Car Dealer Podcast

Vertu's mystery investor revealed, Cherys could be made in Sunderland, and why drivers are falling in love with Chinese cars – with Damien Dally, episode 261

Vertu’s mystery investor revealed as Constellation increases holding in car dealer to nearly 20%Chinese carmaker Chery to build vehicles at Nissan Sunderland plant in major UK dealDrivers are falling in love with Chinese cars – and it’s not just because they’re cheaper

S2E261 Jun 05, 2026 72 min 55 annotations

Ferrari's controversial EV, Arnold Clark sells car for £1, and when is the 2CV coming back? – with David Gott, episode 260

Ferrari unveils Luce grand tourer as Prancing Horse goes electric for the first timeUsed coupe prices increase more than other body styles as number of new models fallCitroen brings back 2CV as Stellantis targets affordable EV marketArnold Clark to sell car for just £1 as dealer group celebrates the opening of first Welsh dealershipWeekly Briefing: Why legacy car makers are jumping into bed with the Chinese

S2E260 May 29, 2026 64 min 67 annotations

Auto Trader profits near £393m, Ford Fiesta may return, and is ChatGPT the future of used car search? – with Derren Martin, episode 259

Autotrader profits near £393m but admits Deal Builder roll-out hurt numbersFord outlines product offensive with five new vehicles including potential Fiesta returnConsumers can now search for their next car on Autotrader using ChatGPTCar dealer Brindley agrees franchise deal to open its first Lepas showroom

S2E259 May 22, 2026 67 min 49 annotations

Peter Vardy sells final dealerships, Vertu profits dip, and EV consideration hits record high – with Danny Bond, episode 258

Peter Vardy sells last remaining dealerships to Dutch dealer group Van MosselPeter Vardy’s CarMoney eyes expansion after sale to Japanese trading group ITOCHUVertu profits drop despite strong used car and aftersales performanceEV consideration hits record high as nearly one in four expect to make switchVideo: Used EV market rose in April as high petrol prices pushed buyers to electricLotus scales back pure-electric future – and announces new hybrid V8 supercar

S2E258 May 15, 2026 67 min 55 annotations

'Ghost car' finance fraud uncovered, Blue Motor Finance rumoured to be exiting, and Nissan to adjust Sunderland production – with Andrew Edmiston, episode 257

Land Rover Discovery named Britain’s most unreliable used car as brand dominates listRevealed: The used vehicles that even car dealers avoid buying at all costsBlue Motor Finance ‘teetering on the brink of collapse’ with £50m redress bill – reportsExclusive: Police investigating huge £10m ‘Ghost Car’ finance fraud after dealers ‘go rogue’Nissan to close production line at Sunderland plant as part of Europe-wide restructure

S2E257 May 08, 2026 67 min 53 annotations

Ghost Car Fraud: A £10m Finance Scam

In this podcast we explain how scammers have used ghost cars, rogue dealers and fake finance applications to take the industry for more than £10m.In this special Car Dealer Podcast episode, James Baggott speak to finance brokers hit by the scam, including DSG’s Rob Woollen and Octane Finance’s Daniel Horner, who reveal exactly how the con works and find out why it’s been so hard to stop.This is not a victimless crime. Dealers have lost their businesses, brokers have taken huge financial hits, and even genuine customers have been caught up in the chaos.In this episode, you’ll hear:– How ‘ghost car’ fraud actually works– Why real customers are being used in the scam– The role of rogue (and sometimes unwitting) dealers– How criminals are exploiting the finance system– The scale of the losses — and why it could keep growing– What dealers MUST do to protect themselvesThe Metropolitan Police has confirmed this is an active investigation — and this could be one of the biggest frauds the motor finance industry has ever seen. Join us as we explain how it works.

