March 
The shrinking car parc
Car Editorial - March 2010
A protracted downturn in the new car market has significant consequences for the used market in the following years. The central issue is one of reducing used supply. It was a situation that was prevalent following the recession of the early 90’s and it is a situation that will be repeated over the next few years.
The legacy of falling new sales in any given year is that it determines the size of the car parc for all cars from that registration year. This means, for example, that the 2.1 million new car sales in 2008 becom... more
Comments (1)
March
New car sales for January increased by 29.8%
Car Market Trends - March 2010
The SMMT reported that new car sales for January increased by 29.8% for a total of 145,479 units. The Scrappage Scheme continued to underpin this improvement, although it was interesting to note that this business only accounted for 17.8... more
February
New-car market downturn will have adverse effect on used stock
The protracted downturn in new-car sales over recent years will have a significant effect on the used market in 2010 and beyond, warns Glass’s Guide. The main cause for concern among dealers will be a major reduction in the supply of one- and two-year-old used cars.
“It was a situatio... more
February
Sales down at least 25%
Car Market Trends - February 2010
Used car sales
Not surprisingly, the weather has been the major talking point and the most significant influence on the used car market between Christmas and the second week of the New Year. A feature of the bad wea... more
February
The real story behind the 2009 registration figures...
Car Editorial - February 2010.
The SMMT reported that new car registrations for 2009 reached 1,994,999 units, a fairly modest year-on-year reduction of 6.4%. Of course, the Scrappage Scheme has been very successful in stimulating a lacklustre new car market and its con... more
Comments (1)
January
A delayed start to the New Year
Mid-Month Update - January 2010
Snow and sub zero temperatures had a profound effect on used car business during the post-Christmas week and the first two weeks of the New Year. It is estimated that retailers suffered a dip in sales between 25% and 30% over this period, r... more
January
Used car market will be 'very challenging' in 2010
Supply shortages, tighter trading margins and limited retail demand will make 2010 a particularly tough year for used-car dealers, predicts Glass's Guide. With the expected return of seasonal used-car depreciation, success will depend on a greater focus on the procurement of trade cars and a stric... more
January
Which way for the used car market in 2010?
Car Editorial - January 2010
Events in the used car market in both 2009 and 2008 could very appropriately be described as both spectacular and without parallel. The most obvious manifestation of these changes was the fall in trade prices of nearly 20% over the full calen... more
January
Sales last November were up a massive 57.6%
Car Market Trends - January 2010
The SMMT reported that sales last November were up a massive 57.6% for a monthly total of 158,082 units. The Scrappage influence was very significant as demonstrated by the performance of the Private sector with sales up 141.2% from the p... more
December
The shape of new cars to come
Car Editorial - December 2009
Even as we are emerging from one of the most challenging economic environments of recent times, as many as forty new models are expected to appear during 2010. Of course, the development programmes that bring these new cars to the market were ... more
December
Registrations in October were up 31.6%
Car Market Trends - December 2009
The SMMT reported that registrations in October were up 31.6% for a total of 168,942 units. This upbeat result disguised the fact that the improvement was almost entirely due to the contribution made by the Scrappage Scheme. If we dedu... more
November
Retail business has continued to ease back this month
Mid-Month Update - November 2009
Dealers are commenting that retail business has continued to ease back this month but it is no worse than many had predicted. The issue is with the wholesale supply which could be described as plentiful; it is lower than this time last ye... more
November
Exchange rates hold the key
Car Editorial - November 2009
Most new cars originate from the euro-zone, and even those cars manufactured in the UK have a substantial amount of their content sourced from mainland Europe. This means that the price paid by UK customers is heavily influenced by the... more
November
New car sales
Car Market Trends - November 2009
The year-on-year registrations for September increased by 11.4% to give a total of 367,929 units. It is very important for everyone to realise that, taken at face value, these figures suggest a new car market in the ascendancy. However, ... more
October
