Electric Cars create new challenges to Motor Traders

Last week saw the launch of another electric city car, the Citreon C-Zero which are starting to prove popular with buyers in urban areas. The take-up of these new cars is expected to increase, with the current record highs in fuel prices. The trend towards Hybrid and all Electric vehicles provides challenges across the Motor Trade for Car Servicing, Repair and MOT stations.

Business that are slower to adopt with equipment and servicing plans for these greener vehicles will lose business to other better equipped centres. Whilst the numbers of these cars are still relatively small, the hybrid and all electric sectors of the market are growing rapidly.

Whilst in tough economic times it is difficult to invest in new equipment and training for staff to ensure they are fully equipped for electric vehicles, the question for Motor Traders will become - can I afford not to?

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Buyer found for Auto Windscreens

The Windscreen repair brand, Auto Windscreens was placed in administration last month (February), when additional capitalisation for the business could not be found. A buyer has emerged for some of the companies assets and use of the brand name. Markerstudy Group a major player in the Motor Trade insurance market, has acquired the business assets from the previous owners a private equity firm.

In a press release from Auto Windscreens, the company strikes a positive note for a 'bright future' with the creation of 250 new jobs in the business. The intention is to compete as a major player within the UK windscreen market place. The Markerstudy Group currently employs 500 staff in the UK with head offices located in Kent.

Looking for a low cost Motor Trade insurance quote, find out how much you can save with iQuote.

Motor Trade reports 4x4 values rising fast

Car Dealers are currently trying to satisfy demand within the used car sector for 4x4's. This is largely due to the poor weather conditions and potential for further extreme weather. The increase in demand and prices for SUV's continues unabated despite the increase in fuel prices to record levels.

At the beginning of 2011, 4x4 prices were increasingly faster than other sector of the used vehicle market. The fuel prices are having a limited impact in this area, because Diesel vehicles are outperforming their Petrol counterparts with the highest prices.

Should there be a further spell of bad weather the demand is expected to peak even further than current levels. Therefore dealers are finding it increasingly hard to satisfy customer demand for 4x4's despite increased fuel costs.

For Car Dealers looking to save money on Motor Traders Insurance, you can save up to 40% off your Traders Policy. Visit the iQuote Insurance website this winter for your online Motor Trade Quote.

Car Dealers still purchasing at auction during the freeze

Despite the arctic conditions many of the major vehicle auctions are reporting steady levels of vehicle sales during recent snow and wintry conditions. Many Motor Traders now purchase from auctions using online services and this method of buying saw spikes in usage during the heaviest snow and ice. Some vehicle auctions experienced increases in online bidding and purchase activity of over fifty percent.

Within the Motor Trade many are grateful to have online tools such as Simulcast to keep buyers and sellers trading, during very difficult travel conditions and the early freeze across much of the country.

Looking for a better deal on Car Dealer insurance, this winter? Get a Motor Trade insurance quote online with iQuote to find out how much you can save.

Mobile vehicle valuations for the Motor Trade

There is a new online service for mobile available from Glass's which provides valuation tools for Car Dealers whilst on the move. The mobile revolution for web usage has continued to grow during 2010 with online traffic from mobiles increasing 3-fold. The new service 'GlassNet Unlimited Mobile' reflects this trend and the increasing diversity of the Motor Trade.

The new mobile service will provide greater flexibility for Car Dealers who visit a customers to value vehicles, work on multiple sites and motor traders working from home. The mobile service will allow dealers to input specific vehicle information such as mileage and options to get an accurate valuation of any vehicle.

At iQuote Insurance we are also publishing new services for mobile devices, such as your iPhone, Blackberry or iPad. You can now get a quote for your Traders insurance online at our new mobile site: iQuoteMotorTradeinsurance.co.uk/mobile/ - Visit us for a Motor Trade Insurance Quote tailored to your business.

Positive annual sales for the UK Motor Trade

The annual figures for new car sales are up by nearly 5% on the vehicle sales for the first ten months of 2009. This is good news for Car Dealers, however figures for October were much lower than last year, as the scrappage scheme was still active in the latter months of last year. This makes the overall annual increase all the more impressive and provides much for motor traders to be positive about for 2011.

The total number of new car registrations in 2010 is expected to top 2 million in the UK. Industry analysts expect continued improvements in the Motor Trade market, driven by improving consumer confidence and modest economic growth to fuel higher sales for the coming year.

Currently the top five selling cars in the UK (for 2010) are:

1. Ford Fiesta
2. Volkswagen Golf
3. Vauxhall Astra
4. BMW 3 Series
5. Ford Focus

Looking for a better deal on your Car Dealer Insurance? Get a competitive Motor Trade Insurance Quote with ‘iQuote’.

