The Car Industry 2011

One of the big talking points of car traders and dealers throughout the UK at the moment is how will the industry fare in 2011.

It has been an extremely difficult period over the last couple of years for the industry, particularly 2010. The general election, the football world cup and the recession the country has been in all made it very hard for companies to reach breakeven point, never mind turn a profit. The current wave of bad weather we are having further enhances the feeling of negativity as in many cases showrooms, dealerships and garages have literally been brought to a standstill with no footfall at all coming through their doors.

The obvious question on the consumer’s lips is how do we give our cash for cars? The public is nervous. With fluctuating prices on what cars are worth, stock not turning frequently and people generally not spending money on vehicles then it is clear something has to give.

This is where it is  paramount that the trade side and the consumer side come together to achieve the best outcome for all, this being a constantly moving industry where “Joe Public” can go out with a particular car in mind and have various options to purchase said car. On the trade side they should have the confidence to purchase and hold stock, and be able to offer the consumers, good and various deals on vehicles and products. This will then give the public the confidence to give cash for cars. Hopefully then we can see this great British industry of ours turn itself around and once more be a vital and vibrant cog in the British economy.

Car Supermarkets at Christmas

Used Car Sales have been hit by the adverse weather conditions we are having, dealerships and traders throughout the UK have posted record losses for the last week in November. It has been predicted that fewer sales have been made this year than any other, with some dealerships not even selling a single car!

Car Supermarkets have been affected particularly badly, as they have still to open with big overheads, with no footfall coming to their premises. It isn’t the fact that people haven’t wanted to go there it has been physically impossible for them to get out with many roads closed and conditions too dangerous to contemplate the journey.

This will now have a knock on effect to the whole car industry as we get nearer to Christmas and the festivities take preference over looking for a new car(unless you are one of the lucky few who will receive a car as a present for Christmas!)

The salesmen at the Car Supermarkets and dealerships will also be affected tremendously as the vast majority of their wages is made up of commission and with no customers to sell to they can expect very low pay packets leading up to the most expensive time of the year.

These are the guys you must feel sorry for as like them or loath them they are still human beings with commitments to meet and families to feed. There can be nothing more disheartening than getting up in the morning knowing it is almost pointless going into work but having to go anyway only to realize you will earn no money.

Tough Trading Times

Today`s car sales market has been dramatically affected by the adverse weather conditions we are having. Showrooms and dealership's stand dormant as the public find it hard to even walk out of their front doors so the last thing on their mind is thinking about where they can buy a car.
Of course these companies still have obligations to their staff and salaries to pay. The bigger main dealers and multi-franchise operations will get by through additional funding but what about the smaller trader? They have it even tougher and it is known that many smaller businesses and traders will struggle to get through the terrible conditions we have at present. They may even have to cease trading, lay off staff and remove stock, some even having to sell the car that they have worked all their life to own.
It really is that serious to the small back street garage, with no customers coming through the door it is hard to justify them even opening, to pay for the heating for a day will cost them more than they bring in, so many have decided to close for the winter. However this doesn’t help the general public who may be looking to change their car for a 4x4 or something similar, many have just thought “sod it” I’ll sell my car and struggle through Christmas before deciding what to do in the new year, but how do they get out to actively sell the car?
The internet can help companies and there are those that claim we buy any car but in this terrible weather how would you get your car to them?