A noticeable downturn in the wholesale market
Mid-Month Update - October 2009
It would appear that the middle of September was a watershed for the used car market. From that time there has been a noticeable downturn in the wholesale market. It coincided with a further reduction in retail sales just when the supply of t... more
October
Costliest optional equipment worth little on used car market
Improve the aesthetics, rather than the gadget count, in order to boost residuals, says Glass’s
Many of the most costly items of optional high-tech equipment currently available on new prestige-brand cars are worth very little on the used market, according to the latest an... more
October
Prospects for the used car market in the 4th quarter
Car Editorial - October 2009
This is a subject that is assuming great importance with dealers and creating a lot of lively debate. It is of no surprise because uncertainty is rife and we are also struggling to unravel a wide range of scenarios. What increases discomf... more
Comments (1)
October
New car registrations
Car Market Trends - October 2009
The SMMT reported that new sales in August improved by 6% over the previous year for a total of 67,006 units. Whilst this represented the second successive month of improvement, it was entirely due to Scrappage business. If we were to rem... more
September
The market has taken a slight change in direction over the past 2 weeks
Mid-Month Update - September 2009
Retail business has failed to recover from the normal summer slumber which has come as a little surprise, and disappointment to many dealers. This has relieved the pressure to buy used cars with the level of enthusiasm that has typifie... more
September
The residual value ‘high flyers’ and ‘lead balloons’
Car Editorial - September 2009
In the used car market consumers are spoilt for choice. The more frequently they choose a specific car, or type of car, relative to its availability, the greater the price that has to be paid by the next customer. Dealers work back from the... more
September
New Car Registrations
Car Market Trends - September 2009
The SMMT reported that new car registrations in July increased 2.4% for a total of 157,149 units. The Scrappage Scheme clearly played a very significant part in this improving picture as evidenced by the increase in retail sector sales ... more
August
Glass’s Names The Worst Depreciating Used Cars… And The Biggest Bargains
Alfa Romeo’s 166 holds the dubious honour of being the worst depreciating car in the UK, retaining a mere 14.4 per cent of its original price after three years. Rover and MG cars, such as the 45/ZS and 75/ZT, fare little better, just managing to hold on to 20 per cent of their values over th... more
August
City cars dominate residual values top 10
Seven of 10 leading models are small cars – even more than in 2008
Affordability and low running costs are essential characteristics of top performers
The Peugeot 107 is Britain’s best when it comes to fending off depreciation, and it is one of a ... more
August
Retail demand has continued to ease back in line with the normal holiday season
Mid-Month Update - August 2009
Retail demand has continued to ease back in line with the normal holiday season which is of no surprise or concern to dealers. However, trade demand across the auctions is still operating at a slightly higher tempo mainly because the sup... more
August
Prospects for ex-fleet cars in 2010
Forecasting the prospects in 2010 presents something of a challenge given the extraordinary reversal of prices seen in 2009. We forecast that in December of this year the average price of a 3 year old ex-fleet car will be in the region of £5,700 taking account moderately adverse trading conditi... more
August
Used car fuel economy label available to UK car dealers
From Monday 3rd August, a colour-coded Used Car Fuel Economy Label will be available to car dealers across the UK, ahead of it being launched to consumers in November. The label will provide customers with clear ‘at a glance’ information on the running costs, fuel consumption and environme... more
August
Scrappage Scheme must be extended to avoid "Sudden and Damaging" Fall in New Car Sales
Glass’s is calling on the Government to extend its Scrappage Scheme (*) at least until next summer in order to avoid a very significant fall in new car sales and a consequent collapse in revenues for car manufacturers and retailers.
With Scrappage Scheme registrations currently runn... more
August
Return of an orderly market?
Car Editorial - August 2009
The natural cycle of the demand led market is for customers to purchase new cars and replace them between 3 and 4 years later, often for another new car. There will inevitabiy be some availability of younger cars at any point in time due to th... more
August
Although this was the smallest monthly decline this year it still represents the worst June since 1998...
