1 in 4 nearly-new cars now cost MORE than new

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January 11, 2022

The global semiconductor shortage is showing no signs of easing – and prices of nearly-new cars are continuing to rise as a result.

Leafing marketplace Auto Trader reports that 1 in 4 nearly-new cars (those aged 12 months or less) now cost more than their brand new equivalents.

What’s more, half of all nearly-new cars are now priced within 5 percent of a brand new motor.

Indeed, prices are rocketing for all used cars, with the average price of a secondhand car surging 30.5 percent in 2021.

The average used car on Auto Trader now costs £17,816.

Despite the rising prices, used cars are also flying off the forecourts faster than ever; the time to sell fell 28 percent last year, from 41 days to 32.

‘Bubble burst’ unlikely

“2021 was a remarkable year fo the automotive industry,” said Auto Trader’s Richard Walker.

“Our sector has remained resilient in the face of significant challenges and is on track for strong continued price growth well into the second half of the year.

“The two main factors fuelling this, supply constraints and strong customer demand, both show no signs of easing any time soon.

“Claims of an imminent ‘bubble burst’ are failing to take these key dynamics into account.”

Beat the queue

Auto Trader says that customers are switching to nearly-new in order to beat lengthy waiting times for new cars. Some manufacturers are quoting 12 months or more.

The switch is being encouraged by manufacturers significantly reducing consumer offers due to the semiconductor shortage.

These would ordinarily be used to drive demand – but with this exceeding supply, car makers have less need to offer such attractive incentives.

The eagerness to find suitable nearly-new cars is also behind a huge 27 percent increase in visits to Auto Trader during 2021, adds the firm – cementing its position as the UK’s leading new and used car marketplace.

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Rolls-Royce defies pandemic with record sales and new Coachbuild division

By

Tim Pitt

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January 10, 2022

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Rolls-Royce achieved record sales success in 2021. The British company delivered 5,586 new cars worldwide – up 49 percent on 2020 and the highest total in its 117-year history.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, record numbers of Rolls-Royces were sold in China, along with the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions.

Sales growth was driven by the new Ghost and Ghost Black Badge, with ‘high demand’ also reported for the Cullinan SUV. Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood factory is running a two-shift pattern at ‘near-maximum capacity’, with order books full until the autumn.

First EV due next year

CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös described the 2021 results as “hugely encouraging as we prepare for the historic launch of Spectre, our first all-electric car”.

Due in late 2023, the electric Rolls-Royce will be a sleek four-seat coupe in the style of the current Wraith. Goodwood is being readied for the switch to EV production, with some 37 new apprentices joining the team later this year.

Müller-Ötvös also hinted that Rolls-Royce will “continue to evolve as a true luxury brand, beyond the realms of automotive manufacturing”. What form this may take isn’t yet clear, but the brand could follow the lead of Bentley, which markets its own home furnishings, jewellery, ski and golf equipment, fragrances and more.

Coachbuilt creations

Rolls-Royce’s financial results should also be boosted by a renewed focus on bespoke cars such as the one-off £20 million Boat Tail (pictured above) – the most expensive new car ever, and rumoured to be owned by Jay-Z and Beyonce.

A new Coachbuild division was established last year to handle these projects, which have included the Phantom Oribe (co-created with French fashion house, Hermès), Phantom Tempus and the Wraith and Dawn Landspeed Collection cars.

It all adds up to being the ‘undisputed leader in the +€250k segment’, says Rolls-Royce.

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Highland fling: an incredible Lamborghini road-trip

By

Tim Pitt

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January 8, 2022

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Not since Mel Gibson painted his face blue and bellowed “FREEDOM!” has such a blood-chilling cry echoed across the Scottish Highlands. The metallic howl of the Huracan STO’s 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 cuts through the crisp morning air like a bandsaw slicing through stone.

I’m driving the best new supercar of 2021, off the grid and off the leash, and my senses can hardly keep up.

Rewind 24 hours and the good folk of Edinburgh are awoken by an equally rousing dawn chorus, as 11 new Lamborghinis rumble, snarl and snort through the city streets.

Our 7,200hp cavalcade – the entire UK press fleet – includes two Aventadors, three Urus SUVs and six Huracans. Tourists stare, camera phones point and an overloaded schoolboy drops all his bags in excitement. I know how he feels.