Top tips for Traders with iQuote Insurance

When you purchase a Traders Insurance policy, we are committed to providing you with the most competitive deal on your Traders policy. Because you are covering your livelihood and vehicle stock, you shouldn't purchase insurance cover purely on price. You should also consider the level of cover required and whether you require additional benefits such as premises or indemnity cover.

We have listed some handy tips designed to save you money on Motor Trade insurance:

• Make sure that any additional drivers you add to your Traders policy are over 25 years of age. Any drivers younger on the policy will result in a significant increase of your insurance premium.
• If you haven't got any No Claims Bonus in the Motor Trade, ask your insurance broker if you can 'mirror' your No Claims from a private car policy. This means you could still get generous discounts even though your No Claims has not been earned in the Trade.
• If you have the available funds, pay for your insurance in one payment at the inception of the policy. Although most brokers can finance your policy, you will pay more for your insurance in interest charges.
• Many policies will not cover high performance vehicles, within your Motor Trader insurance. If you need cover for a Subaru Impreza, Mitsubishi EVO or other high performance vehicles, you must notify your insurance broker or insurer. Otherwise you may unwittingly end up without cover in the event of a claim.
• Consider the amount of additional cover you require, by limiting the amount of premises cover or increasing the voluntary excess you are willing to pay, you can make large savings on the cost of your Motor Trade policy.

To find out more about our Motor Traders Insurance and how much you can save - Get a Motor Trade Quote with iQuote Insurance.

Car Dealers offering independent scrappage schemes

The government scrappage scheme was widely acknowledged as a huge success within the Motor Trade industry, by the time the scheme had run it's course in March 2010 it had accounted for 400,000 vehicle sales. When vehicle sales had been predicted to plummet, the scheme provided a much need boost for Motor Traders.

Since the schemes expiration earlier this year, many manufacturers have since provided their own offers to recycle your old car for a newer model. Although not government backed, there are still many bargains to be had when shopping around within the range on offer from car dealers. Nissan, Kia and many others are offering schemes to recycle your old vehicle when you purchase a new car. This is helping to drive new car sales and put cleaner, greener vehicles on Britains roads.

Looking for a better deal on your Traders Insurance? Find out how much you can save when you get your Motor Trade Insurance Quote with us.

Motor Traders profits on the rise in 2010

Car Dealers have reported an average profit rise of eighteen and a half percent during the first half of 2010, when compared to the same period in the previous year. The latest figures support the feedback from many motor traders that a fledgling recovery is underway in the vehicle sales sector of the economy.

This result is doubly impressive when the wider economy is experiencing much slower growth than the figures achieved by car dealers. However the confidence that the year-on-year improvement will continue to gather momentum is lacking. In the second half of 2009 vehicle sales were driven forward by the popular scrappage scheme introduced by the government. The predictions for the later half of the year are considerably more modest.

In these uncertain times, would you like to save money on Car Dealers Insurance? Get a Motor Trade Quote with us and we will beat your existing Motor Trade Insurance Quote.

Car Dealers need to embrace electric cars

According to a recent industry survey many motor traders and car dealers have been hesitant to become involved in the electric car revolution. Whether electric cars really are the answer to 'green' car use, is still a subject of debate. However there is an increasing popularity with consumers, for both environmental and economic reasons.

Also the Motor Trade should keep site of the fact that electric cars will need much less dealer servicing than current vehicles with combustion engines. This will have a direct result on Motor Dealer revenues from servicing. The onus will move to the dealer to ensure that they provide a service that is compelling for drivers to require the dealer. This may involve maintenance for wear and tear on parts and safety checks on vehicles. It may transpire that to try and retain servicing incomes the car dealers may end up visiting the customer and providing a more 'bespoke' service.

At iQuote Insurance we provide a bespoke service to customers who require Motor Trade Insurance. In a challenging market for Motor Traders, we go the extra mile to save you money. So if you need Traders Insurance we will arrange a policy that cuts costs, but not cover.

Visit iQuote Insurance and get a cheaper Motor Trade Quote »

Car Dealers predict price increases in 2010

The Motor Trade is encouraging punters to buy cars before the year is out, to make huge savings on the price of a new car. There is an expected rise for new car prices of six percent, during the first three months of 2010. When this is then combined with the return to 17.5% VAT and a showroom tax, due to take effect in April - The cumulative effect is a substantial price rise on the forecourt next year.

Several manufacturers are launching deals which finish on December 31st 2009, which are being billed as ‘beat the VATman’. Other factors which may make buyers wary of purchasing cars in 2010, include the end of the scrappage scheme in February and the poor exchange rate of the pound against the euro.

All of these factors are an indicator of tough trading conditions to come for manufacturers and motor traders. However there is some good news with the cost of a traders insurance policy falling by up to 40% with iQuote Insurance. Get a Motor Trade insurance quote and find out how much you can save today.

