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The new car market is in total confusion. As the extended scrappage scheme finally comes to an end I have predicted that the manufacturers will turn their attention to the fleet market and offer incentives to fleet buyers and leasing companies. Unfortunately experts don’t share my optimism, they feel that manufacturers will still be cautious and unlikely to offer more incentives than are already available with increased Read more »

CO2 emissions have dropped on average by 20g/km over the past 6 years and yet, according to ALD Automotive the average power output has remained more or less the same. Average power has actually increased from 126ps to 130ps whilst engine sizes have reduced from 1915cc to 1787cc. So good news for the environmentalists as well as those that like a bit of get up and go under their right welly. Miles travelled are significantly down, very few of my contracts are for more than 10,000 miles per annum and even the big fleets have seen average mileage reduce from an average of 22,475 in 2003 to 17,860 in 2009 according to ALD. This is set to drop further as a result of reduced working and cost cutting. By Graham Hill

I mentioned the tax changes that will take place in April 2009 relating to company cars. However, some people are confused over the affects on leased cars whilst others still have concerns over their capital allowances after the changes have taken place. It would of course be wise to seek the advice of your accountant but in order to shed some light on a confusing situation – I hope this helps. First of all one thing will not change and that is the position with regard to ‘Low CO2 Emission Cars’. Whilst the threshold Read more »

If you are hell bent on driving a 4 wheel drive I would make the most of it now as auction house Manheim have reported exceptional losses sustained by leasing companies when re-selling end of contract 4WD cars. At the moment manufacturers are offsetting poor resale values with big discounts and bonuses but the long term view is that manufacturers will scale down production and switch the lines over to smaller more desirable ‘greener’ cars. This will mean that they will give away less by way of bonuses making the lease cost of gas guzzling 4WD cars very high.But whilst we are in this honeymoon period and you like 4WD’s now is the time to take one because by the end of the year rates will potentially be horendous and deliveries even worse. Hands up who wants a Hummer? By Graham Hill