4:50 am, October 22, 2011
NISSAN MD Jim Wright believes the changes to the Motability scheme will see car firms reducing some list prices.
Amid concerns the current Motability scheme was being abused by drivers cheating the system, the charity have changed the way the system works.
The changes include the ‘rationalisation’ of cars available under the scheme by offering only cars with an advance payment of £2k meaning the RRP limit will be £25k.
Other changes include how Motability cars can be used, and a tightening on ages restrictions.
Writing on Nissan Insider, a website for the firm’s dealers, the Nissan boss reveals he’s of the view that due to the importance of Motability in the motor trade, car manufacturers will be forced to change list prices of certain models to allow them to be eligible for scheme users.
‘Those changes…will mean a big shake up in the way the motor industry’s biggest customer buys cars,’ said Wright.
‘With 575,000 cars on its books, Motability is the only single customer which has the ability to change the way the entire industry sells cars. Following the changes my crystal ball sees a number of manufacturers re-speccing models to make entry-level models priced at £24,999.99.’
Wright is also confident that the Japanese brand is well placed for the changes.
He said: ‘What does it mean for Nissan, which is the third largest supplier to the scheme? Our models, especially the crossovers, have always been popular on Motability because they’re desirable and accessible – not only in terms of price, but also their higher seat heights which many on the scheme find helpful. We also have several key models below the 115bhp limit.
‘I’m confident that we’re still very well placed to provide Motability cars now and in the future.’
