Targa Florio Cars disappears without trace, BYD announces dealer of the year, and TC Harrison takes on Omoda Jaecoo – with Nathan Coe, episode 240
About this episode
The latest episode dives into the automotive industry's shifting landscape, featuring discussions on Targa Florio Cars' mysterious disappearance, BYD's dealer of the year announcement, and TC Harrison's new partnership with Omoda Jaecoo. CEO Nathan Coe from AutoTrader shares insights on market trends, including rising costs and the impact of new Chinese brands. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by traditional dealers and the evolving consumer preferences in the electric vehicle market, highlighting the adaptability of retailers amidst these changes.
Police investigating sudden collapse of supercar dealer Targa Florio Cars
Family-run T.C. Harrison becomes latest UK car dealer to sign up with Omoda and Jaecoo
Family-run Chariots Specialist Cars named as BYD’s first UK Retailer of the Year
Weekly Briefing: How dangerous is a sale or return model for car dealers?
Volkswagen Up
"It's a very awkward time for 10 VW ups to arrive from Japan, which is exactly what's happened."
The Volkswagen Up is a small car made for city driving. It's easy to park and great for getting around town, making it a good choice for people who live in busy areas.
The Volkswagen Up is a compact city car designed for urban driving, known for its small size and efficiency. It offers a practical solution for navigating tight spaces and is popular in various markets, especially in Europe.
Dodge Challenger
"like how buyers are really using AI, what Chinese challenger brands mean for your forecourt and how the best d..."
The Dodge Challenger is a big, powerful car that looks like the muscle cars from the past. People talk about it because it’s fun to drive and has a lot of horsepower, and it’s interesting to see how it competes with new car brands coming from China.
The Dodge Challenger is a classic American muscle car known for its powerful performance and retro styling. It has a strong following among car enthusiasts and is often discussed in the context of its competition with other muscle cars and the evolving automotive market, especially with the rise of electric vehicles and new entrants from brands like those in China.
Targa Florio Cars
"...the breaking news that Supercar dealer Targa Florio Cars, based in Chichester, had suddenly disappeared."
Targa Florio Cars was a business that sold very expensive and fast cars. They suddenly closed down, which can be surprising and concerning for car buyers and enthusiasts.
Targa Florio Cars was a dealer specializing in supercars, known for high-end and exotic vehicles. Their sudden disappearance from the market raises questions about the stability of luxury car dealerships.
sale or return strategy
"They are alleged to have had a sale or return strategy, which is where the dealer obviously takes the car in from a customer, sells it on their behalf,"
In a sale or return strategy, a dealership helps you sell your car. They take your car, try to sell it for you, and if it doesn't sell, you can get it back. It's a way to make selling easier for you.
A sale or return strategy is a business practice where a dealership takes a vehicle from a customer to sell on their behalf, often allowing the customer to reclaim the vehicle if it doesn't sell within a specified time frame. This can be beneficial for customers who want to sell their cars without the hassle of dealing with buyers directly.
sale or return policy
"...that sale or return policy of a way of running your business is so risky, especially when you're selling Ferraris."
A sale or return policy means that car dealers can sell cars and send them back to the manufacturer if they don't sell, but this can be risky for expensive cars like Ferraris.
A sale or return policy allows dealers to sell vehicles and return unsold stock to the manufacturer, which can be risky if the vehicles do not sell or if they incur damage.
engine goes pop
"...the previous owner, the engine goes pop..."
When someone says the engine 'goes pop', it means the engine has broken down badly, often making the car not work anymore.
The phrase 'engine goes pop' typically refers to a catastrophic engine failure, often resulting in significant damage that can render the engine unusable.
supercar
"...Lots of supercar dealers have been disappearing in the last few months and years."
A supercar is a really fast and expensive sports car. They are designed for high performance and are often very rare.
A supercar is a high-performance sports car that offers exceptional speed, luxury, and advanced technology. These vehicles are often produced in limited numbers and are known for their powerful engines and cutting-edge design.
