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USED CAR BUYER CONFIDENCE “UNLIKELY TO IMPROVE” IN 2011 SAYS RAC

USED CAR buyer confidence is unlikely to improve significantly in 2011, meaning that demand for safety net products such as extended warranties will remain strong, says RAC Warranty. The company points out that at the end of 2010, used car warranties are still being enhanced – by both length of time and depth of cover – at around the same rates as during the worst parts of the recession, indicating that the mood of consumers remains cautious. Ian Simpson, sales and marketing director, said: “Next year, the measures that the coalition Government has undertaken to reduce public spending will really start to bite and that will have a definite impact on general confidence.

SCARCITY OF ECO CARS KEEPS VALUES HIGH

ACCORDING to the latest AA Fuel Price Index, petrol prices rose in January by the biggest amount in recent times. Although there is considerable Government lobbying to slow down fuel price rises, there appears to be no immediate respite for private motorists. With this continued pressure on family finances, leading vehicle auction company, British Car Auctions (BCA) is seeing a significant increase in buyers seeking the most fuel efficient vehicles which, in turn, is pushing up prices at auction.

Electric vehicles promoted

THE SCOTTISH Government is teaming up with industry leaders and environmental campaigners in a new drive to get more electric cars on the roads. Transport Minister Keith Brown has launched the E-Cosse partnership which brings together government body Transport Scotland with car manufacturers, power companies, local councils and environmental charity WWF Scotland. Mr Brown said the new group would "develop a shared vision and set future priorities to promote the uptake of electric vehicles in Scotland".

Ampera grabs green award

VAUXHALL'S Ampera extended range electric vehicle has been honoured as Green Vehicle of the Year by fleet decision-makers at the prestigious 2012 Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) Awards. The awards, which are voted for online exclusively by the ACFO membership, are highly-prized because unlike many other awards they reflect the day-to-day operational experience and expertise of fleet decision-makers. This prize is the latest in a long line of over 40 top gongs for the ground-breaking Ampera, which include the current European Car of the Year, What Car?

Luxury cars still in demand

DEMAND remains strong for upper executive, sports and luxury cars says British Car Auctions (BCA), as buyers continue to support the company’s programme of Top Car and Executive sales. In the first half of the year, BCA sold 8,356 cars valued in excess of £20,000, worth a combined £231.4 million. Across the board BCA has averaged 102.57% of CAP Clean for cars sold for £20,000 or more in 2012.

CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM BCA SALE

THE SALE of a special edition 'Limited Pink Passion' Smart FourTwo has raised hundreds of pounds for charity, BCA has reported. The used vehicle auction specialist held a special sale its Blackbushe centre with organisational help for car dealer Fred Andy. The event raised £500, with an additional £250 donation from BCA and £750 generated through further fund-raising by Mr Andy.

SMALL CARS DOMINATE USED CAR SALES

SMALL, FUEL-EFFICIENT cars continue to be the most appealing to used car buyers, research shows. The figures from Experian, the global information service, demonstrated that 285,962 used Ford Fiestas were sold last year making it Britain’s best selling used car in 2010. Even though overall sales for the Fiesta were lower than in 2009 there was more of a pronounced drop in sales of Vauxhall's Corsa, which came in second place to the Fiesta.

Drivers 'feel safe breaking laws'

MANY DRIVERS are taking risks on the roads through overconfidence and complacency, according to a survey. As many as 69% of drivers admit putting others at risk by breaking traffic laws, the poll by road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line found. Yet nearly all of those questioned (99%) reckon they are comparatively safe.

Lord Sugar leads roadworks campaign

THE GOVERNMENT is to look at the better coordination of roadworks by utility companies after complaints by peers. Labour's Lord Sugar led the call for action at question time in the Lords with support from Tory former chancellor Lord Lamont of Lerwick. Lord Sugar, star of BBC television's The Apprentice show, urged "commonsense coordination" between the gas, electricity, water and telecoms companies.

Petrol prices expected to plunge

PETROL PRICES at the pumps could plunge by almost 4p over the next two weeks, the RAC predicted today. But the reduction, and a forecast 2p dip in diesel, will only happen if other retailers follow the supermarkets' lead in dropping prices, the RAC added. It said that the wholesale price of petrol had now reached its lowest price since the beginning of December 2012.