Luton–

Andy Gilson, currently Vauxhall’s Marketing Director, has been named Customer Experience & Corporate Strategy Director for the Luton company. This critical role will focus on driving a step change in Vauxhall customer satisfaction, as well as developing new strategies for the company.

With 21 years at GM under his belt, during which time he’s held posts in both California and Germany, Andy is well qualified for the new posting. He leaves his job as Marketing Director after six-and-a–half years, during which time he’s been responsible for the launch of every new Vauxhall product, including two generations of Astra, the Agila, Insignia and new Meriva.

“I’m very happy to be offered this new challenge,” said Andy. “The customer experience is key to our future strategy and I’m looking forward to raising the bar for Vauxhall.”

Replacing Andy as Marketing Director will be Peter Hope, currently Vauxhall’s Integrated Communication Manager. Like Andy, Peter started with the business in 1989, and was responsible for the launch of significant products, such as the original 1998 Zafira. Peter also spent three years working in Vauxhall/Opel’s main R&D centre in Ruesselsheim.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to oversee Vauxhall’s marketing direction during an important time in the company’s history,” said Peter. “We have a long list of exciting new product launches on the horizon, so there’s never been a better time to be at the marketing helm.”

Both Andy and Peter will report directly to Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director.

“Mr Osborne has approached a very difficult task in a positive way and delivered a budget that will start to reduce the deficit with the urgency required without stifling the overall economy.”

Mr Lewis had this to say on some of the Chancellor’s specific measures.

On fuel duty

“We are disappointed that the government is still committed to staged increases in fuel duty this year and next.

“The Chancellor said he would consider the introduction of some form of fuel price stabiliser, but we will continue to lobby for an essential user rebate.

“We were disappointed not to hear any further details of a potential lorry road user charge as an alternative way of taxing essential road freight movement.”

On the banking levy

“Many companies are already paying extortionately high rates to their lenders and we hope that this banking levy does not indirectly encourage banks to increase these costs even further.”

On VAT

“This widely anticipated increase will accentuate the VAT benefits of leasing company cars, because companies purchasing cars cannot claim back any of the VAT on purchase where there is any element of private use.

“Backed up by our research which suggested that 70% of company car mileage is business-related, we recently called on HM Revenue and Customs to increase this 50% VAT recovery rate. With VAT due to rise to 20% from next January, this is now more relevant than ever.

“The 20% VAT will affect car rental rates. The Chancellor announced support for the UK tourism industry in his emergency Budget, and we will be lobbying for a special VAT rate for leisure car rentals, in recognition of this sector’s vital part in the UK’s tourism infrastructure.”

On capital allowances

“The reduction in capital allowances may have a marginal impact on headline lease rates, which could be offset by the staged reductions in the rate of Corporation Tax.

“The reduced allowances will make leasing even more attractive as companies purchasing vehicles will have the administrative and financial burden of carrying these depreciating assets on their balance sheets.”

On NI incentives for job creation

“We don’t see why this incentive is limited to new businesses and couldn’t be made available to any employers creating a net increase in jobs”

On spending cuts

“Considering that the vast majority of all journeys involving people or goods are still made by road, it is vital that the government explores taking a value-for-money approach when considering whether to axe transport projects. There will be many projects where a relatively small investment may pay big dividends, for example in reducing congestion and helping to move the UK economy forward. “

A large scale poll carried out by MSN Cars in March 2010, suggests that Audi is the most popular German car brand.

26,541 internet users took part in the poll which resulted in Audi being the most popular German car brand in the UK.

Visitors to the MSN Cars website were posed the question:

“Which is your favourite German car brand”

• 29% of respondents chose Audi
• 23% of respondents chose BMW
• 21% chose Mercedes-Benz
• 16% chose Porsche
• 11% chose Volkswagen

“The days of an Audi simply being an expensive way to buy a Volkswagen are long gone,” comments Tom Evans, content manager of MSN Cars.  “Audi has a rapidly expanding range, aspirational marketing, its own dedicated dealerships, and ‘halo’ models like the R8 supercar.  All this has in the past few years helped Audi to become the German brand many people seem to aspire to.”

Simon Monks, who has more than 12 years experience in fleet and aftersales in the UK and across Europe, has joined Mazda’s European Fleet Operations team as Manager, International Corporate Sales, and a second international corporate sales manager will be appointed shortly.

Mr. Monks began his fleet industry career in 1998 with Nissan Motor GB before moving to Toyota GB in 2000 and Brussels-based Toyota Motors Europe in 2005. During that time he was European key account manager responsible for major leasing company business and end-user relationships, and aftersales country manager forGermany,Switzerlandand export markets. He returned briefly to Toyota GB in 2009 as direct marketing manager before joining Mazda Motor Europe.

