New car sales fall for 6th consecutive month

[IanGarland]

Its hardly surprising with all the moves towards electric and driverless cars

 

[gIzzE]

A lot of my customers are either business owners, or run the business' they work for, and they are seriously holding back at the moment while we see what is gong on in the UK. Not with Brexit, but with the government, while there is even the slightest chance that Corbyn could get in they have stopped spending. It is pretty much all we talk about at the moment, it has been since the election, and it is a genuine worry.

If labour did get in it would completely change the landscape of the UK, I, like so many others I speak to would have to call it a day with our business' as his policies would make us all insolvent pretty much overnight.

And while there is doubt like that hanging over you suddenly your 5 year old car seems it might be alright for another year or so.

 

[JBD]

Pleased to here that. Maybe the reality that everyone outside MBUK has seen for more than a year has finally percolated into their rarified bubble and this is the start of expanding the petrol range here.




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When the GLC came out, demand for petrol was low. I see the enquiries day to day and it’s completely flipped in the last year. Two years ago, petrol SUV’s and bigger executive cars were a curse. They discontinued the E250 petrol for that reason alone. They sat in showrooms for months on end.

I’m really not surprised they didn’t take the 250 petrol initially. It’s not something they can implement overnight. It’s a very troubling time in the industry and I do feel media pressure is making consumers change their cars out of fear, rather than real need.


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[gIzzE]

I also think that customers have no true understanding of 'overall' running costs between running a new diesel and the equivalent petrol car either.

The difference is so small but people simply don't sit down and work it out.

There are many models where the petrol is cheaper to own/run over a 3 year period, but all people see is 30mpg vs 40mpg.

 

[markjay]

It's a self-fulfilling prophecy....

Diesel cars are seen as more frugal, so command higher prices come resell time when many second-hand buyers shy away from 'uneconomic' petrol cars... so diesel residuals are lower than petrol residuals.... which makes diesel cars even cheaper to own over a 3 year period... and even more buyers flock to them... and so it goes.

 

[Codger49]

I think that scenario is changing pretty quickly, have you seen the prices of good second hand petrol cars recently?

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Hence why I am selling my E350 Estate, it is lovely, but no more lovely than my Range Rover, and now sits in the garage.

My best friend (currently on the dark side with a BMW330 coupe) could well be very interested. I've just sent him the details you posted on your E350 and will be seeing him tonight.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

My best friend (currently on the dark side with a BMW330 coupe) could well be very interested. I've just sent him the details you posted on your E350 and will be seeing him tonight.

Sorry, he says the mileage is too high for his tastes.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner.......

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Or maybe because I'm the father of Millennials......

But I'm shocked, shocked, by how many young City Dwellers have forsaken cars.

Lots of reasons: far better public transport, obscene road and parking taxes, Uber, Bicycles, Single Life, cheap flights / holidays abroad.... the lot....

OK, people are buying record numbers of cars, and not everyone lives in Cities, or commutes to city centres, but when I look at my Millennials I see people who aren't as excited by the prospect of owning their own vehicles as I was at their age. (All I'm saying here is that the rate of new car sales won't increase every year)

 

[Richard1973]

I drive a car transporter, generally delivering Jaguar Landrover, and they currently say that 80% of production is unsold.

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[190]

Or maybe because I'm the father of Millennials......

But I'm shocked, shocked, by how many young City Dwellers have forsaken cars.

I know a young man who seems to have no ambition to own a car. Perhaps they are missing something in their up bringing I was striping down engines and riding motorcycles around waste land at the age of 13. Just think what it will be like when cars are all electric, there will be little romance in it and petrol heads will be a dying breed.

 

[Benzowner]

....... there will be little romance in it and petrol heads will be a dying breed.

Maybe called battery b@stards

On a serious note, the big problem with hybrids and battery cars, with the ever increasing number of caravan owners, afaik there isn't one made yet to tow caravans and petrol tow cars are not in the same league as diesel tow cars.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Maybe called battery b@stards

On a serious note, the big problem with hybrids and battery cars, with the ever increasing number of caravan owners, afaik there isn't one made yet to tow caravans and petrol tow cars are not in the same league as diesel tow cars.

Very many years ago I towed a 4-berth caravan around France, including time in the Alps. The car - a 1600cc Hillman Avenger, petrol. We never had queues of traffic behind, it was more a case of being held up by cars that weren't towing! If you know how to drive (mainly thinking ahead), even a relatively small petrol car isn't a problem pulling a decent size caravan. Yes, diesel is better but petrol is more than capable.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

^ I'm not alone in thinking this:
#23 Choosing a tow car - Which Fuel? - The Camping and Caravanning Club

 

[Benzowner]

^ I'm not alone in thinking this:
#23 Choosing a tow car - Which Fuel? - The Camping and Caravanning Club

The second page seems to be more in favour of diesels, more economical over 10k miles etc. and the problem seems to be either we choose more green house gases or more nox.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

The second page seems to be more in favour of diesels, more economical over 10k miles etc. and the problem seems to be either we choose more green house gases or more nox.

I'd happily settle for less caravans.

 

[David404]

Brexit's beginning to bite.

I suspect more to do with the uncertainty around the future of internal combustion engine vehicles. Many who would have purchased Diesel have purchased 2nd hand or not swapped at all. The current state of play is lamentable and all down to terminally stupid politicians (of whatever political persuasion) who cant lay out a sensible medium to long term plan.

 

[David404]

I'd happily settle for less caravans.

If I have loose my caravan I expect you to loose your holiday that involves a flight or ferry/boat trip.

 

[John]

I know a young man who seems to have no ambition to own a car. Perhaps they are missing something in their up bringing I was striping down engines and riding motorcycles around waste land at the age of 13. Just think what it will be like when cars are all electric, there will be little romance in it and petrol heads will be a dying breed.

Whilst I've never been interested in mechanics, I've been obsessed by cars ever since I've been able to remember.

Electric cars, which I agree are the way forward, will kill my passion.

Part of the experience of a fast car is the sound of the engine for me.

I'm not bothered about it but I really wont care what I drive by then as long as it meets the usual personal criteria like comfortable etc.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

If I have loose my caravan I expect you to loose your holiday that involves a flight or ferry/boat trip.

Sounds fair, every day is a holiday for me matey.