Chinese brands growing in popularity with UK dealers
Nearly half of all UK dealerships have added Chinese brands to their stock, according to new data released by Startline Motor Finance.
Its February Used Car Tracker found that 45% of dealerships now sell Chinese vehicles, with 45% saying they sell quickly and 33% saying they offer good value for money.
However, just over a third (37%) are still waiting to see how reliable they are, with 20% holding off because they are unsure of customer awareness and 14% saying they are nervous about parts availability and manufacturer support.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “In the last couple of years, Chinese new entrants have made a sizeable impact in the new car market with a flood of new models and the rapid establishment of substantial dealer networks.
“Stock is now beginning to filter through into the used sector and it’s clear that a large proportion of dealers are enthusiastic about their arrival. Their proposition in the used sector is similar to new; these are models that represent good value and have high retail appeal.
“It’s interesting that every dealer we surveyed who had sold a Chinese car reported that they sell quickly. A fast turnaround is obviously a key metric for motor retailers seeking stock.
“Objections from other respondents indicate a degree of wariness that might be applied to any unfamiliar car brand but to us, it seems likely worries over reliability and manufacturer support are likely to disappear relatively soon.”