Motor Traders need to prepare for the end of scrappage scheme

The governments scrappage scheme has been a victim of it’s own success and is expected to finish before the end of 2009, possibly as early as October. Although the scheme has seen vehicles sales increase and generated 150,000 new registrations; car dealers need to consider the strategy for new car sales within their business.

Car dealers who are pro-actively looking at ways to increase sales, should consider marketing to customers who recently purchased vehicles for after-sales servicing and marketing of customers in their existing database who purchased a vehicle over 2 years ago, for new vehicle sales. There will still be opportunities for strong income to dealers after the scrappage scheme is finished, but the motor trade industry as a whole will need to work harder to secure their share of the revenue.

iQuote Motor Trade would like to assist car dealers in the current climate. We guarantee to save you money on Motor Trade Insurance, if you have received a Motor Trade Quote from one of our competitors, we will beat your quote and deliver you a cheaper traders policy.

UK car sales up for the first time in 2009

For the first time in 2009, the monthly car sales figures are up on the previous year. In July there was a 2 percent increase compared to figures for July last year. This is widely acknowledged to be a direct result of the governments vehicle scrappage scheme; which has made a more buoyant market for car dealers.

However within the coming months the money for the scrappage scheme is expected to run out. The motor trade is extremely keen for the scheme to continue, as this has provided much needed relief in the industry. The June figures were the smallest fall of the year, now with the increase in July it is hoped that a continue of the scheme will see the industry return to a healthier position.

Here at iQuote Insurance, we are keen to assist car dealers in the current economic conditions, so if you need traders insurance - we guarantee to beat your existing motor trade insurance quote. Visit us online and we can provide a motor trade policy for road risk insurance or combined motor trade.

Are UK customers getting a fair deal from the Motor Trade?

A recent survery of nearly 1,500 car owners found a less than satisfactory experience in their dealings with garages, MOT centres and other outlets within the Motor Trade. Within the survey it revealed that one in five motorists have been charged more than the amount quoted for the service or repair work by their garage or car dealer.

Other findings in the survey found that one in ten motorists have or believe they have been overcharged for work on their vehicle. The ‘Motor Codes’ self regulatory body is seen as a last chance saloon for the Motor Trade. With consumer confidence at a low ebb and consumers having no knowledge of where to turn if things go wrong. The inconsistent and overpriced repair work is believed to cost UK motorists in the region of Four Billion pounds per year.

For Motor Traders, we also believe a fare deal is something that should be expected. So at iQuote Insurance we guarantee to beat any genuine Motor Trade quote. Visit us online and enter the best quote you have received from our competitors and we will save you money on your Traders Insurance.

The Motor Codes regulatory body is trying to deliver and maintain standards within the Motor Trade. Garages adhering to the scheme will have the Motor Codes logo on display and this is the guarantee of professionally completed work at reasonable prices. Support your local garages that are members of the scheme and help repair the reputation of the motor trade.

Car Dealers concerned as new car production falls

Despite the introduction of the vehicle scrappage scheme new car production has fallen by 43% in May 2009. The first five month of the year have seen new car production fall by 54%, the figures for commercial vehicles see an even sharper decline of 65% for the year.

However the scrappage scheme was not implemented until mid-may, the figures for June should provide a more accurate picture of the market. Due to the changeable conditions in the new car market, the production ouput of firms is heavily influenced by sales on Car Dealer forecourts.

The Motor Trade and in particular the commercial sector is experiencing the worst downturn for many years. However to assist Car dealers and Motor traders, iQuote Insurance are offering a saving of 40% off your Traders Insurance.

Visit the iQuote Motor Trade website for a motor trade quote to get your ‘credit crunch’ saving on a traders policy.

Used Vehicle values rise for 7th Month

The average prices of used vehicles continues rise, based on reported figures at UK vehicle auctions. The figures continue to rise despite the introduction of the government backed vehicle scrappage scheme for new cars.

Average values rose by over 2% in May, this was a 5.7% increase on the same period for 2008. Motor Traders welcomed the news and reflect the demand for used vehicles within the current ecomonmic climate.

The figures are particularly welcome news for the trade, as this is traditionally the quietest time of year for car sales. This suggests that the prices are resilient and the used car sector will continue to provide strong demand, both in car dealerships and auctions.

If your a Motor Trader and would like to save money on your Traders Insurance, get a Motor Trade Quote with iQuote Insurance to save up to 40% off your premium.

Suzuki poised to gain dealer servicing market share

The car maker has joined forces with Motaquip and has launched a servicing program for all makes of vehicles. This is expected to help drive their servicing business forward and help to make up the shortfall in revenue due to the fall in new car sales.

