Used market grows 16 percent as drivers keep cars for longer

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December 16, 2021

As a global shortage of semiconductor chips continues to stifle the new car market, the used car sector has witnessed rocketing prices and sales growth.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), second-hand sales are up 16.4 percent year-to-date versus 2020.

DVLA and Department for Transport figures also show drivers are keeping their cars for longer. In 2019, there were 6.1 million cars over 13 years old taxed – around 20 percent of the UK total. In 1994, by contrast, there were only 1.3 million in the same age group.

Used cars in demand

Data from aftermarket warranty provider Warrantywise shows a larger number of motorists are extending their leasing deals due to lack of new vehicle availability –with some waiting up to 12 months for a replacement car.

Uncertainty about the impending 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars may have exacerbated the situation, with many drivers undecided about switching to an EV.

The result, reported in October, was a £3,000 increase in the average used car price over five months, when Auto Trader also said nearly one in four nearly-new cars were more expensive than their new equivalents.

Average warranty is five years

The ageing car population means many cars are well beyond their manufacturer warranty, too. Traditionally, most brands offered three years and 60,000 miles, but Warrantywise says the average length of cover is now five years.

Kia has famously offered a seven-year warranty since 2006, but even the 10-year warranty recently announced by Toyota and Lexus (dependent an annual servicing at a franchised dealer) wouldn’t cover many of Britain’s ageing cars.

Indeed, Warrantywise reports that only 15 percent of drivers opt for an extended warranty once their manufacturer-supplied cover has run out.

“Our research shows the average new car warranty lasts for just five years, meaning that there is a significant percentage of the UK population driving used cars that are not protected by warranty cover and therefore presenting a significant financial liability to their owners,” said Lawrence Whittaker, CEO at Warrantywise.

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Kia Picanto Shadow proves some new cars ARE still affordable

By

Richard Aucock

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December 15, 2021

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Even the Dacia Sandero, Britain’s cheapest car, now costs more than £10,000, while the entry-level Ford Fiesta has edged closer to £17,000.

New cars are getting more expensive – but Kia aims to offer an exception to the rule with a well-equipped special version of its Picanto city car.

Priced from £13,845, the new Picanto Shadow includes premium features such as rear privacy glass, LED front and rear lights, and standard metallic paint.

It also has an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a reversing camera and ‘faux leather’ upholstery that some upmarket brands would be tempted to call ‘vegan leather’.

Casting a Shadow

Other standard features include air conditioning, electric and heated door mirrors, and automatic emergency braking.

Kia insists the Picanto Shadow ‘eclipses its rivals’, with the extra features adding just £845 to the price of the Picanto 2 it’s based upon – a car that was facelifted earlier in 2021.

Power comes from a 66hp 1.0-litre petrol engine, which is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Kia has sold more than 11,000 Picantos in the UK so far in 2021, making it the second best-selling city car behind the Fiat 500.

Ordering is open now and deliveries of the Picanto Shadow begin in early 2022.

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Plug-in Car Grant for electric cars cut AGAIN

By

Richard Aucock

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December 15, 2021

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The Plug-in Car Grant to help make electric cars more affordable has been cut by further £1,000 in a surprise announcement that will infuriate electric car buyers and manufacturers alike.

Previously £2,500, the Plug-in Car Grant is now just £1,500 as of 7am today (15 December 2021).

What’s more, the qualifying maximum price of an electric car has been reduced, from under £35,000 down to less than £32,000.

Both cuts are effective immediately.

The government argues that its approach to Plug-in Car Grant cuts “is clearly working – whilst the grant has slowly reduced over time, the sales of electric vehicles has soared”.

Transport minister Trudy Harrison said the government is “refocusing our vehicle grants on the most affordable vehicles and reducing grant rates to allow more people to benefit, and enable taxpayers’ money to go further”.

Any motorists who placed orders between 8 December and 14 December will still qualify for the old £2,500 grant, on cars costing up to £35,000.

The Plug-in Van Grant has also dropped, to £2,500 for vans under 2.5 tonnes and £5,000 for vans between 2.5 tonnes and 5.0 tonnes.

