Indicata flags prospect of used EV prices falling below ICE cars Zainal Abidin, 30/11/2025 Sales of sub-two-year-old EVs recorded their highest ever market share of 11.2% in February.According to Indicata UK’s latest Market Watch, this figure was assisted by a 24.9% monthly rise in sub-one-year old cars entering the market as manufacturers invested in tactical incentive campaigns to drive sales of nearly new EVs.Despite EVs having the worst Market Days’ Supply of any fuel type at 55 days, the UK balance between EV supply and demand is still one of the best in Europe. In February and March prices also continued to stabilize reducing by just 0.4 percentage points.It said the big test is likely to be the high volumes of used EVs set to come back into the market from the March 24-plate change which could put pressure on stock levels and prices according to Indicata UK’s head of sales Dean Merritt.“Each month our used EV data looks more encouraging as used prices start to fall more into line with used ICE cars.“Our February report shows manufacturer marketing tactics are working and helping drive demand for younger used EVs. The big test will be manufacturers balancing their marketing spend between new and used EV sales,” he added.Currently… Continue Reading
Huge Queensland property for sale with 400-plus cars included Zainal Abidin, 29/11/2025 A perfect property for petrol-heads has hit the market in Queensland, offering an absolute bonanza for car lovers looking to get their hands dirty.The sprawling leafy property at 294 Gympie Road, Tinana, near Maryborough, features a three-bedroom brick home on a 2.5 hectare block.But its most noteworthy feature is the 400-plus cars nestled among the trees that can be included with the property, including countless Holdens waiting to be restored or wrecked, as well as plenty of utes, commercial vehicles and passenger cars.The industrial property is currently home to Barsby Spare Parts which specializes in Holdens. Picture: realcommercial.com.auCurrently home to a spare parts business, the property features a 450sqm shed from which the business operates, with potential buyers given the opportunity to continue trading or undertake a new venture with the property.The large industrial property is also positioned right next to the Maryborough Speedway, allowing motoring enthusiasts to get about as close to the action as possible.The Maryborough Speedway is located right next door, with Maryborough itself just a 10 minute drive away. Picture: realcommercial.com.auOne of the nearby neighbors is the Fraser Coast Lawn Mower Racing Club, where modified ride-on lawn mowers are … Continue Reading
Used car salesman could face criminal trial over extensive clocking allegations – Car Dealer Magazine Zainal Abidin, 28/11/2025 A used car salesman could face a criminal trial after he was accused of clocking vehicles before selling them.Grzegorz Seczwokski, 39, appeared at Oxford Crown Court last Thursday (Mar 14), charged with a single count of fraud in relation to his company, GNA Car Sales Ltd.The car dealer, of Abingdon in Oxfordshire, is said to have offered multiple vehicles with fake milometer readings between September 22, 2021 and October 29, 2022.This is Oxfordshire reports that during a brief hearing last week, Seczwokski’s legal team made an application for the charges to be dismissed.The motion will be put before the same court in May with a trial due to set place on February 24 next year if the application is rejected.Last week, National Trading Standards warned used car dealers that they needed to take every possible step to avoid selling cars that have been clocked.Owen Kennedy, lead officer for motor sales for the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, told Car Dealer that retailers could still be prosecuted, even if they don’t know a vehicle’s mileage has been tampered with.He advised all dealers to get a mileage history check carried out by an external provider and… Continue Reading
Honda Canada to slash dealer margins by up to 44%, several dealers say Zainal Abidin, 27/11/2025 But already on the hook for costly dealership upgrades tied to electrification such as the installation of EV chargers, retailers say they have already done their part and shouldn’t be penalized because Honda can’t handle its own expenses.“It’s a bit cheeky to expect dealers to shoulder the costs of the manufacturers’ margin implications,” one dealer said.Margin is also already lowest on sales of the Honda Civic and CR-V, meaning dealer profitability on the brand’s two highest-volume vehicles will be particularly hard hit.WAYS TO MAKE UP LOSSES?Some dealers expect the company to give retailers other ways to make up the margin losses. Honda Canada, they say, has expressed openness about allowing dealers to charge buyers administrative fees on purchases, a practice not allowed by the automaker in the past. Such a solution could effectively pass costs along to consumers.“These things are always shocking, but as long as they are working on an offset, that’s the important thing,” one dealer said.Not all retailers are approaching the issue with as much leniency. Sources say a range of dealers, including several of Canada’s large dealership groups, are mobilizing to push Honda to reverse course. They’re also exploring other… Continue Reading
Cox Automotive: Independent repairers gaining market share Zainal Abidin, 26/11/2025 General repair shops are increasingly gaining market share compared to dealership shops in the US, according to Cox Automotive research.In its report, “Under the Hood: Opportunities and Challenges in the Service Industry,” Cox Automotive says franchised dealerships are still the No. 1 preferred service provider, but have lost ground to service chains, such as quick lube locations and tire service centers.During the second half of 2023, Cox Automotive surveyed 2,493 vehicle owners, including 182 electric vehicle (EV) owners, who had at least one vehicle service performed in the past year. Employees with decision-making authority over fixed operations at 525 franchised dealers were also interviewed for the research.Dealership service accounted for 30% of all service visits in the US this year, down from 35% in 2021 (the last time the service study was released). General repair and service stations were a close second this year at 28%. The last 42% are made up of tire repair shops, body shops, and specialists.With inflation still elevated in the US economy, automotive care and service costs have increased by 45% on average per service visit since 2021, according to Cox Automotive. That amount includes warranty costs, however, so the higher… Continue Reading
