Craig Ranson

November 2025 NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey highlights   Here’s a few of the main points from the latest NFDA | National Franchised Dealers Association survey based on the key question ‘How do you rate your manufacturer overall?’   * Lexus UK back on top (with a +0.3 point change), but sister firm Toyota (GB) plc down 0.9 points and in ninth spot. * First time in the survey for BYD UK & OMODA UK, impressive joint third place but the NFDA highlights a small sample size. * Sizeable drop in the average score (-0.6) highlighting pressure and increased competition in the market. * Citroën Fleet and Business was not only last in the survey, but also had the largest drop in sentiment (-3.2 points). * All Stellantis brands surveyed recorded a worsening in their scores. Six of the bottom 10 positions were held by the manufacturer. * Mind you, only eight of the 33 brand surveyed were in positive territory. * Ford Motor Company, after a year or more struggling with a lack of EVs, has bounced back. It’s still only 23rd in the ranking, but it saw the biggest score gain (+2.1 points). * Volkswagen UK (the car brand) also did well, up 1.1 points, but the rest of the Volkswagen Group brands were down. SEAT UK, CUPRA and Audi UK were all in the bottom 10.   Full analysis in Auto Market Insight next month.   Richard Aucock Lynda Ennis Jamie Ashman Al Clarke Polly Wedgbury Harry Bott

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Lessons on the volatile pricing of the used EV car market, from two of the leading figures in the sector, the traditional OEM MD, James Taylor, of Nissan Motor Corporation and, new entrant, Victor Zhang, MD OMODA UK. One key take-out from the Cox Automotive Europe panel at this year's EV SUMMIT is that my work, in communications, is key to customer confidence in second hand EVs, and to, therefore, address volatile pricing. Across the two days of the summit, time and time again, EV education and communications came up as a key topic for getting the new cohort of mainstream EV consumers on board with the EV transition.

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𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙥𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙧'𝙨 𝙏03 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙖? 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚? Now Britain’s cheapest EV is T03 by Leapmotor UK not the Dacia Spring. As this Chinese newcomer has undercut Dacia, launching the T03 city car at just £14,495. Exciting, isn’t it? That’s £500 cheaper than the Dacia Spring, thanks to a £1,500 self-funded “Leap-Grant” designed to mirror the UK Government’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG). Their larger C10 SUV has been discounted too by £3,750. But here it gets a little complex: While the UK’s new ECG is announced up to £3,750 off EVs under £37,000 , most Chinese manufacturers might not qualify. Because of a new emissions-based eligibility rule tied to Science-Based Targets (SBT). In short: if your EV was built in a coal-powered factory... you're likely out. Ouch! Quoting Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood: “Frankly, if you generate electricity with coal, you won’t access this grant.” So, I’m leaving a couple of questions for you: 👉 Can a coal-fueled supply chain still call itself green? OR 👉 Should clean vehicle subsidies depend on how clean the factory is, not just the product? 📌 P.S. BYD has already notified the UK government of its intent to qualify. #WWCOTY #AutomotiveWriter #WomenInAutomotive #UK #Journalist #Automotive #BYD #Leapmotor #EV

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UK car production figures rose for the second consecutive month in July, up 5.6% to 69,127 units, according to the latest data from SMMT. Commercial vehicle output, however, fell -81.1%, reflecting plant restructuring and a bumper month last year, when the sector recorded the best July in 17 years. When combined, total vehicle production fell by -10.8% to 72,006 units, compared to July last year. Read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ef23h_yy #UKmfg #Manufacturing #Automotive #Production | Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

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"Car manufacturing in the UK will be finished in five years", warns top auto industry insider. On my latest episode of When The Facts Change, Tim Tozer, the former boss of Vauxhall UK, says government's net-zero-inspired "ZEV mandate" is "killing Britain's car industry" and imports of heavily-subsidised Chinese electric vehicles will be "the kiss of death". Tozer calls for "tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles, to give our car-making industry a chance to breathe" For free preview clips and access to full half-hour episode, see link below. https://lnkd.in/enRZgTka

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#UK #auto production to drop 15% in 2025, recovery expected in 2026, SMMT data shows Britain's new vehicle production is expected to decline by 15% in 2025, weighed down by global #trade disruption; however, a reversal is expected the next year, industry data showed on Thursday. While global automakers continue to feel the impact of U.S. President #DonaldTrump's tariffs, the UK is set to benefit from a new trade deal that slashed taxes on British car exports. "There are foundations for a return to growth," said Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) CEO Mike Hawes, after calling half-yearly output figures "disappointing". Car and commercial vehicle manufacturing fell nearly 12% to 417,232 units in the first six months of the year. However, June output rose 6.6% in the month, breaking its five-month downward trend, to 66,317 units. Story today for Reuters

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🚗Big news in UK used car auctions… BCA has moved another step closer to getting approval to acquire Aston Barclay — but the CMA still has work to do before the deal is signed off. 👀 If approved, this could be a significant shift in the B2B remarketing landscape, with potential knock-on effects for dealers and the wider automotive market. So what’s holding things up — and what happens next? 👉Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/emMtXHu4 #Automotive #UsedCars #CarAuctions #BCA #IndustryNews