Vantage point

Our route takes us north to the Cairngorms, then onto some of Scotland’s best driving roads. First, though, there’s a long schlep up the A9, with 50mph average speed cameras to keep any exuberance in check.

At least my high vantage-point in the yellow Lamborghini Urus offers a great view of the multi-coloured convoy ahead – and of the fearsome Aventador SVJ Roadster filling my mirrors.

The Urus looks every bit as angular and outrageous as the low-slung supercars, while its big-chested turbocharged V8 serves up 650hp for 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds. Switch into Corsa mode and it feels ruthlessly focused, too. Nonetheless, as we approach the coffee-stop in Pitlochry, the prospect of driving that Super Veloce Jota is all I’m thinking about.

Lord of the ‘Ring

Back in 2018, the flagship Aventador broke the Nurburgring lap record, aided by sophisticated aerodynamics and the small matter of 770hp. As a road car, though, it’s rather more compromised, with unforgiving pushrod suspension, a jerky robotised manual transmission and hopeless rearward visibility. On cold, slightly damp tarmac, it’s hard not to feel intimidated.

Still, forget what’s behind you (they can’t keep up anyway), learn to trust the accurate steering and prodigious grip, and this old-school brute thrills like few other supercars can.

After starting out in the Lamborghini Urus, I’m now going to the opposite extreme: the Aventador SVJ Roadster.

Highlands here we come… pic.twitter.com/0XpBE7WCL1
— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) November 24, 2021

Its gear shift gets better the faster you go, walloping through the ratios with breathless intensity as the 6.5-litre V12 soars beyond 8,000rpm, smothering you in its blood-and-thunder roar.

The SVJ demands all of your attention, all of the time, but the rewards are worth it.

Head rush

After a solid night’s sleep in Braemar, I skip breakfast and jump into a Huracan Evo Spyder for a blast up to Glenshee ski resort. There’s frost on the windscreen and I can see my breath, yet I can’t resist dropping the roof to enjoy the 640hp V10 in all its operatic glory.

Rawer and even more animalistic than the Aventador’s V12, this is one of the all-time great engines. Its modern dual-clutch gearbox is fittingly sharp, too.

Just had one of *those* drives in the Huracan STO.

Nuanced and confidence-inspiring where the Aventador SVJ is brutal and – on cold roads – quite scary.

All topped-off by an 8,500rpm V10, of course… pic.twitter.com/7soEtDTNeB
— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) November 24, 2021

In the Huracan STO, that incredible drivetrain meets a balletic rear-wheel-drive chassis, lightweight carbon fibre panels and aero inspired by Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo racer. The result, as we approach 2030, is surely one of the high water marks for combustion-engined sports cars.

The following day, these same mountain roads would be closed by snow, but on that perfect morning, the STO delivered a visceral, all-consuming experience that I’ll never forget.

Electric dreams

As I trundle back towards Edinburgh airport, again at a steady 50mph, I mull over what the future holds for Lamborghini – including the company’s first EV, due later this decade.

Perhaps I’ll be proved wrong, but I can’t see how a car powered by batteries and near-silent electric motors will deliver the emotional sucker-punch of a Huracan or Aventador. Enjoy them while you still can.

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Dacia ‘mud wash’ gives 4×4 owners the off-road look

By

John Redfern

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January 7, 2022

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Dacia plans to open the world’s first ‘mud wash’ in London later this month.

Designed to (safely) cover 4x4s in real mud, Dacia wants drivers to experience the ‘adventure ready’ lifestyle of going off-road.

It follows a survey by the Renault-owned company, which found that 40 percent of 4×4 drivers have never ventured beyond the tarmac.

No tough mudder required

The poll asked 1,000 city-dwelling 4×4 owners about their experience of owning their cars. Almost a fifth (19 percent) said they have never even ventured down a dirt track.

More than a third said the most “challenging terrain” they had tackled in their 4×4 was crossing a speed bump on the school-run.

Despite this bias towards road use, 17 percent said they wished they could be more adventurous with their 4×4. And 13 percent said their families were not adventurous enough, holding them back from doing more.

‘Swap the telly for wellies’

To help change attitudes, and demonstrate the affordability of the Duster 4×4, Dacia has created the ‘Adventure Ready’ Mud Wash experience.