May 05, 2026 33 min 54 annotations

Vertu's £3.4m JLR insurance payout, Cazoo ditches Motors, and Hendy's huge losses – with Jason Cranswick & Ian Plummer, episode 256

Hendy Group falls to huge loss as late accounts finally posted – plus 2025 will be bad tooCazoo positioned as ‘credible challenger’ to Autotrader as Motors ditches brandAutotrader’s AI tools write 2.5 million car adverts in first 12 monthsVertu Motors to receive £3.4m insurance payout after JLR cyber attack disruptionVolkswagen finally reveals its new electric supermini – the 282-mile ID. Polo

S2E256 May 01, 2026 68 min 156 annotations

Lookers staff claim they face 'fresh threats of redundancy', Autotrader customer advisory groups take place, and Swansway's impressive results – with Sandy Burgess, episode 255

Staff at car dealer Lookers claim they ‘face fresh threats of redundancy’Weekly Briefing: What dealers said at Autotrader’s customer advisory groupsFCA faces legal challenge over £9.1bn car finance compensation schemeFamily-run Swansway sees profits and turnover soar in impressive set of 2025 accounts

S2E255 Apr 24, 2026 66 min 133 annotations

Cargiant to close, £100k Chinese EV launches, and Norton Way's profits slip further – with Craig Walker, episode 254

Official: Huge used car supermarket Cargiant will close on April 24 Car Dealer Recommends: The best used car advertising platforms rated and rankedVolkswagen reveals overhauled ID.3 Neo hatchback – now with added buttonsWeekly Briefing: What happened at luxury Chinese brand Denza’s big launch?Losses more than double to £5.7m at car dealership group Norton Way

S2E254 Apr 17, 2026 66 min 196 annotations

FCA crackdown on sale or return, Jaecoo 7 tops sales charts, and Motorpoint back in profit – with Clive Messenger, episode 253

Chinese car tops UK sales charts as EVs power best March since 2019Weekly Briefing: Which car brands are most at risk of the Chinese newcomers?FCA launches sale or return crackdown after sudden closures of GVE London and Targa FlorioMitsubishi appoints first new dealer partners return to UK sales edges nearerMotorpoint backs profits to soar to £7.5m after record-breaking year of sales in 2026Big Motoring World reveals record sales in Q1 as firm looks to move on from Waddell saga

S2E253 Apr 10, 2026 61 min 30 annotations

Jaguar boss Rawdon Glover on that relaunch – Jaguar Rebrand: Mistake or Genius Ep.3

In the final episode of our podcast series, Car Dealer talks to the man at the centre of the Jaguar relaunch: Rawdon Glover.The brand’s managing director speaks about what it was like being inside Jaguar when that controversy broke the internet.We cover the personal attacks he and his team faced, why Jaguar needed to be so dramatic and find out whether Gerry McGovern leaving the business will change the direction.You can catch up with all the episodes of Jaguar Rebrand: Mistake or Genius now.

Apr 06, 2026 52 min 31 annotations

Jaguar Rebrand: Mistake or Genius? – Episode 2, The Controversy

In episode two of our three part podcast series, Car Dealer again looks in detail at the Jaguar Rebrand – this time talking to branding experts and dealers.Following our video on the relaunch, available now on the Car Dealer Magazine YouTube channel, we have created a three part series of the interviews we conducted.In this episode, The Controversy, we talk to experts including Jon Evans, host of the CMO Uncensored Podcast, Nick Ede, a brand and PR guru, as well as car dealers Peter Smyth, a former Jaguar franchise holder, and used Jaguar dealer Tim Atkinson.We also get a view on the relaunch from Professor David Bailey of the Birmingham Business School about just why Jaguar needed to be so dramatic in the first place.Coming up in the third and final episode, we’ll hear from Jaguar’s managing director Rawdon Glover himself. In a detailed interview, he speaks about what it was like being inside Jaguar when the controversy broke the internet.We cover the personal attacks he and his team faced, why Jaguar needed to be so dramatic and find out whether Gerry McGovern leaving the business will change the direction.Episode three of our Jaguar Relaunch: Mistake or Genius? podcast will be published on Easter Monday.

