it will not legally challenge the Financial Conduct Authority’s motor‑finance redress scheme, clearing a major hurdle for the regulator’s compensation programme. The scheme aims to reimburse motorists mis‑sold car finance between 2007 and...
Mitsubishi Names Head of Sales Ahead of UK Launches
International Motors has named Alex Sheward as the new head of sales for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, a role created ahead of the May launch of the Outlander PHEV and the L200 Series 7 pickup. Sheward, who spent a decade leading Subaru UK...
Jatco Seeks New Work as Nissan Powertrain Plan Dropped
Jatco's Sunderland plant, opened in early 2025 with a £50 million (≈$63 m) investment and a £12 million (≈$15 m) government grant, was built to supply up to 340,000 electric powertrains a year for Nissan. Nissan has now scrapped its three‑in‑one electrified powertrain localisation...
Farizon Launches Sub-£30k V7E Electric Van with 204 Mile Range
Farizon, a Geely subsidiary, unveiled the V7E electric van at the Commercial Vehicle Show, pricing it from £28,000 (about $35,800) before VAT. The medium‑size van offers up to 204 miles of WLTP range, extending to 295 miles in city driving...
EV Tax Change to Save Drivers £425 on Mid-Range Models
UK drivers of mid‑range electric vehicles will save £425 ($531) annually after the government raised the luxury‑car tax threshold from £40,000 to £50,000. Dick Lovett analysis shows 475,836 registrations since April 2025 now fall below the new limit, delivering a five‑year saving...
Drivers Expect Self Diagnosing Cars and Five Minute Charging
A BYD survey of 2,000 UK drivers shows that nearly half expect cars to self‑diagnose faults before they occur, while over a third anticipate five‑minute electric‑vehicle charging becoming commonplace by 2035. Expectations are strongest among plug‑in hybrid owners and younger...
Chery Ramps up UK Marketing with Mo Farah Deal
Chinese automaker Chery has signed Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah to headline a multi‑channel UK campaign promoting its Super Hybrid powertrain. The rollout includes TV spots, a hero film and a TikTok‑driven content series, aiming to translate Farah’s endurance image into hybrid...
Nearly Two Thirds of Dealers Are Expecting European OEM Exits
A recent Startline Used Car Tracker of 61 UK used‑car dealers shows 62% expect at least one major European OEM to disappear by the mid‑2030s. The dominant worry, cited by 40% of respondents, is the steep cost of electrification, while...
EV Range Now Exceeds Weekly Mileage, Data Shows
Close Brothers Motor Finance’s analysis shows the average UK electric vehicle now offers nearly 300 miles of range, far surpassing the typical 141‑mile weekly mileage of drivers. Despite this technical advantage, nearly three‑quarters of motorists travel under 150 miles per...
Automotive Insights Appoints Former Ford Boss as Chair
Automotive Insights, a Manchester‑based consumer market intelligence firm, has named former Ford of Britain executive Andy Barratt as chairman of its advisory board. The move supports the company’s strategy to broaden its insight services across the UK automotive sector and...
Arnold Clark Faces Group Legal Action over Cyber Breach
A Scottish court has granted permission for roughly 15,000 Arnold Clark customers to pursue a US‑style class‑action lawsuit after a December 2022 cyber‑attack exposed passports, driver’s licences, National Insurance numbers and other personal data. The Court of Session ruled the dispute belongs...
EVs Cheaper than Petrol on Average for the First Time
For the first time, new electric cars are cheaper than comparable petrol models in the UK. After discounts, the average EV price is about $54,000, versus $55,000 for a petrol vehicle – a $1,000 advantage. Manufacturer discounts stayed above 11%...
EV Volumes up 78% at Dealer Auction as Margins Grow
EV sales on Dealer Auction surged 78% in March, driven by higher fuel costs and geopolitical tension. Retail margins for alternative‑fuel vehicles climbed to £3,320 (≈ $4,200), up from £2,829 (≈ $3,600) a month earlier, and Q1 margins were 26% higher year‑on‑year....
DHL Strike Could Disrupt JLR Vehicle and Parts Supply
Around 300 DHL logistics workers at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull hub will commence an indefinite strike on May 7 over a disputed 3% pay offer. The walkout, backed by an additional 300 HGV drivers across the Midlands and Northwest, threatens to...
Former Volvo UK Commercial Director to Lead Collision Management Group
Robert Deane, former commercial director of Volvo Car UK, has been appointed managing director of Activate Accident Repair and Activate Parts at Activate Group. In his previous role he oversaw Volvo’s 93‑site after‑sales network, while Activate runs 13 repair centres...
Chinese OEMs Target UK Van Market with CV Show Launches
Chinese automakers Chery and BYD are using the 2026 Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham to debut new van offerings for the UK light‑commercial‑vehicle market. Chery introduced its Delivan brand, showcasing concept models that emphasize intelligent, electrified mobility, while BYD revealed...
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to Relaunch in UK with Eight-Year Warranty
Mitsubishi is re‑entering the UK market this summer with a refreshed Outlander PHEV, offering an eight‑year or 100,000‑mile warranty that covers both the vehicle and its battery. The plug‑in hybrid will be available in five‑ or seven‑seat configurations, delivering over...
Stellantis Recall Hits as European Growth Drives Recovery
Stellantis announced a recall of roughly 10,000 cars and vans equipped with its 1.5‑litre BlueHDI diesel engine due to a water‑pump pulley defect that could cause power loss or detached components. The recall adds to a recent 44,000‑vehicle PureTech petrol...
Volkswagen Updated ID3 with New Name and 391-Mile Range
Volkswagen has refreshed its compact electric hatchback, renaming it the ID.3 Neo and extending its WLTP range to a claimed 391 miles. The model ships with three power outputs (170 PS, 190 PS, 231 PS) and three battery packs ranging from 50 kWh to 79 kWh,...
International Motors Promotes New Network Boss as Chris Graham Retires
International Motors has appointed Kevin Green as head of network development, succeeding Chris Graham who retires after 28 years. Green, who joined IML in 2021 and has over 25 years of automotive experience, will oversee franchise representation for the group’s...