The Plug-in Car Grant was previously cut in March 2021, from £3,000 to £2,500.

A larger reduction in the maximum qualifying price of vehicles, from £50,000 to £35,000 was also announced – and immediately criticised by car manufacturers.

At the time, the government argued the changes were made to ensure the funding lasts longer.

With the recent acceleration in electric car sales – last month, they comprised almost 1 in 5 new car sales – it is likely to make the same arguments again.

‘Counterintuitive’ and ‘disappointing’

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said “this disappointing cut means that only around 20 EV models are now eligible for the grant, which doesn’t leave a great deal of choice for consumers.

He pointed to research that showed motorists already feel that new electric cars are too expensive. “This has to be seen as a step in the wrong direction.

“We’re concerned the government has taken this step too soon.”

AA president Edmund King said that reducing the Plug-in Car Grant incentive is “counterintuitive”.

Many motorists are not in a position to consider electric cars “so reducing the grant and the number of vehicles will be a disappointment for many.”

He added the AA still believes the most effective method of encouraging mass EV adoption is to scrap the VAT – “a policy we have called for since 2020”.

Auto industry trade body the SMMT called the move “a blow to customers” and said it “couldn’t come at a worse, time, with inflation at a ten-year high and pandemic-related economic uncertainty looming large”.

Rather than cutting grants, the UK should be doubling down on them, just as other markets across Europe are doing so.

“UK drivers risk being left behind on the transition to zero-emission motoring.”

Leading online marketplace Auto Trader said it too was disappointed. “The incentives available to British motorists are already miles behind our European counterparts – where adoption levels are far higher,” said commercial director Ian Plummer.

He explained that new EVs typically carry a 25 percent premium to petrol or diesel equivalents, “which means they remain the preserve of the wealthy.

“In order for the government to hit its ambitious 2030 target, they need to support he mass adoption of EVS… which will only happen with the right monetary incentives in place.”

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Electric Vauxhall Corsa-e and Mokka-e get EV range boost

By

Richard Aucock

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December 14, 2021

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The Vauxhall Corsa-e and Mokka-e electric cars have both received a boost to their driving range, thanks to a number of tweaks to tech and tyres.

The Corsa-e supermini’s electric range has improved from 209 miles to 222 miles, according to the official WLTP test cycle: an improvement of six percent.

The Mokka-e crossover’s range has been upped from 201 miles to 209 miles, a four percent increase.

One further tech upgrade may help the cars’ real-world driving range – particularly in winter weather. Vauxhall says it has improved the efficiency of the heat pump, which both warms and cools the cars’ interiors.

Already more efficient than traditional petrol and diesel car heaters, the latest heat pumps require even less energy from the battery – something that will be especially noticeable in cold weather, when demand on the heat pump is at its highest.

Vauxhall has also fitted ‘A+’ low rolling resistance tyres, in both 16-inch size for the Corsa-e and 17-inch for the Mokka-e.

A new design of transmission reducer, which converts the rotation of the motor into drive for the wheels, helps further boost the range.

Vauxhall is still offering its comprehensive ‘Plug & Go’ EV package for new car buyers. This includes a free home charging unit, eight years’ roadside assistance and battery warranty, three years’ servicing and a six-month subscription to BP Pulse.

The firm adds it will offer an electrified version of every car it sells, and its range will be fully electric by 2028 – “years ahead of the UK government deadline”.

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Chevrolet Corvette is Japan’s Performance Car of the Year

By

John Redfern

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December 14, 2021

0

The latest Chevrolet Corvette has scooped a major prize in the prestigious Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) Awards.

As part of the 42nd annual awards ceremony, the eighth-generation Corvette was named Japan’s Performance Car of the Year.

The win saw the mid-engined Chevrolet beat homegrown competition, including the new Toyota GR86 and platform-sharing Subaru BRZ.

On the right side of success

The C8 Chevrolet Corvette is the first version to be produced in right-hand drive. This has allowed it to be marketed across the globe, with Japan one of the key targets for sales.