In the financial year ending March 31, 2010, Mazda Motor Europe sold 239,000 vehicles in Europeout of global sales of 1.193 million. However, fleet sales accounted for less than 15 percent of European volumes.

That means around half of all Mazda’s European fleet sales are in the UK and the Netherlands, where the company has seen its established corporate focus pay dividends with year-on-year rises in volumes to around 20,000 units thanks to a strong focus on both the leasing sector and end-user blue chip fleets. The success in winning corporate sales business in these markets means that this strategy is being used as the template for Mazda’s European fleet development.

At the core of the strategy is a comprehensive model range headed by the Mazda6 and Mazda3 and also including the Mazda2, Mazda5, CX-7 and iconic MX-5, which has won numerous fleet industry awards for its desirability, reliability, strong total cost of ownership figures and, in many cases, class-leading residual values.

Simon Monks, who reports to James Hopkins, Director, European Fleet Operations, said “Across Europe we are working to raise awareness of the desirability and attractiveness of Mazda in the eyes of company-car drivers, while making fleet decision-makers aware of the competitiveness of vehicle total cost of ownership figures and residual values versus rival models. Mazda has a strong brand image in a number of countries but particularly AustriaandSwitzerland, and we must capitalise on that and encourage fleet managers and company-car drivers to experience our complete model range.

“A combination of a comprehensive and dynamic vehicle line-up,” he continued, “featuring sports styling, high specification, a range of performance engines with low emissions as well as a powerful cost of ownership package has been successful in securing fleet business. We believe that message can be replicated acrossEuropeas we take the brand to an increasing number of leasing companies and international fleets.”

Many multi-national companies are compiling company-car policies based around vehicle CO₂ data even in countries such asGermanywhere – unlike Belgium, the Netherlandsand the UK– there is no direct link between the motoring tax regime and emissions.

Mr. Monks added “Delivering desirable company cars with first class CO₂ figures is important because many international companies are taking the view that while being eco-friendly means being ‘green’, the euro is also ‘green’ as the lower a car’s emissions the better its fuel-efficiency, which will deliver financial savings.”

Mazda Motor Europe currently enjoys partnerships with a number of pan-European vehicle leasing and fleet management companies including ALD Automotive, Arval, ING Car Lease and LeasePlan. Included among the manufacturer’s end-user fleet clients are Bosch, GE and Siemens.

While the main European fleet focus is in the core markets of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK; Mazda Motor Europe also currently supplies vehicles into fleets in a number of other countries including Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.

The European Fleet Operations department secures new international business from its base at Mazda Motor Europe’s headquarters in Leverkusen,Germany.  Fleet success is also being won at a national level by dedicated fleet departments located in Mazda’s key European markets.

Mr. Hopkins said “The fact that we are currently co-ordinating a tender that will see vehicles supplied into 24 different European markets underlines our capability.”

The European’s team philosophy is to ‘think globally and act locally’ with tenders responded to and contracts managed centrally, but vehicles supplied at a national level with each country’s fleet department forming a personal relationship at a local level.

Crucially, virtually all of Mazda’s national sales companies are subsidiaries of Mazda Motor Europe and not run by independent companies, which is the route taken by many rival manufacturers.

Mr. Hopkins added “That is a major advantage when we are co-ordinating pan-European fleet arrangements. We are one Mazda working for the benefit of each of our corporate customers.”

The firm believes that the path people have traditionally followed when buying a car – going to a dealership, test driving the desired car, then signing on the dotted line – could be replaced with an entirely web-based purchasing process.  They believe that up to a fifth of automotive consumers will read online reviews from trusted outlets, find the best price, and then conduct a secure financial transaction over the internet, just as many currently do with other financial products and holidays.

Tim Smith, GForces Commercial Director, said: “People are more comfortable with purchasing large products online.  Many of our clients are meeting their customer’s demands by moving more of the car sales functions online such as vehicle reviews, finance propositions and insurance quotations.

“Visits to dealerships will continue because some people want to test drive the vehicle or speak face-to-face.  However, the internet generation are less inclined to this behaviour.  This fact, coupled with improving vehicle quality and extended warranties, makes the test drive less important than it once was.  Consumers also have the added protection of distance-selling regulations that gives people a cooling-off period once a vehicle is delivered to them.”

Smith believes that the increased virtualisation of society through social media, and mankind’s reliance on technology to deliver experiences and interaction, mean that there’s no real reason why even something as emotive as a vehicle purchase can’t be conducted over the web.

“I am not saying that everybody subscribes to this way of life, but there is a significant and growing population that does and this is only going to increase,” continued Smith.  “With car supermarkets and franchised dealer groups, such as Autoquake (who ‘home deliver’ 35% of their vehicles), CarShop and John Clark leading the way and focusing more and more of their marketing spend online, it’s clear that the next logical step is for them to offer people the convenience of buying the car online.”