Car Market Trends - August 2009
New car registrations
The SMMT reported that sales of new cars in June fell by 15.7% compared to June of 2008, to record a total of 176,264 units. Although this was the smallest monthly decline this year it still represents the w... more
July
Dealers face stocking crisis as used car availability reaches all-time low
Franchised car dealers and car supermarkets have been forced to source an older age profile of used cars, after the availability of nearly-new vehicles rapidly diminished in the run-up to summer, reports GlassGuide.co.uk. In addition, there is little prospect of an improvement in supply – in... more
July
Market update for mid July
Retail demand continues to ease as we move further towards the holiday period and for most dealers this translates into erratic periods of activity. Overall the levels of business being transacted is regarded as satisfactory and vastly better than at this point last year. The trade market is... more
July
Car buyers can turn a quick profit from government's sprappage scheme
Healthy demand for certain second-hand cars, coupled with low levels of availability in the used car market, means that many consumers benefitting from the Government’s vehicle scrappage scheme currently have the option of selling their new car for a tidy profit.
Glass’s, publishe... more
July
Used car shortages destined to underpin prices.
Whilst no precise used car sales data exists from dealers it would be reasonable to assume that sales volumes are down between 5% and 10% compared to this time last year. However, the recovery in trade prices is more than complete as they now stand some 10% higher than a year ago. This has on... more
July
It is true to say that the latest SMMT figures have not been boosted by the spurt in business brought about by the Scrappage Scheme...
Car Market Trends - July 2009
New car registrations
The SMMT reported that sales in May were down by 24.8% when compared with May of last year to give a total of 134,858 units. The first glance of the figures is positive given that the decline for... more
June
Market update for mid June
The wholesale market is working on a hand to mouth basis. Even though retail demand has edged back slightly in recent weeks the appetite to buy cars appears to be undiminished. The reality is slightly different because as less retail business is done there are correspondingly fewer part exchange... more
June
Thoughts on the Government Scrappage Scheme
Car Editorial - June 2009
The Government announcement on 22nd April to go ahead with the car and van scrappage scheme has had a mixed reception. On the negative side, there have been issues raised on the protracted delays in reaching a decision – first discussed in November of... more
June
The volume of retail business transacted during May continued to be a source of encouragement
Car Market Trends - June 2009
New car sales
The SMMT reported that new car registrations fell by 24% in April to give a total of 133,475 units. Whilst this total is still a dismal reflection of a lacklustre market it does represent an improvem... more
May
Scrappage scheme unlikely to destabilise residual values
The majority of consumers already interested in purchasing a nearly-new car will not be existing owners of cars 10 years or older, and will therefore not be eligible for the scrappage bonus. For this reason demand will not switch from late-plate to new vehicles, harming late-plate values.
... more
May
What next for used car prices?
Car Editorial - May 2009
As we are all painfully aware the period of the last 12 months has witnessed an unparalleled fall and rise in used car prices. Our records show that this level of seismic change has not been seen since we started tracking values in the early 1970... more
May
Used car sales momentum continues
Car Market Trends - May 2009
New car registrations
New car registrations in March were down 30.5% for a total of 313,912 units. Whilst this result was not surprising it was still disappointing. Even though the combined January and February figures... more
April
The used car market roller coaster ride
Car Editorial - April 2009
Sector Performance
As we are too painfully aware, the used car market has been something of a roller coaster ride during the last 2 years. At the beginning of this period everybody was fairly comfortable with stable market c... more
March
Depressed new car market is used car salvation
Car Editorial - March 2009
Up until the early part of last year the new car market was typified by a ‘supply push’ strategy whereby if cars could not be sold with heavy discounts, they were registered and sold as nearly new cars. This activity restricted and go... more
Joined Glass's: 1985
Currently drives: Audi A6
Would like to drive: Jaguar XF 3.0 diesel
Likes: Fish & Chips out of a newspaper
Dislikes: Commercial breaks when watching important football matches on ITV
Currently drives: Audi A6
Would like to drive: Jaguar XF 3.0 diesel
Likes: Fish & Chips out of a newspaper
Dislikes: Commercial breaks when watching important football matches on ITV
