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Vertu opens second BYD dealership with new Gloucester site now up and running

Vertu has announced the opening of its second BYD dealership as the Chinese brand continues its rapid UK expansion.

The Car Dealer Top 100 group has confirmed that Vertu BYD Gloucester is now up and running, joining BYD Worcester in its network.

The state-of-the-art facility includes an ultra modern showroom, complete with a robotic assistant, as well as a workshop and service reception facilities, supported by specially trained BYD technicians.

Five new jobs have also been created as a result of the opening, with the overall team managed by new general manager, Robert Grant (pictured).

Commenting on the opening, Grant said: ‘Bringing the BYD brand to Gloucester is a thrilling opportunity for us.

‘Our customers will now have access to some of the most advanced electric vehicles available.

‘Our new BYD showroom will allow customers a thorough, comprehensive and seamless experience.

‘The team is eager to introduce customers to the unique features of BYD cars, and we are excited to see the positive impact this will have on our local area.’

Vertu CEO Robert Forrester was also on hand to herald the latest addition to the Vertu dealer network, which he described as a ‘landmark moment’.

He added: ‘The opening of this dealership in Gloucester is a landmark moment in our partnership with BYD, and our mission to expand our new electric vehicle offerings.

‘We are enthusiastic about the growth potential with BYD and are committed to delivering exceptional service and innovative vehicles to our customers.’

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Lloyd Motor Group launches bid to create office space in historic former army barrack

Car dealer Lloyd Motor Group (LMG) has submitted ambitious plans for new office space in an historic former army barrack.

The Car Dealer Top 100 retailer is seeking planning permission to transform the site of the former Fenham Barracks in Newcastle, which have lay empty for the past six years.

Built way back in 1806, Fenham Barracks initially provided accommodation to artillery and cavalry units but was later expanded to include a hospital, guardhouse, reading room, marriage quarters and mess halls.

Several of the blocks were demolished shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and the remaining structure was most recently deployed as Japanese and Lebanese restaurants.

Planning documents submitted to Newcastle City Council reveal that LMG is now seeking permission to knock down modern extensions and transform the site for use by the motor trade.

The dealer group says that the proposals would ‘bring about significant heritage benefits’ and has been backed to restore the site by local campaign groups, the BBC reports.

The Northumberland and Newcastle Society have told the council that LMG’s bid ‘finds a use for a neglected part of Newcastle’s history’ and ‘goes some way to restore its original form and appearance’.

The Newcastle Conservation Advisory Panel is also supporting the application, subject to further clarity on what materials will be used.

A spokesman told planners: ‘It is currently unclear as to what detailed finish will be applied.

‘We would expect the conservation officer to carefully consider this critical aspect of the scheme.’

The new offices would be based in the former guardhouse, which CMG owns, with external space used for staff parking and vehicle storage.

The full application can be viewed here. No date has yet been given on when a final decision will be made.

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Used car salesman avoids jail for handling stolen Mercedes after dragging brother into dodgy deal

A used car salesman has avoided jail after he admitted to trying to sell a stolen Mercedes.

Jake Bush initially took the German motor in good faith but soon began to suspect it was stolen when he was unable to secure the vehicle’s log book.

Despite his suspicions, the 26-year-old made no effort to find out the truth or go to the authorities and even dragged his brother into the storm by asking him to prep the car for sale.

His plan was eventually thwarted when police stopped the car, while it was being driven on false plates, and the brothers’ fingerprints were found inside.

The pair were arrested for handling stolen goods and have both now pleaded guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that Jake, of Ernest Street, Pelton, was the ‘primary mover’ in the plot, the Sunderland Echo reports. Meanwhile, the bench heard that his younger brother had ‘played a minor part in the enterprise’.

Since being recovered, the Mercedes – valued at £24,000 – has been returned to its rightful owner and the eldest Bush brother has walked away from the motor trade after being ‘burnt’ by the experience.

Prosecutor John Garside told the court: ‘The complainant says that her motor vehicle was stolen on January 11. It had been locked and secured at night.

‘It was later seen in Belton Close in Washington, with registration plates that had been cloned.

‘On examination, the defendants’ fingerprints were found in the footwell. They were charged.’

In a statement, the car’s owner said she now wanted to sell the vehicle after it had been ‘tarnished’ by the theft.

