NEWS

SEAT is using its Ecomotive range of cars to stimulate its post-scrappage range of incentives. The low-CO2 motors are being promoted with savings of up to £3k at car dealers. Unlike scrappage, though, the offers are open to all car buyers, not just those with old bangers to trade in. Even better, reckons the firm, [...]

SCRAPPAGE should be continued reckon nearly 2 in 3 Brit new car buyers in a recent survey. Carmony.co.uk said that well over 70 percent of Brits liked the scheme and understood how it worked. Furthermore, over half reckoned it had the desired effect and had encouraged people to buy a new car during the recession. [...]

TOYOTA has moved to reassure retail car buyers by introducing a 5 year warranty on its new car range. From this weekend, private car buyers will be offered the 5 year new car warranty. What’s more, if the 5 year warranty is not for them, they can choose the regular 3 year warranty option, but [...]

FORD is introducing lower priced models in a confirmation of a story Car Dealer Magazine ran last week. Today, the blue oval has announced it is reducing list prices of the Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy – with the MD ADMITTING that Ford’s approach up to now isn’t working! Current promotions, which have cut up to [...]

CAR dealers are being incentivised to upsell profit-making GAP and RTI warranty products by MB&G. The deal allows car dealers to give away two months’ cover to customers for FREE. After the gratis period, MB&G contacts the customer on behalf of the dealer, to upsell the 36-month policy at a pre-agreed price. Operations director Kevin [...]

19 year olds can now get a year’s free insurance on a Vauxhall Corsa SXi, in the brand’s latest campaign. The sporty-look SXi means youngsters will have a racy new contender to add onto the list for scrappage-inspired parents. Vauxhall is targeting generous adults with the good-value package, which, with scrappage, brings the list price [...]

MINI has launched a special edition model, which includes a ready made scrap scheme incentive deal. The MINI Graphite is an extra-kit special edition, with key extras over the standard cars. It is offered in One, Cooper and Cooper D guise. The most obvious mark-out feature is standard Dark Silver paint – until now, a [...]

CAR industry fears have been proven correct – makers must MATCH Government scrap funds! The Government is only supplying £1000 for the £300m scheme. To make up the full £2000, as announced by Chancellor Darling, car makers must add £1000, too. This alone has left the car industry reeling! However, in an another U-turn, the [...]

GOVERNMENT subsidies of up to £5000 are to make green electric cars more affordable and viable. The plans come as part of a £250 million plan to boost low-carbon transport – and are separate to the rumoured new car scrappage scheme. Reports by the BBC suggest the £5k subsidy will help promote electric cars, which [...]

FIAT car dealers are to promote a series of special offers, aimed at boosting the company’s aftersales. The headline deal is free replacement brake pads and shoes for as long as buyers own the car! It only applies to the Mk 1 and Mk 2 Fiat Punto – but there are still half a million [...]

GMAC has extended the recent trend towards offering free unemployment cover to USED schemes, too. What’s more, the Vauxhall, Saab and Chevrolet financier is to offer the deal on ALL new and used car finance packages, too! All GMAC finance products issued between now and the end of June will be covered, for 24 months’ [...]

CAR dealers who do not hold a new car franchise have been buoyed by a new customer service package. MB&G has launched a flexible service plan, which will improve profits, and help maintain long-term custom and relationships. Called Service Plan+, it means dealers can offer customers a fixed monthly cost service plan. It enable dealers [...]

VOLVO has become the latest car maker to introduce a payment protection incentive scheme. Offered on new C30, S40 and V50 models, the scheme follows Honda’s lead in protecting new car buyers if they are made redundant. Volvo will offer the PPI insurance for all new car buyers who use the maker’s 5.9 percent APR [...]

CITROEN says it can’t wait for the Government – and is going ahead with its own scrappage scheme. Launched today, the scheme is called the Citroen Trade-In Incentive Scheme. It gives new car buyers the following money off deals: £2000: Cars registered before 2000, which have an official scrappage certificate. £1000: Cars registered between 2000 [...]