BCA has published a major new report surrounding the economy and the used vehicle market.

The Long View Report – authored by Prof Peter Cooke and the automotive group at the University of Buckingham – examines the relationship between the state of the country’s economy, used vehicle supply and the retail used car market.

The report looks at economic and motoring trends over the last twenty years and suggests what sort of retail landscape used car dealers have to look forward to.

It also stresses the importance of viewing used car operations in the context of the wider economy and the rise in the cost of living.

As supply of first-time used cars is totally driven by the volumes entering the new car market in earlier years the report examines how shifts in supply may affect the size and shape of the used car marketplace.

Given the steep fall in new car volumes over the past three years, the report suggests there will be a big reduction in the supply of younger used cars in the short to medium term – which will affect used car prices and will lead to changes in dealer practices for sourcing vehicles.

‘Dealers need to get to grips with the changing demographics of the UK marketplace’

Prof Cooke suggests that dealers need to explore their options in an increasingly competitive marketplace for used cars and indicates that multi-sourcing will become standard practice. He warns that dealers that don’t adapt may struggle to acquire the right stock at a competitive price.

The report also highlights the skill sets dealers need to compete in an increasingly complex marketplace. In any retail operation, the purchasing function is arguably the most important factor in operating profitably.

Cooke also highlights the changing demographics of the UK marketplace that dealers need to get to grips with. The population is ageing and women are often in the driving seat when buying and choosing a used car – he asks ‘are the differing needs and preferences of men, women and different age groups fully recognised in terms of stocking and sales approach?’

Cooke said: ‘The market is becoming more competitive and professional; as such it is ever more important to remember the basics of building, supporting and ‘farming’ the customer base – it’s much easier and less expensive to retain and cultivate existing customers than find new ones.’

The Long View Report is available free to download at www.buckingham.ac.uk/cam as well as on the BCA website – http://www.british-car-auctions.co.uk/