Apr 04, 2026 46 min 32 annotations

Jaguar Rebrand: Mistake or Genius? – Episode 1, The Journalists’ View

In the first of a three part podcast series, Car Dealer looks in detail at the Jaguar Rebrand. Following our video on the relaunch – available now on the Car Dealer Magazine YouTube channel – we have created a three part series of the interviews we conducted.In episode one of Jaguar Rebrand: Mistake or Genius?, we hear The Journalists’ View on the Jaguar relaunch. We hear what it was like being at that big event at JLR’s headquarters in Gaydon back in November 2024 and their reaction to the rebrand and the Type 00.We hear why some elements of the media branded it as ‘woke’, and from journalists who have been behind the wheel of the new car.In this episode we chat to Ray Massey, motoring editor the Daily Mail, Steve Fowler from The Independent, Ginny Buckley from Electrfying.com and Stuart Gallagher, editor of drivers’ bible Evo and Wayne Scott, the editor in chief of Jaguar Enthusiast Magazine.In episode two, The Controversy, we talk to branding experts including Jon Evans, host of the CMO Uncensored Podcast, Nic Ede, a branding and PR guru, as well as car dealers Peter Smyth, a former Jaguar franchise holder, and used Jaguar dealer Tim Atkinson.And in the third and final episode, we’ll hear from Jaguar’s managing director Rawdon Glover himself. In a detailed interview he speaks about what it was like being inside Jaguar when the controversy broke the internet.We cover the personal attacks he and his team faced, why Jaguar needed to be so dramatic and find out whether Gerry McGovern leaving the business will change the direction.Episodes two and three of our Jaguar Relaunch: Mistake or Genius? podcast will be published over Easter.

Apr 02, 2026 45 min 31 annotations

G3 Auctions bought by US firm, FCA redress scheme in full, and Govt to look at ZEV mandate – with Ibrar Mohammed, episode 252

£7.5bn compensation scheme for motor finance scandal revealed by FCATarga Florio collapsed with £500,000 debts as failed supercar dealer reveals liabilitiesG3 Auctions acquired by US-based firm America’s Auto AuctionsGovernment begins review of ZEV mandate prompting hopes of revised EV sales quotas

S2E252 Apr 02, 2026 74 min 30 annotations

Cargiant keeps looking for a buyer, VAT scam and the CMA investigation - with Chris Green, episode 251

This week Chris Green from Regit joins James and Rebecca to talk about the biggest news of the week. Weekly Briefing: Cargiant staff told date used car supermarket may closeAutotrader investigated by CMA as part of crackdown on ‘fake and misleading’ reviewsVIDEO: New VAT scam targeting the motor trade – here’s what you need to knowLamborghini hits record sales in 2025 as margins come under pressureBig Motoring World director left in ‘absolute shock’ by Waddell’s bugging and surveillance claims

E251 Mar 27, 2026 68 min 32 annotations

What happened at Car Dealer Live 2026 Part 2 – with James Baggott, episode 250

Join us for more best bits from Car Dealer Live 2026. The event took place on March 19 at the British Motor Museum. In a second special podcast, James Baggott rounds up some of the highlights from our headline speakers and some of the brilliant research sessions. To catch up on all the news from the event check out the Car Dealer Magazine website and to watch back all the sessions, grab a replay ticket at CarDealerLive.co.uk

E250 Mar 26, 2026 53 min 33 annotations

Stellantis & You losses, job cuts at Bentley and Close Brothers, and all the latest from Car Dealer Live – with Ian Plummer, episode 249

Motor finance scandal and £85m of cost savings forces Close Brothers to cut 600 jobsStellantis injects £35m into its dealer group after a staggering £47.9m loss in 2024Bentley announces plans to cull hundreds of UK jobs as carmaker sees profits slumpLack of EV confidence is ‘a problem that we can’t seem to solve’ – Electrifying founder

S2E249 Mar 22, 2026 62 min 30 annotations

What happened at Car Dealer Live 2026 – with James Baggott, episode 248

Car Dealer Live 2026 took place on March 19 at the British Motor Museum. In this special podcast, James Baggott rounds up some of the highlights from Chinese challenger brands to how car dealers are using AI. To catch up on all the news from the event check out the Car Dealer Magazine website and to watch back all the sessions, grab a replay ticket at CarDealerLive.co.uk

E248 Mar 20, 2026 61 min 34 annotations

SMMT blasts EV sales targets, Big Motoring World court case continues, and what's going on at Cargiant? – with Martin Miller, episode 247

VIDEO: Watch as we catch scamming used car dealer conmen in the actSMMT blasts EV sales targets, branding them a ‘fantasy’ – but government rejects early reviewReform UK pledges to ditch Electric Car Grant and scrap 2030 ban if it wins next electionCourt hears Big Motoring World TrustPilot score fell after Waddell exitWaddell kept in the dark over misconduct allegations as investigation faces scrutinyIs used car dealer Cargiant up for sale as redundancy process begins with staff?