Robin Ford, defending both men, said: ‘Jake accepts fully that he got the car and asked his brother to do it up.

‘It’s not the two of them that got the car, but they’ve been jointly charged because they were working on the car.

‘Jake got the vehicle and perhaps closes his mind and gets his brother involved.

‘When you read the reports, Jake fully accepts that he got a bargain, and he thought he was going to get the logbook.

‘It didn’t cross his mind at all that it may be stolen, but he did think it was too good to be true. He kept the car.’

After hearing all the evidence, magistrates handed Jake Bush a 20 week prison term, suspended for 15 months.

He must also complete 12 rehabilitation days and pay a £154 victim surcharge, as well as costs totalling £85.

His brother was slapped with a 15-month community order and ordered to complete 225 hours of unpaid work.

He must also attend five rehabilitation days and pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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EV repair costs currently 25% higher than ICE vehicles as Land Rover named least reliable brand

The average cost of repairing a used EV is more than a quarter higher than the price of fixing issues with ICE vehicles, a new study has revealed.

Data collected as part of Warranty Solution Group’s (WSG) latest Market View Report found a major disparity in the average claim cost between electric vehicles and ICE models.

The firm found that, on average, warranty claims for EV repair cost £827.55 between March 2024 and February 2025.

The figure was 26.78% higher than the average claim for ICE cars over the same period, which stood at £623.10.

The analysis came from a study of 800 electric vehicle and hybrid warranty claims, from a range of brands including Tesla, Polestar, Vauxhall, Audi, BMW and Porsche.

According to the study, the most common issue with with EVs was 12v batteries, which costed an average of £192.03 to replace.

There were also multiple complaints about shock absorbers and charger ports, which cost an average of £531.02 and £119.43 respectively.

On the topic of shock absorbers specifically, WSG’s experts put the issue down to EVs not having engine vibrations to naturally help distribute forces across the chassis.

At the more expensive end of the scale, other common problem parts included air conditioning compressors (£1,193.79) and suspension arms (£1,058.23).

When it came to reliability, Hyundai came out on top for EVs, with a claim rate of 3.70%. The South Korean brand also had one of the lowest average claim costs in the analysis at just £309.46.

At the other end of the scale, Land Rover was named the least reliable electrified manufacturer with a claim rate of 36.36%.

WSG say that the brand’s electrified models – which includes a variety hybrid variants – have suffered from a mix of poor software execution, historical reliability issues, and complex, failure-prone technology.

Reacting to the findings of the report, John Colinswood, CEO of WSG, said: ‘EV warranty claims are significantly higher than ICE vehicles mainly due to costly EV-specific components that demand specialised tools and expertise.

‘Addressing repair affordability and ensuring battery durability are pivotal to supporting the broader adoption of EVs.

‘Dealerships offering comprehensive EV warranties play a pivotal role in addressing consumer concerns, fostering greater confidence and peace of mind in the transition to electric mobility.

‘While EVs offer environmental benefits and potential long-term savings, UK motorists continue to express concerns over high insurance premiums, expensive repairs, and battery degradation.

‘Addressing these challenges is essential to accelerating EV adoption and ensuring consumer confidence.

‘In our report, we explore these critical industry developments, underscoring the importance of robust warranties and innovative solutions.

‘Together, we aim to empower our dealer partners, meet increasing customer expectations and deliver sustainable success in a dynamic and ever-changing market.’

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Tesla registrations continue to nosedive – down another 44% in February – JATO

Tesla sales in Europe continued to tank in February while Chinese brands and Renault Group boomed, new data reveals.

Latest figures from JATO Dynamics reveals the European car market fell yet again last month. Compared to February 2024, the month suffered a 3% fall totalling 966,300 cars registered.

Decreases in Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Ireland contributed the most to the decline, while total year-to-date registrations stood at 1,962,850 – a 2% fall.

Global analyst at JATO Dynamics, Felipe Munoz, said: ‘There are still no clear signs of recovery in the European automotive industry.

‘Uncertainty in the domestic market is being further complicated by challenges in both China and the US.’

While registrations of battery electric vehicles rose by 26% – the highest volume on record for both the month of February and the period of January to February – Tesla sales plunged by 44%.

The American manufacturer’s market share also fell to 9.6% – the lowest February for over five years.

Year-to-date market share also fell from 18.4% in 2024 to 7.7% this year.