On Tuesday 18 January, 4×4 owners will be able to book an appointment at Dacia’s London West showroom. A team of ‘anti-clean’ specialists will then apply mud across the outside of each vehicle, giving the impression of its owner living an off-road lifestyle.

Appointments will need to be pre-booked by 12 January, and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Luke Broad, brand director for Dacia UK and Ireland said: “Our ‘Adventure Ready’ Mud Wash is about setting car buyers up for a year of adventure and embracing all that comes with it. The Dacia Duster is the perfect all-terrain vehicle to get Brits out into our fantastic countryside more often.”

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YouTube is coming to Volvo cars

By

Richard Aucock

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January 6, 2022

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Future Volvos will offer YouTube video playback as the Swedish firm expands the capability of its new Google Android-based infotainment system.

Embedded YouTube will allow electric Volvo Recharge owners to stream videos while waiting for their cars to charge.

Crucially, the safety-conscious company says videos will only play when the vehicle is fully stationary.

The firm hints that YouTube is only the first video platform coming to Volvo; it is “the beginning of enabling video streaming in Volvo cars.

“Allowing our customers to watch videos while charging or when waiting to pick up their children from school is part of our promise to make their lives better and more enjoyable,” said Volvo’s Henrik Green.

“With YouTube and other major streaming services coming soon, our customers can enjoy their charging break instead of seeing it as just a hassle – making electric car ownership that bit easier.”

Add in Volvo’s highly-acclaimed audio systems, and the firm says it’s an environment that will rival many home set-ups.

“I would not be surprised if this means that people spend more time in their Volvos, even when they are not going anywhere,” said Mr Green.

Since Volvo Cars’ offer also includes unlimited data, customers “can watch YouTube as long as they want”.

Volvo hasn’t given a timetable for the rollout of YouTube – nor specified which markets will get it – but says that it’ll be made available through a download via Google Play.

Other apps coming to Volvo include the electric car charging tools Chargepoint and Plugshare.

Volvo’s also aiming to step up the integration of its cars with Google Assistant-enabled devices, “turning cars into smart devices”.

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Corsa topples Fiesta as UK’s best-selling car – and Tesla is no.2!

By

Richard Aucock

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January 6, 2022

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The Ford Fiesta has sensationally lost its crown as Britain’s best-selling car, with the Vauxhall Corsa taking the title from Ford for the first time in 50 years.

Almost 41,000 Vauxhall Corsas were sold in 2021, far ahead of every other new car registered in Britain.

Fewer than 27,500 Ford Fiestas left UK showrooms during the same period, placing it well down in the best-sellers chart – and outside the top 10.

The last time a non-Ford topped the UK chart was way back in 1971 with the Austin 1100/1300.

Ford no longer UK no.1 car brand as shortages strangle 2021 sales

And that wasn’t it for surprises. Remarkably, the Tesla Model 3 electric car ended 2021 as runner-up behind the Corsa, after a monumental sales performance in December: over 9,600 were registered last month alone.

It caps an amazing year of electric car growth, with battery-electric cars taking a market share of well over 11 percent. More electric cars were sold in 2021 than in 2016-2020 combined.

Vauxhall added that Corsa-e sales totaled 5,605 during 2021 – meaning pure electric Corsas accounted for more than 14 percent of overall registrations.

The number of Corsa-e models sold was up almost 100 percent on 2020, too.

Surprise best-sellers

Not only was the Ford Fiesta absent from the 2021 top 10 best-sellers, so too was the Focus family hatchback, another perennially popular model. The only Ford in the top 10 was the Puma, in eighth place.

A Ford spokesperson told Motoring Research last year that this was because the firm was prioritising the Puma, along with other more profitable models, to make best use of its limited semiconductor supplies.

With Ford volumes fading, it was the Mini that ended up third, followed by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, then the Volkswagen Polo and Golf.

As for electric cars, the Tesla Model 3 clearly led the way, with the Kia Niro in second and the Volkswagen ID.3 in third.

The BMW 3 Series was the best-selling plug-in hybrid car, beating the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volvo XC40.

‘Fully deserved’

“The Vauxhall Corsa fully deserves to be back at the top of the UK sales charts as the nation’s favourite new car,” said Vauxhall MD Paul Willcox.