S2E247 Mar 15, 2026 68 min 32 annotations

Peter Waddell court case continues, DxB snaps up Harwoods JLR & BMW ops, and car finance redress scheme to be confirmed this month – with Tony Sciascia & Marc Palmer, episode 246

Waddell nicknamed employee ‘Ching the P***’ because ‘his father ran a corner shop’Daksh Gupta held talks over becoming Big Motoring World CEO after Marshall departureWeekly Briefing: High Court hears there was ANOTHER bidder for Big Motoring WorldNew car registrations enjoy best February in 22 years – but ZEV mandate fears returnCar finance redress scheme to be confirmed this month as FCA considers ‘implementation period’Dubai firm DxB Auto Investments buys Harwoods’ JLR and BMW operations in UK expansion⁠Time is running out to secure your Car Dealer Live tickets with just two weeks to go⁠

S2E246 Mar 06, 2026 64 min 32 annotations

Stellantis' annual loss, Mitsubishi L200 returns, and Government throws money at home charging – with Ginny Buckley, episode 245

Stellantis falls to first annual loss since merger, but new CEO promises growthCarGurus remains ‘fully operational’ despite falling victim to ‘cybersecurity incident’New Chinese brand Lepas confirms first model for UK – and it’s an SUV!Mitsubishi brings back L200 pick-up to UK market – priced from £36,295Government to roll out expanded grant to help EV drivers install home chargersMeet the brands set to shake up dealerships in 2026 at Car Dealer Live

S2E245 Feb 27, 2026 69 min 44 annotations

Peter Waddell in court, Polestar boss hails 'renaissance of the dealers', and latest on finance redress scheme – with Mike Askew, episode 244

Used car sales generated more than 18,500 customer complaints in 2025 – Motor OmbudsmanFCA agrees to climbdown over car finance redress scheme with carmakers set for exemptionPeter Waddell accused of using disabilities as a ‘fig leaf’ as High Court trial continuesWaddell ran ‘fiefdom’ and complained about ‘too many muslims’, court hearsPolestar boss hails ‘renaissance of the dealers’ as brand unveils biggest product push yetCar Dealer Live 26 manufacturer panel now complete with Subaru and Xpeng chief joining line-up

S2E244 Feb 20, 2026 68 min 31 annotations

We visit the world's biggest car auction, James drives an electric car and likes it, and Jony Ive's Ferrari collab – with Liam Quegan, episode 243

Weekly Briefing: Are US car dealers really that more advanced than the Brits?Ferrari confirms ‘Luce’ name for first EV and reveals iPhone-inspired interiorSuzuki GB boss confirmed for Car Dealer Live 26 as event line-up growsNew Dacia UK brand director to take to Car Dealer Live 26 stage on March 19

S2E243 Feb 14, 2026 62 min 28 annotations

News live from NADA show, Amazon Autos coming to the UK, and American dealers want to block Chinese cars – with James Leese, episode 242

American car dealers want to block Chinese manufacturers from gaining a foothold in the USAmazon Autos UK launch ‘lined up for 2026’ as web giant to go head to head with AutotraderDoes anyone really know what they’re doing when it comes to using AI?TikTok: Car dealers should encourage everyone to create video content Cargurus AI used car search function could be rolled out to the UK

S2E242 Feb 07, 2026 62 min 13 annotations

BCA Aston Barclay merger given green light, Group 1 to axe more dealerships, and the 'rampant' rise of Chinese car brands – episode 241, with Mark Docherty

Car Dealer Recommends: Autoglym products tested and rated – do they get our seal of approval?CMA green-lights BCA owner’s Aston Barclay takeover in provisional rulingWeekly Briefing: How have Chinese car brands grown so quickly?Group 1 to axe more UK jobs and dealerships despite clocking up record revenues in 2025The rampant rise of Chinese car brands – and how they’ll change the UK car market for goodNetworking break-out space added at Car Dealer Live for more inspirational conversations

S2E241 Jan 30, 2026 63 min 16 annotations