With 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.

As the Sunday Times put it today 'Arthur Daley, the man from Zoopla is coming' - a threat and/or a promise?

EV 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.

A 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.

Investors 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.

Despite 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.

An 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.

In 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.

As 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.

In 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 …

On 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 …

Parts Holding Europe acquired Oscaro in mid-November 2018, resulting in them adding another international aftermarket operator to their portfolio alongside Autodis Group …

Over 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.