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 - 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures for May are now out. Here's the latest update and form book on Chinese brands’ penetration of the UK automotive market.  • Year to date, Chinese brands have grown to 11.27% market share, up from 8.73% for all of 2024 and 10.97% at the end of April. The heritage brands show a mixed picture: ⬇️ MG is down 1.9% (35,055 vs 35,732 units) ⬆️ Volvo continues its upward trend, rising 16.5% (28,132 vs 24,179 units).  • The real growth is coming from the new entrants - BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, and Polestar - who now hold a 3.85% market share, up from 1.15% in 2024 and 3.6% last month. That’s a 568% increase in sales, jumping from 4,903 units to 32,749 year to date.  • Polestar is back to its 2023 market share of 0.65%, helped by its expanded model range. But it's now been overtaken by Jaecoo (0.70%) and Omoda (0.66%).  • Skywell sold no cars in May, with its total still at 9 units - likely demonstrators. No real traction yet.  • Xpeng rose slightly, from 45 units in April to 51. Again, these are probably mostly demo models - the real test will be sales volumes later in the year.  • Leapmotor is starting to show signs of real sales, increasing from 301 to 399 units. This suggests they may be moving beyond demo seeding.  • GWM continues to underperform, selling just three units last month - half that of Xpeng. This is surprising for a Great Wall brand, especially with other marques like Haval soon launching in the UK. Given current dealer performance, distribution could become a real challenge. 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻 The state-owned Changan is set to launch its Deepal electric car in Q3 – a sub-£40,000 EV with serious backing and ambition. With an R&D facility already established in Birmingham, Changan is showing clear intent to understand and invest in the UK market. If you're a dealer group exploring Chinese partnerships, Changan looks like a very promising contender. They’re also actively hiring, with some genuinely interesting roles available – worth checking out if you're in the market for a new opportunity in automotive. Chinese brands tipped to launch in 2025/26:  • Airways  • Exceed (a Chery brand - also owns Omoda and Jaecoo)  • Haval (part of GWM)  • IM Motors (part of SAIC, owners of MG)  • Lynk & Co (Geely-owned)  • Nio  • Denza (BYD’s luxury arm)  • Seres  • Zeekr (majority-owned by Geely) Key data below. Come back again next month for another update on the Chinese runners and riders.

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Commercial vehicle remarketing continues to gain momentum 🛻 Since 2023, Manheim Auction Services’ commercial vehicle division has grown by 31.3%, driven by strong used van demand, customer confidence and a growing mix of high-quality stock. Despite wider market challenges, buyers remain active, prepared and increasingly data-led, reinforcing the strength and resilience of the used commercial vehicle market.

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Are you struggling to recruit apprentices or newly qualified vehicle technicians? TikTok is thriving (there's no doubt about that!) and some brands are questioning whether to include the platform as part of their overall marketing strategy. The key question you should be asking yourself is: "Is my target market on TikTok?" 24.4% of 18 - 24 year olds use TikTok, making it a great place to promote your dealership if you're recruiting for apprentices or newly qualified vehicle technicians. If you're struggling with where to begin, here are 3 tips to help you get started: 1️⃣ Promote your apprentice programme  2️⃣ Showcase your company culture using behind-the-scenes footage of unfiltered employee experiences  3️⃣ Enhance your brand by encouraging your employees to take an active role in your company’s storytelling Have you considered using TikTok as part of your recruitment and marketing strategy to attract qualified talent through the use of fun and authentic content? #TikTok #AutomotiveMarketing #MarketingConsultant *2025 TikTok UK Statistics - Sprout Social

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The wider comment on raising the MOT test fee is that the automotive aftermarket is changing rapidly and challenging outdated perceptions, thereby resetting its contract with the motorist. An increase would further support the role the sector plays in keeping the UK motoring public and millions of businesses moving on daily basis. #automotive #mot #aftermarket #motoring

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🚗💥 The UK new-car market is at a tipping point 💥🚗 The latest Insight Quarterly reveals some eye-opening shifts 👇 🔹 30% of June registrations crammed into the final day – pressure tactics are back. 🔹 Early-year optimism faded fast once incentives were pulled – exposing fragile demand. 🔹 New entrants now hold 3.5% share (36,500 units) – that’s a 475% surge YoY, led by BYD. 🔹 New van market sliding -11.3% YTD, with only small vans growing (+20.6%). 🔹 Manufacturers juggling ZEV targets, discounts, and registrations – but at the cost of margins. 🔹 Chinese brands aren’t just competing – they’re reshaping UK market dynamics. 📊 The question: Are we seeing a short-term distortion… or the start of a long-term reset? 👉 Read the full analysis in Insight Quarterly Issue 6 – The New Market: https://lnkd.in/gbQhcjSW #Automotive #EV #NewCars #UKAuto #MarketTrends #InsightQuarterly Cox Automotive Europe Philip Nothard

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