Chevrolet’s move has seemingly been successful, with the JCOTY panel acknowledging the benefits of right-hand drive. The judges said it had improved the experience of using the Corvette on the road, making it easier for everyday driving.

However, the main star for the JCOTY judges was the Corvette’s 495hp 6.2-litre V8 engine. Being able to accelerate from 0-60mph in less than three seconds, aided by an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, all bolstered the Corvette’s case.

Affordable pricing compared to other mid-engined sports cars also helped Chevrolet secure the trophy.

A Note-worthy achievement

Taking overall top honours as Japan’s Car of the Year was the new Nissan Note. Aimed squarely at the Japanese market, the Note is offered in four distinct versions.

The regular Note is available with Nissan’s electrified e-Power drivetrain, as is the Note Autech Crossover. Alongside them is the luxurious Note Aura, plus a Nismo Note Aura featuring a dramatic GT-R-inspired bodykit.

Voting saw the Nissan Note receive 355 points overall, with the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ in second place.

The JCOTY judges also chose to give the new BMW 4 Series a design award, singling out its bold front grille.

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Opinion: Are electric cars really too expensive?

By

Richard Aucock

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December 13, 2021

0

‘Electric cars cost too much’. Well, yes, they are expensive. But too expensive? I’m here to argue they’re not.

Let’s look at a perfect example: the award-winning, best-selling Vauxhall Corsa, which is offered in petrol, diesel and pure electric Corsa-e guises.

Now, you can buy an entry-level Corsa for £17,015, whereas the cheapest Corsa-e is £26,690. There, argument proven: electric Corsa costs £9,675 more than a petrol one. Those handy with numbers will note it’s a 44 percent increment, compounding the point: EVs cost almost half as much again as normal cars.

Although many make it, though, this isn’t quite a fair comparison. For starters, the basic Corsa is an SE Edition. The entry-level Corsa-e is a Griffin, which comes with extra goodies such as LED ambient lighting, heated front seats and steering wheel, bigger 17-inch wheels and a contrast black roof.

More significantly, there’s also the power difference. Your basic Corsa has only 75hp (and no turbo), while the Corsa-e has 136hp (58 percent more oomph, data fans). The cheapest turbocharged Corsa turbo is the 100hp SE Edition; yours for just under £1,000 more (narrowing the EV gap to around £8,500).

Want a 130hp petrol Corsa? You’ll have to spend £23,265 on an SRi Edition – suddenly, that near-£10k difference is right down to £3,425.

You do get an auto gearbox with the SRi Edition 130, as you do by default with the Corsa-e. But you also have to pay for petrol, which is much more expensive than electricity if you charge at home. Convenience that’s denied to the petrol Corsa buyer.

Oh, and as nobody pays cash for new cars, we must look at PCP payments. The basic Corsa SE Edition is yours for £205 a month over four years, with a £2,739 customer deposit that Vauxhall boosts by an extra £1,000.

The Corsa-e SE Premium PCP (oddly there’s no deal listed for the Griffin) is £269 a month, with a £4,408 customer deposit, swelled further by a £2,500 contribution from Vauxhall.

So going electric is £1,669 more expensive up front, then an extra £64 per month. What’s that, the price of a few filling station visits? Which of course, you don’t have to do in the Corsa-e.

Electric cars are more expensive. But nothing like to the extent lazy top-line comparisons suggest. And in terms of finance deals, the Vauxhall figures prove that some EVs are already comparable with petrol cars.

Throw in the fact that electric cars are going to get cheaper still, and the issue of cost disparity may be resolved sooner than many people think.

Do you agree with our calculations? Will your next car be electric? Share your thoughts in the comments below

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Nissan Ariya electric SUV ordering opens

Nissan Ariya electric SUV available to order, priced from £41,845

By

Richard Aucock

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December 10, 2021

0

Deliveries of Nissan’s new range-topping electric SUV, the Ariya, will start in summer 2022, with prices from £41,845.

This places the Ariya in direct competition with cars such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. Pre-ordering through an online configurator is now open.