“Alongside its design, innovative technology and affordable pricing, a full choice of powertrain technologies has been very popular – with customers able to choose between the fully-electric Corsa-e or petrol and diesel engines.”

The availability of an electric Corsa does seem to be a key part of the car’s success, given how pure electric cars accounted for more than one in four sales in December.

Ford may be increasingly worried by its lack of an electric Fiesta; the most affordable pure electric Ford is the £42,530 Mustang Mach-e.

Late last year, Vauxhall slashed Corsa-e prices so the range now starts from less than £26,000.

Best-selling cars 2021

Vauxhall Corsa – 40,914 cars
Tesla Model 3 – 34,783
Mini – 31,792
Mercedes-Benz A-Class – 30,710
Volkswagen Polo – 30,634
Volkswagen Golf – 30,240
Nissan Qashqai – 29,922
Ford Puma – 28,697
Kia Sportage – 27,611
Toyota Yaris – 27,415

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Ford no longer UK’s number 1 as shortages strangle 2021 new car sales

By

Richard Aucock

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January 6, 2022

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Ford is no longer the biggest car brand in Britain, with the ongoing semiconductor shortage leading to a shake-up in the 2021 new car market.

Volkswagen has taken the crown as Britain’s best-selling car brand.

Full-year registrations were up barely one percent last year, despite 2020 being hit hard by Covid.

While 2020 was the worst year since 1992, 2021 was actually the second-worst year, down almost 29 percent on pre-pandemic 2019.

Challenges subdued sales to around 1.65 million cars, according to preliminary figures. The usual run-rate for the UK new car market is around 2.3 million cars.

The market has also been significantly disrupted by production shortages caused by the semiconductor shortage, with many big brands concentrating their efforts on higher-margin vehicles.

Ford is the most striking illustration of this. Previously, it has been Britain’s favourite car brand, with the Fiesta leading the way as the top-selling model.

In 2021, however, Volkswagen usurped Ford as the top carmaker, while the Vauxhall Corsa became Britain’s best-selling car. The Fiesta was left trailing outside the top 10.

Britain goes electric

Electric cars took a record market share, accounting for 11.6 percent of registrations. Indeed, in December 2021, more than one in four new cars sold was a pure electric vehicle – a total of 190,000 cars.

Overall in 2021, the best-ever year for electric car sales saw them take one in six registrations.

This makes the UK Europe’s second-largest new car market for pure electric vehicles.

However, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes warned such fast progress risks overwhelming the UK’s EV charging infrastructure, which is lagging behind new car sales.

While the number one barrier is the price of electric cars, he explained, consumers are also very concerned about EV charging infrastructure.

“Provision of on-street chargers is a particular worry,” said Hawes. SMMT figures suggest there are 16 cars fighting for every single on-street charger.

“Given the scale of growth in electric car sales, the gap is going to get worse, so the use experience will get worse too.”

Hawes wants electric car incentives to be extended, not continually cut back, and is also calling for mandated chargepoint targets to accelerate the uptake of EVs.

The SMMT is expected to release final 2021 new car registration figures at 9am on 6 January.

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Sony reveals electric SUV, plans to launch new EV car company

By

Richard Aucock

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January 5, 2022

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Sony has confirmed at CES 2022 that it will launch a standalone car division called Sony Mobility Inc. The new company will ‘explore entry into the EV market‘.

The firm has also surprised CES show-goers with a second electric car concept, the Vision-S 02 SUV.

This builds on 2020’s headline-grabbing Vision-S concept car, which is now called Vision-S 01.

Sony has already been testing the Vision-S 01 on public roads. The creation of a dedicated car division accelerates its ambition to launch a production-ready range to rival Tesla.

Sony Vision-S 02

The new Vision-S 02 is a seven-seat SUV based on the same EV architecture and Sony cloud platform as the Vision-S 01.

At 4.9 metres long, it is same length as the Vision-S 01, but a little wider and, at 1.65 metres, notably taller.

It uses the same 544hp twin-motor drivetrain, promising a top speed of ‘more than 112mph’.

The big news is inside. Sony says it ‘utilises the larger interior space and variations of a seven-seater’ to offer all-new onboard experiences using the firm’s experience in gaming, audio and entertainment.

