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There have been a few news stories recently about bans or restrictions on car use or ownership in a number of cities – bans on cars entering Delhi on alternate days, a proposed ban on all diesel cars entering the centre of Bristol, and a roll-out of car-free areas in specified parts of Barcelona.
Read MoreAt ICDP, we closely monitor all developments in automotive retail (the main focus being Europe), including the introduction of new formats and services on offer to customers. A recurrent area of interest to us remains the operation of new and permanent retail formats (‘micro-outlets’) in high footfall locations such as shopping malls or shopping centres.
Read MoreWe do not normally comment on specific companies in the industry, particularly where that includes subscribers to our research, but a number of people have asked about our views on the PSA-FCA merger, so it seems appropriate to share those more widely. We have no inside knowledge, so these thoughts are based purely on public information.
Read MoreUsed cars are a key ingredient of retailing, and the most profitable market segment (combining both volumes and margins) is represented by the band between 36 and 50 months.
Read MoreI had the pleasure last week to be in Brazil to report back to FENABRAVE and their members on our work there. Our detailed report will be released in due course, but the research itself and the discussions last week highlighted some opportunities that are worth reflecting on
Read MoreAt recent ICDP meetings, we have been tracking the ongoing process of reviewing and replacing the Block Exemptions, the European-level regulations which govern franchise distribution in the automotive and in other sectors, ahead of their expiry in 2022 and 2023.
Read MoreLast week at our Autumn Meeting, my colleague Pascal Haubenreisser and I presented the next stage in our thinking on what a “clean slate” approach would look like for a car distribution network in the future, say the mid 2020s
Read MoreWith our arguably unique position looking across the whole of the automotive distribution sector from a forward-looking perspective, we occasionally get asked to comment or advise on possible opportunities to invest in the sector.
Read MoreAs the Sunday Times put it today 'Arthur Daley, the man from Zoopla is coming' - a threat and/or a promise?
Read MoreEV pioneer Tesla wants to save its customers the hassle of physically taking their car for a service. Tesla states that 90% of all problems can be diagnosed remotely and often resolved via an over-the-air update. Tesla is currently alone, there are no signs of other OEMs aiming to set up a “no maintenance” policy for electric vehicles.
Read MoreA recent article in Automotive News highlighted one of the downsides of the everything-connected world of omni-channel retailing; that when something goes wrong in one place, its impacts are felt throughout the network and across a range of partners.
Read MoreInvestors and senior management of dealers, particularly the large groups, face a perfect storm in the next two to three years, arguably unprecedented in recent times, possibly ever.
Read MoreDespite a greater amount of realism being in evidence over recent months, there remains a considerable amount of hype around the potential impact on the automotive sector of the so-called 'ACES', so Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification, and Sharing (mobility schemes and other alternatives to traditional vehicle ownership). In this video, we separate myth from reality.
Read MoreAn opinion paper has just been published that unveils some controversial views on where used car retailing is going in the UK. In reaching its conclusions, the paper, entitled No More Silos Anymore, reviewed the latest consumer research, benchmarked leading UK used car websites, and analysed developments underway in the US.
Read MoreIn 1999 I (Peter Bailey) completed my M Phil thesis which, as well as providing a social history of the car and its industry, attempted to create a 20-20 vision for the industry and its internal and external environment. This was quite a job! I recently re-read this weighty tome, and was surprised to see just how close to current reality it was.
Read MoreAs the process of reviewing and renewing the Block Exemption regulations that govern franchise distribution in the automotive and other sectors steps up a gear, the European Commission is busy soliciting views and data from interested stakeholders.
Read MoreIn October 2018, Quintegia carried out a survey with the objective of analysing market trends for car maintenance and repair and highlighting possible areas of innovation …
Read MoreOn 20th February 2019 the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority issued a ruling against carwow, an e-commerce platform that connects new car buyers with dealers willing to sell them cars at discounted prices …
Read MoreParts Holding Europe acquired Oscaro in mid-November 2018, resulting in them adding another international aftermarket operator to their portfolio alongside Autodis Group …
Read MoreOver the summer of 2018, Volkswagen reportedly stored something in the region of 200,000 cars at the new but still delayed and unused Berlin airport. By Spring 2019, the industry may view high levels of excess stock a tactical necessity.
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