He went on: “Nearly a quarter of people polled in a recent Capgemini study* said they are ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to purchase a vehicle over the internet in the future.  Research results like these, coupled with people’s growing propensity to look to the internet for trusted information rather than visiting a dealership**, suggest to me that dealers’ websites will soon offer the facility to complete the final step in the process, too.”

However, rather than forecasting the beginning of the end for traditional dealers, Smith believes that they now have the chance to get their online presence in order before the goalposts move.  “This is a fantastic opportunity for car dealers, rather than a looming disaster,” he said.

“If they take this chance to put in place an effective web marketing strategy, they’ll be far better equipped to operate successfully in the online marketplace of the future and to adapt to whatever consumer trends come their way.”

Selling new for more than £1 million, just who would be in the market for this 250+ mph super car? Registered in 2006 it’s only got 7,400 km on the clock – and is in almost ‘as new’ condition.

BCA wonders if any of the following buyers will be interested:

• Renowned broadcaster, Chris Evans – after all, he’s just splashed out more than £12 m on a GTO 250 Ferrari!
• The still secret holder of the £84 million Euro lottery ticket
• James May – otherwise known as ‘Captain Slow’ who drove the Bugatti Veyron for BBC Top Gear programme and hit its top speed of 253 mph
• Whoever strikes it lucky at the Investec Ladies Day Cup at The Derby, Epsom on Friday 4^th June
• Jose Mourinho – if he wants to make a statement in the Real Madrid car park
• Lord Triesmann for a quick exit
• Cameron and Clegg, searching for a two-seater with a bit of drive
• Adrian Chiles to celebrate his new ITV deal

The car has been entered for sale by Lex Autolease and Black Horse and will be one of 350 fast and furious cars for sale in one of the most valuable sales of contemporary vehicles ever staged in the UK.  Lex Autolease and Black Horse have worked closely in partnership with BCA to bring together a truly exceptional selection of vehicles for this event.

Robert Sturley, Lex Autolease Area Auction Manager (South) said “We have worked very closely with BCA to bring together a truly exceptional collection of vehicles to feature in the ‘Fast and Furious’ sale.  The Veyron may be the star of the show, but there are many other superb high performance cars on offer to tempt bidders.

Alan Gupwell Account Manager BCA said “We have already taken many enquiries about the Bugatti Veyron as they rarely come onto the market. The Lex Autolease and Black Horse brand names have a strong following at BCA and this spectacular event is sure to generate a lot of interest.”

The sale is open to everyone and commences at 10.30 am on Saturday, 5 June.  The Supercar section will be at approximately 1:30pm.

UK Car Exchange

The UK’s newest and most innovative vehicle remarketing system launched in quarter one and has already attracted interest from customers across the motor trade spectrum. The price-drop format gives a new, rapid and cost-effective way of selling stock direct to consumers and trade.

Encouraging buyers to transact …

Prices drop automatically on a daily basis by an amount pre-determined by the dealer. As UK Car Exchange Managing Director Tony Hinkley explains:

“The progressive price drop entices potential buyers, who are encouraged to buy promptly to avoid the prospect of being beaten to a purchase by a rival bidder. Early results have proven that this is a winning formula, and we welcome the opportunity to help GlassNet customers convert their stock.”

Good news for Car Dealerships …

Vik Barodia, Director – Dealer Sector at Glass’s, says he is delighted to have UK Car Exchange on board.

“Introducing UK Car Exchange to our media portfolio further enhances the exposure of customers’ stock, and will prove a valuable addition to the GlassNet fold.”

Member Benefits:

» FREE to list as many cars as you like» Option to sell cars to consumers, the trade or both

» Option for dealers to set their own reserve

» Option for dealers to speed-up the price drop

» Ideal disposal solution for over-age and PX’s

» Source stock from reputable sources easily

If you are a VAT registered trader and would like to join UK Car Exchange in order to sell more cars and/or source competitively priced stock from reputable sources. Then register now by calling 0845 519 1499 or email TradeRegistration@UKCarExchange.com

UK Car Exchange is the UK’s first price drop car auction website. Trade membership is free and once you’ve registered you’ll be able to start searching stock!

Trade Membership Benefits Include:

• Option to sell cars to consumers, the trade or both
• List as many cars as you like – FREE
• Sell as many cars as you like to the trade – FREE
• Ideal disposal solution for part exchanges and over-age stock; reduce time, hassle and expense
• Source stock from reputable sellers

NEW website UKcarexchange promises dealers higher returns for their unwanted PX stock – and listing on the site is free!