It ‘transforms the value of mobility space’ and ‘envelops occupants with a thrilling experience’.

Features include a fully-integrated digital video service called ‘Bravia Core for Vision-S’.

Along with a three-dimensional sound field called ‘360 Reality Audio’, the video service delivers video both on the panoramic front screen and individual rear-seat displays.

Naturally, PlayStation gaming is integrated too, via either a remote connection to a console at home, or streaming games through the cloud.

Sony Mobility Inc.

Sony Mobility Inc. will first focus on the Vision-S cars, which ‘contribute to the evolution of mobility’.

However, the new division won’t just be about cars. It also aims to focus on the best in AI and robotics, ‘realising a world where everyone can live in harmony with robots on a daily basis’.

This suggests the Sony Vision-S cars will be highly autonomous and set high standards for self-driving capability – with plentiful input from the firm’s acclaimed photography and video division.

In doing so, it would allow occupants to make full use of the onboard entertainment facilities.

Sony is already conducting verification tests in Europe towards the release of Level 2+ ADAS systems on public roads. Tech such as 5G communication and advanced ‘Time-of-Flight’ sensors to monitor occupants suggest the firm intends to go even further.

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Car insurance ‘price walking’ finally banned

By

Richard Aucock

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January 4, 2022

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The Financial Conduct Authority has banned car insurers from quoting existing customers a higher price for their renewal than new customers. The ban came into force on 1 January 2022.

It follows a review that found many insurers were increasing car insurance prices for existing customers year-on-year. The practice is known as ‘price walking’.

The FCA predicts the ban will save car insurance consumers £4.2bn over the next decade.

“Our interventions will make the insurance market fairer and will make it work better,” said the FCA’s Sheldon Mills. “Insurers can no longer penalise consumers who stay with them.

“You can still shop around and negotiate a better deal, but you won’t have to switch just to avoid being charged a loyalty premium.”

Below-cost distortion

Price walking distorted the car insurance market by attracting new customers with below-cost prices.

They then paid more over time when they renewed their insurance.

Insurance companies, adds the FCA, used sophisticated processes to target the best deals at customers they felt would be less likely to switch in the future.

Other new rules that have come into force include giving customers easier methods of cancelling the automatic renewal of their insurance policy.

Car insurers must now also be able to demonstrate to customers that their products deliver fair value.

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Euro NCAP names safest cars of 2021

By

Richard Aucock

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January 4, 2022

0

Euro NCAP has revealed its 2021 Best in Class cars, which names the best-performing cars crash-tested by the safety organisation last year.

The Mercedes-EQ EQS tops the list, coming out ahead in both the executive and pure electric categories.

Another all-electric car, the Skoda Enyaq iV, won the large off-road category.

At the more affordable end, the Skoda Fabia, Toyota Yaris Cross and Nissan Qashqai all led their categories.

A number of runners-up were also named by Euro NCAP – with the Polestar 2 twice being ranked runner-up behind the Mercedes-EQ EQS.

Best-in-Class rules

Euro NCAP uses strict rules to determine the Best-in-Class cars. For example, there have to be at least three entrants in each category, and the winners must achieve a five-star rating.

They also shouldn’t have any critical body region coloured in red during the full-scale tests – this was one of the factors behind the Renault Zoe’s disastrous zero-star score.

The winner will be the car with the highest overall score of cars in the same category.

Interestingly, if two cars are tied, the winner will be the cheaper car of the two.

“We saw quite a number of new car models coming to the market, many of them electric or hybrid, and many of them achieving five-star ratings despite the demanding requirements,” said Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen.

“Well done to the winners as well as to the runners-up, some of which were very close contenders for the top slot in their respective categories.”

Euro NCAP 2021 Best in Class cars

Executive

Winner: Mercedes-EQ EQS
Runner-up: Polestar 2

Large off-road

Winner: Skoda Enyaq iV
Runner-up: BMW iX

Small family car

Winner: Skoda Fabia
Runner-up: not awarded as no other small family car scored five stars in 2021

Small off-road

Winner: Nissan Qashqai
Runner-up: Volkswagen ID.4

Small MPV

Winner: Toyota Yaris Cross
Runner-up: Volkswagen Caddy

Pure electric

Winner: Mercedes-EQ EQS
Runner-up: Polestar 2

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