This follows a 45% fall recorded in January.

Munoz added: ‘Tesla is experiencing a period of immense change. In addition to Elon Musk’s increasingly active role in politics and the increased competition it is facing within the EV market, the brand is phasing out the existing version the Model Y – its best-selling vehicle – in anticipation of the introduction of a new refreshed version.

‘During this process, brands often experience a drop in sales before they return to normal levels, once the updated model becomes widely available. Brands like Tesla, which have a relatively limited model lineup, are particularly vulnerable to registration declines when undertaking a model changeover.’

In February, registrations of the Model Y fell by 56% to 8,800 units, while registrations of the Model 3 fell by 14% to 6,800 units.

‘The difference in volume drops between these two vehicles suggests that the decline in the brand’s overall sales is more firmly rooted in the Model Y changeover than Musk’s political activity.

‘However, it will be interesting to see to what extent demand rebounds once the new Model Y hits markets across the region.’

While Tesla tanked, Chinese car brands scored some big wins.

Nearly 20,000 new Chinese-owned car brands were registered in Europe, outpacing Tesla which registered just over 15,700.

JATO Dynamics said the best-selling Chinese-owned car brands were Volvo, BYD and Polestar.

Volvo recorded a 30% drop in EV registrations, while BYD and Polestar posted increases of 94% and 98% respectively.

XPeng registered over 1,000 units, while Stellantis-backed Leapmotor finished February with just over 900 registrations.

The Volkswagen Group remained the top-selling brand in February with just under 249,500 units (+1%), but it was the Renault Group which saw sales boom by 12% to 106,590, placing it in third place. Second-placed Stellantis saw registrations slide by 16% to 156,263.

Renault’s success came from 9,400 EVs registered in February, with strong sales of the new 5, Clio, Symbioz, and the Dacia Duster.

The Dacia Sandero was the month’s best-seller with 21,604 (+4%), followed by the Citroen C3 with 18,540 (+4%) and Renault’s Clio with 18,348 (+22%).

The Tesla Model Y was the top-selling EV with 8,790 units, followed by the Model 3 (6,834) and the Volkswagen ID.4 (6,172).

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Pentagon Motor Group owner sees profits dip despite improved new car sales

Pentagon Motor Group’s parent company saw its profits slide last year, despite racking up improved new car sales.

Accounts recently filed with Companies House show that Motus Group (UK) made a pre-tax profit of £14.44m in the 12 months ending June 30, 2024 – a 9.45% dip on 2023’s £15.81m.

The result comes despite turnover being up 9.7% at £1.4bn, compared to the £1.27bn made last time out.

The accounts show that the group sold 22,901 new cars in the period covered by the accounts, representing a 5.5% improvement on 2023 when it shifted 21,698.

However, this was tempered by a 4.6% decrease in used car performance, with Motus selling 11,233 units overall.

Bosses put the decline down to constrained new car supply in 2023, which had boosted used vehicle sales.

Looking ahead, the directors admitted that the ZEV mandate could have a negative impact on next year’s results, amid ‘weak’ consumer demand for electric cars.

In a statement included in the accounts, the firm said: ‘The first three months of the new financial year have followed the trading patterns of the year to 30 June 2024.

‘In 2023, the UK Government moved the full ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK from 2030 to 2035.

‘From January 2024 the UK Government have imposed the Vehicle Emission Trading Scheme (VETS). VETS was imposed in place of the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

‘The retail demand for new battery electric vehicles (BEV) is weak and this presents a considerable challenge in achieving the VETS targets for Manufacturers.

‘If unamended this regime, together with the absence of incentives for consumers in the retail market, may cause volatility and disruption in the UK new vehicle market in the near and medium term.’

Elsewhere in the accounts it is revealed that Motus’s workforce grew from an average of 2,806 to 2,934 people in 2024.

Wages and salaries rose by 7.2% to £110.88m with directors paid an increased £1.59m compared to £1.55m in 2023.

Meanwhile, interim dividends totalling £11m were declared and paid during the year, compared to £3m in the previous accounting period.

Reacting to the group’s performance overall, directors said: ‘In the year to 30 June 2024, the business performed strongly at operating profit level, the profit before tax performance is strong all be it 9% behind prior year, due to higher interest costs as a result of increased stock holdings and interest rate increases.