The website utilises a unique ‘price-drop auction’ approach and the concept here is simple: Cars are listed for 14 days and every 24 hours the price drops by a pre-set amount. The idea is that buyers are then tempted into snapping up cars sooner to avoid being beaten by a rival bidder.

Until a car is purchased, the dealer’s details are hidden, allowing the same cars to be advertised through other channels. Sellers have the option to show their stock only to registered trade buyers, or to both traders and consumers.

The service provided by UK Car Exchange has been devised to complement current dealer sales and marketing activities, and will help them achieve higher returns on their unwanted stock.

Dealers are able to list an unlimited number of cars on the site, for free – a fee is only payable when a car sells. And if a car is sold from your forecourt, it is simply removed from the website without a cancellation fee being incurred.

UK Car Exchange managing director Tony Hinkley said: ‘We are really excited to bring this innovative new concept to the UK motor trade. Car dealers can now access a brand new national market, at no cost until a car is successfully sold, in addition to continuing to market their stock through traditional methods.

‘This is particularly good news for those without forecourts and those that struggle to sell on cars which are approaching over-age. Dealers can also purchase vehicles through the site to replenish their stock.

‘We’ve already signed up a wide range of customers, from major dealer groups to single-site independent traders, and we’re looking forward to even more dealers joining us and taking advantage of the service.’

Available seven days a week, UK Car Exchange’s UK-based operations team is ready to discuss conditions of sale with dealers, including how to register as an approved seller.  More details on how to get started are available at ukcarexchange.com or by calling   0845 519 1499.

Over 1,000 retail-standard vehicles are available now on the UK Car Exchange website at www.ukcarexchange.com, and the price of every car drops automatically every day.

Savings

Buyers can secure used cars at prices which are, on average, nine per cent below the level indicated in the price guides relied upon by the trade.  This equates to a £930 saving for the typical car currently being advertised.  Across the site’s extensive stock range, that amounts to over £1million of savings.  What’s more, the price of the typical car listed is currently dropping by £84 per day.

Choice

Choice is another key benefit of the UK Car Exchange site: the current stock list features cars with a starting price of £2,500, as well as premium-badged models advertised at over £30,000.

The cars offered for sale at www.ukcarexchange.com are sourced from approved, reputable motor trade companies, such as franchised dealers and established leasing organisations.  All sellers comply with the site’s quality standards concerning the condition and description of vehicles for sale.  Detailed listings give buyers a full appraisal of each car, including specification and technical information, accompanied by up to nine images.

Prices drop daily

The daily price drop ensures that cars sell fast and buyers make considerable savings compared to other channels.  Moreover, unlike many other used car listings sites, www.ukcarexchange.com also enables consumers to reserve and purchase their desired vehicle online.

It only takes £119 to reserve a car when it reaches the price that suits a buyer’s budget, providing a rival bidder does not beat them to the purchase.  The seller then contacts the buyer to arrange a test-drive and vehicle hand-over.  The reservation fee is fully refundable if the customer is not entirely happy with the vehicle upon inspection.  For added peace of mind, all cars sold through www.ukcarexchange.com come with a minimum three-month warranty.

“We are really excited to be bringing this new concept to the car-buying public,” says Tony Hinkley, managing director at UK Car Exchange.  “Consumers now have the chance to get a much better deal on their next used car, and they can benefit from a lot more choice.  Vehicles never before available to the general public are being offered at prices that can’t be found elsewhere in the market place.  A wide range of sellers have already signed up, from major retail groups, to car supermarkets and independent dealers, so there is plenty of choice for consumers.

“We believe this will become a well-established way of buying used cars, with so many vehicles on offer at very competitive prices.  Consumers will quickly grasp the concept of the price-drop: namely, that you can’t always hold out for the price of your desired car to fall further because another buyer could be ready to pip you to the purchase.”

Here to help

A UK-based operations team is available seven days a week to guide buyers through the purchase process – ensuring a quick, easy and secure transaction, and removing the hassle and expense of traditional car-buying methods.

More details on how to get started are available at www.ukcarexchange.com or by calling  0845 519 1499.

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About UK Car Exchange
UK Car Exchange is the only price-drop car auction website in the UK.  It boasts a large choice of used cars for sale from reputable sources: car dealerships, car supermarkets, car leasing and fleet companies.

The company’s website www.ukcarexchange.com – where used car prices drop daily – lists cars for sale for a limited period.  Cars are sold directly to the trade and to consumers who are looking to buy cheap cars from reputable sources without the hassle and expense of traditional sales channels.

For further press information about UK Car Exchange, contact PFPR Communications:

David Fitzpatrick
Telephone:  01622 766 524; mobile:  07894 395 101; email: david.fitzpatrick@pfpr.com

Peter Cox
Telephone:  01622 766 527; mobile:  07753 859 079; email: peter.cox@pfpr.com