Nissan has also revealed PCP deals, which start from £629 a month on the best-selling version (for those who can afford the £6,616 deposit).

Nissan says PCP rates are aided by class-leading retained values. The Ariya will hold on to 57 percent of its list price after three years and 30,000 miles, according to industry analyst CAP.

“The Ariya has an attractive, futuristic premium exterior design, and the interior uses excellent materials with good fit and finish,” says CAP.

The Ariya will be offered with two battery sizes, 62kWh and 87kWh. The longest-range model will be capable of 310 miles on a full charge.

Nissan is also selling the Ariya in more efficient two-wheel-drive or grippier e-4orce all-wheel-drive guises.

Trim versions open with Advance; Evolve is mid-grade (and expected to be the best-seller), while Performance is the range-topper.

Performance models feature goodies such as 20-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, blue Nappa leather seats, a Bose sound system and a digital head-up display.

Living up to their name, Performance models boast 394hp for 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. But even entry-level Advance versions have 217hp.

“We’re taking over a decade of experience in leading the market with electric vehicles, and ensuring our customer-focused expertise and network capability delivers a model that’s as rewarding to own as it is to drive,” said Nissan UK MD Andrew Humberstone.

“We know that UK customers are going to be seriously impressed with the new standards Ariya will bring to the segment in 2022.”

Nissan Ariya prices

Advance 63kWh: £41,845
Evolve 87kWh: £51,090
Evolve 87kWh e-4orce: £53,790
Performance 87kWh e-4orce: £58,440

Nissan Ariya range

Advance 63kWh: 223 miles
Evolve 87kWh: 310 miles
Evolve 87kWh e-4orce: 285 miles
Performance 87kWh e-4orce: 248 miles

Nissan Ariya power and performance

Advance 63kWh: 217hp, 0-62mph in 7.5sec
Evolve 87kWh: 242hp, 0-62mph in 7.6sec
Evolve 87kWh e-4orce: 306hp, 0-62mph in 5.7sec
Performance 87kWh e-4orce: 394hp, 0-62mph in 5.1sec

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The most powerful Morgan ever: wild new Plus 8 GTR hits the road

By

John Redfern

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December 10, 2021

0

Morgan has finished building the first example of the most powerful car in its history.

Based upon the discontinued Morgan Plus 8, the limited-edition GTR boasts high performance and racing technology,

Morgan’s motorsport heritage has played an important part in influencing the design of the Plus 8 GTR, too.

Into the deep blue yonder

During the 1990s, Morgan campaigned a Plus 8 race car, affectionately known as ‘Big Blue’. That car inspired the creation of the GTR, with the first example painted in Yas Marina Blue.

The use of a BMW paint colour is fitting, given the Plus 8 GTR features a BMW-sourced 4.8-litre V8 beneath its long bonnet.

This engine has been tuned, and fitted with a ‘cannon-style’ twin-exit exhaust system to extract more performance.

A peak output of 375hp helps the Plus 8 GTR secure the title of Morgan’s most powerful production car ever.

Classic style, modern performance

Production of the Plus 8 GTR was made possible by the availability of rolling chassis from a discontinued external project. All cars will be built from unused and recommissioned chassis and powertrains.

Each of the nine cars will be crafted by hand, with their owners able to work closely with Morgan’s design team. It means each Plus 8 GTR will be tailored to their specific taste, including the option of an automatic or manual gearbox.

All cars feature bespoke bodywork, including a new rear end and resculpted wheelarches. These are made from aluminum, as are the front wings and deep front splitter.

The use of five-spoke centre-lock alloy wheels is also a deliberate nod to Morgan’s racing history.

Race-ready on the inside

The interior is less about wood and leather, and much more about carbon fibre. The hard-top roof features a vent to channel air into the cabin, just like a racing car. Buyers can specify lightweight carbon fibre bucket seats, too.

Special Plus 8 GTR dials will be fitted, along with a plaque denoting the number of each car in the build sequence.

Morgan says the remaining eight cars have all commenced production, despite the project only being announced in February 2021. Several cars are due for completion before the end of this year, with the rest to be finished in the first quarter of 2022.

