Author: Tom Seymour
Swansway director Peter Smyth has criticised the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, warning that it’s forcing dealers to push EVs ahead of customer demand. The ZEV mandate requires an increasing percentage of manufacturers’ recent automotive and van sales to be zero-emission annually, with potential fines for non-compliance. Speaking in an interview with The Telegraph, Smyth said the transition to electric vehicles represents the most important shift he has seen within the industry. Smyth said dealerships are under increasing pressure from manufacturers to sell EVs, with training and incentives geared toward driving uptake, but argued retail demand isn’t keeping pace.…
Škoda UK has named Vindis Škoda Bury St Edmunds as its 2025 Retailer of the Yr, marking a second consecutive win for the Suffolk-based retailer. The awards, announced at Škoda UK’s annual Retailer of the Yr ceremony, recognise performance across the brand’s UK network. Vindis Škoda Bury St Edmunds also secured the Human Touch and Aftersales categories, becoming the primary retailer to attain this mixture of wins. Wings Škoda Peterborough finished second overall, while RRG Škoda Bolton took third place, repeating its result from the previous yr. The awards cover five core categories including Latest Automobile Sales, Used Automobile Sales,…
BMW has revealed the primary latest details of its 560-mile range i3 saloon, marking a brand new electric saloon era for the German premium brand. While the iX3 was the primary SUV to introduce BMW’s Neue Klasse technology, the i3 is arguably the more vital automobile commercially. The three Series has long been one in all BMW’s defining models and a core volume model, so the arrival of an all electric i3 marks a brand new era for BMW saloons. BMW is positioning the i3 as the worldwide electric counterpart to the three Series formula, combining latest design language, a…
FixMyCar has accomplished a management buyout from parent company Niterra for an undisclosed sum, returning the net repair platform to independent ownership. The business, which operates as WhoCanFixMyCar.com, was founded 14 years ago and bought by Niterra, formerly NGK Spark Plug, in May 2023. Following a strategic review of its portfolio, Niterra said a management buyout represented an “appropriate long-term ownership structure” for FixMyCar, enabling it to proceed developing independently and scale inside its market. The buyout team comprises Amanda Webb, who stays chief executive, Ben Darby, who moves from marketing director to chief operating officer, and Matt Wrankmore, who…
Kia UK will host nationwide First Drive Weekend events for the EV2 from April 16 to June 27 across almost its entire 190-strong dealer network. The programme will give customers early access to check drive the brand new fully electric compact SUV ahead of first deliveries later this 12 months. Events will run from Thursday to Saturday at participating retailers, with limited pre-booked one-hour slots available. 4 EV2 42.2kWh cars might be allocated to every location, allowing as much as 4 simultaneous test drives. Each appointment will begin with a one-to-one walkaround with a product expert, followed by a 30-minute…
Mercedes-Benz Vans UK announced its 2025 Dealer of the Yr award recipients at its annual ceremony on February 24 in London, highlighting performance across sales growth, aftersales results and customer satisfaction. Retailers were assessed against defined benchmarks spanning industrial performance and customer metrics, reflecting the pressure on margins in a competitive van market. The business said this 12 months’s results were separated by exceptionally small margins, underlining consistently high standards across the network. Awards were presented across two categories, Best Sales Team and Best Customer Service Team, with Gold, Silver and Bronze honours in each. Euro Commercials wins Gold Within…
A nationwide survey commissioned by Bridgestone has found that while pricing stays vital, motorists are increasingly valuing relationships, trust and overall experience when selecting where to service their vehicles. The research, based on responses from 2,000 UK drivers, showed that 48% still regard product pricing because the most important reason they continue to be loyal to a garage. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that cost is simply a part of the image. Greater than a 3rd of drivers, 35%, said they return to the identical garage due to the relationship they’ve with staff. Meanwhile, 29% proceed to make use of the…
MG has introduced the MG4 EV Urban to the UK market, expanding its electric hatchback line-up with a brand new entry-level model aimed toward family buyers and first-time EV customers. The MG4 EV Urban range starts at £23,495 for the Comfort Standard Range, rising to £25,495 for the Comfort Long Range and £27,995 for the Premium Long Range. Alongside the Urban launch, MG has refreshed the MG4 EV range for 2026, specializing in improved interior quality, upgraded technology and prolonged driving range. Prices have also been reduced, with the MG4 EV Premium Long Range now ranging from £29,995, £2,750 lower…
FOW Automotive Supermarket is marking its 67th anniversary in 2026 following a record sales performance in 2025 and its strongest ever monthly end in January. The family-owned used automobile retailer, now in its third generation, said 2025 sales exceeded 12,500 units, representing the best annual volume in the corporate’s history. Momentum built through the yr, with September, October, November and December all setting recent monthly records. Kevin Cartwright, group general manager at FOW, said: “As a business we’re delighted with last yr’s record sales volumes. “We’ve made significant changes within the last two to 3 years to streamline and strengthen…
Chinese brand Nio is paving the way in which for its UK launch this yr following the beginning of right-hand drive (RHD) mass production of its electric Firefly supermini. Firefly is Nio’s sub-brand which is being positioned as an all-electric rival for Mini and the Renault 5. Nio has already launched left-hand drive versions within the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium and has been gearing as much as launch within the UK for a while. The Firefly is powered by a 143hp motor, a 42.1 kWh LFP battery and has a range of roughly 270 miles. 5 The primary RHD Firefly models will…