Motor Traders are having to work harder to maintain their incomes in the current ecomonic climate. More car dealer networks are expected to diversify into this manner to try and whether the current trading conditions. To assist with falling revenues, iQuote Insurance can save you money on Traders Insurance. For a limited time we guarantee to beat your existing motor trade quote.

Whatever make of car you own the dealer will type your registration into a parts catalogue to access 6,700 models of vehicles and all their components. The scheme is expected to have a positive effect on workshop business throughout the Suzuki GB dealer network. To facilitate this scheme Suzuki have partnered with Autodata for the supply of technical data to the car dealer network.

5k Cashback on electric cars

The vehicle scrapping scheme being planned for rollout on UK vehicles, is already expected to offer users up to £2,500 off the price of a new vehicle when swapping in your old banger. However it is expected that the government will announce (in the budget) up to £5,000 off an electric car when you trade in your old motor.

This bold move has a dual benefit, not only will this promote environmentally friendly motoring, but it should also give a much needed boost to the beleagured motor trade industry. Gordon Brown hopes that this incentive will help establish the UK as a leading producer and consumer of cutting edge eco-friendly vehicles.

However you will have to be keen to ensure you can get one of these deals as there will be a £250 million fund for this scheme, which will be administered on a first come, first served basis. With the announcment of this scheme imminent, car makers are racing to develop the vehicles to sell under this scheme.

For car dealers whether you sell conventional fuel, hybrid drive or electric vehicles we can save you money on your motor trade insurance. With introductory discounts and expert advisors, get a cheaper motor trade quote with iQuote Insurance.

The scheme to replace existing vehicles with eco-friendly cars is part of larger vision which includes creating green cities with readily available electric car charging points and the plan to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the green motor trade sector.

10 tips for Cheap Motor Trade Insurance

1. Shop Around
Motor Trade Insurance is a very competitive industry, this works in your favour so make sure you shop around in the market. Apply online for motor trade quotes from different insurers, when comparing quotes look at the level of cover being offered on your Motor Trade Policy.

2. Compare the Motor Trade market online
If you haven't got time to compare all of the different sites, visit a site that will compare motor trade insurance quotes for you. iQuote Motor Trade Insurance, will check the best rates in the market to save you time and money!

3. Motor Trade specialists
For cheap Motor Trade Insurance and the best possible cover for your business, it pays to visit a specialist insurer. By choosing an insurer with specialist knowledge you get the right motor trade cover at the right price.

4. Additional Cover
For Motor Traders having the right insurance cover can save you thousands of pounds over time. A Motor Trade Policy that includes indemnity insurance or cover for your motor trade premises, could be the difference between your business surviving or failing if the worst happens.

5. No Claims Bonus
Even if your bonus has not been earned on a Motor Trade Insurance policy, you could still use it to save money on your current traders policy. Many insurers including iQuote Insurance will mirror your no claims bonus from a private car policy to a Motor Traders policy.

6. Apply online as a new customer
There is every possibility that if you apply with your current insurer as a new customer, that they will provide you with a cheaper quote. If you don't receive a discount for applying online, the only cost to you - is the time spent completing the online form.

7. Voluntary Excess
You might want to look at voluntary excess. This is the amount you pay before the insurance company picks up the rest. This can be small but if you opt for a higher voluntary excess this would seriously lower the cost of a traders insurance policy.

8. Vehicles Cover
Never assume that high performance vehicles or Motor Bikes will automatically be included on a Motor Trade Insurance policy. Always check with the insurer first, this could avoid a costly assumption if you are not covered on the vehicle.

9. Make one single payment for your Motor Trade Policy
It is very convenient to pay for a Motor Trade policy in monthly installments, however this will cost more in the long run. If you can afford to do so, always pay for your Motor Trade Insurance in one payment when you take out the policy.

10. Don't hide details from your insurer
The more information you provide your Motor Trade Insurance Broker, the better tailored the policy can be to your needs. If you hide details to get a lower rate, it will invalidate your insurance cover and may cost vast sums of money if cover is not valid at the point of claim.

Car Dealers losing out on servicing income

In the tough economic climate within the Motor Trade industry the revenue that can be generated through vehicle servicing is a larger proportion of overall income. Within a climate of falling sales this income is of increasing importance.

Only about 30% of owners return their vehicle to the dealer where the purchased was made for servicing. Most owners choose their local garage or a franchised dealer for their make of vehicle to carry out servicing and repairs.

For motor traders and dealer to tap into this sector of the market, they must deliver on good workmanship and value for money. However as long as these key factors are delivered within the service - there is the potential to increase earnings from servicing and repair work to help weather the current credit crunch.

For cost conscious car dealers of any size a motor trade insurance policy with iQuote will help to reduce your overheads. Motor trade policies can be provided for road risk insurance or combined cover and you will receive a traders policy tailored to your needs.