Role of dealership highly valued by used car buyers Zainal Abidin, 25/11/2025 Nearly half (48%) of those looking to buy a used car considering visiting an established bricks-and-mortar seller provides them with the added assurance that it has likely undergone rigorous checks.The findings emerged in the latest Opinion Matters poll of 2,050 UK driving license holders who were commissioned by The Motor Ombudsman, the independent watchdog for the automotive sector.Furthermore, 43% of survey participants wanted a safety net if something was to go wrong with their car after purchasing it, as they would have more legal rights compared to if they had sourced the vehicle via a private seller.The research showed that nearly one in four buyers (38%) would prefer to visit a showroom, as they would have a greater opportunity to view and understand a car’s history, including its servicing records and documentation.A similar proportion, 34%, said that there would often be an opportunity to purchase an extended warranty agreement to help protect them from costly mechanical or electrical failures.Lastly, if they were to buy a used car, a third of survey participants cited that they would steer away from a private individual, in favor of buying one from a seller that is accredited by The… Continue Reading
Union election on tap at VW plant in Tennessee, UAW says Zainal Abidin, 24/11/2025 Union election on tap at VW plant in Tennessee, UAW says | Automotive NewsSkip to main contentNEWSOPINIONDATA CENTERVIDEOSEVENTS & AWARDSJOBSResource Center +MOREAdvertiseLeading Women NetworkPodcastsWebinarsIn the Driver’s SeatPublishing PartnersAPCO HOLDINGS: Strategies for handling new F&I dynamicsAPCO Holdings: Connected cars create new challenges and opportunities in F&IAPCO Holdings: The Wild Ride into the Future of F&IAllstate: Compliance standards are changing. Here’s what you need to know.Allstate: The ABCs of maximum F&I effectivenessAlly All Ears Podcast Episodes | The next evolution in virtual F&IAlly All Ears Podcast | How F&I is driving dealership profitsAlly All Ears Podcast | building customer loyalty during challenging timesAlly All Ears Podcast | reducing friction in the purchasing processAlly All Ears podcast: Tips for maintaining sales and F&I momentum in a higher-interest rate environmentAlly and APCO: Adjusting to the changing F&I landscapeAlly: All Ears Podcast : EVs & the service department of The futureAlly: All Ears Podcast Protecting your dealership and inventory against weather-related eventsAlly: All Ears Podcast Protecting your dealerships against cyber-attacksAlly: All Ears Podcast | AI and… Continue Reading
How the purchase price of new GWM cars has leapt in Australia since 2020 Zainal Abidin, 23/11/2025 GWM is rolling out a range of more expensive, luxurious products in Australia led by the Tank 500 – but it’s already moved upmarket compared to its budget roots.“The average selling of our vehicles in 2020 was around $23,000,” GWM Australia communications and marketing boss Steve Maciver told media. “That’s sitting today at in excess of $40,000.”The GWM range in 2024 starts at $25,990 drive-away for the Jolion Lux, which goes head-to-head with the Hyundai Venue based on price, but is a similar size to a Kia Seltos.It now extends to $73,990 drive-away for the Tank 500 Ultra, a seven-seat off-roader packing hybrid power – and aimed at the Toyota Prado’s heartland.If it’s locked in for Australia, the Cannon Alpha ute will sit above the existing Cannon and no doubt also drag up the average transaction price.As it brings newer, more expensive cars to Australia, GWM has acknowledged the need to improve its ownership experience.It’s already confirmed it will extend its roadside assistance and capped-price service programs from five to seven years on the Tank 500, matching its seven-year warranty to create what it calls GWM Cares 7-7-7.Whether that same ownership experience will… Continue Reading
Here’s why auto body shops are taking longer to repair cars Zainal Abidin, 22/11/2025 Some customers are forced to wait as long as six months for auto technicians to complete body work jobs.BANGOR, Maine — Auto body shops are extremely backed up, and according to shop owners, getting car parts is a pain.Supply chain issues took a heavy toll on the car industry during the pandemic. JC Autobody’s general manager Kyle Leighton said.For many, life has reset and returned to some form of normalcy. But auto technicians and mechanics are still struggling to make quick turnarounds for customers.Some customers are forced to wait as long as six months for auto technicians to complete body work jobs. Leighton said some parts take longer to come in than others.“Large body panels, doors, those kinds of things tend to take longer than the smaller, more common parts, Lamps, bumpers, those kinds of things we can normally get quicker,” Leighton said.Most repairs at Leighton’s shop are taking a little longer than a week, and he says he has about 85 cars on his lot that need repairs.General manager of Maine Collision Center Sean Sullivan said he has about 41 cars on his lot right now, and some repairs at his shop… Continue Reading
US News Announces the 2024 Best Cars for Families Zainal Abidin, 21/11/2025 Chrysler Pacifica celebrates its first-time win as the Best Minivan for Families.WASHINGTON, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — US News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today unveiled the 2024 Best Cars for Families awards. US News evaluated 90 vehicles and named winners across nine categories.“The 2024 Best Cars for Families winners offer a number of safety features and a comfortable ride for all passengers, making them ideal for daily commutes or family adventures,” says LizOptitnikexecutive editor, US News.Toyota won the most awards this year with three, followed by Hyundai with two. The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica emerged as this year’s Best Minivan for Families, claiming its first title in over a decade. With a spacious interior, many safety features and unique attributes like Stow ‘n Go seating, the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica offers comfort and convenience in the competitive minivan class.Among Toyota’s wins, the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was awarded the Best Hybrid SUV for Families for the 11th time. The 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid won the Best Hybrid Car for Families award for the second year in a row, and the 2024 Toyota Camry secured the Best Midsize Car… Continue Reading