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New Fiat Ducato van will text its owner if stolen

By

John Redfern

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December 9, 2021

0

Owners of new Fiat Ducato and E-Ducato vans will receive a text message if their vehicle is stolen.

Offered as part of the Fiat Professional My Uconnect app, the Theft Assistance feature can detect a potential break-in.

The app also alerts the owner if the van is towed without authorisation, or if the battery is disconnected.

It comes as recent Office for National Statistics figures reveal that more than 92,000 vehicles were stolen in the UK last year. Vans accounted for seven of the top 10 stolen vehicles.

Find My Fiat Ducato

Fiat Professional’s Theft Assistance function will send a text message to the owner, and can also send an email alert. App notifications, or receiving a phone call, can also warn owners of a theft.

Once alerted, a Fiat My Assistance operator will locate the GPS coordinates for the van. This works similarly to the ‘find my phone’ function on modern smartphones, allowing owners to track their van.

Fiat says its latest technology also allows the police to track a stolen van.

When the van stops moving, the engine will automatically be immobilised and the ignition disabled.

Peace of mind for professionals

Richard Chamberlain, managing director of Fiat Professional said: “Knowing a vehicle is stolen roughly every 10 minutes in England and Wales is a cause for concern and an experience that owners will be looking to avoid at all costs.

“This innovative theft assistance technology will undoubtedly give both current and future owners of the Ducato and E-Ducato peace of mind that their van and possessions are in the safest possible hands.”

Theft Assistance is offered as part of the free My Uconnect app, available across the range of Fiat Professional vans. Numerous services can be accessed via an Apple or Android smartphone, or through the van’s own Uconnect multimedia screen.

Crash assistance, roadside assistance and navigation functions are included, too. Owners of the electric E-Ducato can also get support with finding charging devices.

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Jenson Button tests new Radford 62-2 sports car for first time

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Jenson Button tests new Radford 62-2 sports car for first time

By

Tim Pitt

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December 8, 2021

0

Jenson Button has pushed the new Radford 62-2 to its limits, in the company of a classic Lotus 72. The former F1 world champion drove the sports car on-track, joined by Emerson Fittipaldi’s 1970 racer.

The 62-2 is the first car from reborn British coachbuilder Radford, most famous for the customised Mini de Ville – popular with celebrities in the 1960s.

Radford also built the original Ford GT40 prototype and a shooting brake (estate) version of the ‘James Bond’ Aston Martin DB5.

Black and gold

Today, the Radford name has been resurrected by Button, along with business partners Ant Anstead (of Wheeler Dealers fame), Mark Stubbs and Roger Behle. The mid-engined 62-2 is based on the Lotus Exige, but collaborations with other car brands are already underway.

In John Player Special guise, the 62-2 sports the same black and gold livery as the 72. Power comes from a 600hp supercharged 3.5-litre V6, which drives the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

With carbon fibre bodywork and an aluminium chassis, the car weighs less than 1,000kg without fluids.

On the Button

Driving the Radford at Hethel, Lotus’s home test-track in Norfolk, Button achieved 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and 0-124mph in 8.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 186mph.

“To finally drive the type 62-2 for the first time was obviously a very special moment, the cockpit already feels like home,” said Button.

“The car felt great, well balanced in high and low-speed corners and it ran faultlessly all day, which is the perfect base for the months of setup tweaking that will follow for me. We want to ensure this car is a pure driver’s car that pays due respect to the DNA of Lotus, but also delivers the luxury of a Radford.”

Simplify, then add lightness

Clive Chapman, son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, also joined the test session. He said: “Seeing this modern Radford Lotus Type 62-2 in action on the Hethel track today has been really very special.

“The way it has taken the spirit and legacy of the original Type 62, combined it with the iconic JPS livery, and revived it for the modern day sports car enthusiast is an admirable achievement.”

Only 62 examples of the new Radford will be made (12 of the top-spec JPS) and owners are invited to a one-day track event, with driving tuition from Jenson Button himself. First deliveries are due in summer 2022.

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