‘Although the macro-economic environment is weakening, the business has performed in line with expectations in the period since the year end.’

Pentagon Motor Group is run by former Peugeot MD David Peel.

It operates BYD, Vauxhall, Ford, Peugeot, Citroen, Seat, Nissan, Renault, Mazda, Dacia, Kia and Cupra dealerships in locations across the UK.

Its commercial vehicle division runs franchised dealerships for DAF, Volkswagen, Ford, Fiat, Isuzu and Maxus. The group also sells trucks.

Motus was 12th in the Car Dealer Top 100 list of most profitable car dealers last year.

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Volvo boss vows to look after ‘little sister’ Polestar – but not at the expense of brand’s customers

Volvo’s UK boss says that the brand will continue to look after its ‘little sister’ Polestar but insisted that support would not come at the expense of the firm’s own customers.

British Polestar owners can currently take their vehicles to be serviced at Volvo sites, with several dealerships holding franchises with both brands.

The two Swedish outfits continue to share a close relationship, under the Geely umbrella, and the subject was one of many to come up during our recent chat with Nicole Melillo Shaw at Car Dealer Live.

Asked whether she would prefer more separation between the brands, Volvo’s UK MD, promised to keep ‘looking after’ the Polestar brand.

However, she insisted that help would only last as long is it does ‘compromise’ the brand’s ability to offer ‘really robust customer service’ to its own consumers.

Speaking with host James Batchelor, Melillo Shaw said: ‘The start point with that [sharing spaces with Polestar] is making sure that we can offer a really robust customer service to our Volvo customers.

‘Of course we’ve got a little sister, who we look after, and that’s great – but it can’t be at the expense of our Volvo customers.

‘The only challenge ahead comes as we sell more and more new cars, and Polestar do the same, we need to make sure that we’re not compromising.

‘It’s manageable at the moment. Obviously it’s an EV space so that clogs up the aftersales department in a different way but for me the gateway back to getting people into the franchise and back into a Volvo is giving them a great aftersales experience so that question [of more separation from Polestar] would be answered by that being compromised.

‘That’s the bit where there would be a question mark but other than that but other than that, we have set up like that intentionally.’

‘Safety is not boring’

During a fascinating keynote interview at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Melillo Shaw was also quizzed on what the Volvo brand represents in 2025.

The MD said that the outfit is ‘proud’ of its reputation for safety as it allows the firm to build from a solid base.

‘I think probably four years ago we wanted consumers to say something else as well as safety but we’re really clear now that actually we are proud of safety and it allows us to have a starting point to then expand, she added.

‘Yes, we now have advanced technology and yes we’ve moved forwards in lots of different ways but we are anchored in safety – that is our point of difference and we are so proud of it.

‘It’s not boring and as well as everything else we have to offer, that is a start point.

‘People often say to me “I’ve always thought Volvo was a great offering and great brand but when my teenager started learning to drive, the one car I hoped they’d end up in was a Volvo” because of that proposition.’

You can read all the headlines from Car Dealer Live here.

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‘What motoring should be all about’: Stellantis boss on Alfa Romeo’s all-electric future

It’s long been said that you can’t be considered a true petrolhead until you’ve owned an Alfa Romeo.

The Italian brand is famed for its passion, soul and driving pleasure but where does that fit in at a time when the future appears to be all-electric?

Some have worried that going green could spell the end of Alfa’s individuality, turning it into just another identikit EV manufacturer in an already crowded field.

However, Stellantis’s UK boss has now moved to reassure enthusiasts that ‘driving dynamism’ remains at the core of everything the brand does.

Speaking at Car Dealer Live, Eurig Druce boldly declared that ‘Alfa Romeo goes back to what motoring should be all about’ as he pledged that the outfit would never ‘drive average’.

He added that products like the current Alfa Romeo Junior are cars for people to ‘enjoy on a Sunday afternoon’ in order to get ’emotional reaction’.

‘Alfa Romeo goes back to what motoring should be all about,’ Druce told host James Batchelor in Gaydon. ‘Alfa Romeo will never be a brand that drives average.

‘It’s danger of what we’re seeing in the market today. If we’re going to make the full transition to electric – and maybe it’s a different discussion in terms of all of the other influences we need to make that happen – but we have to offer driving dynamism.

