'Fill your boots'

[Philip Nothard 26]

 

 

Has the Easter weekend been kind to you? 

 

With feedback comments such as, plenty of stock - fill your boots, does this mean that the shortage is over, or is it simply the consequence of the March market? 

 

If you have been monitoring the volumes of on-line trade stock, you may have noticed that the level has remained above the 30k since the start of April, with a total of 32,207 as of the 16th April.  This coincides with the volumes marketed through the Autotrader and various other re-marketing consumer sites - with AT only achieving the 400K this month, since the first two weeks of January. 

 

With regards demand, reported footfall year-on-year looked to have slowed, with a recent report on Thursday displaying a +3%; whereas, for most of the year, this figure has been in the low teens.

 

The question is, is the influx of stock and slow in demand connected, are you feeling the same - dealers I've spoken to are having yet another good month, with everyone chasing that unique, well spec'd, ready to drive away quality used car and are willing to pay the price for it. 

 

What is for sure, higher volumes certainly put pressure on values, as buyers have choice and can afford to wait for the next car through the hall, or at the end of the phone?

 

What's your experience, are these you or is this very sporadic across the network?

 

 

 

 

[Philip Nothard 26]

Is this along anybodies line of thought? 

 

I've certainly noticed over the years that there is a direct link between holiday periods and web traffic - showroom footfall is a bit harder to measure.... When the world is on holiday web traffic reduces (not just to car dealer sites - ever wondered why so many stores have Easter sales?).  More stock due to less punters certainly seems to make sense.

 

Have you noticed any reduction in showroom footfall or enquiry levels generally and more importantly, do the Easter sales drive traffic or is it case that those same consumers would be put buying in any case?