SOR
"...you just wonder how much of it is to do with SOR because it's so tempting, isn't it?"
SOR is a term used in car sales that can refer to the paperwork involved in selling a car. Here, it suggests some issues in the dealership business.
SOR stands for 'Sales Order Receipt' and can refer to the documentation process in car sales, but in this context, it may imply the temptation or pressure in the car dealership industry related to sales practices.
Porsche
"...with things like your modern Porsches and Ferraris and Lamborghinis, you are going to get people coming back..."
Porsche is a famous car brand from Germany that makes fast and stylish sports cars, like the 911.
Porsche is a renowned German automotive manufacturer known for its high-performance sports cars, particularly the iconic Porsche 911.
Ferrari
"...and Ferraris and Lamborghinis, you are going to get people coming back..."
Ferrari is a luxury car brand from Italy that makes very fast and expensive sports cars.
Ferrari is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for its high-performance vehicles and success in motorsports, particularly Formula 1.
Lamborghini
"...and Ferraris and Lamborghinis, you are going to get people coming back..."
Lamborghini is another luxury car brand from Italy that makes very fast and flashy sports cars.
Lamborghini is an Italian manufacturer of high-performance sports cars, known for their bold designs and powerful engines.
T.C. Harrison
"...the family-run dealer group T.C. Harrison, of course, very famously Ford-only pretty much until this point."
T.C. Harrison is a car dealership that mainly sells Ford cars. They are a family-owned business and have been around for a long time.
T.C. Harrison is a family-run dealer group known for primarily selling Ford vehicles. They have a long-standing reputation in the automotive retail industry, particularly in the UK.
Ford
"...very famously Ford-only pretty much until this point. I think they might have a KGM franchise as well..."
Ford is a famous car company from America that makes many types of vehicles, including cars and trucks. They are known for popular models like the Mustang.
Ford is a well-known American automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. They are recognized for their iconic models like the Ford Mustang and Ford F-150.
J.Q.
"...they've become the latest dealers to sign up with Omoda and J.Q...."
J.Q. is a car brand that is part of the new wave of car companies from China, known for their modern designs.
J.Q. is another automotive brand that is likely part of the growing market of Chinese car manufacturers, focusing on innovative designs and technology.
Omoda
"...they've become the latest dealers to sign up with Omoda and J.Q...."
Omoda is a new car brand that makes modern and stylish cars. They are trying to attract younger buyers with their designs.
Omoda is a relatively new automotive brand that focuses on producing modern and stylish vehicles. It aims to appeal to younger consumers with its innovative designs and technology.
BYD
"...we popped into a BYD one. And the one that I walked into was a really, really nice showroom."
BYD is a car company from China that makes electric cars and batteries. They are known for their modern designs and focus on eco-friendly vehicles.
BYD is a Chinese automotive manufacturer known for producing electric vehicles and batteries. The company has gained significant attention for its innovative approach to sustainable transportation.
plug-in hybrid
"...mid-sized SUV plug-in hybrid. So I don't know what you'd pay..."
A plug-in hybrid is a car that can use both electricity and gasoline. You can charge it by plugging it in, and it can drive on electric power for a while before it needs to use gas.
A plug-in hybrid is a vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. This allows the car to run on electric power alone for a certain distance before switching to the gasoline engine, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Peugeot 3008
"...competing offer for a 3008, and it was"
The Peugeot 3008 is a type of SUV that is smaller than a full-size SUV but still offers plenty of space and comfort. It's available with different types of engines, including a hybrid that uses both petrol and electricity.
The Peugeot 3008 is a compact crossover SUV known for its stylish design and practicality. It offers a range of engines, including petrol, diesel, and hybrid options, making it a versatile choice for families and individuals alike.
EVs
"...brand loyalty when it comes to EVs. We thought actually that whole education process of what's JQ, what's a motor..."
EVs means electric vehicles. These cars run on electricity instead of gas, making them better for the environment.
EVs stands for electric vehicles, which are powered entirely by electricity rather than traditional fuels like gasoline or diesel. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and advancements in battery technology.
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