‘We have to offer people who are true motoring enthusiasts the kind of cars that they would want to be able to drive and enjoy driving when taking it out on a Sunday afternoon.

‘We never want to see a scenario where the motor industry starts to produce a load of magnolia products. It has to be something that gives an emotional reaction.

‘It has to be something that can be enjoyed.’

‘Electric vehicle doesn’t mean boring vehicle’

One of the big criticisms of EVs is that they are ‘boring’, which is regularly put forward as a reason for slow take-up.

Druce however, disagrees. He says that with the right engineering, EVs can be just as exciting as their ICE counterparts and again pointed to the Junior as a perfect example.

Appearing onstage along with Renault boss Adam Wood, he added: ‘Electric vehicle doesn’t mean boring vehicle – that’s crucial.

‘Anybody can create an electric car that goes from 0 to 60 in three to four seconds but I live in north west Wales and there’s a road – the A5 – which takes you right across North Wales.

‘The Alfa Romeo Junior is the kind of vehicle you want to go down that road in.

‘In electric form, of course it’s got acceleration but it’s also got drivability, its got road holding, it rewards the way that you drive it.

‘That kind of product, and bringing in more of those sorts of exciting products in Alfa Romeo and across all of our brands is something that for sure, we have scope to do.’

You can read all the headlines from Car Dealer Live here.

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Nissan appoints new sales director with Ed Jones set to return to Japanese brand

Nissan GB has appointed a new sales director as the brand looks to launch a wave of new electric and hybrid models.

The role has been given to experienced industry figure, Ed Jones, who returns to the Japanese brand after eight years away.

Jones previously worked for Nissan between 2011 and 2017, filling a number of different roles including sales performance manager, regional sales manager for the south and category manager for EVs.

After departing for Audi, he worked as national contract hire and leasing manager, before taking over the brand’s UK sales operations

He will now head back to Nissan, effective June 16, where he will be responsible for overseeing of the new Leaf, which is expected to be arriving in dealerships later this year.

Jones replaces Michael Auliar who will be leaving the company to follow another opportunity at the end of March.

Commenting on his return, he said: ‘I am delighted to be returning at such an exciting time.

‘Nissan was the only brand with two models in the top five best-sellers in 2024 and, with increased market share and double-digit sales growth, it’s a brand with real momentum in 2025.

‘With Nissan’s rich heritage in innovation I am delighted to be joining the brand as it looks ahead to some exciting new technologies and a great choice of electric and electrified vehicles.

‘I look forward to working with colleagues within the brand and across the retailer network.’

Bosses at Nissan say that Jones was appointed in order to help accelerate the brand’s ‘business transformation plan’. Once in post, he will work closely with the firm’s sales and dealer teams.

Mayra González, Nissan’s divisional vice president marketing and sales Europe, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Ed to our team – his experience and expertise in all areas of UK sales will be invaluable as we look to capitalise on some exciting new product launches.

‘Ed will help accelerate our business transformation plans, and lead our sales and dealer teams to continued success in the future.”

‘We thank Michael for his significant contribution to Nissan in markets including UK, Nordics and regional HQ and wish him well for his future endeavours.’

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Weekly Briefing: Why Daksh Gupta thinks another dealer giant could be created

In this week’s Car Dealer Briefing James Baggott rounds up the motor trade news you cannot afford to miss.

In the Car Dealer Weekly Briefing, his subscriber-only newsletter, he explains why Daksh Gupta thinks another dealer giant could be created.

He’s also been chatting to Dacia bosses at the launch of the new Bigster where he asked what they thought of the divisive name – and do they really are how people pronounce their brand?

Also featured in this week’s briefing are:

Arnold Clark’s chargers
Another SMMT warning
Renuault unveils the R5 Turbo
HMRC names and shames dealers
Tesla still in demand
Close Brothers losses
Paul Brayley steps down

To read the weekly briefing, you need to be a subscriber on Substack.

Subscriptions to the Substack newsletter cost £10 per month, or £100 per year, and there are discounts for companies who want multiple subscriptions for their staff.

You can sign up to read your first newsletter for free today – visit the Substack website and subscribe.

There’s also a list of the top 10 most popular stories on the CarDealerMagazine.co.uk website this week which always makes for interesting reading as you can see what has piqued everyone else’s interest too.

Find it on the Substack website now.

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